Dog-Friendly Camping near Park Rapids, MN

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Park Rapids, MN

459 Reviews of 144 Park Rapids Campgrounds

• 

  Sara P.

  Guide

  Aug. 29, 2018

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Great park with awesome activities

  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!

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• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  Jun. 9, 2019

  Breeze Campgrounds

  Great example of a northwoods camping resort!

  I am a tent camper and usually prefer primitive wilderness camping, thus I dont usually consider staying at RV campgrounds or resort type campgrounds. This place would have to be an exception if you wanted a really comfortable camping opportunity on a really beautiful lake! Located not far outside the quaint town of Park Rapids, and great for a variety if day trips to state parks and in state bike and water trails, the campground and the lake it is on is a pleasant destination in and of itself. Most folks are here with RV’s, but there are also camper cabins for glamping, and several tent-only sites that are large and wooded and in great locations near the lake and other campground recreational facilities like the lodge, the beach, the pool, and the game barn. The grounds are heavily wooded and beautifully maintained, the atmosphere is very family friendly, and the lake is great for swimming, fishing and boating. Lots of “resort amenities” without the resort prices, and campers have free access to a fleet if canoes and kayaks. Weekly, monthly and seasonal rates, plus many perennials store their boats and RVs here over the winter. Highly recommended for a northwoods retreat for all kinds of campers!

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• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  Sep. 24, 2019

  Iron Corner Lake Remote Backpacker Site — Itasca State Park

  Wilderness experience right in the neighborhood

  We love our Boundary Waters Canoe Area to the north of us, and the North shore of Lake Superior to the east, both of which offer some of the best wilderness camping in northern Minnesota. However, they are both a good three hour drive from our home in north central Minnesota. Itasca State Park, between Park Rapids and Bemidji, is our go-to special place when we want to take to the woods for a weekend but only have to drive about a half hour to get there. Most campers at Itasca head for the main campgrounds for standard tent and RV camping...but for a near Wilderness experience, there are 11 remote backpacker campsites which are between 1 and 6 miles trek into the roadless wilderness area of the park south of the parks main loop drive. The Iron Corner Lake remote campsite is one such campsite off on its own in the backcountry, actually by the nexus of the Ozawindib Trail and the North Country National Scenic trail that runs through this part of the park. It is an easy trek in from a small parking area near Josephine Lake, or from a larger parking area at the south entrance of the park. Either trail in goes up and over the Itasca Moraine, so there is some good elevation change along the traild, but not too rugged, and it is really just over a mile that you need to pack in to this campsite. The campsite comes with fire ring and benches, beautiful bed of pine needles for a tent pad, access to a gorgeous crystal clear lake, and a clean three-sided outhouse with a scenic view toward the lake. (No need for a door—its the wilderness! ) You can camp here as a base camp, and then have the chance to hike miles of trails in every direction to dozens of other wilderness lakes in the area. The trails in are both wide, soft, and well maintained so you could easily bring in a kayak ir canoe if you dont mind portaging the distance. Quiet, rustic, pristine, and dark skies at night! Check this page for a description of the MN state park remote campsites with a link to reserve one: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/remote_camping.html and check this link for info on the Itasca State Park overall https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181#homepage

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• S

  Seth J.

  Traveler

  May. 6, 2021

  Hungryman Lake Campground

  State Forest Camping Near Itasca

  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.

• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  Aug. 2, 2020

  DeSoto Lake Backpacking Sites — Itasca State Park

  Wilderness-type experience

  The Remote campsites at DeSoto Lake provide a Boundary Waters type experience without being far from the towns of Bemidji snd Park Rapids. These campsites have the double distinction of being both on the National North Country Scenic Trail, as well as being in the backcountry region of Itasca State Park. Local NCT members help maintain the trail and campsites, but as the campsites are with the State Park Boundaries, the sites must be reserved through the MN State Park reservations website, with request for Itasca Backpacking sites # 3 or 4. These sites are accessible to NCT through hikers, but access within the park is either through backpacking in in the Nicollet Trail or DeSoto Lake Trail (each a several hour hike in from the Parks Wilderness Drive), or from the Gartner Farm trailhead of the NCT to the west, or the Itasca South entrance parking lot. For those who prefer paddling, the Desoto Portage is about a 15 minute portage from the 113 parking lot to the south shore of DeSoto Lake, then a paddle acroos the lake to the campsite landings.

  Both campsites are on a bluff on the northeast side of the lake, with a landing and set of stairs up to the sites. The west site has log benches, fire ring, and room for several tents, and the east site also has a picnic table. Both have access to a pit toilet of the modern type with three walls and a roof, but no door as it is off in the woods facing away from the camping sites and overlooking another nearby lake. From these camp sites you can portage into several nearby lakes that are even more remote and pristine, or you can hike miles in any direction either on the NCT, or in several state park trails that intersect nearby. DeSoto lake itself is full of many islands and small bays where there is abundant wildlife including wild swans nesting. A calm, serene, and beautiful retreat if you dont mind backpacking in at least three miles or portaging a canoe or kayak about a mile. You need to bring your own water, or a water filter as there is no potable water.

