RV camping near Orr, Minnesota offers proximity to Voyageurs National Park with direct lake access at several established campgrounds. The region experiences severe winters with temperatures frequently dropping below zero, which explains why most RV parks operate seasonally from May through October. Cell service varies significantly by provider and location throughout the area's pine forests and lakeshores.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: McCarthy Beach State Park provides access to both Side Lake and Sturgeon Lake for varied fishing conditions. "If it is too windy on one lake, just walk across to the other one," notes one camper. The shallow water areas also create good conditions for younger anglers.
Boating and kayaking: The lakes around Kabetogama provide direct access to Voyageurs National Park waterways. "As soon as you are on the water, you are in a National Park," explains a visitor to The Pines of Kabetogama Resort. For those without boats, "you can rent one from the resort and tour the lake."
Night sky viewing: The area offers exceptional stargazing due to limited light pollution. "This is a night sky park, so they ask you to turn off your outside lights after quiet hours," mentions a reviewer. Another camper at McCarthy Beach State Park states this is "the best place that I have seen the northern lights."
What campers like
Wildlife sightings: Campers report regular wildlife encounters throughout the region. "We saw bald eagles fly by every afternoon," notes one visitor to The Pines of Kabetogama Resort. Another camper mentions "plenty of deer, bald eagles, and loons during our stay."
Natural sounds: Many campers appreciate the quiet soundscape of the region. At Headquarters RV Park, visitors enjoy "sitting out in the screen tent listening to the ruffled grouse drum and the peace and quiet of nature." Another camper values "listening to the loons at night."
Campsite privacy: Several RV parks offer good separation between sites. Headquarters RV Park features "only 13 spacious sites in this park with plenty of room to fit your RV, boat or 4 wheelers and trailer, screen tent with plenty of room to spare, and beautiful pines between you and your neighbor for privacy."
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience periodic water quality issues. At McCarthy Beach State Park, one visitor noted "temporary problems with the drinking water on the whole campground - couldn't brush teeth with sink water, and had to go to the dump station to fill up from the one safe water spigot."
Bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between properties. The West 40 RV Park and The Pines of Kabetogama Resort receive positive reviews for their facilities, while others have limited or no shower options.
Pricing variations: Costs can differ dramatically between properties. The Pines of Kabetogama Resort is described as "pricey @$95/night but great location for Voyageurs NP." Some campgrounds offer monthly rates for extended stays.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Side Lake Campground offers an excellent swimming beach. "The beach is amazing with crystal clear water, shallow depths for kids and family swimming, great picnic spots all along the expansive shoreline, new beautiful bath house, and overall terrific accessibility for folks of all kinds."
Accessibility considerations: Some parks have improved accessibility features. McCarthy Beach State Park has "great paved walkways and gentle access ramps everywhere" which makes it suitable for "families with young kids and folks with disabilities."
Kid-friendly water areas: Several lakes in the region feature shallow swimming areas. At McCarthy Beach, "the lake is shallow for quite a ways out so it's great for water games and younger swimmers, as well as those who just just love floating around."
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: At The Pines of Kabetogama Resort, "If you don't get the preferred lake view spots, staying on the Cliffside is not worth it. While you can see the lake (through other spots) there are very few trees and some of the fire pits are right on the road."
Setup assistance: Some parks provide arrival assistance. "Reviews talk about how nice it is that they greet you and show you to your site in a golf cart. This is because there's one giant hill to go in or out and they're mitigating problems," explains one reviewer about the terrain at The Pines.
Seasonal timing: Most RV parks in the area operate between May and October. A visitor to Arnold's Campground noted "Service was great, Arnold helped me book a spot for a family gathering nearby." However, several reviewers warn that some parks advertise tent sites that are "definitely not suitable for tents" despite their listings.
