Best Campgrounds near Pequot Lakes, MN

The Brainerd Lakes region surrounding Pequot Lakes, Minnesota features numerous campgrounds nestled among dense pine forests and pristine lakes. Wildwedge Golf and RV Park offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations directly in Pequot Lakes, while RV Resort Village provides well-maintained sites with concrete pads and full hookups. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Cross Lake Recreation Area, Gull Lake Recreation Area managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Crow Wing State Park. The Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite offers more primitive options for those seeking a quieter experience. Most campgrounds in this area provide water access, with many sites situated directly on lakeshores.

Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping in the Pequot Lakes area, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. Minnesota's notorious summer mosquitoes can be challenging, particularly in wooded sites. As one camper noted, "If you visit in the summertime, expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly!" Popular lakeside sites often require reservations months in advance during peak summer weekends. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with more remote sites in Paul Bunyan State Forest having limited or no coverage. Minnesota's firewood transportation restrictions apply to all campgrounds to prevent the spread of invasive species, requiring campers to purchase certified wood locally.

Waterfront access represents the primary draw for many visitors to the area's campgrounds. Campers consistently mention the quality of fishing opportunities, particularly in Gull Lake and Cross Lake. Sites with lake views tend to fill quickly and command premium rates. The region offers a notable contrast between developed RV resorts with full amenities and more rustic state forest campgrounds. As one reviewer of Mantrap Lake Campground noted, "For the price of only $14 a night, you can't go wrong. Almost every site had a fair amount of space and privacy from neighboring sites." Proximity to recreational trails, particularly the Paul Bunyan Trail, provides additional activities beyond water sports, with several campgrounds offering direct trail access for hiking and biking.

Best Camping Sites Near Pequot Lakes, Minnesota (185)

    1. Gull Lake Recreation Area

    9 Reviews
    Baxter, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 290-5772

    $32 - $50 / night

    "Minnesota in the summer the parks are very full of large RVs. Our teardrop fits inside one. Nice clean campground. Friendly rangers. Nice showers."

    "We stayed in site 29 with electric and it was large but the only down fall is the firewood for purchase is next to the site, so there is a bit more foot traffic walking by."

    2. Crow Wing State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Baxter, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 825-3075

    $21 / night

    "Excellent map signage on the hiking trails too. Clean and tidy vault toilets. There is access to the extended bike path from this state park as well."

    "Tent camp here once and a while, but finally got around to officially doing the hiking club trail."

    3. Cross Lake Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Pequot Lakes, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 290-5793

    $24 - $40 / night

    "This is a great campground in the Brainerd lakes area of Minnesota.it is right in the middle of the town of Crosslake but when you’re in the campground you feel like you’re out in the woods."

    "Could just be the current political budget restraints but I tent camped Gull Lake RA for four nights never saw a Ranger."

    4. Wildwedge Golf and RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Pequot Lakes, MN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 568-5000

    "Lots of amenities in the surrounding area. Good golfing. Good times"

    "Rode our bikes on the Paul Bunyan Trail to Nisswa and had some ice cream at The Chocolate Ox. Did a little shopping and got a beer at the brewery. Great location for lots of activities."

    5. Crosslake Campground

    5 Reviews
    Crooked Creek Lake, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 290-5793

    "The lake is nice and offers a boat ramp.  It is a clean lake but does have zebra mussels.  Nice walk around the campsite.  There is a dam with a nice fishing pier. "

    "Lovely park on cross lake. Sites are large although not alway easy for bigger rigs to get into due to trees. But trees are part of the beauty. Camp amenities in good shape."

    6. RV Resort Village

    2 Reviews
    Pequot Lakes, MN
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 568-8009

    "The campground was tucked away from the highway, so it was very quiet and peaceful. The grounds were beautifully landscaped with full grass."

    7. True North Basecamp

    9 Reviews
    Crosby, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 833-2267

    "The cabins are my favorite because of the lake views, proximity to the bathhouse, and heat/AC units. Cabin #5 has the best unobstructed views of the lake. Cabins have WiFi."

    "A great little campground right near the town (easy to bike in for coffee or beer) but it feels like you're deep in the northwoods! Some sites are better than others in terms of privacy."

