Best RV Parks & Resorts near Virginia, MN

Recent RV Reviews near Virginia, Minnesota

228 Reviews of 60 Virginia Campgrounds

• S

  Sam C.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 30, 2020

  Red Pine Campground

  Red Pine Campground

  Spent a weekend at Red Pine Campground (formally Ogston’s RV Park). Check-in was smooth and staff was very friendly. Our 35’ travel trailer fit well into our back-in site. Full hookups and everything worked as expected. Site was gravel and a a little un-level, but nothing extreme.

  We were traveling with friends and the staff (owners I believe) made it work out for us to have sites next to each other.

  Park felt well cared for and attended too. Walked the grounds and had fun looking for agates in a rock pile. The small lakes or ponds around the campground were a nice touch. Was a little buggy at night but it is Minnesota in the summertime. There was some water craft that could be utilized by campers. Since we were self isolating due to Covid we kind of kept to ourselves and hung around our site with our friends.

  Easy access to Duluth. Would definitely stay here again.

• 

  Lesley R.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 5, 2022

  Superior National Forest McDougal Lake Campground

  Solitary Solace

  When traveling long term with the destination of peace and serenity, places like this are necessary. Freedom, silence and a feeling of oneness with nature heighten your intuition and joy for life. Simplicity is key and the mind is free to relax towards thought of beauty and love. Stay here if you appreciate nature and all it’s sustainable power, it’s magic.

• 

  Cindy B.

  Ranger

  

  Feb. 9, 2022

  Sherwood Forest Campground

  Campground with spacious sites overlooking lake

  Love, love, love this campground! It not only has full hook-ups and overlooks a lake, but is right on the Mesabi Bike Trail. The managers were friendly and helpful. The sites were spacious. It was so peaceful!

• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 11, 2018

  Floodwood Campground

  Floodwood camping on the St Louis River

  Like many small town in the area, Floodwood has its own municipal campground, part of which seems to be staked out by a few long-term RV campers. This is a small campground in a really pretty location right on the banks of the wild St Louis River. There are mature trees, lots of shade, electric hookups for thise who want them, and canoe access to the river ( there is a regular boat landing in town to the west, near where the Floodwood River flows into the St Louis). Although it is a pretty spot, and Floodwood is a nice tidy quaint little town to be in, I have a couple of concerns: the check-in is completely self-check-in, with no apparent monitoring or security in the campground, and the bathrooms and showerhouse looked like they needed a bit of cleaning. If you were wanting to stay here, you might actually want to use the really nice restrooms at the Floodwood tourist rest stop in the old historic depot a few blocks away. This would be a good place to stay if you wanted to make day trip paddles on the St Louis or Floodwood Rivers. There are a few nice restaurants nearby, including the Savannah Portage Inn. There are stores for supplies nearby too.

• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 7, 2018

  Bear Head Lake State Park Campground

  Edge of the wilderness experience

  Bear Head Lake is an established, full service state park that has something for everyone. There are a variety of camping opportunities, from camper cabins to guesthouse to tent campsites with lake access to RV sites. Though you have to hike to the beach, the beach is really lovely and has boat rental. There is an extensive network of trails for both hiking and cross country skiing, with a really great indoor Trail Center that serves as winter warming house, indoor meeting place for rainy days, and classroom for park naturalist events. The lake is great for boating, fishing and paddling. though part of the lake shore is privately owned, the lake is quiet and peaceful overall, nestled in tall pines with easy access to the town of Ely if desired. The vicinity is known for bears and is part of a long term bear research study; visit the American Bear Center nearby if interested! https://www.bear.org/website/

