Camping near Palisade, Minnesota centers around the former mine lands transformed into recreation areas. Situated at approximately 1,300 feet elevation in north-central Minnesota, this region features clear, deep lakes formed from flooded iron ore pits. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F, while summer camping season brings highs in the 70-80°F range with moderate humidity.
What to do
Fishing in trout-stocked waters: Willow River offers excellent fishing spots with scenic water views. "It's very nice with beautiful views of the water. I will say that ticks have been a issue on my dogs. Other then that love it!" notes a camper at Willow River.
Explore nearby state parks: Located just a half-mile from Banning State Park entrance, Banning RV Park provides convenient access to hiking trails and climbing areas. A visitor mentions, "Great proximity to Banning State Park. Enjoyed a great day of hiking around this state park and enjoying the water and ruins of old buildings."
Golfing: Minnesota National RV Park sits directly inside a golf course, offering a unique camping experience. According to one camper, "The golf course is amazing - one of the nicer public courses in the state. I can see a lot of folks choosing this RV park as a golf vacation - we were here because we were spending two weeks with family on Big Sandy Lake, just ten minutes away."
What campers like
Private lakeside sites: Camp Holiday Resort offers waterfront camping with personal docks. "We had site 1 which was right on the lake. We were able to park the camper parallel to the lake which was amazing. Such a beautiful view!" shares one camper who appreciated the layout.
Clean facilities and family amenities: Campers at Camp Holiday Resort appreciate the well-maintained grounds. A recent visitor noted, "We tent camped and appreciated the clean facilities, activities for kids to do, and close to great fishing lakes (Bay Lake & Borden Lake)."
Cabin comfort with modern amenities: True North Basecamp provides cabins with comfort-focused features. "Cabins are basic but clean with comfortable beds, a table and ac! Right on the lake and direct access to the trails," mentions one camper who enjoyed the simple but practical setup.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Cloquet-Duluth KOA, site location significantly impacts your experience. "Sites are mostly level and are some are a bit tight and close to your neighbors. They have recently added some additional RV spots and some other upgrades as well," notes a regular visitor.
Utility hookup challenges: Water access varies significantly between sites at some campgrounds. One camper at Banning RV Park shared, "Our water source ended up being 75' plus from our RV. Thankfully I just happened to be carrying the extra hose for several years but never had to use it before."
Train noise: Some campgrounds have nearby railroad tracks with active traffic. A Cloquet-Duluth KOA camper points out, "Like so many RV/campgrounds this one is also located near to railroad tracks that has several trains that come through day and night."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for sites away from playground areas if seeking quiet. "Our site was directly across from the playground and the kids playing at the playground were all pre-teens who screamed non-stop," warns a camper at Cloquet-Duluth KOA.
Water recreation options: Crosslake Campground offers excellent water access for families. "This has 2 boat ramps and a fishing pier. You can beach your boat but the spots can fill up pretty fast," notes a visitor who enjoyed the lake access.
Look for level sites: Uneven terrain can make for uncomfortable sleeping. One visitor to True North Basecamp mentioned, "I camped in site #18 and it either isn't very level or I just did a poor job of setting up my tent because we were slanted all night."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Be prepared with extra leveling blocks at some sites. At Banning RV Park and Campground, "Our sites were grass that was a little long and rutted from what seemed from previous tenants. This made getting leveling a little difficult and out fold out stairs touched the ground before fully being deployed."
Arrival timing: At Minnesota National RV Park, navigation can be tricky. "Our RV GPs took us to the golf course, but we called the info phone number, which was the golf course clubhouse, to find out exactly how to get to the campground area," shares one RVer who recommends arriving during daylight.
Hose length preparation: Many glamping sites near Palisade require extra-long hoses. "The utilities are in the far back of the site. I needed about 20' of sewer, electric, and water hose to reach my rig," notes a camper at Minnesota National RV Park who recommends bringing additional length for hookups.
