Looking for the best campgrounds near Wadena, MN? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Wadena campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Wadena, MN. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$21 / night
$15 - $30 / night
$15 / night
Gull Lake Recreation Area offers something for everyone with boating, hiking, fishing and swimming at Minnesota's famous Gull Lake, the largest of the 10 lakes on the Gull Chain of Lakes. Visitors have the opportunity to see and hear an abundance of watchable wildlife like bald eagles, white-tailed deer, river otters, a variety of songbirds, and the legendary call of the loon.
Anglers will delight in the large population of fish including stocked walleye, northern pike, bass and a variety of panfish. Boaters can access crystal clear waters throughout the chain of lakes and enjoy the peaceful sunsets overlooking the woods. Hit the self-guided interpretive trail for a short hike with wildlife watching and scenic overlooks along the lake. Hop on your bike on the City of East Gull Lake's paved multi-use trail that starts by the dam, or head out to join up with the Paul Bunyan State Trail with trailheads located in Baxter and Nisswa. Got a kayak, canoe, or intertube? Try heading down the Gull River from the lower canoe launch. Ask the Park Rangers about river safety with current water flow and check-out a life jacket before you go.
The campground sits on the Gull River at the outlet of Gull Lake. The area was formed by a receding glacier that moved southward from Canada and carved the landscape. Gull Lake is one of the six Mississippi Headwaters Projects of the Mississippi River Watershed operated by The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Gull Lake is located minutes from 520 holes of golf, the 100-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail, amusement parks, a zoo, and numerous shopping opportunities in Brainerd, Baxter, and Nisswa.
$40 / night
$21 / night
$15 - $30 / night
Legend
My extended family has gatherings here a couple times a year as it is close to everybody and a great location! The campground is open for the season from May 1st to October 1st each year, weather permitting.
Reasons we like this campground: lakefront sites are available, the town is small so pretty quiet but there are gas stations, restaurants, and stores (including Walmart), it is close to home for everybody so this tends to be the first trip of the year to get water in everything and make sure there are no fun surprises after wintering the campers for 5 to 6 months, has bathrooms, there is a walking trail close to the campground that goes around part of the lake.
Additional details and amenities: 80 sites, 52 sites with full hookup which include water, sewer and electricity and 24 sites with water and electricity only and 4 primitive sites. All campsites contain a fire pit. Three sets of restrooms are contained within the campground with showers. Other amenities include: picnic tables, storm shelter, dump station, fish cleaning house, kayak rental, lake access with boat ramp and docks. Public beach, splash pad, bike trail, and playground adjacent.
Legend
Amenities I remember when we had a seasonal spot here: cabins with beautiful lake view, boathouse lodge and game room, sunbathing dock on the water, large picnic grounds, sand-filled playground, paddleboard &kayak rentals, boat ramp and launching service, boat & pontoon rental, boatlifts, gas, oil, tackle and live bait, screened-in fish cleaning house, sand volleyball, mini golf, laundry.
The nearby town of Osakis has convenience stores, grocery, liquor stores, gas, bars and restaurants, etc. Lake osakis is usually pretty good for fishing.
LegendWe stay every year typically for the legion's annual beer run! Great lake views and close to town. Boat launch is close by, bathrooms, showers, fish cleaning house provided.
Scout
This is a beautiful quiet place to park it for a while. There is everything here from 43 ft Class A rigs to tents. We were the only ones for about four days when we got here and now the campground is completely full. It’s the middle of September, and you wouldn’t know you were practically in the middle of the city with all the foliage. The only downfall is you have to unhook to go dump every so often. Thankfully the dump site is inside the campground
Scout
Simple beautiful park with the fall colors, plenty to due and see. Amazing fishing both trout and bass! Well maintained facilities in the park and friendly staff!
Traveler
This is our second year and starting into our third. This campground has been great for our family. Everyone in the campground is very friendly, pool is amazing and the lake is great for fishing. It is a seasonal campground so it is awesome to be able to leave our camper here year-round.
Scout
Lots of amenities, $60+ /night, guest fees. More open with less “trees and camping” feel so not for everyone but we liked it.
Traveler
Came through on an evening in July to meet a buddy canoeing the misssissippi. This was easily the buggiest site we stayed in all summer. Mosquitos so thick we had to wear nets over our faces. Maybe we’re just sensitive about it, but it was hard to get anything done.
Scout
We were scheduled for 5 nights, but extended to 8 because it was such a great spot. Don and his wife were very nice, and super helpful. We checked in late, and Don even helped us set up camp. Nice pool too. Showers and bathrooms are very clean. Laundry is nice. Highly recommend if you can snag a spot.
Scout
I recently camped at BP4, on Desoto Lake. They have maybe recently added bear boxes to these two sites (3&4), I didn't see that mentioned in any reviews or the MN park website. The trail was a bit swampy and horrible with mosquitoes but the camp sites themselves were not bad at all. A very nice spot, secluded and beautiful.
