Best Glamping near Park Rapids, MN

A nice small campground about half way between Park Rapids and Itasca State Park. Got there on a Friday afternoon when Itasca State Park was completely booked up and we were the first ones there with just a few other campers coming throughout the weekend. Large and mostly shaded sites with several being right on the lake. Only downsides were there were no trash cans and no toilet paper in the pit toilets but that may change once it gets later in the season. Would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to explore Itasca State Park but also wanting a more quiet camping experience.

Visited Itasca State Park in July 2016. It was an awesome trip, despite our 3yo getting sick and having to go to Park Rapids for Urgent Care.

We camped with three other families at Pine Ridge Campground and had sites next to one another. It was awesome to be just a path away from our friends. There were eight adults and nine kids age 1.5-6 and there was so much to do, despite the young age of the kids. We hiked to the Fire Tower, with several of the group making the climb to the top. The park was a lovely setting for afternoon drives to catch a nap. The beach was crowded, but a lot of fun. We attempted fishing for the first time and played at the playgrounds. One of our favorite activities was visiting the Headwaters of the Mississippi and walking across the "river" on the rocks.

Sites were nice and large, as two of our four had the REI Kingdom 8 tent. Our site had a large screened canopy.

We haven't been back yet, but it's definitely on the list of campsites we would revisit. Just trying to get to all the MN State Parks first!

CAMPGROUND REVIEW

Itasca State Park is a primo destination in northern Minnesota for folks interested in exploring the headwaters of the Mississippi River. There are several campgrounds, group camps, cabins and lodge accomodations in the park that suit most visitors. But for folks who want a wilderness experience while at the headwaters, there are miles of wilderness trails in the backcountry area on the southern end of the park—and there are campsites and Adirondack shelters scattered throughout the myriad glacial lakes of this backcountry, enough so that you could backpack by foot or on snowshoes or cross country skis for a week through the territory, staying at a different lakes every night. April in Minnesota means we are still winter camping—but despite the snow, the sun is bright and warm, and it is great to get out into it. The park is at its peak of solitude in the winter, but if you can find a way to get to a campsite, they are open and reservable. This review is for Remote Campsite 11, located on an isthmus between Coffee Break Lake and Deer Park Lake. It is a several mile hike in from the nearest parking areas, either via Mary Kake and the Ozawindib Trail, or via the Deer Park Trail from Douglas Lodge. The trail is rolling and maintained for cross country skiers, snowshoers and snowhikers in the winter. This campsite is located just past the Ozawindib Adirondack Shelter, which is a good backup if its too windy or cold at the campsite. The campsite itself is down a hill by the lakeshore, between two lakes actually, on a rise that overlooks both. There is an additional campsite nearby on the south end of Deer Park Lake, campsite 10. There is a tent pad sheltered under the tall pines (and currently under the snow!) as well as a fire ring and an outhouse. There is no water provided, but a large bucket is available, so you can get lake water and filter it, or melt snow or bring your own. This is a great location for folks who like winter camping as the trek in is only a few miles, I was able to do it easily carrying a backpack of gear on my back, and a front pack with my dog when she got tired if trudging through the snow. And of course it is an easy hike in during the milder snow-free seasons. The site is scenic, pristine, and largely sheltered from the wind. The vista north over Coffee Break Lake would be awesome for viewing northern lights, this is a dark sky part of the park. It can get a little muddy in the transition season, including around the campfire area, so we hung out at the Adirondack shelter nearby and did our cooking there.

