15 Family Friendly Campgrounds in Minnesota
Summer vacation doesn’t always mean hopping on an airplane and flying to some exotic island resort. Sometimes, it means loading up the family in the station wagon, driving out, and “roughing” it for a few days. Minnesota has some of the country’s best camping spots for families with kids. Here are our recommended campgrounds in Minnesota:
Tettegouche State Park (Lake Superior, MN)
Tettegouche is one of Minnesota’s most popular state parks. It’s located on the shores of Lake Superior, just two hours north of Duluth and a short drive from Canada.
Tettegouche State Park offers a variety of camping opportunities, including both tent sites and RV sites. Each campground has its own set of amenities and activities that make it unique:
The Finn Lake Campground has 38 campsites available year-round (and can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet). This campground has showers and flush toilets available seasonally; otherwise, you’ll have access to vault toilets at each site. There are no hookups at this location—but there are laundry facilities if you need them!
The North Shore Campground is open from May through October with 110 reservable sites available. It is on a first-come/first-served basis (no reservations required). This facility offers showers and flush toilets as well as laundry facilities for all guests. The North Shore also offers boating access points for watercraft enthusiasts who want some time out on the lake itself!
Lake Carlos State Park (Cass Lake, MN)
Lake Carlos State Park is located in Cass Lake, Minnesota. The campground offers lakeside camping, large campsites, and easy access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
You’ll find bike trails here that are perfect for families with young children. Also, for those who like short jaunts on their bikes while enjoying the outdoors. There’s also a hiking trail that’s fun for people of all ages. You can bring your own boat or rent one to spend time on the water. And there are plenty of other activities you can do during your stay too!
Savanna Portage State Park (Lake Place McGregor, MN)
Located in a glacial kettle lake, Savanna Portage State Park is a great place to do some camping. This campground offers spots for tents and RVs of all sizes, plus there are yurts available for rent as well.
This park has everything from hiking trails to canoeing for those who love the great outdoors. It’s also close to several state parks like Jay Cooke and Afton State where you can explore!
If you have kids with you on your trip here, don’t forget anything they might need: clothes and extra shoes!…you know how kids love the stuff! And don’t forget your camera so that you can capture all of their memories while they’re away from home.
Gooseberry Falls State Park (Lake Superior, MN)
Gooseberry Falls State Park is located on the shore of Lake Superior, with over 50 miles of hiking trails and 500 campsites available. The campground has showers, a laundromat, and a recycling center for those staying in the park.
Camping fees are $12 per night for sites without electricity or $16 per night for sites with electricity. A maximum of eight people can stay at a single site; there is no limit to how many vehicles can be parked in one spot. Pets are allowed in the park but must be on leashes at all times; they need to be microchipped and current on vaccinations as well.
There are two beaches available at Gooseberry Falls State Park: North Beach and South Beach. North Beach is located near the visitor center and offers access to swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities (but no lifeguards). Boats must have motors less than 10 horsepower when launching from this beach; motorized watercraft are not allowed anywhere else except in designated areas during certain times of year.
William O’Brien State Park (Montevideo, MN)
William O’Brien State Park is about 20 miles east of Montevideo and offers campers the opportunity to explore a variety of activities. The park is open year-round and features sites for tents, trailers, and RVs. There are shower amenities at this family-friendly camping destination as well as firewood available for purchase. If you’re looking to get out on the water in your boat or canoe, William O’Brien State Park has plenty of options – their lake offers great fishing spots throughout its 370 acres!
Campers can also take advantage of the hiking trails that wind through t his state park’s wooded areas (and even up to its summit). There’s no shortage of fun things to do here: fishing trips are popular among visitors who come with their families because they offer great views while catching fish like bass or bluegill. Swimming opportunities abound here too—you can take a dip in Lake Shetek itself if you dare brave its chilly waters!
With so many activities available at William O’Brien State Park I wouldn’t be surprised if it became one of your favorite family-friendly Minnesota camping destinations!
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (Lake Superior, MN)
The Split Rock Lighthouse is one of Minnesota’s most popular tourist attractions, but it’s also a great place to camp with your kids. The historic lighthouse was built in 1868 and stands atop a granite cliff overlooking Lake Superior. Visitors can explore the lighthouse and enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding area from its top deck.
In the summertime, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park offers fairly expansive campsites that are spread out throughout the park (a rarity for Minnesota state parks). There are also hiking trails and beaches nearby as well as an interpretive center that teaches visitors about life on Lake Superior during an era when shipping was a vital part of commerce in this region.
Itasca State Park (Park Rapids, MN)
If you’re looking for a family-friendly camping experience that has plenty of amenities, this is the place. Itasca State Park is home to over 500 campsites, and it’s one of the most popular spots in the state. Each campsite comes with water and electric hookups, so you’ll be able to enjoy all the comforts of home while you’re out on your adventure!
