Top Campgrounds in Park Rapids, United States
Top Rated Campgrounds in Park Rapids
Top Reviewed Campgrounds in Park Rapids
Itasca State Park
Itasca State Park
Spruce Hill Campgrounds
Breeze Campgrounds
Camp Wilderness
Hungryman Forest Campground
Forestry Department
Reviews
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Beautiful little green of a campground. All the essentials.... Bring your own wood for fire.
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07/06/2024 Incredible to see the Mississippi at its Most Narrow Point (The Start). With many opportunities to walk across here, would highly recommend giving Itasca State Park a stop. We arrived at 11am, spending roughly 5 hours here. We found this to be plenty of time to check out all of the main attractions, in addition to doing several hikes off on less popular trails. Would recommend trying to come during a off time, as this park is on the smaller side and seems to get rather busy. As well, it can be difficult to get decent pictures with how busy some areas were during our visit.
Just our take, we found the main attractions here to totally be worth Five Stars. Many of the less popular trails were a bit on the dry/ less exciting side.
We also brought our two medium/ large dogs with, they had a great time.
Just our take, we found the main attractions here to totally be worth Five Stars. Many of the less popular trails were a bit on the dry/ less exciting side.
We also brought our two medium/ large dogs with, they had a great time.
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Absolutely beautiful forests, and my wife even claimed to see a bear crossing a side road driving through. The headwaters are majestic. Anyone in the area should take the time to stop, but preferably if you have the day free. Didn't get to hike or bike this time around, but would love to.
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Peaceful. There's only 3 (tent) spots out of 14 open
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Our family does a yearly trip to Itasca for a reason. Campsites are decent. There are lot of hiking and history to explore. Biking the Wilderness Loop is a must. Kayaking Lake Itasca, Mary Lake, and others outside the park. It’s sad the main Lodge has been allowed to lose its appeal and is rarely open.
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Highly recommended park, if you are able to book a room, do it.
Best park in the area in my opinion, we went there myself and my wife and enjoyed staying in Douglas Lodge. 19th Century House, Loaded with history and entertainments.
We have tried the bikes, the kayaks and it was an amazing experience.
You will have access to the following:
- Plenty of car parking space indeed.
- Nice beach with playground and voleyball area.
- Lake boat tour
- Bikes, kayaks and Canoe rental
- Head waters, source of Mississipi River
- Gift, coffee and very nice ice cream
- Picnic area where you can grill your food.
- the watch tower (Aiton Heights trail)
- Natives mounds.
- Very nice food and prices.
Advice: Book your room 3 months in advance.
Best park in the area in my opinion, we went there myself and my wife and enjoyed staying in Douglas Lodge. 19th Century House, Loaded with history and entertainments.
We have tried the bikes, the kayaks and it was an amazing experience.
You will have access to the following:
- Plenty of car parking space indeed.
- Nice beach with playground and voleyball area.
- Lake boat tour
- Bikes, kayaks and Canoe rental
- Head waters, source of Mississipi River
- Gift, coffee and very nice ice cream
- Picnic area where you can grill your food.
- the watch tower (Aiton Heights trail)
- Natives mounds.
- Very nice food and prices.
Advice: Book your room 3 months in advance.
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Itasca State Park is great! We try to make a trip up there once a year, and our kids enjoy exploring as much as we do. They have plenty of parking, great trails, and a nice visitor center. Some of the views are breathtaking!
We plan on using the campsite later this year and plan on reviewing that.
The pictures are obviously from different years, but I just realized I've never reviewed it when Google suggested it to me.
We plan on using the campsite later this year and plan on reviewing that.
The pictures are obviously from different years, but I just realized I've never reviewed it when Google suggested it to me.
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Everyone I have encountered here has been quiet and respectful. The campsites are clean and spacious.
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Itasca State Park is a massive state park full of trails for walking, hiking and biking, with tons of campgrounds and breathtaking scenery. Situated at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, I would not recommend visiting during a holiday or weekend as it tends to get over crowded and opportunities to take memorable photos are difficult. The gift shop was packed but had tons of cool stuff in it from fudge to venison beef sticks! The park was exceptionally clean and easy to navigate with plenty of parking. It always felt safe. Definitely a gem of Northern Minnesota!
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Such a beautiful park. Great place to recharge your mind and soul. I've been going here since I was a kid and it is always a great visit. Great place for kids and adults to breathe and relax. Drive the back one-way route, shut off your vehicle, and enjoy the deafening quiet. $7 for the day or buy a season pass. Money well spent.
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What a beautiful state park. I had no clue this place was so large and had so much to offer. Tons of trails, very nice welcome and visiting centers, lots of restrooms available.
