Spring Camping in Minnesota

Discover the best spring camping across Minnesota. Welcome the new season with spring camping. Wildflowers bloom, waterfalls surge, and nature awakens.

20+ Campgrounds4.7★ AverageBest: March through May

Find Minnesota Campgrounds Set Availability Alert

Top Picks

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

Fall Lake

Ely · Superior National Forest

Premier Boundary Waters gateway with exceptional 4.76 sentiment and 597 reviews. Spring description highlights direct BWCAW access, fishing, boating, and hiking—perfect for spring paddling season. Clean facilities and spacious sites consistently praised.

4.8(597 reviews)

Verified

Gull Lake Recreation Area

Brainerd · Mississippi River Headwaters - Gull Lake

Outstanding 4.67 sentiment with 539 reviews in Brainerd Lakes region. Spring description mentions diverse activities including fishing, boating, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Consistently praised for clean facilities and helpful staff—ideal spring family destination.

4.7(539 reviews)

Verified

Whiteface Reservoir

Aurora · Superior National Forest

Excellent 4.67 sentiment with 275 reviews in Superior National Forest. Spring description emphasizes boating, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing on 4,980-acre reservoir. Clean facilities and spacious private sites make this ideal for spring fishing opener.

4.7(275 reviews)

Verified

About Spring Camping in Minnesota

Spring camping Minnesota offers an unforgettable awakening as the North Star State sheds its winter coat and bursts into vibrant life. From the legendary Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the dramatic North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota's diverse landscapes provide exceptional spring camping experiences across wilderness lakes, prairie wetlands, and historic river valleys.

Best Time

Minnesota's spring camping season runs from late April through early June, with peak conditions varying by region and activity. The fishing opener, typically the second Saturday in May, marks the unofficial start of camping season statewide, drawing massive crowds to walleye and northern pike waters like Whiteface Reservoir and Gull Lake—book these dates six months in advance.

Season Highlights

Wildflower displays
Flowing waterfalls and streams
Mild, comfortable weather
Fewer crowds than summer

More Spring Camping in Minnesota

Discover 17 additional top-rated spring camping in Minnesota

Fenske Lake Campground

Ely · Superior National Forest

Strong 4.69 sentiment with BWCAW gateway location. Spring description highlights hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and canoe circle route—perfect for spring paddling. Clean facilities and friendly hosts consistently mentioned. Spacious sites offer privacy.

4.7(136)

Upper Campground

Schroeder, MN · Temperance River State Park

Exceptional 4.73 sentiment at Temperance River State Park. Spring description specifically mentions riverside hiking, waterfalls, rock climbing, and Lake Superior access—all excellent spring activities. Clean facilities and dramatic gorge scenery consistently praised.

4.7(105)

Bear Paw Campground

Itasca State Park

Strong 4.71 sentiment at iconic Itasca State Park with 304 reviews. While lacking spring_description, location at Mississippi headwaters offers excellent spring hiking, wildlife viewing, and historic site access. Peaceful wooded setting and clean facilities praised.

4.7(304)

Clubhouse Lake

DEER RIVER · Chippewa National Forest

Solid 4.66 sentiment in Chippewa National Forest. Spring description highlights fishing (pike, bass, panfish), swimming at sandy beach, and Rice River Canoe Route starting point—excellent spring paddling. Rustic setting with spacious private sites.

4.7(78)

Jay Cooke Campground

Jay Cooke State Park

Excellent 4.68 sentiment at Jay Cooke State Park. Spring description mentions river and forest-focused recreation with extensive trails and viewpoints. St. Louis River gorge offers dramatic spring water flow. Clean upgraded facilities and scenic rock formations.

4.7(59)

Chase Point Campground

Bigfork, MN · Scenic State Park

Strong 4.63 sentiment at Scenic State Park. Spring description highlights northwoods recreation including hiking, paddling, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Chase Point Trail and lakeside location offer excellent spring exploration. Virgin pine forests.

4.6(57)

Camper Cabins And Yurts Campground

Hastings, MN · Afton State Park

Outstanding 4.77 sentiment at Afton State Park near Twin Cities. While lacking spring_description, St. Croix River bluffs, prairie wildflowers, and swimming beach offer excellent spring recreation. Clean cabins/yurts with screened porches. Metro-accessible.

4.8(60)

Ojibway And Triangle Lakes

Ely · Superior National Forest

Solid 4.68 sentiment with unique island camping. Spring description emphasizes fishing, boating, and BWCAW paddling access. Remote tranquil atmosphere with no permit required. Crystal-clear waters and pristine wilderness setting ideal for spring exploration.

4.7(22)

Lindbergh Campground

Little Falls · Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

Strong 4.69 sentiment at Charles Lindbergh State Park. Spring description highlights riverside trails, Mississippi River paddling, and historic features. Wooded floodplain setting with mature hardwoods. Clean facilities and peaceful atmosphere near Little Falls.

4.7(27)

Explore Spring Camping in Minnesota

Browse 20 campgrounds on our interactive map. Filter by amenities, price, ratings, and more.

Interactive MapAdvanced Filters20+ spring campgrounds

Explore the Map

Plan Your Trip

Popular Activities

Spring wildflower hiking and nature photographyFishing opener weekend walleye and northern pike anglingBoundary Waters canoe camping and paddlingWaterfall viewing along North Shore riversBird migration watching in prairie wetlandsLake Superior shoreline exploration

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve fishing opener weekend and Memorial Day campsites six months in advance through the Minnesota DNR reservation system—these are the busiest weekends of the year.
2Bring layered clothing including warm base layers, fleece, and a waterproof shell, as spring temperatures can swing 40 degrees in a single day and afternoon thunderstorms are common.
3Pack a quality bug net or screen tent for evening relaxation, as mosquitoes and black flies emerge in late May and can be intense near water.
4Boundary Waters permits are required for overnight trips and can be reserved starting in January—popular entry points like Fall Lake and Fenske Lake book quickly for May and June dates.

20 campgrounds ranked

Based on real camper reviews

Curated for Spring Camping in Minnesota

Spring Camping in Minnesota FAQ

We've ranked 20+ spring campgrounds in Minnesota based on wildflowers, weather, and accessibility. Top options feature blooming landscapes and rejuvenated waterfalls.

Spring camping season in Minnesota typically runs March through May, though opening dates vary by location and elevation. Mountain campgrounds may open later due to snowmelt.

Minnesota offers excellent spring camping with wildflower displays, flowing waterfalls, comfortable temperatures, and fewer crowds than summer. It's perfect for hiking and photography.

Availability Alerts

Popular Minnesota Campgrounds Book Fast

The best spring camping in Minnesota book up quickly. Set up free alerts to catch cancellations.

Checks every 2 min

SMS, email, push

150,000+ campsites

Set Up Your First Alert

Outdoorithm

Just now

🎉 Site opened up!

Fall Lake
Your preferred dates

Quick! This site typically books within hours.

Find Your Perfect Minnesota Campground

Create your free account to save favorites, set availability alerts, and get personalized recommendations.

Search 20+ spring camping in Minnesota
Set alerts for hard-to-book sites
Get personalized recommendations for your trip
Compare campground amenities
Check weather forecasts

Create Free Account Browse First

No credit card required. Every feature is free to use.

Spring Camping in Minnesota

Spring Camping in Other States

Featured Campgrounds

Fall Lake

Gull Lake Recreation Area

Whiteface Reservoir

About Spring Camping in Minnesota

Best Time

Season Highlights