Best Tent Camping near Ranier, MN

Tent campsites in the Ranier, Minnesota area primarily center around Voyageurs National Park, offering primitive boat-in tent camping experiences across its network of lakes. Namakan Lake, Rainy Lake, and Kabetogama Lake all feature frontcountry camping areas accessible mainly by water. These designated tent sites require permits and provide a true wilderness experience, with most sites situated on islands or remote shorelines requiring boat transportation to access.

Most Voyageurs National Park tent campgrounds are primitive with minimal amenities. Sites typically include tent pads, fire rings, picnic tables, and bear boxes for food storage. Vault toilets are available at many locations, but campers must bring their own toilet paper. Water access is limited, requiring visitors to filter lake water for drinking. Permits are required for all backcountry tent sites and can be reserved through the park service. Weather conditions can change rapidly on the large lakes, making proper planning essential for tent campers navigating to their sites.

The backcountry tent camping experience in this region offers exceptional solitude and natural beauty. Sites on islands provide panoramic views of surrounding waters and wilderness, with many campers reporting minimal encounters with others during their stay. Wildlife observation opportunities abound, with loons, otters, eagles, and occasionally wolves visible from campsites. Areas farther from visitor centers typically offer greater seclusion but require longer boat journeys. Walk-in tent locations within the park's trail system provide alternative access to interior lakes and forests. A visitor commented, "Located about 7 miles from the Ash River Visitor Center put-in, this beautiful little front country boat-in site is a gem within Namakan Lake. We fell asleep to loons and owls calling in the night."

Best Tent Sites Near Ranier, Minnesota (13)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Ranier, MN

98 Reviews of 13 Ranier Campgrounds


  • Sethen E.
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Voyageurs National Park Backcountry Camping — Voyageurs National Park

    Boat in

    A very unique park. All sites are boat in. Many houseboat sites for private and rented houseboats and many many family sites for tent camping. Sites are a mix of dock, beach, and rock access and are labeled on the Voyageur National Park Camping map. Sites are located on all lakes in the park: and a few back country too. Houseboat sites have tie off rings and are quiet large- they offer a fire ring and many have a picnic table. Tent sites have one or two tent pads and a fire ring and picnic table and a vault toilet usually. No electric. No water. Remember you can in fact camp anywhere you wish as long as you are 200 meters (I think) from another established site.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 10, 2025

    Woodenfrog Campground

    Close to Voyageurs

    No showers. Outhouses and potable water spickets throughout the campground. All sites are offered on a first come first served basis and the entrance has envelopes to pay by check or you can pay online at your arrival. Sites that are occupied will have a small white card clipped to the site number marker sign, just pick an open one, pay, and fill our your place holder card. Fire ring and picnic table at each site. Most were flat, but some were a little hilly. Might be harder to navigate the roads in the campground and back in if you have a larger rig. Very close to voyageurs visitor centers and local boat rental places.

  • Sethen E.
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Woodenfrog Campground

    Roomy, shaded, by the water.

    61 sites. Multiple loops. All Boondocking- No electric or septic or water hookups. No showers. Very quiet. Two are marked as accessory. Far from the highway- the final turn can sneak up on you. Sights are spacious and most are a far distance apart (50 feet). Lots and lots of trees between sights. Sites are a mix of deep and shallow. Some are one car wide, others are two cars wide. Most 30 foot trailers would do okay. We saw a dozen travel trailers, one fifth wheel, a couple shorter motor homes, and lots of tents. A fire ring and picnic table are located at each site and water fountains/down spouts and vault toilets are located throughout. (Not all spigots have hose attachments.) Bathrooms were clean with a good amount of TP. There is a fair amount of sticks and firewood among the downed trees. A couple of public docks are located along the edge of the campground for guests to dock their boats. The boat launch, beach, and picnic area is very nice and nearby. No weeds when swimming. Dogs are not allowed at the primary beach, but there is a hidden rock beach at the end of the campground by one of the docks were they could swim. There are hiking trails that weave behind sites and between roads. Some sites are closer to the road (shallow) and some are surprisingly deep. A few sites are closer together, but would work well if you had multiple families camping together. $15.00 per night. Dogs are allowed. Unfortunately there are no reservations. We came on a Saturday morning in the end of August and one third of the sights were open, by midday half of the sights were open. We enjoyed our time.

