Best Campgrounds near Tower, MN

The Tower, Minnesota area provides a mix of established campgrounds and more remote sites spanning the shores of Lake Vermilion and extending into the Superior National Forest. Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park offers electric hookup sites for RVs and tent camping, while HooDoo Point Campground, located directly in Tower, provides lakefront access with boat-in options. Several campgrounds feature cabin accommodations, including the state park and Bear Head Lake State Park, approximately 15 miles east of Tower. Most established campgrounds in the region have a mix of tent and RV sites with varying levels of amenities.

Camping seasons in the area generally run from May through October, with some sites remaining open year-round. "The campground was very quiet and the cell service was top rate. If you are looking for a state park campground to work remotely, this would be a great choice," notes one Lake Vermilion visitor. Winter camping is available at select locations, particularly in cabins at state parks. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer months. The region experiences significant mosquito activity in late spring and early summer, making bug protection essential. Several campgrounds offer electric hookups, but full RV hookups are limited. Roads throughout the area are generally well-maintained, though some forest service roads may require higher clearance vehicles.

Many campers cite fishing access as a primary draw to the Tower area campgrounds. HooDoo Point Campground, situated directly on Lake Vermilion, receives consistent praise for its fishing opportunities. "Clean and animal friendly. Provides top fishing for walleyes," mentioned one reviewer. Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, while not directly on the water, offers spacious sites with modern facilities. Campers frequently mention the excellent trail systems and nearby attractions like the Soudan Mine tour. Bear Head Lake State Park provides a more secluded wilderness experience with sites that feel private despite the presence of other campers. The entire region benefits from proximity to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, making it an excellent base camp for day trips or as preparation for longer wilderness excursions.

Best Camping Sites Near Tower, Minnesota (97)

    1. Bear Head Lake State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    Tower, MN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 365-7229

    $16 - $22 / night

    "Minnesota does a nice job with their state parks. The campsites are varied in types, sizes and layouts. Ours works great for our 26’ travel trailer and truck, and includes electrical."

    "Tower and Ely are near to get bait or items if needed. Our most visited favorite park!"

    2. Lake Vermillion - Soudan Mine State Park Campsites — Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park

    12 Reviews
    Tower, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 300-7017

    $35 / night

    "Lake Vermilion is a large multi-purpose recreational lake at the edge of the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness."

    "We had a few big rocks on the border of our campsite that our kids played on. The campsites were a really nice size. The day use area is great. The picnic shelters were really nice."

    3. HooDoo Point Campground

    5 Reviews
    Tower, MN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (218) 753-6868

    "This is a campground with good access to Lake Vermilion and excellent fishing, so that would be a main draw."

    4. Pfeiffer Lake

    5 Reviews
    Tower, MN
    10 miles
    Website

    $18 / night

    "Its a small lake so recreational boating is a little hard but there are larger lakes nearby for that sort of fun. New camp host  and excellent work on the grounds.  It looks fantastic. "

    "Beautiful little lake. Awesome kayaking. Caught a few fish."

    5. Lake Vermillion Soudan Mine State Park Cabins — Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park

    2 Reviews
    Tower, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 300-7000

    $90 / night

    "It was there last on the loop and right next to a short trail. A vault toilet is about 30 feet away.
    This campground had wifi throughout the campground and cabins."

    6. Hoodoo Valley Farm

    1 Review
    Tower, MN
    2 miles
    Website

    $25 - $50 / night

    7. Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground

    35 Reviews
    Winton, MN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 365-7600

    $28 - $120 / night

    "Camping in October in Northern Minnesota is a great time of year and the fall colors are out of this world! Fall Lake is on the edge of the Boundary Waters and has easy access to it."

    "The campground is fairly small, has plenty of towering trees for shade and privacy, and sits right on Fall Lake."

    8. Big Rice Lake

    3 Reviews
    Tower, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 229-8800

    "Great spot to camp away from everyone. Available spots last minute Labor Day weekend 😎. Thr gravel road is a maintained gravel road. Easy for any type of car."

    "Very easy to pull our 20’ nobo through the loop (yes…the road access loops around and puts you out by the boat landing… so, no worries about getting in and out) and backing into the site was a breeze"

    9. Big Rice Lake

    2 Reviews
    Tower, MN
    12 miles

    "There is an open spot near the lake where we set up for the night. The road to drive in is gravel but very smooth."

    10. Fenske Lake Campground

    8 Reviews
    Ely, MN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 365-7600

    $20 - $60 / night

    "Fenske Lake Campground, MN: Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 4 - Great place for a canoe trip, I am told."

    "Next time we made sure to snag a site along the lake!"