The park also offers many activities for visitors: from biking trails along Lake Itasca to museums where you can learn about its history as well as its Native American roots (it was once home to several different tribes). There are even guided tours available for those who want an insider’s look at what makes this place so special -or just want someone else to do all the hard work!
Father Hennepin State Park (St. Cloud, MN)
Father Hennepin State Park is located just south of St. Cloud and features a campground for tents, RVs, and group camping. There are also cabins available for rent.
The campground has swimming areas, hiking trails, and biking trails as well as cross country ski trails in the winter months. Fishing is popular at Father Hennepin too! Canoeing, kayaking, and tubing are also available on the Mississippi River when the water levels allow it. Winter activities include ice-fishing along with snowshoeing or cross country skiing on groomed trails during winter months when snows allow it.
Soudan Underground Mine (Ely, MN)
Soudan Underground Mine is a state park located in the town of Soudan, which is about 20 miles away from Ely, Minnesota. It’s a deeply historic destination that’s perfect for kids who are interested in learning more about the area’s mining history. Some of the highlights include a working mine tour, where you can see what it was like to work in an underground mine during the late 19th century, and an exhibit on local Native American history. If your kids like getting dirty and exploring, they’ll also love mucking around on their own with small tools provided by park rangers: they’ll be able to learn how miners used pickaxes to break up rocks while searching for minerals deep below ground!
The underground portion of the Soudan Underground Mine covers approximately 4 miles (6 kilometers) worth of tunnels and caverns—a huge space for families with curious children who want to explore every inch of this amazing place!
Lone Eagle Campground (Grand Marais, MN)
Lone Eagle Campground is located in Grand Marais, which is a small town on Highway 61 in northeastern Minnesota. This campground has many activities for the whole family to enjoy! There are hiking trails, fishing, wildlife, and history all around you. If you don’t want to explore on foot, you can take advantage of the canoe rental services offered as well as rent bicycles for an easier ride around town.
This location also has tons of fun family-friendly activities such as:
- A playground where kids can play and get exercise while staying active
- A splash pad that’s open during summer months so kids can cool off after playing outside all day long!
Jay Cooke State Park (Carlton, MN)
Jay Cooke State Park (Minnesota, USA) provides a variety of activities for its visitors. Campgrounds are a significant part of it. Over 80 individual campsites in a variety of locations are available on state land, accommodating both walk-ins and RVs. It also has more than 50 miles of trails within its 8,125-acre total area. The 300-mile trail begins near Rich Lake on the Minnesota/Wisconsin border at the start of Jay Cooke SP.
Whether you’re looking to relax in nature or get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the Jay Cooke State Park is the perfect place for you.
Kamp Dels Campground (Waterville, MN)
Kamp Dels Campground is located in Waterville, MN. It is a family-friendly campground with many amenities and lots of activity options for all ages. There are so many reasons why you should stay here!
- The swimming pool: This pool offers the perfect place to cool off during the hot summer days.
- Close proximity to area attractions: Be sure to check out the nearby attractions such as Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort, Grand Casino Mille Lacs, and Afton State Park.
- Variety of activities: Choose from kayaking, tubing down the river, or going fishing on Lake Superior!
Ham Lake Campground (Ham Lake, MN)
Located in Ham Lake, MN, and open year-round, this campground is located on the shores of Ham Lake and even has a sandy beach. Located just outside of Minneapolis, this campground is great for families who want to explore the Twin Cities but enjoy nature at their doorstep. With tons of activities, including hiking trails and bike rentals, plus a large grassy area perfect for playing games like soccer or baseball with your kids during downtime at the campground!
Lebanon Hill Campground (Lebanon, MN)
Lebanon Hill Campground is located just north of Lebanon, Minnesota. The campground is open from May 1 through October 31 and offers a swimming area, playground, camp store, and a dump station.
While on the campground you can enjoy a variety of activities including canoeing on Crow Wing River; fishing at the nearby lake; hiking in the nature trails surrounding the park; biking on nearby bike paths; visiting historic sites like Fort Ridgely State Park or Fort Ripley State Park; taking advantage of more than 100 miles worth of snowmobile trails throughout northern Minnesota during winter months.
Baker Park Campground (Cloquet, MN)
Baker Park Campground is located in Cloquet, MN,, and was established in the early 1960s. This campground features a swimming beach, playground, store, pool, and game room. Baker Park has 28 campsites that are open from April through October. The park also offers year-round cabins to rent if you decide to stay there during the winter months!
SEE RELATED POST: Top 10 Summer Activities for Kids in Minnesota
The beauty of Minnesotan nature, from the prairies to the lakes and rivers to the trees, is really something to behold. Let your kids take it all in up close by camping out in one of these incredible family-friendly campgrounds!
