Crow Wing State Park RV & Campground Guide
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The Mississippi River flows right by Crow Wing State Park in Minnesota, and you can watch the songbirds and occasional waterfowl on and above it from the Chippewa Lookout. The river's waters, and those of the Crow Wing River, are calm, making canoeing a relaxing expedition. A nearby ghost town called Crow Wing Village was once booming, but the railroad chose another bridge crossing, leaving Crow Wing Village to die out. The area contains three distinct ecosystems: prairie, pine forest, and hardwood forest, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nearby cities:
Brainerd, MN
Baxter, MN
Pillager, MN
Motley MN
Spring 37-68 F
Summer 74-82 F
Fall 39-53 F
Winter 5-14 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Crow Wing State Park
Campground Accommodations
Crow Wing State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookups: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 45 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, picnic area, enclosed picnic pavilion, flush toilets, vault toilets, dump station, showers, boat and canoe rentals
Shady Hollow Resort and Campground
Shady Hollow Resort and Campground offers you a private and serene experience. This is the only resort on Hardy Lake and is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway or a family reunion. The camping rates start at $30 for weekdays on $100 on weekends. The camp spots are small with a picnic table and fire ring. They are close to the swimming area on the lake. The campground has flush toilets and hot showers, and it always stays well-lit for your safety. The campground also offers free boats to use on the water and free games.
Crow Wing Lake Campground
Crow Wing Lake Campground is 30 acres of beautiful older trees right on the banks of Crow Wing Lake. A site with full hookups starts at only $58 during the week and $65 on the weekend. You will enjoy all of the amenities and things to do in the campground. It includes a lodge and game room as well as a large heated pool. Guests can also enjoy a nature trail, a playground for kids and an off-leash dog park. You can participate in activities like boating and fishing on the lake or stay in the campground and enjoy softball, horseshoes, basketball, shuffleboard, golf or beanbag toss. There's even a spot where you can wash your dog.
Gull Lake Recreation Area
The Gull Lake Recreation Area is located at the Gull Lake outlet. It is a great place for fishing as well as swimming, boating, and hiking. You are also sure to experience a wide variety of wildlife. The campsites are well-spaced with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Sites start at $28 a night. The campground includes a centrally located shower house as well as a dump station and electricity, sewer, and water hookups. If you like to fish, enjoy the fishing pier and fish cleaning station. There are also interpretive trails and scenic overlooks in the area.
What to Do at
Crow Wing State Park
Renting boats and canoes for a trip down either the Mississippi or Crow Wing Rivers is a popular way to enjoy the park. Fishing is popular here, too, but you can only catch a couple of species. Although swimming isn't recommended because of treacherous undercurrents, you can still get outdoors and enjoy being near the water.
Inside Crow Wing State Park
There is plenty to see and do at the park. Be sure to check out the historic Old Crow Wing Town Site where the Mississippi and Crow Wing rivers meet. The site tells the story of the mid-1800s frontier town. In the rest of the 3,000 square miles, there is plenty of room to explore. Hike the scenic trails where you can spot all kinds of birds and wildlife. Canoe on the river or enjoy some fishing. If you like to take pictures, you will find plenty to see.
Hiking
The Paul Bunyan State Trail passes by Crow Wing State Park, and the 6.2-mile section is paved. There is also the Hiking Club Trail, which takes you to the old town site and the old Red River Oxcart Trail.
Stargazing
Bring your telescope and set it up at night in the lower picnic area on a clear night. If you have a camera attachment for your telescope, you can take memorable shots of the clear night sky at the park.
Flora and Fauna
Deer roam the area, and they routinely come out of the woodline at the border of Crow Wing State Park to graze. Black bears are uncommon, but they do sometimes stroll through the campground. You might spot grey or red foxes if you're sly and quiet enough. Overhead, There are many species of songbirds and raptors, like ospreys and hawks, to put into your birding notebook.
Geocaching
Bring along a GPS to find the geocache in Crow Wing State Park, which is part of a network of 74 caches at state parks all over Minnesota.
Fishing
The fishing isn't spectacular at Crow Wing State Park, but you can catch northern redhorse and white mudsucker. Also, if you fish from the bank, then you don't need a fishing license if you're a Minnesota resident. Nonresidents need licenses for all fishing.
Boating
There is no boat launch at Crow Wing State Park. However, you can rent canoes or other small craft from the campground and disembark from shore.
How to Get to
Crow Wing State Park
From Minneapolis and all points south, take Route 94 northwest to the St. Cloud exit to Route 15. Get off Route 94 at that exit and follow Route 15 north until the junction with Route 10. Turn north-northwest on Route 10 to Little Falls. From there, follow Route 371 north, which will take you right to Crow Wing State Park.
From the east, such as from Moose Lake or Duluth, follow Route 35 southwest to Willow River. At Willow River, turn west on Route 41. Follow it until it bends north and becomes Route 2. Take Route 2 west to Malmo, which is on the shore of Mille Lacs Lake. Proceed counterclockwise around the lake on Route 18 until you reach Route 169. Turn southwest on Route 169. Follow Route 169 to Garrison, where it takes a sharp turn to the northwest. Follow Route 18 to Brainerd. At Brainerd, get on Route 25 and travel west. Route 25 becomes Washington Street. Washington Street becomes Route 210. Follow Route 210 to Route 371. Note that it's 371 and not 371B. Turn south on Route 371, which will take you to Crow Wing State Park.
From Hackensack, Cass Lake, and all points north, simply follow 371 south to Crow Wing State Park.
Entering Crow Wing State Park
Parking is available near the park office. A vehicle permit fee is $7 per day or $35 a year.
Crow Wing State Park Vehicle permit : $7.0
per day
Follow along the Main Street Crow Wing self-guided trail to find historic buildings and interpretive exhibits, which are a great educational tool for children and adults alike. Learn about the old town and the commerce that helped the area grow in the 18th and 19th centuries. In addition, outdoor recreation abounds at the park, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crow Wing State Park
Summer is the best time to visit because the weather is mild, and the plants and flowers on the banks of the river are in full bloom.
Bears are rare, though they do live in and near Crow Wing State Park. Deer are common, and you can occasionally spot both grey and red foxes or coyotes. Very rarely, you might see a wolf. There are some waterfowl, but the Mississippi River is not conducive to nesting, so the waterfowl you see will likely be there for a stopover. However, songbirds abound in the park, including 13 species of warblers.
Yes, there are 59 RV-specific campsites in Crow Wing State Park Campground. Some of them feature electrical hookups, and they all have fire rings, picnic tables, and nearby restrooms.
Yes, reservations are required. There is a toll-free number to call, and you can make reservations on the day of your arrival. In addition to the vehicle permit costs, the campsites cost $23 per night.
Your pets are welcome at Crow Wing State Park. However, female dogs in heat and puppies are not permitted.
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