Best Campgrounds near Shevlin, MN

Within the Shevlin, Minnesota area, established campgrounds and dispersed camping options create a diverse northern woodland camping landscape. The Mississippi Headwaters State Forest provides several primitive campsites like Coffee Pot Landing and Fox Trap Canoe Campsite, while developed facilities such as Bear Paw and Pine Ridge campgrounds in Itasca State Park offer amenities for tent, RV, and cabin campers. Lake Bemidji State Park, approximately 30 miles northeast, features year-round camping with electric hookups, showers, and cabins, serving as another significant destination for visitors exploring this region of northern Minnesota.

Road access and amenities vary significantly across the area's campground options. The primitive sites along the Mississippi River Headwaters Water Trail, including Coffee Pot Landing and Bear Den Landing, generally have minimal facilities and more challenging access points. "This is a specialized public campground for trailriders and their horses. It is maintained as a recreational opportunity by the Natural Resources program of Beltrami County, within the Headwaters State Forest," notes one camper about Grant Creek Horse Camp. Meanwhile, established campgrounds in Itasca State Park provide more amenities including electric hookups, water, toilets, and firewood. Winter camping is available at select locations like Lake Bemidji State Park, though most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October.

Mississippi River camping experiences receive particular attention in camper reviews. Several visitors highlighted the unique opportunity to camp along the early, wild sections of the Mississippi River. The canoe campsites between Itasca State Park and Bemidji follow the river as it begins its journey south, with Fox Trap Canoe Campsite and Coffee Pot Landing offering Adirondack shelters and primitive accommodations. Campers report enjoying the secluded nature of these sites, with one noting that Coffee Pot Landing features "really nicely built Adirondack shelters" despite being considered primitive. City park camping in Bagley provides family-friendly alternatives with a beach, playgrounds, and electric hookups, while the KOA near Bemidji serves as a convenient base with full amenities for exploring the region's attractions, including the Mississippi headwaters.

Best Camping Sites Near Shevlin, Minnesota (139)

    1. Bear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park

    38 Reviews
    Laporte, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 266-2100

    "Itasca State Park Minnesota This park is a gem in Minnesota State Parks! Just beautiful. Although we only had 1 day we managed to pack a lot into it."

    "The Bear Paw campground is one of two main traditional drive-in campgrounds at Lake Itasca State Park."

    2. Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

    33 Reviews
    Laporte, MN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 699-7251

    "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."

    "Itasca State Park is a jewel in the state park system of Minnesota, and the park’s Pine Ridge campground is where hordes and crowds of visitors stay when visiting it in summer."

    3. Lake Bemidji State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Bemidji, MN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 755-3843

    "Campsite near the beach is recommended. There is a private rocky section away from the crowded beach. Our pup loved running out here and taking a swim by himself.

    • The bog walk is a great hike!"

    "The park is an oasis of well preserved old growth northwoods forest, which you can experience on foot or by bike on miles of trails along the lake, into the woods, and on boardwalks into the bogs."

    4. Bagley City Park

    5 Reviews
    Bagley, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 694-2865

    $15 - $25 / night

    "The tent sites are located across from and adjacent to the RV sites. "

    "Turned out be someone was driving around the park in a vehicle that sounded like a lawnmower. It wasn’t a very big vehicle and it had yellow lights on it. Maybe some kind of city vehicle?"

    5. KOA Campground Bemidji

    6 Reviews
    Bemidji, MN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 444-7562

    "Easy to find...Freindliest campgtiud owners, & all camp workers ( our position ), cleanest facility we've ever enjoyed..can you say ( fresh pancakes for breakfast, then all the ice cream you can eat"

    "They drive around before closing time to see if there is anyone needs. Many sites are very close to neighbors. Pool was nice and kids had a great time."

    6. Coffee Pot Landing

    5 Reviews
    Shevlin, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 296-6157

    "CAMPSITE REVIEW: Coffee Pot Landing is a canoe landing and campsite located near the LaSalle Scientific Natural Area and along a wild and scenic section of the Mississippi River Headwaters Water Trail"

    "We drove and walked into the campground. It's a pretty short walk over a foot bridge. We were the only ones there and it was really quiet."

    7. Fox Trap Canoe Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Bemidji, MN
    11 miles
    Website

    "Campsite Review: This a canoe-in campsite on the Mississippi River Headwaters Water Trail."

    8. Black Lantern Resort

    1 Review
    Shevlin, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (612) 812-7309

    9. Grant Creek Horse Camp

    1 Review
    Bemidji, MN
    10 miles
    Website

    "The campsites are well maintained and set by the picturesque Grant Creek, next to a trailhead for a maze of nearly fifty miles of trails for riding."

    10. Bear Den Landing Canoe Camp

    2 Reviews
    Shevlin, MN
    10 miles
    Website

    "There are plenty of access locations to carry-in/carry-out (see map: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_forests/sft00034.pdf)."

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Recent Reviews near Shevlin, MN

312 Reviews of 139 Shevlin Campgrounds


  • Kyle K.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

    First time in Itasca Park

    We like the Pine Ridge Campgrounds because of how dense the trees are between campsites compared to Bear Paw Campgrounds. There is also less traffic going on. The only downside is a further walk to showers/bathrooms.