To see a map and reserve a back country campsite at Itasca, check this link:

https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/Facilities/AdvanceSearch.aspx

For more info on Remote Camping in Minnesota State Parks, see this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/remote_camping.html

For general info on Itasca State Park, go to the homepage: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181#homepage

PRODUCT REVIEW

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I ocasionally get camping products to test out. Today I am testing Mountain House Southwest Breakfast Hash https://www.mountainhouse.com/m/product/spicy-southwest-breakfast-hash.html

Mountain House makes lightwieght, freeze-dried trail meals that are "cooked" in their own pouches using only boiling water. The sealed pouches are durable and lightwieght to carry, and the no-fuss no-muss prep of adding boiling water and letting it stand for 4 minutes in the re-sealable pouch is really easy. Since I was carrying my gear on my back, and carrying my tired little dog in a front pack carrier, I certainly didnt want to have extra weight! But these meal pouches are so light you hardly know you are carrying them. This pouch of SW breakfast hash had more than enough for two people plus some leftover for the dog, we served it up on tortillas that we had also packed, but you could eat it straight up. The hash featured beans, corn, potatoes, veggies and shredded beef for a well rounded complete meal as is, but you could extend the servings by scrambling it with eggs to dish up for a larger group. The taste and texture were surprisingly good, tasty without being too spicy, and I would defintiely buy this again. See our video review at https://youtu.be/nB9lBmjUsqU

Itasca State Park is a jewel in the state park system of Minnesota, and the park’s Pine Ridge campground is where hordes and crowds of visitors stay when visiting it in summer. The park is very quiet and lightly used in winter, but wow, its the best time of year! The paths to famous spots like the headwaters of the Mississippi River and the visitor centers are plowed and maintained, and there are myriad groomed trails from cross country skiing and snow shoeing. A lot of people go ice fishing too. There is not a big demand for camping so mist if the campsites are closed, but Pine Ridge does maintain a selection of campsites with hookups for those who do want to venture forth. The campground bath houses are closed for the winter and water is shut off, but you can car camp and rv with hookups if you want, or tent camp if you know how to do so comfortably in winter and dint mind using outhouses in the campground. There is running water and regular bathrooms at the main visitor’s center so that is an option, but several miles drive from the winter campsites. So, bottom line, come prepared with all your own supplies, and make sure you know how to stay warm if car or tent camping. A winter visit to the park is well worth it!

Several rangers directed us here so we stopped in before we left Minnesota. The ranger was very helpful and set us up with a quiet campsite. The drive in was a few miles but it gave a view of the variety of ecosystems in the park. 

Site 33 is by itself on the access road to a small non-electric loop. This meant no distraction for my dog and let the bird song entertain us. There is a very long walk to a restroom but water is close by. The site is large and has enough room for two cars. This is a great site as long as you don’t mind the walk. 

We tried out hiking along one of the trails. The grass was long and we quickly found ticks crawling up our leg. More trimming of the trails would make hiking more pleasant. There are trails for horses and mountain bikes. Another draw is the lake. Bring your boat or rent one. There is even a place to clean your catch. 

The sites in the main loop have little privacy. That, coupled with the hiking trails, made this a not so high recommendation. It would go over higher with fishermen.

We spent 5 days there and it was not enough!! This place has beautiful scenery whether you are in an inside lot or on the lake. Staff was very kind and accommodating and shower/bathhouse were well maintained and setup very nice. I highly recommend this place and have already booked for next year and many more to come!!

My wife and a number of her friends have raved about this place so we booked a site for a week over the 4th of July.

First off, every member of the staff we worked with from reservations to the store were wonderful. They were helpful, courteous and polite but you could tell that they were no nonsense. Personally I appreciate that. It signaled to me that we were dealing with professionals and gave me confidence in the campground.

We got there and I knew we were in for a treat. There is a causeway that leads from mainland to the island and it's such a fun and unique way to get to camp. Check in was smooth and went off without a hitch. The facilities were so very clean and well maintained. There was even easy access to a potable water station to fill out camper.

They were very clear from the get go that campers over a certain size weren't allowed and while ours isn't huge, maybe 30 foot hitch to bumper, I could see why they were so up front. We fit into our site and were able to get around when we needed to but it was certainly snug at times and some sites would be tough for a rookie to back into I think. If you're tenting it you've got no issues.

The facilities were amazing! That isn't hyperbole, they were so very clean and modern that we used them instead of our own camper most of the time. The bathhouse is easily the best I've seen at a campground, there are pit toilets scattered about for convenience and we would see staff stop by a few times a day to clean and stock up.