ScoutNice, new rv park. Not far off I 94. Spent 1 night, but slept well due to no noise. Golf cart rentals, and trails from the park.
Would definitely recommend.
GuideFor established camping, this park is lovely and spots are spacious. The place is bumpin’ with people but trees provide some sense of privacy but large, louder group was definitely in our vicinity—we couldn’t enjoy the birdsongs as we’d have liked (over 150 species can be found here). Staying at Grass Lake, we might have been able to launch our paddleboards from our site, but would have been a little tricky. Energy was better spent on keeping a fire tended with onslaught of unavoidable mosquitoes. Also, park doesn’t permit burning of found woods in the pits…
ScoutWe were in town for a weekend event and Andes RV Park was outstanding! Friendly service was in the easy check-in and checkout process. It has outstanding trails that they use in the winter time for cross-country skiing with tons of outdoor activities. Brand new restroom and shower facilities with laundry.
Scout
We stayed for a few nights during the State High School Trap Shoot. Crowds were expected and it was a busy area. Surprisingly quiet in the evening given how many people were there. Facilities were clean. Will stay there again for sure.
Traveler
Friendly family owned, will definitely be back!
Traveler
Very nice area with a water access, fire pit and outhouse. About a 10-15 min drive from main road and there are more campsites to find further in
Ranger
Nice trails along the Mississippi River, easy to walk, good signage on trails, and good information signs with history of each site along the trail.
Very Clean men’s bathroom. One shower needs a new shower head.
Sites 40 to 45 are very nice and secluded. Sites 58 and 59 are prime secluded sites.
Scout
This is a great state park. Group camping comes with its own bathroom building and shelter building with wood stove. The water is quite clean. Also there's even hot water in the bathroom.
GuideThe campsite was pretty wooded on most sides. I visited in the late spring so there were quite a few mosquitos since the campground is near the river. Bathrooms/showers were cleanish, water was mid from the outdoor taps but not horrible
Traveler
Very large easy to access camping area. Could easily get 4-5 campers in this one. It is a bit rocky and not extremely level but open and better for less bugs. ATV trail leads right off camping area.
LegendSmall, well spaced out camp spots and very quiet. This was a wet spring and under the trees, the bugs were overwhelming so keep that in mind. Few nice trails, several museums right across the street, really nice parks in little falls and neat views of the dam on the river
LegendThis is a more rustic State Park. There's lots of history here most of it is just a plaque not actually something to see. The river was really high and there was a fair amount of mosquitoes outside but a lot of trails and a lot of signs and a lot of history in the park.
RangerNice wooded campground. Gravel sites, fairly level. Water fill and firewood available at the registration building. The water was high in iron.
Canoe and kayak rentals available. Lots of trails for hiking and biking. Bring bug spray in the summer!
Historical sites along hiking path.
Bathrooms and showers were decent. Dump station on site.
Legend
Camped at site #7 on Oct 10-11, 2023. Beautiful wooded state forest campground along Hungry Man Lakes. I was able to bank fish right from the campsite. Dirt surface campsite with table and metal fire ring. Trash containers along campground road. Two clean vault toilets with tp & air freshener. Two hand water pumps. Some sites are not level; #7 was level and pretty large. The campground can accomodate a truck camper and smaller; would not recommend larger rigs. A gravel road looped through the campground, offering a pleasant walk through the pine forest. Can not reserve a site here. Had to use the Yodel app to pay. Loved camping here.
LegendCamped here on Oct 9, 2023. Large wooded campground on the lakefront. Easy access to the beach. Hiking trail. Very clean restroom/shower house. Level gravel campsite with metal fire ring and table. Water spigot short walk from campsite. Campground can accomodate all sorts of camping rigs. Paved campground loop road. Nice hosts and park ranger. Need to reserve online. Quiet. peaceful evening.
LegendCamped at Site #21 on Oct 8, 2023. Nice city park. Clean campsites along Sauk Lake. Fishing pier nearby. The office was closed for the season with the water & electric turned off, and the campground restroom closed. I don't mind this except that the $25 camping fee was high for the shut-offs & closures. (The was an open restroom down by the boat ramp.) There was trash service. Close to town, the campground was well maintained. There was a table & hookups pedestal. Good place for an overnight stay.
Traveler
Wonderful office staff, very kind and helpful. We intended to stay at the tent site but when we arrived we saw a lovely cabin overlooking the lake and decided to give ourselves a treat. It was very clean and comfortable. You can tell they work very hard to make the interior inviting and the kitchen well supplied with nice kitchenware. Highly recommend.
Camping near Wadena, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful nature 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.
Camping near Wadena, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Wadena, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Wadena, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 176 campgrounds and RV parks near Wadena, MN and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Wadena, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wadena, MN is Lake Carlos State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wadena, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Wadena, MN.
What parks are near Wadena, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Wadena, MN that allow camping, notably Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake and Mississippi River Headwaters - Leech Lake.