• D

  David B.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 10, 2022

  Red Pine Campground

  Great RV park. Nice Lakes.Red Pine is a great private RV park near Duluth,

  Red Pine is a great private RV park near Duluth, MN. We stayed 2 nights. Most of the sites are not shady. The campground streets are gravel. The park was clean and quiet, and the staff was friendly. Gave 4 stars on cleanliness only for the gravel/dirt roads and sites. Otherwise, is was very clean. Stayed in back-in campsite#49 which was not shady but level. It was an dirt/gravel site with grass on either side. There was just enough parking for my 34 ft TT and truck. The site included: picnic table on grass and fire ring. Utilities: 20/30/50A electric in back. Sewer located in back and had a non screw-on fitting. Water was located in back, but on door side. Neighbors are close. AT&T had 4 bars of LTE and Verizon 3 bars of LTE service. AT&T Fast.com: 1.5 Mbps down, 5.0 Mbps up. Verizon Fast.com: 190 kbps down, 9.5 Mbps up. Free WiFi Fast.com: 1.5 Mbps down, 3.6 Mbps up. Would stay here again. We camped at Red Pine Campground in a Travel Trailer.

• 

  Lucas P.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 26, 2018

  Red Pine Campground

  Wide Open Spaces!

  Ogston RV Park is a great campground, it’s like a little slice of heaven with wide open spaces. The space between campsites is impressive, lots of room to walk, roam, stretch, or whatever strikes your fancy. the prices are good, the bathhouse is clean, you could eat a sandwich in there and not feel out of place! There are movies, books, and games you can borrow, happy hour every Wednesday, potlucks through our week, and overall it’s just a nice place to stay!

• 

  Duncan G.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 29, 2022

  Cabin O' Pines Resort

  Very Pretty Place On Pelican Lake

  A really nice place with lots of fun stuff do to right in the campground including a beach and boat ramp on Pelican Lake. There is a nice playground area for kids. The place caters mostly to seasonal folks more than overnight roadies. I stumbled on it by accident when I was heading to Voyageurs NP but just wanted to get off the road for the night.

   Some of the seasonal sites have extensive decking and screened porches. The sites for the temp folks had full hookups but were gravel that was not well maintained and not level. The bathrooms were ok, maybe a C+. There was no soap at the men’s bathroom sink. There are only six daily/weekly RV/tent sites.  The rest are seasonal rentals.  It got 4 stars instead of 3 because it is so pretty and peaceful.

• 

  Scott M.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 1, 2020

  HooDoo Point Campground

  Great location on lake Vermillion

  Nice little campground that isn’t overly luxurious. Mostly built for RVs with hookups as there isn’t much shade and it would be very hot come July/August. So why stay...the fishing. Campers all had boats to get out on The lake. There is some great walleye fishing here, which is why I stopped. Nothing too fancy but they have almost 60 sites that range. Some are able to be near water and others are just in the sun. Everyone I saw had air conditioners are going.

  It’s all about the fishing here tho.

• 

  Deb M.

  Ranger

  

  May. 26, 2024

  Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground

  Perfect combo of modern and rustic

  This will now be one of our new favorite campgrounds. It’s the perfect mix of modern (lots of nicely spaced electric sites, well maintained shower/bathrooms, on-site store, canoe rentals and more) and rustic. (Wildlife, birds, a stones throw from the BWCA, and gorgeous sunsets.) Be mindful of your camping equipment and the size of the sites - it varies widely. There’s no dump station (closest is in Ely), but there’s a spigot to fill your RV’s water tank. AT&T service was good (2 bars, fast internet and streaming), T-Mobile not so good. (1 bar, slow internet and no streaming) Thanks to the great campground hosts for tips and info too!

• K

  Kari R.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 29, 2018

  Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground

  Beautiful setting on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area

  Exceptionally maintained campsites with well wooded sites. Raised cement fire pits, level tent pads, and large sites for campers and RVs. Many of the lake-side sites are nestled into the hillside with stairs going down to the water. The Fall Lake campground is very well managed and has clean shower/toilet buildings, and a store with firewood, canoe rentals, and other miscellaneous items. If there is one drawback, it is that this campground is a popular place for RVs and large campers. For those tent campers wishing to get away and have some solace, it can be busy and noisy at times - depending on who your closest neighbors are. Overall, I give it four stars because we had an RV near us with screaming children that dampened our experience. I would give it five stars due to the beautiful location, the access to the north woods/BWCA, and the care that is taken to keep it maintained.