The beach area is great and nice sand. There are tables with umbrellas and volleyball slides in the water.

They offer various things to rent. We didn't use any of them but I remember the rates were very reasonable and what I could see things looked very well maintained.

The two things that stick out in my mind are the lack of bugs and how reasonably priced firewood was. I don't know if they actively control bugs or if it's just a natural byproduct of their unique location but in the week we were there we never applied bug spray.

We loved our one week there so much that we've asked to be put onto a permanent renewal because we will be going back over and over.

This is yet another canoe campsite and canoe launch on the state—designated Crow Wing River Water Trail https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/crowwingriver/index.html This is a good paddle-in stop or primitive camping destination. Though some if the campsite picnic tables have seen better days, the campsites themselves are in good shape, as is the canoe landing. The outhouses are decent and seem relatively new. Plenty of firewood provided. Scenic location and vistas along the river

The trail is a beginner level trail. A couple uphills, but nothing too bad. The campsite is basic. A log to sit on, a fire ring, and spots for 2 or 3 tents. The campsite overlooks a lake. Water is weedy. There is a little trail that brings you down to the lake.

The trail is a beginner level trail. A couple uphills, but nothing too bad. The campsite is basic. A log to sit on, a fire ring, and spots for 2 or 3 tents. The campsite overlooks a lake. Water is weedy, but is filterable for boiling water. Woke up to trumpeter swans each day. Loved it. There is a little trail that brings you down to the lake to view the bird life. Overall the site is maintained well. Pretty flat and no issues putting in stakes.

I stayed for 2 nights.  it was beautiful and serene.  There is a bear box which was helpful to store food and supplies since I was Hammocking.  Great trees for Hammock.  I was also able to get internet so I was able to see a big storm coming.  The birds and insects were suddenly silent and the clouds came in fast.  I was able to check weather apps and go to the shelter a mile toward the parking lot and wait out the storm.

We hiked in and found a site that we wanted, but it was occupied, so while we didn't get to stay there, we would have enjoyed doing so. Seemed a bit more remote than the general campground. Would have been fun to stay. They also have a lodge, but I've never stayed there.

We wanted to get a jumpstart on the 2019 camping season so we booked a backpacking site (Friday) and two sites here (Saturday) for the first weekend in May. In hindsight, it may have been a bit ambitious as temperatures dropped to the low 30s at night - but hey, it was retrospective fun!

Our sites, E119 and E120, were pretty standard as far as drive-in sites go, and perhaps a bit expensive ($25). That said, after backpacking the previous night, it was nice to be able to charge our electronic devices. Each site has its own picnic table and fire ring, and ample room to place a tent (or two!). If you're camping outside shoulder season, make sure you stock up on firewood as most of the local convenience stores don't seem to have it in stock. Overall, solid spot - but nothing overtly special.

A big park with lots of campsites and plenty of campers. Most of the day visitors congregate in a few areas and, by late afternoon, it's not difficult to find some quiet spaces. While you are camping in the woods, you are always aware that you are sharing the space with many other campers. Your enjoyment will depend upon your patience and tolerance of what your fellow campers feel is "camping".

Itasca is a beautiful park. Gorgeous scenery to enjoy. We saw lots of deer within the park. We loved our stay at the Pine Ridge Campground. We were close to drinking water and the very well maintained modern showers/toilets. There are other campsites within the park that are more rustic if that is what you’re looking for. We will definitely be back!

This was our second visit to Itasca State Park. We have camped in both the tent campsites and the electric ones. We again rented a pontoon boat and drove around the lake which is very beautiful. They offer dog friendly rentals which is right up our alley. They also have a wonderful gift shop at the visitor center with lots of great finds. The headwaters, although usually somewhat crowded, are always fun to visit and just a short walk from the parking lot. This is a very popular state park so book a year in advance whenever possible.

We were unlucky with our weather and it rained on us the entire time. But we have heard great things and can't wait to come back on a sunnier day!