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Recent Reviews near Tower, MN

284 Reviews of 97 Tower Campgrounds


  • J
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Carrol Truck Trail

    Wonderful Spot

    Hands down the best spot i have ever camped at, especially here in the midwest. someone who camped here before me left it a bit messy, but other than that it was amazing.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Big Rice Lake

    Great spot to unwind

    We rolled in at night and spent the first night in our camper by the boat landing. The next day we scoped out the sites and picked the perfect one. Very easy to pull our 20’ nobo through the loop (yes…the road access loops around and puts you out by the boat landing… so, no worries about getting in and out) and backing into the site was a breeze

  • TF The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Kab-Ash Trail Dispersed Campsites

    Just a trailhead

    No established sites here - just a trailhead lot. Stayed a night without issue though. Mosquitoes are nuts but that probably applies anywhere in this area. This site is right on the road but not a ton of traffic and it died off around 10pm, though people caming driving through around midnight and 2am. No T-Mobile coverage here but you can get 4G in the park.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Sherwood Forest Campground

    Great spot right on the Mesabi trail and OHV trail

    Can be a bit loud during the day on the weekends with the OHV vehicles pulling through but quiet at night and incredible views of the lake. Clean. Large spots not stacked on top of each other. Lake offers swimming and a small water park. Great little town nearby (Gilbert) with an amazing Caribbean themed restaurant that features outstanding food and cocktails taking you from the Iron Range of Minnesota to the sunny sandy beaches of the ocean

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Sullivan Lake Campground

    Wilderness Campground

    This is a campground for small campers only. My 16 foot travel trailer was about the limit for size. Very little access to the lake and river. Overall, this is a primitive site with pit toilets and a pump jack for water.

  • Bare Soul  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Big Rice Lake

    Labor Day Get Away

    Great spot to camp away from everyone. Available spots last minute Labor Day weekend 😎. Thr gravel road is a maintained gravel road. Easy for any type of car.

  • Yaulynk The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Pfeiffer Lake

    Great place for rustic camping

    I am no stranger to this campground as my family has been coming here for generations.  This place is wonderful for those who like a little bit more of a rustic campsite.  Vaulted toilets and drinking water, there is a small playground, swimming beach and fishing pier along with a boat landing. There is also sites at the beach for daytime use.  Its a small lake so recreational boating is a little hard but there are larger lakes nearby for that sort of fun.

    New camp host  and excellent work on the grounds.  It looks fantastic.  A lot of care has been going into bringing this campground back to it's former glory.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Big Rice Lake

    Beautiful view

    We have a 40’ 5th wheel, so decides not to stay in the “formal” campground. There is an open spot near the lake where we set up for the night. The road to drive in is gravel but very smooth.


Guide to Tower

Camping near Tower, Minnesota, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful lakes, hiking trails, and plenty of wildlife. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around campgrounds like Bear Head Lake State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Beautiful park overall and love the proximity from Ely and Lake Vermillion."
  • Fishing: Many lakes in the area are great for fishing. A visitor at Fall Lake Campground noted, "I have caught a lot of Northern and Small Mouth just north of the boat ramp."
  • Canoeing and Kayaking: The calm waters are perfect for paddling. A reviewer at Lake Vermillion - Soudan Mine State Park Campsites said, "The campground also has wifi which we didn’t use but I tested the speeds on my cell phone out of curiosity and was getting speeds over 200mbps."

What campers like:

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with swimming areas. A reviewer at Fisherman's Point City Campground said, "It’s kid-friendly, lots of lake sites, playgrounds, and ATV friendly!"
  • Space for Tents: Choose sites that offer room for multiple tents. A camper at Echo Lake noted, "The campsites are large and spaced out well."
  • Quiet Time: Many campgrounds are peaceful, making them great for families. A visitor at Lake Jeanette Campground shared, "This is one of the prettiest places I've ever been."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some sites can accommodate larger RVs, while others are more suited for smaller rigs. A reviewer at Headquarters RV Park mentioned, "The RV amenities were really convenient and looked new."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need them. A camper at Lake Vermillion - Soudan Mine State Park Campsites noted, "Each spot feels secluded."
  • Dump Stations: Some campgrounds may not have dump stations, so plan accordingly. A visitor at Fenske Lake Campground said, "There’s no dump station (closest is in Ely)."

Camping near Tower, Minnesota, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just remember to pack your bug spray and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Tower, MN?

Tower, MN offers exceptional camping experiences with several standout options. Bear Head Lake State Park Campground is highly rated for its varied campsites that accommodate everything from tents to 26' travel trailers, complete with electrical hookups and proximity to a canoeing lake. Closer to town, HooDoo Point Campground provides convenient drive-in access with water and toilets. For those seeking a more remote experience, campgrounds in the surrounding area like Echo Lake and West Two River offer peaceful settings with fewer crowds and excellent water access for kayaking and fishing.

What amenities do Tower, MN campgrounds offer?

Tower area campgrounds provide diverse amenities to suit different camping styles. Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground offers electric hookups at select sites, water fill stations, picnic tables, fire rings, and a small store at the office. Fenske Lake Campground features basic amenities with hand pumps for water access. Many campgrounds include vault toilets, while state parks typically offer more developed facilities like shower buildings. For those seeking minimal amenities but maximum solitude, Button Box Lake Campground provides primitive camping with no cell service, no hookups, and first-come, first-served sites with hand pump water access.

When is the best time of year to go camping in Tower, MN?

Late summer through mid-fall offers prime camping in Tower, MN. September-October showcases spectacular fall colors with significantly fewer insects, as noted at Indian Lake Campground. Summer (June-August) provides warm temperatures ideal for water activities on the area's numerous lakes, though this is peak season with higher visitation at popular spots like Side Lake Campground. Early October can bring dramatic weather – campers report both rain and snow at Fall Lake, but the trade-off is breathtaking autumn scenery and peaceful campgrounds. Most facilities begin closing in mid-October, with limited winter camping options for experienced cold-weather enthusiasts.