Tent Campgrounds in Minnesota

Discover the best tent campgrounds across Minnesota. Get back to basics with traditional tent camping. From established sites with amenities to secluded wilderness spots.

20+ Campgrounds4.6★ AverageBest: May-September (peak season)

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Pet-Friendly With Showers Potable Water Flush Toilets Reservable Under $15/night

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

4.8

(597)

Fall Lake

Ely
Superior National Forest

Lakefront tent sites nestle among towering pines along Fall Lake's shoreline, offering level ground and natural privacy within Superior National Forest's wilderness.

Gull Lake Recreation Area

Brainerd
Mississippi River Headwaters - Gull Lake

Spacious, well-maintained sites nestle among towering pines, providing natural buffers between neighbors while keeping you steps from Gull Lake's shimmering shoreline.

Aurora
Superior National Forest

Spacious sites nestle beneath towering pines with generous spacing that shields you from neighboring campers, while level ground and scattered underbrush create natural boundaries in the forest.

Tents

RVs

About Tent Campgrounds in Minnesota

Tent camping in Minnesota offers an extraordinary blend of wilderness adventure and lakeside serenity, from the legendary Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the dramatic North Shore of Lake Superior. The Land of 10,000 Lakes delivers on its promise with pristine campsites nestled among towering pines, perched on rocky shorelines, and tucked into remote forest clearings where the only sounds are lapping waves and loon calls echoing across the water.

Best Time

Peak tent camping season in Minnesota runs from late May through September, with July and August offering the warmest weather and longest days but also the highest crowds and most aggressive mosquitoes, particularly in the Boundary Waters region where bug pressure can be intense from late May through mid-July. Late August through September provides ideal conditions with cooler temperatures, fewer insects, spectacular fall color beginning in mid-September, and significantly reduced crowds, though water temperatures become chilly for swimming.

What Makes It Great

Designated tent pads and flat ground
Fire rings and picnic tables
Varying levels of amenities
Scenic natural settings

More Tent Campgrounds in Minnesota

Discover 13 additional top-rated tent campgrounds in Minnesota

4.7

(136)

Fenske Lake Campground

Ely
Superior National Forest

Spacious, secluded sites nestle among towering pines with generous buffer zones between neighbors, offering the kind of wilderness privacy that lets you forget other campers exist.

Trails End Campground

Grand Marais
Superior National Forest

Tent campers find genuine backcountry solitude at this remote Boundary Waters gateway, where primitive sites nestle among towering pines and the nearest neighbor might be a curious deer.

Ninemile Lake Campground

Finland
Superior National Forest

Towering boreal hardwoods shelter spacious sites that offer genuine solitude, with many campers claiming their own slice of lakefront beneath the forest canopy.

Birch Lake Campground

Ely
Superior National Forest

Towering northern forest trees create naturally secluded pockets between tent sites, delivering the shade and privacy that make Minnesota wilderness camping memorable.

Tofte
Superior National Forest

Tucked on a secluded peninsula in Superior National Forest, these rustic sites immerse tent campers in pristine wilderness with many perched directly along the shoreline. Wake to mist rising off crystal-clear waters and fall asleep to the gentle lap of waves against your lakefront pitch.

DEER RIVER
Chippewa National Forest

Towering red and white pines create natural walls between spacious primitive sites, offering seclusion deep within Chippewa National Forest's wilderness. Launch your kayak directly from camp, fish from shore, or swim in the designated lake area without ever moving your car.

Hastings, MN
Afton State Park

Hike into this backcountry plateau where canvas wall tents stand ready among windswept prairie grasses, offering a rustic sleep beneath the stars without the work of pitching your own shelter. Wake to sunrise views stretching across the St.

Cascade River Campground

Grand Marais
Cascade River State Park

Tent campers sleep under a canopy of North Shore forest where the constant rumble of waterfalls through the nearby gorge becomes your nighttime soundtrack. Morning trails lead straight from your site to tumbling cascades and Lake Superior overlooks, with clean hot showers waiting when you return.

Marine on St. Croix, MN
William O Brien State Park

Level tent sites nestle among mature hardwoods along the St. Croix River, offering genuine seclusion despite being a short drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul. Walk-in sites deliver the most privacy, placing your tent in the forest with only the sound of flowing water as your neighbor.

Tents

RVs

Campground Locations

Showing top 16 campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in Minnesota

Map of campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in Minnesota

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Map Key

Fall Lake

Gull Lake Recreation Area

Whiteface Reservoir

Fenske Lake Campground

Trails End Campground

Ninemile Lake Campground

Birch Lake Campground

Crescent Lake (Mn)

Clubhouse Lake

Wall Tent Campground

Cascade River Campground

Riverway Campground

North Star

Temperance River Campground

Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground

Harriet Lake Rustic Campground

View all 138 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Tent camping and wilderness campingCanoeing and kayaking on pristine lakes and riversFishing for walleye, northern pike, bass, and troutHiking on forest trails and North Shore pathsSwimming in clear lakes and Lake SuperiorWildlife viewing including moose, black bears, and eagles

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve Boundary Waters entry point campgrounds well in advance through Recreation.gov, as popular sites like Fall Lake and Trails End fill quickly for summer weekends, and consider midweek visits for better availability and a quieter experience.
2Bring a quality tent with good rain fly coverage and seam sealer, as Minnesota weather can turn wet quickly, and pack extra stakes for the rocky terrain common in northeastern campgrounds.
3Mosquito and black fly protection is essential from late May through mid-July, including bug spray with DEET, head nets, and a screened shelter for cooking and relaxing.
4Bear-proof food storage is required in many areas, particularly Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters region campgrounds, so plan to use provided lockers or bring approved containers.

16 campgrounds ranked

Based on real camper reviews

Curated for Tent Campgrounds in Minnesota

Tent Campgrounds in Minnesota FAQ

Minnesota offers 20+ tent-friendly campgrounds. We've ranked them based on site quality, natural setting, amenities, and user reviews.

Tent camping in Minnesota typically costs $15-35 per night at developed campgrounds. Some national forest and primitive sites may be free or under $10 per night.

Essential gear includes a quality tent, sleeping bag rated for Minnesota conditions, sleeping pad, camp stove, and appropriate clothing. Check weather forecasts and pack layers.