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The best camping near Savanna State Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Savanna adventure.

Discover the natural allure of Savanna State Forest.  

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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Savanna State Forest

93%
(27)

East Lake Ranch

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents174 acres ¡ Palisade, MN
Our land is very special with positive energy vibes. If you're looking for a relaxing place to watch the diamonds dance on the lake, listen to the birds sing and watch the butterflies dance around n the meadow, you'll instantly start to relax. Learn more about this land: We offer TWO campsites, Meadow and Oak. Meadow is in an open meadow hill alongside forest and wetland, situated next to West Lake with dock access. Paddle to Waukenabo Lake through the channel. View the eagle's nest. Campfire ring in both sites. Oak is secluded and right on West Lake. Access [5-minute walk] to outhouse "Scheissplatz" known as the cleanest and cutest in Aitkin County. Fresh well water available to all campers.  Bring your container to fill up for the freshest Wasser!  Wood can be gathered from the forest floor or any dead tree branches. No cutting of live trees. You may bring your own wood as long as you burn it all up. You can walk to the our pole shed, "Steinbeck" and pet the animals.  We have a horse "Buddy", donkey "Archer", two goats "Frank & Randy", five sheep "Lorraine, Mabel, April, Lynn and Princess Mary Margaret. As of March 2024, we have 6 lambs! We have 3 egg laying hens named "The Ladies", and our Brittany Spaniel dog., "Benji." You can hike through the woods.  We are situated in 174 acres and adjacent to state forest land.  The loons call in the evening and life is good relaxing at East Lake Ranch.  Great first time experience for kids. Learn about our shoreline by clicking: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/woodlands/harvesting-wild-rice.html
from 
$35
 / night
100%
(22)

Wise Woods on Fool Lake

1 site ¡ RV, Tent2 acres ¡ MN
Located at the end of a private road on Fool Lake with wooded mature trees that offer privacy. The lake is quiet and calm. Fool Lake is a private, environmental lake, with many varieties of fish. Perfect for kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and swimming. Boating is allowed up to 40 hp via gated private launch (no tubing or skiing). The land slopes to the lake where you will find small dock and a few stairs into the water. Well for water and electricity available including a 30 amp hookup for RV campers. Large outhouse also has electricity. Minutes away from access to Cuyuna trails, Crosby, and Emily, as well as nearby Nisswa and Crosslake. This central location offers access to any and all amenities. After a day on the trails, in town, or on the water, an evening at the at the fire pit overlooking the lake is a perfect way to end the day. Wind down, relax and enjoy the trees, lake and nature surrounding you. We expect all guests to respect the neighborhood, lake and nature! **November to early spring the water access will be winterized and NOT available for use. Any winter camping is at your own digression and snow removal will only be provided on the neighborhood road(s) up to the entrance of the site. Getting into the site could be difficult depending on the snow conditions.** Note: there is currently a locked camper & small kids house on site not available for use. Things To Do: Cuyuna Mountain Bike Trails - https://www.cuyunalakesmtb.com/ https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/cuyuna/mtnbiking.html Cuyuna Lakes State Trail: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/cuyuna_lakes/index.html Super Premium Gourmet Cheeses, Artisan Ice-Cream, Wine & Spirits, MN Goodies & More - https://shopvictual.com/ Bike Rental, Sales, Service, Food, Coffee, Etc. - https://www.redraven.bike/ Soo Line Museum - http://www.cuyunahistory.org/museum.html Milford Mine Memorial Park - https://www.crowwing.us/294/Milford-Mine-Memorial-Park Serpent Lake and Crosby Memorial Park/Playground Hard Water Lounge - https://www.hardwaterlounge.com/ Paul Bunyan Land - https://paulbunyanland.com/ Paul Bunyan Trail: the longest Minnesota bike/hike trail at 120 miles! Dennis Drummond Winery - https://ddwco.com/ 20-min drive from Crosby! Traditions Mini Golf - https://www.traditionsminigolf.com/ Mille Lacs Lake - Minnesota’s second-largest inland lake. Places To Eat: Iron Range Eatery - http://ironrange.3cheersmn.com/ Rafferty's Wood Fired Pizza - https://raffertyspizza.com/location/crosby/ North Country Cafe - https://north-country-cafe.business.site/ Cuyuna Brewing Company - http://www.cuyunabrewing.com/ The Bridge Tavern - http://bridgetavernmn.com/ Jack Pine Brewery - https://www.jackpinebrewery.com/This is in Baxter, MN. Fire Shack - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069785463122 Burritos California - https://zmenu.com/burritos-califirnia-crosby-online-menu/ Mixed Company - http://www.enjoymixedcompany.com/ Hill City Coffee - https://www.facebook.com/C4HillCity
from 
$44
 / night
100%
(13)