  • HollyRose M.
    Oct. 23, 2020

    Franz Jevne State Park Campground

    Quiet, Simple, Peacfull

    This is a great little gem on the Canadian border. Minnesota’s smallest state park- but it’s very gorgeous and feels kinda awesome looking out at Canada!

    A very cool feature at most sites, is that they have a rustic log overhanging/shelter of sorts. Doesn’t have sides, but some campers strung a tarp on one side to get some actual shelter.

    Clean vaulted toilets, running water, garbages throughout the camp and an electric post at the boat launch (doesn’t really seem like it’s an actual camp site, I saw multiple cars pulling up to it to utilize the power, and it’s right in the middle of the boat launch).

    Tent pads dry, big, and soft ground. Sites spread out decently, plenty of buffer between most of them. Feels pretty rugged and backwoodsy.

    Saw quite a few eagles, the clearest stars ever, and enjoyed a peaceful hike along the river and then through the woods. My site was #4, a walk in site, and for sure the best one in the park! Just about 50 meters from the parking spot, up a little trail to the top of a small hill with great view and bench overlooking the rapids.

    Clearly a place for fisher people. The camp boasts Lake Sturgeon fishing and in the evening, I saw multiple boats at the rapids, so something must have been biting!

    Ralph, the park caretaker was absolutely amazing, and helped me out with some car trouble. That was a godsend! Nice to know that even in the middle of nowhere, you still got some backup if needed.

    Just a fun little kinda secret spot, very basic but still with the necessities and with a backwoods feel, which I definitely appreciate!

  • D
    Sep. 11, 2020

    Woodenfrog Campground

    Cute walk up only campsite

    No prior reservations taken here, but easily found a spot on a Thursday afternoon in late August. Good privacy between sites, trees everywhere. Water was available and seemed to be just fine. 

    Primitive site, so fire ring, picnic table, vault toilets, trash cans provided. Also a nice day use area boat dock right on Lake Kabetogama with plenty of parking for your boat trailer.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 22, 2024

    Franz Jevne State Park Campground

    Primitive Camping along the Border

    Camped here on Oct 17, 2023. Small wooded state park campground along the Rainy River and the Canadian border. Sites were back-in and had tent pads. I don't recommend anything larger than a truck camper. Some sites were small and not level. Campground host was friendly and helpful. Some hiking trails. Fished on the Rainy River and caught a northern pike. Hand water pump. Clean vault toilet with tp. Our site had a covered picnic table, lattern pole and metal fire ring. The site was wedged inside the gravel campground loop road. I really liked this campground.

  • K
    Jul. 6, 2017

    Voyageurs National Park Backcountry Camping — Voyageurs National Park

    Scenic Voyagers

    Just returned from a week camping in Voyagers National Park. Camping at its finest! 4 large lakes encompass the park.Boating is allowed . The sites have picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets and bear boxes to store your goods. Our site had a dock. Lots of granite rock outcropping make for beautiful scenery.You are truly in the wilderness. Bring a VHF marine radio in case of problems.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2017

    Ash River — Kabetogama State Forest

    Perfect campground to stage your Voyageurs paddling journey

    Located just outside of Voyageurs National Park and a quick drive to the Ash River Visitor Center and boat launch, this campground is a perfect spot to get set-up for a long distance paddle/canoe trip. We stayed the night before we launched on a 6 day trip and had the place to ourselves just after the season opened in early May. Shade trees are scattered throughout the campground, but not much privacy. Can be hot, muggy, and buggy in the summer months; spring and fall can be chilly, but gorgeous and uncrowded.

    Nothing fancy and no electricity available, but large sites with picnic tables, firepits, and clean pit toilets. Water is available via the well pump, but was very rusty at the beginning of the season. Could improve with time, but we chose not to drink it -- would suggest bringing your own just in case. First come, first served – pay onsite with cash/check. Fee $14.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2024

    Woodenfrog Campground

    Primitive Camping in State Forest

    Camped here Oct 18-19, 2023 at site 43. Large primitive state forest campground. There were very few campers here during our stay. Our site, as well as others, was large and wooded. Spacing and privacy between sites were quite good. The site was level with a dirt/gravel surface. Site had metal fire ring and table. A nice patch of woods behind our site. Clean vault toilet a short walk away. Short trail to lake and boat dock nearby. Did not see a camp host. Hiking trail along lake was really nice. Really loved camping here.


