Pequot Lakes, Minnesota sits within a glacially formed landscape of deep lakes and rolling hills. The area receives approximately 22 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and rich wetlands throughout the camping season. Cabin camping and glamping options near Pequot Lakes provide modern comforts while maintaining accessibility to outdoor recreation areas.
What to do
Lake fishing: Choose Crosslake Campground for direct water access at the dam. "There is a dam with a nice fishing pier," notes Josh M., who describes Cross Lake as "a clean lake but does have zebra mussels." The fishing pier offers a convenient option for anglers without boats.
Mountain biking: Visit Cuyuna Country State Rec Area for dedicated trails. Dave T. reports, "The mountain biking trails were in great shape and were great for all skill levels." The park maintains over 30 miles of purpose-built single-track trails ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty levels.
Kayaking and paddling: Try the former mine pits at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. "The old mine pits around and in the park are pristine and literally crystal clear! You can see hundreds of feet down through crystal clear water making it an amazing place to canoe and kayak," explains Allison K. Local outfitters rent equipment by the day or half-day.
Historical exploration: Visit Crow Wing State Park Campground for its preserved town site. "Historic town site interesting," notes Big Craig, who also mentions the Paul Bunyan Bike Trail passes through the park. The 120-mile bike trail provides paved recreation opportunities connecting multiple communities.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Crow Wing Lake Campground maintains well-kept shower houses and grounds. "Everything was clean and a great family rv campground. Fully stocked store, pool, games, outdoor activities, etc," writes Laura B. The campground enforces quiet hours from 10 pm to 8 am.
Water recreation options: Camp Holiday Resort offers versatile water activities. Nick K. explains, "You can also rent water toys, boats and pontoons. You can also bring your own boat and rent dock space. There are several docks you can fish from if you want." The resort has a swimming beach and water recreation equipment rentals.
Spacious campsites: Sunset Pines Campground provides well-designed camping areas. Brent G. notes, "The sites are clean and level," making setup easier for both tent and RV campers. The campground includes on-site amenities like a heated pool and playground.
Easy trail access: Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area offers connectivity to recreational paths. Allison K. states, "If you are into mountain biking, this is definitely the park for you! Some of the best mountain biking red dirt trails are located in this recreation area!" Local shops in nearby towns rent bikes for visitors without equipment.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Plan ahead during peak season as campgrounds fill quickly. At Crosslake, Mary F. advises, "Lovely park on cross lake. Sites are large although not always easy for bigger rigs to get into due to trees." Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially for summer weekends and holidays.
Campsite privacy varies significantly: Crow Wing State Park provides uneven site seclusion. Julie P. observes, "On the plus side, the trails were well marked, the roads well maintained, and (our site at least) was visually secluded." Request specific sites when making reservations if privacy matters.
Weather preparedness: Pack for temperature fluctuations. At Camp Holiday Resort and Campground, Lexie notes, "Camping with two toddlers can be a lot, it helps when there are two nice playgrounds here, a slide, water trampoline, nice beach, and nice, clean bathrooms." Indoor alternatives help during inclement weather.
Water clarity differences: Lake conditions vary between locations. Sarah J. details her experience at Crow Wing State Park: "I was looking to take a solo camping trip for the weekend and paddleboard on the Cuyuna Mine Lakes... The park was a 20-30 minute drive from the Cuyuna Mines area, so I was able to easily drive over Saturday morning and spend the day paddleboarding."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sunset Pines Campground offers dedicated children's areas. Sarah G. shares, "Kids loved the heated pool and tether ball! We all had a great time riding 4 wheelers on the Spider Lake trails a few miles away." The playground equipment provides entertainment during downtime.
Beach access: Choose lake-front sites at Crow Wing Lake Campground for easy swimming. Kristen B. recommends, "This campground is perfect for families with the heated pool, swimming beach, super playground and activities like horseshoes, shuffleboard, basketball, ladder golf, disc golf, and more." The campground also rents paddleboards and kayaks.
Activity centers: Look for campgrounds with game rooms or organized activities. Carmen W. describes Crow Wing Lake Campground: "The 'general store' has everything you need from souvenirs to wood, to marshmallows for s'mores, and all at reasonable prices." On-site stores eliminate trips to town for forgotten items.
Nature education opportunities: Crow Wing State Park offers historical interpretation. HollyRose M. explains, "Historic signs describing the old town are along the beginning part of the trail near the picnic area. Kinda fun to read about and feel what old settlements were like!" The self-guided historical markers engage children with local history.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Bring adequate leveling blocks to glamping destinations close to Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. Angela J. from Camp Holiday notes, "Most of the lake side sites were pretty uneven, bring plenty of leveling blocks. That was really the only negative we had, but it wasn't really a big deal because we came prepared with just enough leveling blocks."
Hookup availability: Check specific amenities before booking. Katherine O. advises about Camp Holiday, "Sites a close by. Most have water and electric. Full hookups are very limited. Only 4 site near the back." Some campgrounds offer only partial hookups at certain sites.
Site selection strategies: Request lakefront locations when available. Nick K. recommends at Camp Holiday, "We have 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!" Lakefront sites often cost more but provide direct water access.