The Forest Container

1 site ¡ Lodging4 acres ¡ Deerwood, MN
Tree house, tiny home, shipping container, luxury hotel - the Forest Container is all of these things. Set in a lush forest valley, this is an incredible and unique place to stay. The property is within the Cuyuna mountain bike area, between the Yawkey and the Cruser's Kettle trailheads. There is a fire ring as well as a great deck upon which you can camp or otherwise relax and enjoy the view of the forested valley. The container is heated and cooled, and the container has a luxurious warm tiled shower, sink, toilet (cassette style), power and of course, as pictured, a beautiful small bedroom and living room. Coffee machine and mini fridge included on the deck. 👍🏼
from 
$150
 / night
100%
(108)

Bundo's Forest

2 sites ¡ Lodging10 acres ¡ Finlayson, MN
This cabin was built by hand in the 1970s from white pine that was harvested and milled on-site. Our family purchased and rehabbed this beautiful cabin throughout 2021. Indoor and out, there are so many ways to relax and connect with loved ones during all seasons at Bundo's Cabin. Learn more about this land: Where the forest meets the field. Unplug and relax at Bundo's Cabin with extraordinary views of wildlife and endless outdoor opportunities. The modern yet cozy cabin has electricity and features a front patio, an external bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area, a living area, and a sleeping loft with a reading nook. No matter the season, this cabin is a wonderful, cozy, and clean, place to relax and unwind. Feel free to roam around the 10-acre property and explore the 80 acres of state land to the north. Deer, foxes, coyotes, turkeys, owls, eagles and more are likely to be seen or heard. Explore, Banning, Moose Lake, and Father Hennepin State Parks which are all within 30 minutes, and return to the cabin to read, play games, listen to records, have a fire, and relax. The kitchen provides you with everything you need to prepare your meals including a refrigerator, small freezer, stove, oven, cookware, cutting boards, sink, seasonings, oil, and coffee. Water for washing is available via a pump faucet in the kitchen, and a brand-new outhouse is located steps south of the cabin. The cabin is efficiently heated and cooled with a very user-friendly heat pump and gets the cabin to your desired temperature very quickly. We are grateful to honor the Dakota and Anishinaabe people whose land we occupy by donating $10 from every booking to the Makoce Ikikcupi Land Recovery Project. This project is actively working to return the land to the indigenous people from whom it was stolen. You can learn more about this project in reparative justice at www.makoceikikcupi.com.
from 
$135
 / night

Palisade On Mississippi River

7 sites ¡ Tents6 acres ¡ Palisade, MN
4 tent spots located 1.5 miles east of Palisade, MN on the Mississippi River. 2000' of river bank. Area: Scenic Great River Road (RR) MRT - Mississippi River Trail Long Lake Conservation Camp 15 minute downstream canoe trip to Palisade. New Orleans is 69 days by Kayak. Wold's Ferry Crossing, which 5 miles north on RR (9 miles by river). Has a trailer parking and boat ramps. On North Soo Line ATV access to 400+ miles of trail. 9 miles by trail to McGregor Gravel Pit Training and Track ATV area.
from 
$25
 / night
100%
(7)

Moosehorn Campground

5 sites ¡ RVs, Tents330 acres ¡ Kettle River, MN
A nice wooded campground, miles of beautiful trails wide enough for Trucks and RVs, traversable by 2WD cars and fit for ATVs, Biking and Hiking. 4 pads available for RVs and Campers There is plenty of space for you and your friends. Bring your Kayak or Canoe to nearby Kettle River and don’t forget your ATV, this property has access to a great ATV trail with access located on the back of the park. Use the south entrance for the campground, this has a nice wide gravel road for your vehicles. The entrance is locked, send a text for the code. The north entrance grants access to the wide amount of roads and trails available for biking, hiking & ATVs.
from 
$29
 / night
100%
(22)