Guide to Ranier

Tent camping near Ranier, Minnesota requires careful water navigation skills, as most sites are accessible only by boat. Ranier sits at the gateway to Voyageurs National Park, where over 200,000 acres of interconnected waterways create a unique water-based camping experience. The park consists of four major lakes with varying wind conditions that campers must monitor before travel, particularly when paddling to remote tent sites.

What to do

Hike the Vermilion Gorge Trail: Located near Crane Lake Primitive Campgrounds, this 1.5-mile trail features granite cliffs and seasonal waterfalls. "The Vermilion Gorge Trailhead hike is a 1 & 1/2 mile trail that features sheer granite cliffs and waterfalls-it was breathtaking due to the high water levels this year," notes TyAnn J.

Watch wildlife at sunrise: Early mornings at tent sites offer prime viewing opportunities. At Voyageurs National Park Backcountry Camping, campers report excellent wildlife encounters. "Sites are a mix of dock, beach, and rock access and are labeled on the Voyageur National Park Camping map," explains Sethen E., adding that sites include "a fire ring and many have a picnic table and a vault toilet usually."

Navigate the waterway system: Plan boat routes carefully between camping areas. "Get a detailed chart before attempting to navigate the lake, as the twists and turns and hundreds of islands can be quite confusing without one," advises a camper about Johnson Bay.

What campers like

Island solitude: Many tent campers appreciate the isolation of island sites. On Rainy Lake Frontcountry Camping, SwitchbackKids reported, "Our site had incredible views of both the sunset and sunrise, and since we were on our own small island, it felt truly special. The site came with a picnic table, a sandy area to dock our kayak, and an in-ground pit toilet."

Protected boat landings: Sheltered areas for securing watercraft rank high with campers. According to one reviewer at Johnson Bay N13, "Kayak/canoe landing area is protected from the main channel/wind, can accommodate multiple boats with ease, and is just a short 'schlep' up the stairs to the campsite."

Night sounds: The natural soundscape stands out as a memorable feature. "We fell asleep to loons and owls calling in the night," mentions a visitor to Johnson Bay, highlighting the auditory experience that accompanies tent camping in Ranier's wilderness.

What you should know

Navigation equipment: Detailed maps or charts are essential for safe travel. "Note: Get a detailed map as there are hundreds of islands and turns on this beautiful lake," warns a camper at Crane Lake Primitive Campgrounds.

Border awareness: International boundaries cross through the water. "Once again you need to be aware of the United States/Canadian borders while in the water," cautions TyAnn J. about Crane Lake.

Variable facilities: Amenities differ between frontcountry and backcountry sites. "No electric. No water. Remember you can in fact camp anywhere you wish as long as you are 200 meters (I think) from another established site," explains a Voyageurs National Park camper.

Tips for camping with families

Plan for boat travel times: Allow extra time when traveling with children to camping locations. At Ash River, one camper notes it's "a perfect spot to get set-up for a long distance paddle/canoe trip," suggesting families stage their journey from here before heading to more remote sites.

Pack clean water: Rusty well water may be unpalatable. "Water is available via the well pump, but was very rusty at the beginning of the season. Could improve with time, but we chose not to drink it -- would suggest bringing your own just in case," advises Shari G. about Ash River campground.

Consider shoreline safety: Watch children near water, especially at gorge areas. "Be very cautious if you bring small children," warns a visitor regarding the Vermilion Gorge Trail's steep sections.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV accommodation: Few tent camping areas in Ranier accommodate recreational vehicles. At Arnold's Campground, RVs fare better than tents according to Jessie C.: "Despite advertising sites as 'tent site' this campground, it is definitely not suitable for tents. We booked a tent site that was in a block of other tent sites. When we arrived, we saw a HUGE RV in the site next to ours that took up our space."

Hook-up availability: Services for RVs vary widely by location. "Service was great, Arnold helped me book a spot for a family gathering nearby. The campsite was clean and hook ups worked great!" reports Sergio Z. about Arnold's Campground.

Site spacing concerns: Some RV areas have minimal separation between campers. "Campsites close together and no privacy," notes a visitor about a developed campground, contrasting with the isolated tent sites throughout Voyageurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ranier, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ranier, MN is Arnold's Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Ranier, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Ranier, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.