    8. Breezy Point Resort

    1 Review
    Pequot Lakes, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 562-7141

    "Beautiful spot with lakes all around."

    9. Cuyuna Range Campground

    7 Reviews
    Cuyuna, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 228-2991

    $57 - $65 / night

    "And, this campground is close to the fun downtown in Crosby and the great bike trails and parks there. The Ironwood spot I was in is also especially private, so highly recommend it!"

    "It’s clean, well-maintained, and close to town for groceries and restaurants. Would stay here again."

    10. Ronald Cloutier - Cross Lake

    3 Reviews
    Crooked Creek Lake, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 692-2025

    "The Lake is actually part of a string of lakes friendly to high speed motor boats as well as canoeing/kayaking. Like all other COE campgrounds, it honors campground passes, cutting the fees by half."

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Recent Reviews near Pequot Lakes, MN

379 Reviews of 185 Pequot Lakes Campgrounds


  • Lindsey R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Beautiful park with so many things to do!

    Set on the Upper Missisippi this was well worth the 8 Mile detour off the main east/west route through MN. History, hiking, biking, fishing and boating here. We grabbed a site just above the river. So peaceful and quiet. The few campers here on a late September day were mostly at the electric site area. There is an old town site with informational plaques along the way that depict what life was like here in the 1890s. Excellent map signage on the hiking trails too. Clean and tidy vault toilets. There is access to the extended bike path from this state park as well.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ronald Cloutier - Cross Lake

    Crosslake MN COE campground

    This is a spacious campground with 123 sites, most with electricity, all wooded. The Lake is actually part of a string of lakes friendly to high speed motor boats as well as canoeing/kayaking. Like all other COE campgrounds, it honors campground passes, cutting the fees by half. A COE ranger patrols regularly. It of definitely dog friendly without breed or size restrictions. It is just north of Brainard, MN so civilization is nearby but the turn of Crosslake has All the amenities of city life. As with many other campgrounds, it's not busy Sunday-Thursday but gets much busier on weekend days. I would highly recommend this campground.

  • Tony L.
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Mantrap Lake Campground and Day-Use Area

    Loved it

    Great campground. Very quiet during the week. Most sites are separated by trees and vegetation. Out of 39 sites, 4 are currently occupied and none can see each other. Loving it here.

  • James R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Greer Lake

    Great rustic camp ground

    This my second time here and I love it. It’s on a lake on state forest trail and 2 toilets and water pumps.

  • Heather T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Sandy Lake

    Nice place to stay

    This campground has 2 parts, the north section and the south section. The south is on a peninsula with just a few campsites. The north is the bigger part of the campground. The sites in the north are large and very well kept, each with a picnic table, fire ring and level sights. Two campground hosts who are very friendly and accommodating. Just a few vault toilets. If there's anywhere to improve, it is the number of toilets in the bigger campground. The south campground has the shower house and laundry, along with flush toilets. All in all, a very nice place to stay.

  • Stacy B.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Trails RV Park

    Great Rv park

    We have stayed at Trails RV park for the past 4 years. We love it. Great for kids, very nice playground and great pool. Bathroom and showers are very nice and clean. This is mostly a seasonal site campground with 20 or so regular use sites. Camp store very nice and receptionist is very nice.

  • Teresa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Stony Point

    Typical US Forest campground

    Nice spots, some with a lake view and big sites somewhat private. Clearly a fisherman's campground with hidden little bays to park your boat close to your site. Amenities are getting older but still a nice stop. Sandy beach for kids.

  • Joni Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Mabel Lake State Dispersed

    Beautiful on the lake

    What a gem! I was able to back to the water to have a gorgeous view from bed! It was so quiet last night, although the beaked neighbors get pretty chatty early.

    There is a large puddle and so many mosquitos.

    Is say there's comfortly room for eight campers or a small group.

    My signal rating may be higher than normal as it's on an Intsy Connect antenna. My phone is getting 1 bar ATT.


Guide to Pequot Lakes

Camping spots near Pequot Lakes, Minnesota feature wooded sites with mature pine trees providing ample shade during summer months. The region sits at the heart of the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, comprising 14 connected lakes covering over 14,000 acres. Campgrounds in this area typically operate on seasonal schedules, with most sites closing by mid-October when overnight temperatures regularly drop below freezing.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Cross Lake Recreation Area provides excellent access to the Whitefish Chain. "This has a very nice beach area and well maintained trails through the campground," notes one visitor. The fishing pier by the dam offers convenient shore fishing without a boat.