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See where the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The trail was nice not too far from the visitor center. The visitor center was so beautiful Cafe and coffee. They were short the day we went so I could go without stopping. Looked like a nice regular menu when it was fully staffed .
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My favorite MN State Park. Walking across the headwaters is so fun, there are miles of bike trails, beautiful hikes, lakes (some with great swimming spots), campgrounds, cabins to rent, etc etc. There's something for absolutely everyone. My favorite is the fire tower which, once you make it up the 130some stairs, offers the most gorgeous views (especially in the fall) for miles.
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I absolutely loved this state park. It is a very interesting geographical location. As soon as the water flows from Itasca Lake , it becomes the infant Mississippi River. This state park has a kot to offer. It is a great opportunity to learn about the Mississippi River.
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Fun activities are always planned for those involved with Boy Scouts. Make sure to check out the availability for your unit on their website.
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Nice quiet place on week days. Weekend can get busy. Lake side site is nice. Not much for fish. Lake freezes out some winters. Has pit toilets and hand pump well water. A few sites large enough for RV's.
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Great trails for hiking along with lots of historic CCC (civilian conservation corps) buildings. Nice visitor centers and cafeteria. There is also a fire tower to climb on the nature drive.
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Excellent campground, lovely lake. Great people highly recommended!
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Visited Itasca State Park on 9/2/23 over Labor Day weekend. I was pleasantly surprised it didn’t seem overly crowded for a holiday weekend.
Our group visited the trail leading to the start of the Mississippi River, and we also spent some time at the beach. (Please note there was a sign indicating dogs shouldn’t be on the beach, most other areas seemed dog friendly).
The trail was a very short walk to the water, there was a cute bridge along the way. You can choose to walk over, or through the water.
It’s bear country so just know you need to be on the lookout and take precautions with food. There are bear proof trash receptacles throughout the park.
Our group visited the trail leading to the start of the Mississippi River, and we also spent some time at the beach. (Please note there was a sign indicating dogs shouldn’t be on the beach, most other areas seemed dog friendly).
The trail was a very short walk to the water, there was a cute bridge along the way. You can choose to walk over, or through the water.
It’s bear country so just know you need to be on the lookout and take precautions with food. There are bear proof trash receptacles throughout the park.
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Nice campsite with very few mosquitos and lots of chipmunks. It was full up so get there early. Greta for moto camping!
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Beautiful little campground, quiet, right on the lake! Well kept, nice dock, very shallow lake for the most part.
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Camp staff is horrible. Have a bunch of high school kids trying to run the show. Most of the staff was rude. Not organized at all. After being moved 3 times, they wanted us to move yet again for a camper which we didn’t even entertain that kind of stupidity. We were told at the parent meeting that we could not be alone with our children in a boat instead we were told we needed another kid along side our own in the boat. We had a large group trying to fish.The camp supplies fishing poles were not working nor did they have enough poles for the kids. During archery and BB gun shooting, both staff members running the station just sat in the shade instead of helping out the kids. The parents were tasked with that. The excuse we got was they only had 3 days to get ready for the camp even though we paid for it in March. It’s the end of July by the way. Food is garbage and the portions they supply you here wouldn’t fill an 8 year old up. I give it one star for the nature. That’s it. We drove 8 hours to be here, and in my opinion they need to give us our money back. But let’s be honest, we all know where the scouting money is going. We will not be coming back and wasting our money. Let some other fools do it.
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Beautiful park! It's pretty amazing to be at the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi! The rocks can be quite slippery so be careful! I would highly recommend water shoes and just stay off the rocks.
We also stopped at the fire tower. It's 135 steps to the top of the tower. There is a 1/2 hike to the tower which involves a fairly steep, long incline.
We also stopped at the fire tower. It's 135 steps to the top of the tower. There is a 1/2 hike to the tower which involves a fairly steep, long incline.
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Haven't been in years. Great to get back. So many nice updates. Didn't get to hike much but really enjoyed the 10 mile wilderness trail car ride. Most of it was a one way so nice to drive through it. Felt like you were driving on a bike path. Easy assessible walk or Wheelchair to the headwaters. Beautiful park. Would love to camp or stay in a cabin.
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We used to camp here when I was a kid, and in later years my grandparents had a permanent site with their camper. Thinking about this place brings up nothing but happy memories, and the owners were fantastic people. If you're looking to make good memories with your family and friends, then I can tell you this place did that for me and my family.
