Camping options near Wrenshall, Minnesota extend beyond typical RV parks into diverse settings across varied terrain. Located in Carlton County at an elevation of 1,250 feet, the area experiences cold winters with average January temperatures of 8°F and mild summers averaging 66°F in July. Late spring through early fall brings the primary camping season, with some facilities operational from May through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Oak Lake Campground provides boat rentals and lake access for anglers. "Great fishing lake! This campground provides boat rental and a swimming beach," notes a visitor at Oak Lake Campground.
Golf getaways: Minnesota National RV Park sits adjacent to a championship golf course. A camper reports, "The 27-hole golf course was in good shape and fun to play. McGregor is about 15 minutes away and has grocery, gas, hardware store, and restaurants."
Hiking trails: Banning State Park offers day-use opportunities near Banning RV Park and Campground. "We discovered this campground while researching the area... If you are planning to explore the Kettle River and Banning State Park nearby, this is a good alternative to camping within the State Park itself."
Urban exploration: Duluth attractions are accessible from various campgrounds. "Lots to do in this cute town, lots of walking around and hanging out with tourists. These types of places are always a treat for me, since we don't tow a car," mentions a visitor at DECC/Amsoil Arena RV Parking.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Red Pine Campground (formerly Ogston RV Park) offers well-sized camping spots. "Nice campground has over 100 campsites, some with Full hook up some just with electric and water some on the lake. Very clean and organized place," reports one reviewer at Red Pine Campground.
Water proximity: RV parks with waterfront access provide unique camping experiences. A camper at Oak Lake Campground shared: "Spots were right by the lake and the lake was awesome."
Dog-friendly facilities: Several RV parks near Wrenshall accommodate pets with designated areas. At Banning RV Park, a visitor noted, "Remarkably, in addition to playgrounds for children in different places around the campground, there was a huge dog walking and play area that was grassy and beautifully clean—and, of special interest, included a complete dog playground with all the standards elements of a dog agility course!"
Convenience amenities: Campgrounds offering extras beyond basic camping appeal to many. "Our site was a fairly level pull through, full hook up site. The office had a camp store inside of it. Staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were very clean," mentions a camper at Banning RV Park and Campground.
What you should know
Water hookup challenges: Some RV parks have unusual water connection setups. At Banning RV Park and Campground, a camper found: "We were quick to learn that water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots... Ours source ended up being 75' plus from our RV."
Seasonal population: Many campgrounds have permanent or long-term residents. "Very few sites to reserve — many many many seasonal spots. The seasonal people were very nice to us 'new comers'," notes a visitor at Oak Lake Campground.
Site accessibility: Campground layouts vary significantly in design quality. At Minnesota National RV Park, "The utilities are in the far back of the site. I needed about 20' of sewer, electric, and water hose to reach my rig."
Noise considerations: Location-specific noise issues affect some campgrounds. DECC/Amsoil Arena RV Parking notes: "This is a city environment so you'll definitely have road noise, train noise, and drunken fools on weekend nights."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several RV parks near Wrenshall offer children's play areas. At Minnesota National RV Park, "There is not much more to do here except golf. McGregor is about 15 minutes away and is where we did laundry and got our groceries."
Swimming areas: Campgrounds with beach access provide water recreation. "This campground provides boat rental and a swimming beach. Sites are a little small but have a nice view of the lake. Playground for the kids was decent. The beach was ok," mentions a visitor at Oak Lake Campground.
Evening entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer organized activities. A camper at Banning RV Park noted the "campground pavilion, which included picnic tables, family bathrooms with showers, playground, activity center with craft classes etc, and laundry room."
Weather considerations: Summer storms can impact camping experiences. At Spirit Lake RV and Marina, "Severe weather rolled in on our last night and things got pretty scary. We thought at one point that we might tip over from high winds."
Tips from RVers
Dump station logistics: RV waste disposal varies significantly between parks. At Spirit Lake RV and Marina, "Dump station was a challenge with RV and a blue boy. To dump RV you most likely need to turn around and back in. Watched several RV'ers had some trouble getting their rigs in a good position to dump."
Site angles and parking: Many RV parks have challenging site configurations. At Grand Casino RV Resort, "Back-in site was 90 degrees to the road - if the bathhouse parking lot wasn't across from it, wouldn't have been able to swing in on a 24' travel trailer."
Utility locations: Hookup placements can require extra equipment. Minnesota National RV Park campers report, "The utilities are in the back of pad in this CG, so you may need 20+ feet of electric, sewer, or water cord/hose depending on your rig's configuration."
Leveling needs: Site terrain varies within campgrounds. A visitor at Red Pine Campground noted, "Site was gravel and a a little un-level, but nothing extreme."
