Go if
you want spacious sites and solid amenities on a pretty lake, are fine with posted rules, and can avoid peak weekend crowds
Seasonal ranking by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.
Price
$24 - $40/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
122 campsites
Season
The Campground will ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.
Price
$24 - $40/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
122 campsites
Season
The Campground will ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.
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Learn more about alerts →Cross Lake Recreation Area
35507 County Rd 66
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →you want spacious sites and solid amenities on a pretty lake, are fine with posted rules, and can avoid peak weekend crowds
you need spotless restrooms at all times, want a quiet low-traffic stay, or are booking a site near the main road like 099 or 114
Camper Report Card
Rated higher than 50% of graded campgrounds
Graded on what 711 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.
Strengths
Watch-outs
Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.
Context for the broader area surrounding Cross Lake Recreation Area, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
You will find something unique about a vacation in Minnesota's lake country. The six unique lakes, Gull Lake, the Whitefish Chain (Cross Lake), Big Sandy Lake, Pokegama Lake, Leech Lake, and Lake Winnibigoshish, are roughly bounded by a triangle from Brainerd to Bemidji to Grand Rapids in central Minnesota. Campfires and sunsets and the peacefulness of the water make each day a special event. From the first days of summer to the golden days of fall, and throughout the year, visitors to the Mississippi River Headwaters Lakes Project enjoy a special experience that is Minnesota at its best. Visit our web site for more information and directions and maps to the lakes.
Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.
Best season: summer. Summer offers warm, stable weather and the fullest set of recreational opportunities—think swimming, boating, paddling, and peak fishing on Cross Lake—while all campground facilities and boat launches are open. Daytime highs typically sit in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F with water temps comfortable for swimming (low 70s°F), making it ideal for family beach days and long evenings around a campfire. Expect higher weekend crowds and busy boat traffic, so reserve sites and plan launches on weekday or早-m Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February
Summer offers swimming, boating, peak fishing and very positive reviews; listed as best season.
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.
Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.
The Cross Lake Recreation Area boasts an impressive array of amenities to cater to diverse camper needs. The campground has 122 sites, with 97 offering electrical hookups. These are complemented by accessible hot shower facilities, accessible flush toilets, a dump station, picnic shelters, and accessible fishing piers. Additional features include a butterfly garden, firewood availability, paved roads, campfire rings, picnic tables, and water, sewer, and full hookups for select sites. Notably, there are two onsite beaches and floating docks for boat parking. The nearby town of Crosslake offers convenient access to shopping and dining.
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Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.
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Three hand-reasoned picks from nearby campgrounds — one per reason you might prefer it over this spot.

If the source feels crowded or dated: Gull Lake is a similar Corps of Engineers lake campground with electric hookups but higher sentiment and praise for cleanliness and spacious private sites.

If you want mountain biking over boating: Portsmouth keeps showers and electric sites but trades Cross Lake's boating scene for wooded, private sites near extensive bike trails and a swim beach.

If you want wilder: this group site trades hookups and showers for a primitive lakeside spot on a 450-foot-deep mine lake with world-class mountain biking.