John P.
Guide
Guidemaplewood state park knoll campground
Quiet luxury
The small knoll campground loop is a perfect quiet spot in the literal heart of Maplewood state park. Hiking trails are nearby and the new bike path thru the park is excellent.
Tent Camping near Wadena, MN
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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The Crow Wing River watershed surrounding Wadena, Minnesota offers several tent-only camping options along water trails and in state parks. Knob Hill in Staples provides walk-in tent sites with river views, fire rings, and basic amenities. Frames Landing Campsite near Sebeka offers tent campsites with drinking water, picnic tables, and toilet facilities. For backcountry tent camping experiences, Glendalough State Park (about 45 miles west of Wadena) features cart-in and hike-in tent sites in a no-RV environment. Beers Hike-In Site provides a secluded tent camping option with vault toilets and fire pits, accessible via a short walk from limited parking.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature natural surfaces ranging from pine needle forest floors to grassy clearings. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at established sites, while vault toilets are available at most locations. Drinking water access varies significantly, with some sites offering pumps while others require filtering from nearby lakes or rivers. Campers should prepare for mosquitoes, especially in early summer when they can be particularly intense. Black bears occasionally visit campsites in the region, so proper food storage is essential. The Crow Wing River Water Trail connects multiple primitive tent camping locations, allowing for multi-day paddling trips between sites.
In early spring, tent campers often enjoy clearer views of lakes and rivers before foliage fills in. According to reviews, Glendalough State Park provides an exceptional tent-only camping experience. One visitor noted, "The tent sites are all cart-in, making the scenery the main focus without vehicles in view." At Beers Hike-In Site, a camper reported, "The walk is easy with a nice fire pit and good fishing area right at the site." Tent pads at most sites accommodate standard tents, though some backcountry locations have limited space. The North Country Trail passes through the region, offering additional primitive tent camping opportunities for hikers seeking solitude. Wildlife sightings, including deer, eagles, and waterfowl, are common at lakeside tent campsites.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Wadena (36)
1. Knob Hill
"All have fire rings. There is a staircase that connects the two. Would love to stay here sometime! We just stopped for a bite to eat before heading down the river further."
2. Glendalough State Park Campground
"Went on the hiking club trail around Annie Battle Lake, most of it is even paved for biking or groomed for skiing."
"Lots of lakes, a mosaic of habitats from pine and aspen forest to maple and ash woodlands, to oak savannah, to fens and marshes and lakes and streams and prairie."
9 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $22 - $85 / night
3. Bullard Bluff Campsite
4. Frames Landing Campsite
"This is yet another canoe campsite and canoe launch on the Crow Wing River Water Trail: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/crowwingriver/index.html it is an easy 6 mile paddle to the next campsite"
5. Andersons Crossing
"This is yet another canoe campsite and canoe launch on the state—designated Crow Wing River Water Trail https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/crowwingriver/index.html This is a good paddle-in stop or"
"It was located right on the river. This was a great campsite for the 7 of us! Planning on going back a few times this summer!"
6. Huntersville Township
7. Swan Lake Resort & Campground
"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."
"This campground is right by a lake with almost every activity you could think of! Only bad thing was owner was not in the office for hours at a time."
5 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $35 - $300 / night
8. Sunset Beach Resort & Campground
9. Canoe Landing Campsite — Crow Wing State Park
"This is a canoe campsite that is part of the Mississippi River Headwaters Water Trail, one stop on the paddle trail which allows canoers and kayakers to paddle from Lake Itasca to to the north, all the"
"We were bike riding the Paul Bunyon Trail and rode into Crow Wing in the dark. I self registered because the office was closed (wrote in canoe site since you can't reserve it online)."
10. Beers Hike-In Site
"The walk is an easy walk. There is a nice fire pit and good area for fishing right at the site. Also there is a picnic table and a vault toilet. Surprisingly there was toilet paper there!"
Check Availabilityfrom $22 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 29 min from Fargo, ND
- 1 hr 29 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 2 hrs 22 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 2 hrs 30 min from Grand Forks, ND
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Wadena, MN
13 Photos of 36 Wadena Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Wadena, MN
333 Reviews of 36 Wadena Campgrounds
- nnancy H.Guide
Lake Carlos State Park Campground
Quiet wooded site in upper campground
We spent 1 night at site #12. Large back in spot completely wooded with fire pit & picnic table (no water or electric) Behind clean restrooms with flush toilets. The sites were less than half occupied on a Monday in Mid September. We arrived after the station was closed so we had to create an online profile to reserve and pay. Thankfully we had adequate cell service. There was also an 800 number to call that was staffed until 8pm (according to the sign). The upper campground is much quieter and shaded compared to the lower loop -which is on the water.