  Info about remote MN state park camping and link to reservations: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/remote_camping.html

  Info on Itasca State Park: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181#homepage

  Info on the North Country Scenic Trail, part if the National Park Service’s national trail system: https://www.nps.gov/noco/index.htm

  Info on the Laurentian Lakes chapter of the NCT, which maintains the trail to the DeSoto campsites https://northcountrytrail.org/trail/minnesota/llc/

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• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  May. 26, 2018

  South Pike Bay

  Pike Bay campground, Chippewa National Forest

  Many people assume that Pike Bay is so named because of the plentiful fishing here for northern pike and their cousins the muskies. The fishing reputation is well earned, but the bay also has historical significance because it is the furthest north and west that explorer Zebulon Pike managed to travel on his fateful February expedition in search of the Mississippi Headwaters in 1805. After visiting what was later named Pike Bay in his honor, Zebulon Pike decided that Leech Lake was instead the source of the Mighty River; neither option was quite right!

  The National Forest Service campground at this location is really terrific. Like its larger neighbor to the north at Norway Beach, it is resplendent with old growth pine forest, and you can camp on large expansive shaded campsites right on the water and have your own hard sand beach to swim at plus a place to pull up your boat or canoe after launching from the nearby public access. There are bathroom facilities and a water supply here, and the Migizi Bike Trail runs right through the campground for those who want to bike up to Norway Beach for park naturalist programs, or to loop around all of Pike Bay, or join up with the northern spur of the Heartland Trail which will carry you south to the quaint town of Walker where you can spend a great day out, or continue on bike paths towards Bemidji, Park Rapids or Brainerd.

  This campground has all the advantages of the the Norway Beach campgrounds, but is smaller, quieter, and more off the beaten path. If given a choice between Norway Beach, Knutson Dam, or Pike Bay, hands down I would choose this one!

  Remember: Pike Bay does connect on its north end into Cass lake, where invasive exotic zebra mussels have been found, so be sure to check and clean your watercraft if out on the water!

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• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  Apr. 12, 2019

  Deer Park Lake Backcountry Campsite — Itasca State Park

  Ranger Review: Mountain House Hash at Itasca's Deer Park Lake

  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

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• 

  Glenda D.

  Ranger

  Apr. 8, 2021

  Bagley City Park

  Nice campground inside the town of Bagley

  The campground has either electric or water or just electric sites for RVs and there are also tent-only sites.  The tent sites are located across from and adjacent to the RV sites.  The RV sites are pretty close together but, we were there in the middle of the summer and there were a couple of open tent sites on one side of us.  The campground is pet friendly and the management is friendly.  The campground is close to Itasca State Park as well.  Others have mentioned that getting in to the campsites near the circle drive area (closest to the lake parking lot) are a little difficult to get into & this is very true.  We have an 8x17 Ice Castle/RV that we pull behind the truck and backing into our spot without disturbing other campers was not an easy task.  The circle drive is right where the last couple of RV sites are sitting and there is a tree at the point of the circle drive so you have to avoid the tree and maneuver around it when backing in.  The sites that are closer to the entrance & the playground that do not have a good view of the lake are easier to get in to.  We used the dump station which is nicely situated on a slope just outside the entrance so it's easy to completely pump out a tank that might sit lower on your unit.  There was a picnic table and campfire ring at each site.

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• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  May. 26, 2018

  Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite

  Little Gulch is great!

  Within the Paul Bunyan State Forest, there are several official state forest campgrounds, individual hike-in primitive campsites (such as along the North Country Scenic Trail) and also various official dispersed campsites for those who want a back country experience not too far off the beaten path.

  Just north and west of the official Group campsite at Lake 21 is a lovely chain of lakes called the Little Gulch Lakes that are perfect for paddling. See this link for a state forest map of the area: the campsite is located by the canoe landing symbol off West Gulch Road:

  https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_forests/sft00038.pdf

  The lakes are clear and pristine, and far from crowds although within an easy drive of Akely, Bemidji, Itasca and Park Rapids. This is a great destination for canoeing or kayaking from ale to lake, all along a unique glacial moraine with deep quiet forests, plenty of wildlife, and crystal clear water in narrow but very deep glacial lakes. The canoe landing at Second Little Gulch has not only a nice access for non motorized craft, but also has a little known but really lovely primitive campsite that could accomodate several small groups. Best for camping, it would have room for a small trailer or two to drive in, but of course there are no hook ups of any kind as this is a backcountry location. There is a pit toilet, many good tent sites, and a picnic area, all on a lovely peninsula on the north side of the lake. You can easily drive to this location on back forest roads, though note that these roads are closed in winter and spring.

  There is no well or pump or other water source at this campsite, and though the water is basically clear and clean you should either bring your own water jus or plan to boil or filter the nearby lake water as there is a lot of beaver activity in the area.

  You can do some hiking along the quiet forest service roads nearby, paddle the chain of lakes, or go fishing. The lakes are not heavily fished, but they are not regularly stocked by the DNR either. It may be of interest for those fishing that the substrate of these lakes favors small mouth bass, which are fun to angle for but are fairly uncommon for this neck of the woods!

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