Wildlife Orchard

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents32 acres ¡ Grand Rapids, MN
Come stay at our peaceful farm in the forest! We are passionate about the natural world and cultivating our own food. Our farm is focused on a diversity of crops and animals while maintaining the beautiful wild setting we live in. We want to share the knowledge we are gaining as well as welcome interested people to experience the beauty of Northern Minnesota's woods, wilderness, and waters. Come to explore, relax, have fun, and recharge in a quiet natural setting. Learn more about this land: Rural old growth forest campsite connected to 7,287 acre state forest with hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing trails. Small diverse farm to visit- chickens, sheep and bees. Orchards and gardens with countless flowers, fruit trees and bushes, and vegetables. Greenhouse to tour. Beach 5 miles away- large beautiful lake for swimming. 6 person sauna, outhouse, fire pit, and walking trails on property.
from 
$50
 / night
Booked 1 time

RR Ranches

1 site ¡ RV300 acres ¡ Warba, MN
RR Ranch is settled on Bruce creek with expanses of wetland and boreal forest to explore we have several ponds and a creek that flows through the heart of the ranch connecting pastures and meadows we are located next to a bar and a fuel station that are accessible by atv or car we have several large camping spots that are accessible by all types of rvs.
from 
$25
 / night

Rollheiser Family Farms

2 sites ¡ RVs300 acres ¡ Warba, MN
Come pitch a tent or back in your second home! We have a 300 acre farm that used to be the town of Swan River. Bruce creek runs through the heart of the farm and connects all the pastures and meadows that expand back into the northern wilderness. Depending on the time of year you might see the northern lights or beautiful fall colors right outside your camper. You may also see wildlife roaming around like deer, owls, eagles, and many others. We are located close to ATV and snowmobile trails. There is a fuel station and a bar nearby to fuel your needs. Many lakes are close by to be able to explore. Our campsites have plenty of space for privacy and all your toys to enjoy your vacation. This is a working farm and we do live here to keep things running. We have livestock and we ask that you treat the land and animals with respect.
from 
$15
 / night
99%
(51)

Harvest Loon Camp

1 site ¡ Lodging24 acres ¡ Outing, MN
👷: Re-Opening early June. Currently under construction to build new bathhouse 🚽! Stay Tuned! 🌲 Picturesque lakeshore property located on 24 acres, with almost 2000 feet of lake access right in front of the cabin. 🏕 Serene, peaceful and unrivaled privacy. Water sports and trails for hiking make Harvest Loon Camp the perfect spot to relaxation and fun. 🪵 Wood burning stove for heat, with wood available for use. Harvest any wood you want to use. 🔌 Power now available: refrigerator, AC, stove and lights DO work. 🛌 Campers WILL NEED to provide own bedding, (pillows and linens) for bunk and queen sized bed. 🍳 Kitchen has antique pots, pans, utensils, coffeepot, etc. for your use. 🚽 Port-o-let provided on site and cleaned after each visit. 🌟 Gorgeous furnished porch to watch wildlife. Grocery store within 5 miles. 🦆 George Lake is well known for duck hunting and there are quad trails all over the area. This location is also perfect for horseback riding. 🐎 Horse campers welcome! Please pack out all garbage and take it with you when you go. Kayaking State Land surrounds Harvest Loon Camp for peace and relaxation.
from 
$125
 / night
93%
(176)

Cuyuna/Mississippi River Land

4 sites ¡ Tents21 acres ¡ Crosby, MN
21 acres of land with over a half mile of Mississippi River frontage. It's mostly undeveloped and a great place to get back into nature. Close to town and amenities, but far enough into the woods to feel like you're Up North. 200 yards to The Bridge Tavern restaurant and bar 5 miles to Yawkey Unit Mountain Bike trails 5 miles to downtown Crosby shopping and restaurants 5.2 miles to Cuyuna Regional Medical Center 5.9 miles to Cykel Bike Shop in Ironton 6 miles to Cuyuna Recreation Area trailhead in Ironton 6 miles to Super One Foods in Crosby 10.1 miles to Sagamore Unite Mountain Bike Trails
from 
$30
 / night
100%
(2)