• 

  Nancy W.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 17, 2017

  Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground

  Favorite Campground of the Season

  By far this was our favorite campground of the summer. The campground is fairly small, has plenty of towering trees for shade and privacy, and sits right on Fall Lake. Fall Lake is a popular place for anglers and those looking to adventure into the boundary waters. The park will accommodate anything from tents to large RVs and is well worth a visit in our opinions. In fact, plan on staying the maximum two weeks … pretty sure you will like it as much as we did.

  About half of the sites are reservable with the others being walk-ups. We booked three nights because we didn’t want to drive the RV all the way up into the northwoods of Minnesota and not get a campsite. Especially, since we were there in August during the busy summer season. While we liked our first site (which was a pull-thru), it was booked after our stay so we started scouting other sites. Walk-up site #39 caught our eyes and as luck was on our side it was going to be vacant the morning we were due to check out. That morning we headed to the office fifteen minutes before they opened to get in line hoping to book the sites. We scored the site and booked it for the maximum two weeks.

  In our opinions, the walk-up sites are the most desirable because they have direct access to the water. Our site had steps that led down to the lake where we kept our kayaks on the bank so we didn’t have to rack them on the car every time we used them. Even if you don’t have one of these sites there are other public pathways leading to the lake for easy access. Our site was pretty close to the boat ramp which is a busy place so it was a big noisy – especially in the early morning hours but we didn’t mind.

  The bathrooms and showers (which are free) are some of the cleanest we have found. They were cleaned daily and the camp hosts returned many times during the day to check for cleanliness and make sure they were stocked with paper products. You have to use a keypad to enter the bathroom which ensures only campers are allowed in. Water pressure in the shower was great and the water was hot. There was no dial to adjust how hot you wanted the water and our shower was almost too hot to use but that was better than being cold. There was a potable water spigot outside which made it easy to fill up our water jugs.

  The park has two group camp areas that are ideal for multiple campers and are very private. They have their own bathhouse, pavilion, large grassy common area, grills, and water access. We would definitely rent one of these sites if we came back with three or four friends.

  One day, I walked the Stub Lake Trail that left from the campground but was really disappointed. It is in an area with lots of blow down so there was not much shade or interesting scenery. More interesting trails are located about 15 minutes away at Bass Lake which are longer and more scenic with water access. We loved the town of Ely especially the Tuesday Farmers Market and the restaurant Insula. If you are interested in renting outdoor gear there are many outfitters in town ready to assist or you can also rent canoes for $20/day at the campground office. Don't miss the International Wolf Center, the North American Bear Center and the Dorthy Molter Museum. All are really interesting and definitely worth the price of admission.

  We camped here in an RV and the only thing that could have made our experience better is if there were full hook-ups. But, since the bathrooms were clean we didn't mind. There is a water fill-up station by the camp office and a dump station in town at the Chamber of Commerce.

• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 28, 2021

  HooDoo Point Campground

  Good campground for fishermen

  This is a campground with good access to Lake Vermilion and excellent fishing, so that would be a main draw. This is a private campground and has some sites reserved for seasonal RV camping, and other sites avaialble for short term RV or tent camping. Many of the RV sites are open and close together, but there is also a loop set back in the woods that has shady campsites both on or off the lake which are pretty nice. The facilities seem a bit worn over all, but there is a basic camp office with some supplies, great docks for boats, a new playground for kids, and a nice picnic shelter.  I think the man draw here is access to fishing, but you could easily get to Lake Vermilion State Park and the Mesabi Bike Trail which arent far away.

• g

  g M.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 11, 2020

  Superior National Forest McDougal Lake Campground

  A destination campground

  This is a campground that, unless you know it is there, you might just pass it by. It has been around since the late 1960s. While it has its populated moments, there are many days where one practically has the campground to her/himself. It is suitable for RVs and tenters. It has a boat access landing. The beach at the campground, in the last couple of years that we had visited was not very active. The water level at the beach is shallow.