Golfing at campgrounds: Wildwedge Golf and RV Park combines camping with a "cute little golf course that was very well maintained." The park also features mini-golf and a maze that's particularly popular with children. Within 30 minutes, campers can access several nationally ranked golf courses.

Trail access: The Paul Bunyan Trail runs directly through several camping areas. "Rode our bikes on the Paul Bunyan Trail to Nisswa and had some ice cream at The Chocolate Ox. Did a little shopping and got a beer at the brewery," shares one camper. The trail provides a car-free route to explore nearby towns without relocating your campsite.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: Cuyuna Range Campground receives consistent praise for site layout. "The sites are wide to give you space. It's hidden in the woods but close enough for you to go adventure," writes one reviewer. Another notes, "The campsites are very spacious and more spread out than other campgrounds we've been to."

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain exceptional cleanliness standards. At Gull Lake Recreation Area, "The bathrooms and vault toilets are the cleanest I've ever seen!" according to one camper. Another mentions, "The sites are huge and impeccably maintained, there are several bathhouses, and many of the sites have electric hook-ups."

Lake access: Water activities dominate summer recreation. "You can fish from a fishing dock by the dam" at one location, while others offer "a very nice beach area." Several campgrounds provide boat launch facilities with concrete ramps and docks for easy water access.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: For peak summer weekends (Memorial Day through Labor Day), secure reservations 4-6 months in advance. Most campgrounds in the area book through Recreation.gov or the Minnesota State Park reservation system.

Seasonal considerations: "Minnesota in the summer the parks are very full of large RVs," notes a camper at Gull Lake. Spring and fall offer more availability and fewer crowds, though facilities may have limited hours.

Wildlife encounters: Crow Wing State Park Campground provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities along the Mississippi River. One camper reported regular sightings of deer, pileated woodpeckers, and bald eagles during their stay.

Cell service variability: Coverage can be inconsistent throughout the region. While campgrounds closer to towns typically have reliable service, more remote sites may have limited or no connectivity, especially for carriers other than Verizon.

Tips for camping with families

Beach access evaluation: Choose sites carefully if swimming is a priority. "The lake is nice and offers a boat ramp. It is a clean lake but does have zebra mussels," warns one visitor to Cross Lake Recreation Area.

Playground availability: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "There is a picnic area, playground, and fishing pier on the river, and another playground at the beach on the lake," notes a Gull Lake visitor, making it easier to keep children entertained.

Historical learning opportunities: True North Basecamp offers access to the mining history of the Cuyuna Range. "We brought our paddleboard and had a great time on the quiet lake. We did hike up to the top of the camp area," shares one family, detailing opportunities to explore the former mining operations.

Accessibility considerations: Several campgrounds offer ADA accessible sites. One reviewer specifically mentioned that Gull Lake "really is nicely handicapped accessible, with broad open campsites, accessible bathrooms, and paved trails, so this would be a good place for folks in wheelchairs or scooters."

Tips from RVers

Hookup locations: Be aware of utility placement challenges. At RV Resort Village, "the utility hookups are designed for a Class A Motorhome so for my trailer, they were on the wrong side. Had to get a longer water hose and extension for sewer line....NOT IDEAL."

Pad materials: Concrete pads are available at some campgrounds, offering superior stability in wet conditions. "Concrete pads was a nice touch," notes one RVer, while another praises sites that are "large but not always easy for bigger rigs to get into due to trees."

Dump station fees: Some campgrounds charge additional fees for using dump stations. One camper at Gull Lake noted, "If I were to knock anything it would be the $5 dumping charge."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Pequot Lakes, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pequot Lakes, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 185 campgrounds and RV parks near Pequot Lakes, MN and 13 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Pequot Lakes, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pequot Lakes, MN is Gull Lake Recreation Area with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pequot Lakes, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Pequot Lakes, MN.

What parks are near Pequot Lakes, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Pequot Lakes, MN that allow camping, notably Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake and Mississippi River Headwaters - Leech Lake.