Camping › Minnesota
Camping in Minnesota
2,999 places to camp in Minnesota: 84 national forest and federal campgrounds, 32 state park campgrounds, 2,043 free dispersed and primitive spots, 840 private campgrounds and RV parks. The best camping months are Jun–Sep, judged from 30 years of weather at a typical camp: comfortable days, mild nights, little rain. In July expect highs near 78°F and lows near 54°F.
Best areas to camp
- Around Winton1,086 camps in the area within 25 miles
- Around Ely647 camps in the area within 25 miles
- Around Grand Marais398 camps in the area within 25 miles
- Around Orr219 camps in the area within 25 miles
- Around Silver Bay113 camps in the area within 25 miles
Questions
When is the best time to camp in Minnesota?
The best camping months are Jun–Sep, judged from 30 years of weather at a typical camp: comfortable days, mild nights, little rain. In July expect highs near 78°F and lows near 54°F.
Is there free camping in Minnesota?
Yes: 2,089 free or dispersed spots, mostly on national forest and BLM land.
Will I have cell signal camping in Minnesota?
At about 72% of camps, at least one carrier has 4G or better (FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous). Plan for no signal on trails.
Where are the darkest skies for camping in Minnesota?
2,272 camps sit under the darkest skies (class 1–2). See the stargazing page.
Filter by camp type, amenities and activities, fly over any camp in 3D, then plan your trip.
Open Minnesota in Find campsThis week's picks
A different handful each week. Tap a camp to see it from above, check the weather and plan the drive.
Bimijiwan Recreation AreaFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalKnutson Dam Campground is located on the northeastern shores of Cass Lake and the Mississippi River.
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Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National ForestFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalSawbill Lake Campground has immediate access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a beautiful, peaceful and wild natural feature of Minnesota's Superior National Forest. The…
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Winnie Dam Campground - UsaceFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalUSACE Winnie Dam Campground & Recreation Area. This is a Corps of Engineers Campground, located just walking distance from the Mississippi River. Activities include camping, fishing…
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Flour Lake CampgroundFederal campground · Reservable · No cell signalFlour Lake Campground provides a convenient home base for exploring the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Its scenery, amenities and access to outdoor recreation areas make it…
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Leech Lake Rec AreaFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalLeech Lake Recreation Area is located in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest in Federal Dam, Minnesota on the Leech Lake River.
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Cadotte LakeFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalCadotte Lake Campground lines the western shore of Cadotte Lake in Superior National Forest. A boat ramp and fishing dock make the campground convenient for anglers, and the sandy swimming…
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Pfeiffer LakeFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalPfeiffer Lake Campground, located adjacent to it's namesake lake, is a small, peaceful and scenic facility in the Superior National Forest of Minnesota. The lake's healthy population of…
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Crescent Lake (Mn)Federal campground · Reservable · Cell signalCrescent Lake is an undeveloped lake surrounded entirely by the remote Superior National Forest. This quiet campground has waterfront campsites with easy access to fishing, exploring the…
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Free camping in Minnesota
2,089 spots cost nothing: dispersed sites on national forest and BLM land and free campgrounds. Most have no water or toilets, and stays are usually limited to 14 days.
- Ojibway and Triangle LakesDispersed / primitive · Free · Cell signal
Ojibway Lake offers a small picnic area, a back down ramp, and 2 island back country campsites. The lake contains crystal clear waters and a variety of fish, including lake trout, walleye…
View camp → - Homer LakeDispersed / primitive · Free · No cell signal
This is one of our Backcountry sites which is a near- wilderness single party site and is accessible only by foot or boat. These sites are first come, first served. There is one site on…
View camp → - Pine LakeDispersed / primitive · Free · Cell signal
This is one of our Backcountry sites which is a near- wilderness single party site and is accessible only by foot or boat. These sites are first come, first served. There are 3 sites on…
View camp → - Ham LakeDispersed / primitive · Free · Cell signal
This is one of our Backcountry sites which is a near- wilderness single party site and is accessible only by foot or boat. These sites are first come, first served. There are 4 sites on…
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