  One might say it is an upscale rustic. It has pit toilets and water spigots available. But the campsites are nicely laid out.

• 

  Kacey K.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 2, 2018

  Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground

  Seclusion and Cleanliness

  This campground has well spaced, well foliaged camping spaces. Great for both tent and RV Camping. The bathrooms are immaculately clean as well. Plenty of options for hiking or getting on the lake and it is close to more attractions in Ely!

• B

  Brian K.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 12, 2017

  HooDoo Point Campground

  Hoodoo point

  The camp ground was great place for families. Beach, playground, boat landing, and most sites are on Lake Vermillion. Close to many vacaton options with good sized sites. The camp ground manager was friendly and helpful. The place is busy. Campers need to do a better job cleaning up after themselves as it seems that there is little staff. Set up mainly for RV camping, our site was gravel.

• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 11, 2019

  Saginaw Campground

  Basic RV park outside Duluth

  This is a small, well kept but basic private campground mostly for RVs but it does have some tent sites. The website advertises its location as “minutes from Duluth” but that would be a hood 15 minutes to the outer limits, a good half hour to the harbor. It isnt on a lake or in the woods, doesnt have a view of Lake Superior, isnt near a state park, and is right on a major intersection of two highways. I dont think it is meant as a northwoods vacation destination per se, but it is located adjacent to a rodeo and horse center so I would guess it is best for lodging close to whatever horsey events are happening next door. Since it isnt far from the Duluth airport and the airport has no hotels by it, perhaps this would be a decent place to stay overnight before an early morning departure, if needed. In sum, a well maintained but basic place to camp that might be a good location for select purposes. Daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal rates.

• 

  TyAnn J.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 28, 2017

  Fisherman's Point City Campground

  Ranger Review: GRAND TRUNK PARASHEET BEACH BLANKET at Fisherman’s Point Campground Hoyt Lakes, MN

  Campground Review:

  ****This campground is located on beautiful Whitewater Lake in Hoyt Lakes, MN. The fall colors are absolutely gorgeous right now, and my pictures don’t even come close to doing them justice!! We have lived just 5 miles down the road from this campground for over 20 years, and regret not camping here sooner!! This campground is very family and pet friendly with so many activities to choose from. We spent the bulk of our time hiking the paved trails, and fishing the lake. You can reserve a spot online at http://www.fishermanspointmn.com/ , or it’s a first come first served campground. There were plenty of spots available when we camped there, but recommend reserving during the busy summer months.

  There are 93 spacious and wooded sites divided into separate loops. If you are driving a bigger RV or 5th Wheel some corners can be tight, but they are currently upgrading and widening the traffic areas. Some of the campsites are right on the waterfront which was nice for mooring our boat close to us. They have some 50/30/20 amp spots, but none of the spots are a full hook up with dump capabilities. The campground hosts were super friendly and the showerhouses/restrooms were super clean and smelled freshJ There is no bringing in outside wood for campfires, but they have a nice little general store where you can purchase bundles. Each spot comes with a nice picnic table and a fire ring. One of the things we liked most is the shelters and grill pits they have right on the lakeshore. They have 2 separate boat ramp areas so there is no congestion or waiting in line to get in the water, and the fish cleaning house is just a few steps off the boat ramp. Quiet hours are from 11:00pm to 7:00am, but we noticed there is no enforcement of that rule, hence the 4 Star rating.

  ...................................................

  Product Review:

  As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I have the privilege of receiving products to test from time to time. I tested the PARASHEET Beach Blanket from Grand Trunk. https://www.grandtrunk.com/collections/goods-for-the-campsite/products/parasheet-beach-blanket-new-colors Navigating their website is easy and very user friendly!! The thing I appreciated the most is that they are in constant contact with you from the minute you place the order to when it arrives on your doorstep. The shipping time is super speedy from this company!! All items were packed well, and they included a free can cozy and decal sticker (it went on our 5th Wheel!!)

