Finlayson, Minnesota sits at an elevation of about 1,120 feet within Minnesota's Pine County, positioned midway between the Twin Cities and Duluth. The area features a mix of pine forests and lake country with seasonal temperature swings from below-zero winters to humid summers reaching 80°F. RV campers often note the region's clay soil can create challenges during spring thaws and heavy rain periods.
What to Do
Hiking at Banning State Park: Located just minutes from Banning RV Park and Campground, this area offers trails along the Kettle River and historic ruins. "We discovered this campground while researching the area... If you are planning to explore the Kettle River and Banning State Park nearby, this is a good alternative to camping within the State Park itself," notes Janet R.
Fishing on area lakes: The region offers multiple fishing options on nearby lakes. "Very few sites to reserve — many many many seasonal spots. The seasonal people were very nice to us 'new comers'. Spots were right by the lake and the lake was awesome," reports Lisa D. about Oak Lake Campground.
Winter ice fishing: For cold-weather camping enthusiasts, the area transforms into an ice fishing destination. "I'm talking winter camping on the lake on the Ice in an 'Ice castle' catching walleye... Lots of other ice fisherman in January and February. My largest walleye here was a slot fish," explains Michael V. about his experience at Hidden Bay RV Resort.
What Campers Like
Dog-friendly facilities: Many Finlayson area RV campgrounds offer special amenities for pets. "The fenced in dog park was a big bonus for our pup. The grounds hosted outdoor games and volleyball/basketball courts," shares Crystal W. about her stay at Banning RV Park and Campground.
Heated swimming options: Several RV parks near Finlayson maintain pools for guest use. "This park had nice spots - grassy with level tar to park on. The pool had a perfect temperature and nice lounging area," notes Lisa D. about her experience at Pokegama Lake RV Park.
Golf course access: Multiple RV campgrounds in the area incorporate or neighbor golf courses. "The 27-hole golf course was in good shape and fun to play. McGregor is about 15 minutes away and has grocery, gas, hardware store, and restaurants," explains MickandKarla W. about their stay at Minnesota National RV Park.
What You Should Know
Seasonal occupancy limits options: Many campgrounds near Finlayson operate with predominantly seasonal sites. "We got exactly what we were looking for, a quiet wooded site," Karen A. notes about Banning RV Park, but other campgrounds have limited availability. "Very few sites to reserve — many many many seasonal spots," confirms Lisa D.
Site layout challenges: Some campgrounds present maneuvering difficulties. "Our site was a fairly level pull through, full hook up site," reports Crystal W. about Banning RV Park, while at other campgrounds, "It was difficult to see where we should actually park on the site. The water hookup was so far away that I needed to buy another hose to reach it," notes Josh H.
Varying maintenance levels: Campground upkeep can vary considerably. "The bathrooms weren't kept up well but were ok," notes one reviewer, while another mentions, "Office and store was clean and well cared for. Check in was smooth and we were shown to our sites."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. "Remarkably, in addition to playgrounds for children in different places around the campground, there was a huge dog walking and play area that was grassy and beautifully clean," reports Janet R. about Banning RV Park.
Swimming beaches: Some campgrounds offer beach access for family swimming. "This campground provides boat rental and a swimming beach. Sites are a little small but have a nice view of the lake. Playground for the kids was decent. The beach was ok," notes Courtney C. about her stay at Oak Lake Campground.
Organized activities: Certain RV campgrounds near Finlayson schedule regular family programming. "The campground pavilion included picnic tables, family bathrooms with showers, playground, activity center with craft classes etc, and laundry room," explains a reviewer about the structured activities available.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup preparation: Bring extra hose length for some campgrounds. "The water hookup was so far away that I needed to buy another hose to reach it," warns Josh H. about his experience at Banning RV Park. Another camper notes, "Water pressure was low, internet was out more than on."
Navigation challenges: Several campgrounds have complex layouts. "Our RV GPS took us to the golf course, but we called the info phone number, which was the golf course clubhouse, to find out exactly how to get to the campground area," explains MickandKarla W. about Minnesota National RV Park.
Site selection advice: For RVers wanting level sites with adequate space, choosing the right location matters. "Office staff and store were clean when we came through in the summer months. It is a mixed bag of tricks here as the sites can be level and some others are not at all," reports Scott M.