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Most quite place I have been great owners clean restrooms and dog frindly
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Great place, great people, small store for misc items, pontoon rental as well as a boat launch, also on site showers if you needed not to mention Reasonable camping prices / anf kid friendly we’ve enjoyed our stays and keep going back every yr.
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Loved our camp site tucked up in the trees! Gave us that secluded feeling while still having bathrooms and showers close by. Low cost plus there was a lake for fishing and swimming, we look forward to camping here again!
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Very fun
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My family owned a spot at this campground for nearly my whole life (17+ years). While we do not own the spot or our camper anymore, having sold them off two years back to family friends, the memories made here in this beautiful slice of the world will live with me forever. The grounds are huge, with lots of space to swim, fish, play, and relax. Management takes care of the campgrounds, and are overall very very kind and hardworking. You also feel a real sense of community while camping here even if it was just for a few days, but especially so over a couple of years or more. While I’ll miss going here and camping for days to just relax and have fun, I hope more people can come to love and enjoy this campground as much as I and dozens of others have for many years and counting :)
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Trees are always greener!
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Boy Scouts host United Federation For Disabled Archers hunt, great experience even while having to deal with Covid requirements!
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Awesome! Great spot but you need to get here early on Friday to get a good spot. Great storm last night! Found some fun 4x4 trails today! Great weather overall.
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Such an awesome campground, we had a lot next to the lake and the kids swam and fished all day. The swimming areas by the docks were shallow, perfect for little ones. Easy to get our travel trailer in and out.
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Amazing view of Long Lake and wonderful people. Good times. Many memories!
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It was good
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Haven't had time to explore it all but what I've seen is nice.
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Lo and I have been coming here for 19 years and love the area and the wonderful people at Breeze. The saying, "You are a stranger here but once" certainly holds true! One of the greatest attributes is that friends and neighbors help each other, and to me, that is very important. Our grandchildren love it here, especially the pool and the pontoon rides.
21st year, new neighbors, but the tradition of friendly, helpful people continues. Also new managers this year and they have been very accommodating, hard working and friendly. With Eagle Lake on one side, Island Lake north of us, Eagle View golf course adjoining Breeze, swimming pool, it is the ideal summer spot for us.
The only drawback I have, which is not the fault of Breeze, is that DIRECTV will not allow any new hookups in RV's due to some asinine liability law. Dish wins, DIRECTV loses!
21st year, new neighbors, but the tradition of friendly, helpful people continues. Also new managers this year and they have been very accommodating, hard working and friendly. With Eagle Lake on one side, Island Lake north of us, Eagle View golf course adjoining Breeze, swimming pool, it is the ideal summer spot for us.
The only drawback I have, which is not the fault of Breeze, is that DIRECTV will not allow any new hookups in RV's due to some asinine liability law. Dish wins, DIRECTV loses!
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Love this place. A good spot for both weekenders and permanent campers. Has a heated pool, 4 rental docks, and a lodge with lots to buy, and free popcorn. The management is absolutely amazing, and know everyone there. There are fun events for kids and adults alike. Everyone there is like a family. Overall a great place to stay, and would totally recommend!
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Great. Place was clean and orderly. Management was friendly and helpful. Told us where to catch fish on the lake. Even let us trade our firewood that got rained on for dry bundles. We go on one camping trip every summer, and our son swears this was the best.
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It's the forestry dept what else is there to say about it?
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great place showers and latrines are garbage though
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Nice place to stay for the weekend ! Friendly staff and patrons ! Enjoyed the free use of the canoes and kayaks ! Nice pool and beach.
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Have gone to this campground for years. Has been great for kids with lots of fun activities (pool, park, volleyball, beach, mini store, rentals, lake, fun people and organized group games). Has new management this year. Been told that most weekend spots will be sold to seasonal campers so options for weekend get aways may be very limited going forward. Please note that the campground is very tight and heavy trees- please CONFIRM size with office before reserving.
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Lots of trees, lake access, Beach area, pool, game shed, clean restrooms with showers, office store with option to buy pizza and soft serve, grassy Park area, cabins for rent, boat parking, social (?) Building with tables, etc! Only downside is fairly hilly which makes biking and pulling a camper difficult. Short drive into Park Rapids!
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Great place for the uffda hunt
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Just got off the phone with a woman, Jody I believe regarding reservations. She told me she had tenting space available but when I said that's great I have a baseball team coming, she immediately said no, we don't do baseball teams. No further discussion was held as she hung up. I'm sorry but i'm pretty sure your in the hospitality business. So having 11 guys 16-18yrs old with adult supervision for about 4 hours a day and a few hours at night hanging around your place is too much for you to handle, then perhaps everyone should look into this review and think twice about considering there stay with you.