Allen B.GuideSaukinac Campground
Good all around
Campgrounds offer tent sites in the shade most all rv sites offer power water & sewer. Showers & flush toilets were clean. Bar with excellent food & friendly service
Patrick W.GuideLake Itasca State Park Backpack #5
Lake Itasca State Park Backpack #5
*Can reach from North Country Trail
Backpack Site#5 is a peaceful, secluded campsite located on the shore of McKay Lake along the Deer Park Trail in Itasca State Park. The site is approximately 2.5 miles from the Aiton Fire Tower parking lot, making it a manageable hike while still providing the feeling of being well away from the busier areas of the park. The campsite has a beautiful lakeside setting, with the shore of McKay Lake only about 10 feet from the site. This makes it a great spot to relax by the water and enjoy the quiet surroundings. The site is equipped with a bear box and fire ring, along with a bucket for completely extinguishing your campfire. There is also a simple three-sided vault toilet nearby. Fallen trees and dead wood are abundant in the surrounding area, providing plenty of potential campfire wood where gathering is permitted. One unexpected bonus was finding a deck of cards in the bear box, a nice little addition for passing the time around camp after a day on the trail. Overall, Backpack Site#5 offers a great combination of accessibility and solitude. With a relatively short 2.5-mile hike, a campsite almost directly on McKay Lake, basic backcountry amenities, and plenty of surrounding forest, it is an excellent choice for an overnight backpacking trip in Itasca State Park.
- TTeresa O.
ScoutOak Park Kampground
Great campground
Large sites, quiet, clean showers, very well taken care of.
Sacred E.GuideSmith Park Campground
Great little town camp spot
We are loving finding these sweet little campgrounds! This one is easy, has power and water for $15 a night, nice host, and a great little bakery just down the road.
- DDaniel R.Guide
Lake Carlos State Park Campground
Family Friendly Fun
There’s not one but two wonderful bathrooms at each end of the lower level campsites. Our children loved riding their scooters around the loop. If you happen to own a boat, you can park it right on the beach and tie off across from your campsite if you’re lucky enough to have one on the lake side. We stayed at spot 85 but site 102 is on the end and then you will only have one Neighbor.
- LLeonard N.
TravelerDelagoon Park Campground
City Owned Park and Campground (nicest one on our two week vacation)
Stayed on 07/18/26 1 night in our 30' RV pulling a motorcycle trailer, while traveling through on I94, without a reservation. It is 3-4 miles off the highway, and a little challenging to find (poor signage), but worth the effort. This is a city owned and operated park, and campground BUT, it is located on the outskirts of town on a very large parcel, with no nearby industrial, or residential neighbors. The access road from HWY 82 is 3/4 mile, and was rough in one 1/4 mile stretch (repaving pending). The campground was completely renovated, and reopened in 2026 (new sites, hookups, restroom/shower house). The rates have increased (we paid $56). The sites are large, level compacted gravel, with most three pull through sites. There were many trees removed during the renovation, limiting shade, and privacy, but allowing good views of Pebble Lake. Our Tuesday night stay was very quiet, with only a few other campers dispersed throughout the campground. There is a very nice playground for children, and walking/biking trails throughout the park, and a convenient dump station at the entrance. This isn't an "RV Resort", nor a "wilderness campground", but it is the nicest campground we stayed at during our two week vacation (and possibly ever). We would highly recommend Delagoon Campground to anyone visiting family or friends in the Fergus Falls area, or as a destination vacation campground. Wish we could have stayed longer!
A E.GuideHalverson Trail Camp on McCarty Lake
Beautiful View of the Lake
I loved this spot!! I included an aerial view of where my chosen site was on the maps.
My only complaint was lots of people driving by in vehicles and ATVs, but that's a personal preference as I am trying to find some peace in solitude. I arrived on a Friday and left on a Tuesday. The weekend was the busiest, which was expected. A family used the campsite during the day to put their kayaks in the water. They were so sweet, and the kids even brought me back a boquet of flowers they picked. Another family showed up with some fourwheelers for a bit as well. Everyone I encountered was very friendly!