  When I took Parasheet, my first thought was that I would not have used the word blanket in the description, it is so much more!! (on their website they use the sentence “The Best Beach Blanket Ever.” With that being said, the parachute nylon fabric is very lightweight, but super durable. This sheet is a packing/carrying dream!! They have a nice variety of colors available, and I ordered the Parasheet in the color Berry Bronzed. The contrast between the deep blue/tan colors is absolutely stunning!! The one feature I liked right away is that the sheet has it’s own drawcorded carrying/storage bag for easy packing and storing. We had a chance to take the sheet out on a windy day, and the sand pockets helped keep it in place while we staked it down. There are an endless amount of uses for this sheet while camping, and at home too!! (my son of course tested and gave a “thumbs up” on the Superman cape tryout lol) The parasheet stood up very well on different types of terrain (we tested sand, gravel rock, and pine needles) Overall, I think the Grand Trunk Parasheet is well priced at $39.99, and would recommend it to all!!

• 

  David T.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 25, 2024

  Trout Lake RV Park and Campground

  Very flexible proprietor

  I came in late October. As are most of the campsites in upper Minnesota this time of year, the owner told me they were closed. But he was happy to let me stay overnight for a reduced off-season fee. There were no hookups at this time of the year. It's a very pleasant lake. A lot of permanent RVs parked here. It's very quiet, although there is a highway that runs right next to the property. For my very small off-season fee, I got a shower included!

• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 28, 2019

  South Kawishiwi River

  On the Open Road to Kawishiwi

  Dyrt Ranger Review of Banner and Oak Products at the South Kawishiwi Campground

  Campground Review: My husband and his motorcycle buddies love riding on backroads and scenic byways in our state and National Forests in northern Minnesota. The MN State Highway 1 winds through the tall pines of the Chippewa National Forest, to the Bear Island state forest, and the Superior National Forest all the way east to Lake Superior. A nice weekend ride on this route includes a nice campout at the National Forest Service’s South Kawishiwi campground just off Highway 1 between Ely and Isabella. The campground is a typical rustic Forest Service campground, no hookups or plug-ins for RVs though many of the campsites would have room for a camper. All of the sites are great for tent camping, with large sheltered campsites in the pines, picnic tables and great fire rings with grill. There are water pumps for drinking water, and but the bathroom facilities are outhouses. One of the best features of this campground is the waterfront, with a nice beach and picnic area and a good boatlaunch for canoes and fishing boats. The campground is quiet and peaceful and well maintained. You can hike or boat in the area, and its an easy trip into Ely if you need supplies or want to visit the nature centers in town. Well recommended for families and small groups, accessible for motorcycles, cars, trailers and campers who want a quiet and simple camping experience.

  Product review: As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes have the chance to review camping gear and related outdoor products. This review is for Banner and Oak gear, specifically their outdoor tshirts https://bannerandoak.com/collections/shirtsand their camping mugs https://bannerandoak.com/collections/gear-we-love/products/steel-camper-mug-white . My husband tried out these products on his recent camping trip with his motorcycle buddies, and he lived both of them. Our mess kit includes the standard flat sierra cups, which are fine for your instant oatmeal in the morning, but not great for coffee. The Banner and Oak mugs are enameled stainless steel, sturdy enough to be crammed into a tight pack and large enough to hold a good stiff morning coffee—and the “Freedom to Explore” motto on it is great! But most of all, he LOVED the shirts, and said they were the softest he has ever worn, whether hanging around the campsite or, more importantly, under his motorcycle jacket when he is on the road. He felt it was soft and comfy—yes, by comparison, softer even than our little pug dog, which is saying a lot— and its lightweight, and breathes well in addition to preventing chafing under his jacket. He’s a fan! He doesnt usually pay much attention to his tshirts, but Banner and Oaks are remarkable and he will surely be buying more. Its a plus that they are made in the US too!