  • Susan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Jack Pines Resort & Campground

    Road to Mackinac

    A lovely private camping resort. We stayed in the short term, partial hookup area for 2 nights. They also have cabins, a restaurant, an event center (no events while we were there). Showers/ bathrooms which were kept clean. A small playground, games/ books/ movies were available. Set in the woods near Osage MN. We chose it for its proximity to Tamarac NWR. $96 for 2 nights with electric and water seemed quite reasonable. We'd stay here again!

  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Bear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park

    Gem of a state park!

    Itasca State Park Minnesota

     This park is a gem in Minnesota State Parks! Just beautiful. Although we only had 1 day we managed to pack a lot into it. My advise is to start your day as early as possible. We went to the Mississippi Headwaters at around 8:15 am & had the place to ourselves. The gift shop isn't open yet, but when we went later for ice cream the place was hopping! The Wilderness Drive is a must see as well. There's some short hikes & a lot of wild beauty. They have a fire tower you can climb.

    Biking is very popular & there's a dedicated bike path on the Wilderness Drive which is about 10 miles.

    There's a lodge & restaurant. 

    Two visitor centers.

     There are 2 campgrounds- Pine Ridge& Bear Paw. Electric sites only. I think it was$35 a night. There is a dump.

      We were in Bear Paw site 37E. Frankly, I liked Bear Paw campground better, even though it's smaller. By the lake, but no sites are ON the lake.

    Lakeview sites are 63, 67, 68, 69,& 70. There's good access to the bike trail. There's a path down to the lake, so if you have a kayak you can drag it down.

     We were across from the bath house. It's very nice & clean! Showers are push button. Not too hot.

    Pine Ridge we did a short drive thru. The campground registration office is there. We were told we didn't have to register if we we had an on line registration. No tags.

     Pine Ridge had several loops, but we just went down the Spruce Loop. The sites looked flat & shaded. I didn't note any particular site. 

    We really enjoyed our stay & wished we could have added a couple more nights!

  • Bri H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Pine Tree Park

    Pine tree grounds

    The experience was good but they look down on special breeds of dogs.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Wanaki Campground

    Gorgeous

    It’s what camping should be. Wooded between sites. Peaceful. Ahhhhh!

  • 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.

  • Levi S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Wanaki Campground

    Great non reservable sites.

    There are 5 or 6 nonreservables sites here. Great for biking the Migizi and Paul Bunyan. Sites are spacious enougha and provate for the most part. 1 of 3 bathrooms were open and only 2 showers.

  • Levi S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Norway Beach - Chippewa Campground Loop

    Homeless live here.

    There are several obvious homeless sites here. People from the local tribe can stay here for free with no time limit. It wouldn't be a problem, but several sites look like homeless encampments. If you've seen a homeless encampment you know what I mean. If they were clean I wouldn't complain. This loop has electric, so this is where they 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.


Guide to Shevlin

Camping near Shevlin, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the many trails in the area. Campers at Bear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park rave about the "many bike and walking/hiking trails" that are well-maintained and perfect for all skill levels.
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes. One camper mentioned, "I was able to bank fish right from the campsite" at Hungry Man Forest Campground, making it a great spot for anglers.
  • Wildlife Watching: The area is rich in wildlife. A visitor at Gulch Lake noted, "Great views here! Stayed right next to the lake!" which is perfect for spotting birds and other animals.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. One review for Lake Bemidji State Park Campground highlighted, "The bathrooms and showers were clean and the park staff was pleasant."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park mentioned, "Many campsites are level and we just backed in and set up."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Fox Lake Campground of Bemidji are noted for their family-friendly activities. One reviewer said, "We loved the swimming beach with slide and the paddle boats, kayaks, and SUPs."

What you should know

  • No Reservations at Some Sites: Some campgrounds, like Hungry Man Forest Campground, do not allow reservations. A camper noted, "You can not reserve a site here."
  • Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like Gulch Lake are more primitive, with no electric hookups or showers. A visitor mentioned, "This campsite might become my go-to for a peaceful last-minute escape."
  • Noise from Nearby Roads or Trains: Some sites may have noise issues. A camper at Fosston City Campground said, "The passing trains' horns were really loud."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for campgrounds that offer family-friendly amenities. One reviewer at Hamilton's Fox Lake Campground mentioned, "The park was fun for the kids and the beach was very nice!"
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Keep the kids entertained with outdoor games. A camper at Lake Bemidji State Park Campground noted, "There are a lot of sites and some are relatively close together," making it easy to set up games.
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good night's sleep. A visitor at Long Lake County Campground mentioned, "Management does enforce quiet hours."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park advised, "Some sites are not level; #7 was level and pretty large."
  • Look for Electric Hookups: If you need power, choose campgrounds with electric hookups. One reviewer at Fox Lake Campground of Bemidji appreciated the "electric hookups" available.
  • Be Prepared for Dusty Roads: Some campgrounds have unpaved roads. A camper at Pine Ridge Campground mentioned, "Dust is thick in the air. All over everything."

Camping around Shevlin, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next outdoor adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Shevlin, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Shevlin, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 139 campgrounds and RV parks near Shevlin, MN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Shevlin, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shevlin, MN is Bear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 38 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shevlin, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Shevlin, MN.