There are wild blackberries growing on site! And a bunny came by every single night to have dinner, and bunnies are a good sign for me.
AND there is an outhouse!! Directly across the road from the campsite is a slightly overgrown path. Follow that (not a very long walk), and bring your own toilet paper!
Guide to Wadena
Tent campsites near Wadena, Minnesota cluster around the region's numerous lakes and rivers, making water-based activities central to the camping experience. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F, with higher humidity levels from June through August. Winter camping options are limited, with most sites closing by mid-October as temperatures drop below freezing overnight.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Swan Lake Resort & Campground offers direct lake access with rental equipment available. "From the sandy beach and wooded trails to the games and activities, there was energy and thought behind every corner," notes one visitor who appreciated the varied water recreation options.
Fishing access: Prime fishing spots are available at Beers Hike-In Site where you can fish right next to your campsite. "There is a nice fire pit and good area for fishing right at the site," reports a camper who found the easy walk-in access suitable for family groups.
Biking trails: The paved trail system near Canoe Landing Campsite connects to the Paul Bunyan Trail. One cyclist who arrived after dark noted, "We were bike riding the Paul Bunyon Trail and rode into Crow Wing in the dark," demonstrating the trail's accessibility even for night arrivals.
What campers like
Motor-free lakes: The peaceful environment at no-motor lakes provides a quieter camping experience. "Only Tents Allowed--this is the most serene place! They don't allow motor boats on one of the lakes so there is always calm water to canoe, kayak, swim, or paddleboard in," explains a camper about the controlled water environment.
Cart-in camping: Many visitors appreciate the vehicle-free atmosphere at cart-in sites in the region. "The tent sites are all cart in, making the scenery the main focus. You don't have to stare at vehicles while you are enjoying a fire, which I love," shares a camper who valued the natural setting.
Riverside camping: Sites along the Crow Wing River offer unique perspectives. At Andersons Crossing, a family group reported, "It was located right on the river. This was a great campsite for the 7 of us!" showing how riverside locations accommodate larger groups comfortably.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Many tent sites in the Wadena area have basic amenities only. At Knob Hill, a motorcyclist reported, "I didn't see a bathroom if any kind so it's you and nature if you don't bring your own," highlighting the need to prepare for primitive conditions at some locations.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds require careful navigation. "This place is off the beaten path for sure. It's more of a trail than a road for the last part and I was riding my Victory Motorcycle. 4 wheels is advised or a dirt bike," warns a Knob Hill visitor about road conditions.
Security considerations: Remote locations may have occasional issues. At Bullard Bluff Campsite, a visitor noted, "The site is remote but accessible on back roads which has pluses and minuses—and given the warning signs posted, there have been problems here with partiers and people shooting off firearms etc," suggesting solo campers should consider safety.
Tips for camping with families
Easy walk-in options: Several sites offer family-friendly access with minimal hiking. "The walk is an easy walk. There is a nice fire pit and good area for fishing right at the site. Also there is a picnic table and a vault toilet," reports a visitor to Beers Hike-In Site, noting amenities important for family comfort.
Yurt accommodations: For families new to camping, alternative shelters provide an entry point. "My friend & I stayed in their Osprey yurt, and it was perfect for our first camping trip together. I recommend yurts if you're not 100% comfortable with/ enjoy staying in a tent," suggests a camper who found the transition easier with this option.
Group site availability: For family reunions or larger gatherings, designated group areas work well. "I stayed in the group site here and it was wonderful, we were along the water and there was good spots to put up tents, very clean and a neat area in general!" reports a visitor who used the space for a larger gathering.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV sites: Few campgrounds near Wadena accommodate larger RVs, with most focusing on tent camping. At Frames Landing Campsite, a visitor noted, "Although there is a dirt road access, in dry weather you could get an RV into the campground if you dont mind no hookups. It would be a good place to stay before launching a canoe trip."
Seasonal site conditions: RV access varies with weather. "We only stayed here overnight but the sites were open and spacious. Hosts were very friendly and helpful. Full hookups," reports an RV camper at Swan Lake Resort, one of the few locations with reliable vehicle access year-round.
Parking limitations: Most tent-focused sites have restricted parking. A visitor to Beers Hike-In Site observed, "There is enough room to park 1 (maybe 2) vehicles," indicating the need for transportation coordination when camping with multiple families.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Wadena, MN?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Wadena, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wadena, MN is Knob Hill with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
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What is the best site to find tent camping near Wadena, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Wadena, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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