• J

  Jim F.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 31, 2021

  Button Box Lake Campground and Day-Use Area

  A great little place to unplug for awhile …

  First off, and most appealing to me is the fact that there is no cell service. All 12 campsites are first come first serve and you can’t jump a line by going on a website to reserve a spot.  there are no water or electric hook ups but there are hand pumps for pumping water and you could bring a generator or not.
  Located north of Grand Rapids Minnesota about 60 miles or 35 miles from Nashwauk Minnesota which is the closest gas station, grocery store or post office. All the sites are back in no pull through sites, generally level however there’s a few that are on an angle

• 

  Roger W.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 18, 2023

  Fenske Lake Campground

  Drive through a nice campground

  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. Also access close by to the boundary waters Price 2023: $10 / night w lifetime senior pass. Usage during visit: During mid week it was pretty busy. Site Privacy: pretty nice Site Spacing: pretty nice Site surface: Gravel Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet Road Noise: There may be occasional road noise in the few sites closer to the entry.
  Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: Yes Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Pit Toilets Showers: No Pull Throughs: There are ‘some pullovers’, no separation from cg road. Those in use only had a van or used as tent sites Cell Service (AT&T). We didn’t check at the campground. But, down the road we accessed via a new AT&T tower.
  Setting: In the woods Weather: 70’s with a storm in the forecast Bugs: Mosquitoes are moderate. Solar: Not great for fixed panels Rig size: Some sites take large rigs. Check rec.gov for each site before making your reservation. Sites:

• 

  Roger W.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 18, 2023

  Whiteface Reservoir

  Private Sites

  Whiteface Reservoir Campground, MN: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) We are only here for 1 night. So, we this is not as thorough campground examination as I’d do if we were here longer. However, the campground is near excellent, with water access near by and at some sites.
  Overall Rating: 4.7 Price 2023: $13 and &14 per site with the Lifetime Senior Pass. From the entry kiosk information, it appears that some sites have electricity available at an extra charge.
  Usage during visit: 75% full during midweek. Site Privacy: Many sites have a picnic table in a nice, private nook. Site Spacing: SUPERB Site surface: Gravel and pretty level. Reservations: Yes. On Rec.gov, any sites which are available for the 4 days out are listed as first come first serve. We had a few to choose from upon arrival. Looks like first come first serve sites with reservation dates falling within the 4 day first come first serve window have a reservation card hanging. Therefore, we knew how many days the first come first serve sites were available, as we drove by the sites and read their card. Campground Noise: Quiet Road Noise: Absolutely none.
  Through Traffic in campground: No problem Electric Hookup: Some sites Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: Yes, there is a spigot in each loop. Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Pit toilets, clean to perfection Showers: No Pull Throughs: I only saw back in sites. Cell Service (AT&T): Spotty internet , 1 bar.
  Setting: In a wooded deciduous forest.
  Weather: Very nice.
  Bugs: Hungry mosquitoes. Solar: Minimal to none.
  Host: EXCELLENT. This host provides exceptionally clean sites and bathrooms, expresses kindness and helpfulness, and drove by our site after we arrived at sunset, to make sure we were fine. Super guy. Rig size: Large rigs are fine. Carefully check rec.gov info for each site. But, no worries.
  Sites: Lots of great sites. Ours, 17, does not have direct access to the water. Some sites do, which would be handy for canoes. (Sorry, I’m not here long enough to investigate more thoroughly.)

• 

  jaime M.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 28, 2022

  Trout Lake RV Park and Campground

  Camping experience

  The campground is next to a busy road so if you’re looking for peace and quiet you will not get it here. However, we loved that we were able to pull right onto the gravel pad and it was level so we didn’t need to take extra time to level out the camper. The 30 amp electrical and water hookups were nice however they were on the wrong side of the pad which we thought was odd. Everything is on the honor system - even paying for your spot. There is a small box outside the garage that you fill out a form and put the form along with your payment into an envelope and place it in a mail slot. There are 2 sets of primitive bathrooms within the grounds and another standard bathroom with showers underneath the house by the beach area. There is a nice sandy area by the lake to enjoy. The owner was very nice and even pumped out our sewage for us before we left.

• 

  HollyRose M.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 1, 2020

  Bear Head Lake State Park Campground

  Feels Like Wilderness

  Stayed at a camper cabin- had the park to ourselves! Absolutely gorgeous. The drive off the main highway is a few miles, so you really end up out in the wilderness! We also appreciated that this park doesn’t allow hunting so you know you are safe during that season. 

  The campground is along a series of winding lakes, with multiple access points to the water. Very spaced out and easy access to vaulted toilets and water. A couple of different fishing piers and docks right near the campground itself. Has electric and non-electric sites. Definitely impressed with the campground itself. Very pretty no matter where you camp. 

  Park has:

  - fishing pier

  - hiking trails

  - fish cleaning building

  - stocked backcountry fishing lakes

  - canoe rental

  - a trail center with a community fire ring and comfy chairs

  - dump station

  - RV sanitation station

  - camper cabins

  - group camp

  - swimming beach

  - trailer access

  - watercraft and backpack sites 

  We enjoyed night walks and star gazing- we decided it was the best stars we had ever seen! Even saw shooting stars. Cooked some great meals, and enjoyed the hiking club walk through the woods to some super-secret small lakes. 

  Checked out the group site- so cool. Right on the water with a personal dock and toilets.

  This park is truly in the wilderness, felt like actually being in the Boundary Waters! Crystal clear water, thick gorgeous forests, and an amazing sky. 

  Head into Ely, maybe 20 mins, if you need supplies or a break from the woods. Also can access the BWCAW there too. 

  We appreciated that this park is open year-round, but can’t wait to go back in the summer!

• 

  Timothy W.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 22, 2021

  Bear Head Lake State Park Campground

  Great state park near Ely/BWCA

  We have enjoyed staying here. 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. Main restroom has showers. Nice canoeing lake adjacent to the campground. The Taconite State Trail is nearby. Only complaints are campsites are close to each other and only one bar of service on T-Mobile phone.

• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 7, 2018

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

  Minnesota Newest State park expansion!

  Lake Vermilion is a large multi-purpose recreational lake at the edge of the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness. It is a very popular lake for fishermen, but until now there was no State Park campground available on its shores. This is a new state park campground, which just had its Grand Opening in June 2018. It is located on land adjacent to the historic Soudan Mine state park, which was a park for history tours and day use only until the park expanded and developed this campground for campers interested in lake recreation, especially a fishing-oriented vacation. With the exception of a handful or remote hike-in and boat-in dispersed campsites which are currently free of charge, the majority of campsites are drive-in and have electric hook-ups. There are also three group campsites, one hike-in with simpler facilities perfect for scout troups etc, and two others with both tent and RV sites and picnic shelters and their own bath houses.

  For tent campers, the sites are large but newly cleared so still a bit rough. For RV campers or fishermen with boats and trailers, there is ample room for your vehicle and trailer. All of the sites are carved out of the woods and, though near the lake, are not within viewing distance of it. You do have to drive a bit to get to the boat landing, but it isnt far and has a great brand new ramp and docks. If you want a place to camp that is conveniently located for fishing Lake Vermilion, this is it. It is also a good place to camp if you want to bike on the Mesabi Bike trail, which goes through the park and runs from Ely to Grand Rapids. BWCA trippers will also find this to be a convenient stopove the night before or after a BWCA trip, and no doubt the brand new bathrooms and showers will be very welcome. There are a sporadic park naturalist programs here, but fewer than a lot of other state parks. There are a lot of activities and things to do in the nearby town of Ely though, https://www.ely.org/ and basic supplies located next door to the park in the village of Soudan. A visit to the historic Soudan Mine in the west of the park is quite an experience too.

  Note: I visited in mid June, just as summer campers were coming to try out the park. Apparently a big wind storm camp through at the end of June causing some treefall and damage to some areas of the park. check here for updates:

  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00285#homepage