Dogwoods Farm

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents70 acres ¡ Brookston, MN
Hello and welcome! We are Cristen & David, and our beautiful farm called Dogwoods is situated 35mn west of Duluth atop a moraine with stunning views and sunsets. We have 70 acres here, and they're a mix of rolling open fields and aspen/maple/birch forests which are especially pretty in autumn. We also have many rows of Christmas trees! :) Historically this land was a dairy farm with pasture and hay fields and long before that a trading post site, later a work camp for the CCC. A small pile of of concrete rubble from the CCC bunk houses still can be found as a "hidden treasure" in the woods. The most recent history of this place is that it was a tree farm called Hilltop Tree Farm, owned for 30+ years by Joe and Ranae Walsh. They cultivated both landscaping and Christmas trees here. When my water broke with our 2nd child while touring the farm, we felt the universe quite literally calling us to set down roots. Joe and Ranae became our mentors and taught us how to manage, trim the trees, and make wreaths. Our first season was Christmas 2021, and while we are not continuing with the landscape side of things, we are looking forward to our 3rd xmas tree season this winter. It is a cut-your-own experience that a lot of folks have been coming back to for many years. We are now known as DOGWOODS...which brings me to the other side of what we currently do here. We manage a small kennel of sled dogs. We have a crew of 17 Alaskan huskies adopted from Fairbanks AK and racers in the area. They are a mix of slightly older (6-7) year olds who aren't at their top speed for competitive racing but still have lots of desire to run and loads of personality and trail wisdom, and younger dogs acquired more recently. We loved the idea of giving the older ones a great home and a continued chance to do what they love best--RUNNING! It has been great fun. They have definitely become our friends/extended family and regularly join us in the house for Sunday dinners etc. David ran the Beargrease 120 last year and hopes to increase his mileage to possibly even the 300 someday. We have cut and maintained 3-4miles of trails on our property for this adventure and leisurely strolls. For longer runs we use the nearby tribal forest roads, state forest roads, and snowmobile trails. We have always both had a heart for ecologically sustainable organic methods and active participation in the biodiversity here on the farm. We love growing our own fruits and vegetables and cooking from scratch. Last year we started an experiment of no-spray tree management. There were carbon emissions trade offs with fuel for mowing, and a lot of labor and time, but it was incredible to see the fields come alive with wildflowers and bees and monarchs and songbirds. This year we have added SHEEP to our farm! They have been excellent at mowing around the trees while fertilizing as we rotationally graze them. We love this regenerative agriculture approach and will keep experimenting with different techniques. CAMPERS: While you're here, please enjoy our beautiful trails. Some are more rugged than others, but all easily accessed on foot. It makes for a lovely walk in the woods. Nearby attractions include the St Louis River for canoeing/kayaking and fishing (easy public access within a couple miles), Duluth is 35mn with all of it's microbreweries and restaurants, boardwalks, and beaches. Two Harbors is a 1hr drive, Jay Cooke State Park 30mn to the south, Sax Zim Bog for excellent birding, Echo Valley Speedway (our neighbors :), and the Country Corner pub just across the road which has food (including breakfast) for dine in & take out, gas, on/off sale, and is just a good ole place to hang out. Because we are a working farm with working dogs and livestock (fences are electric and ON), we ask that all visiting dogs remain on a leash. Please follow the sign for Lavoy Road just west of our tree farm to park in the mowed area at the meadow. There is room to pull through if you have a camper. This is a primitive camping area with no facilities except porta-potties in summer months (usually until early Oct). Please bring your own water. We do not provide firewood, but you may bring your own if collected in St Louis Co, or the forest is full of down and dead wood that is free for the picking! (please do not cut live trees). Please practice a no-trace etiquette, with pack-it-in pack-it-out as the rule. In regards to toilet facilities, we recommend bringing a luggable loo or utilizing our neighbor's port-a-potty in summer months which borders the camping meadow (they have kindly given permission).
from 
$30
 / night

The best camping near Savanna State Forest guide

Overview

About

You think the Oregon Trail was tough? Centuries before folks were traversing the country for gold, Native American tribes in Minnesota were using the Savanna Portage to get between the Mississippi River and Lake Superior. This northern Minnesota taste of history is in Savanna State Forest, just outside the coastal town of Duluth. The gnarly path was nearly impossible to travel before a wooden boardwalk was built over the peat bogs and foggy marshes, a trail that’s now on the National Register of Historic Places and open for walking.

There’s also all sorts of water recreation to be had at the forest’s Big Sandy Lake, where cranes and swans roam free. At the end of the day, fall asleep to the gentle hooting of owls at the private, dispersed campsites at Hay Lake Campground, where you and your friends can pretend you’re resting along your journey to Lake Superior!

Notable campgrounds

  • The Walter Stark Horse Campground – A serene getaway for equestrian lovers and campers alike.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your spot, as the Walter Stark Horse Campground is a sought-after destination.
  • Keep an eye on the official website for updates on campground improvements and the best time to visit.
  • Consider visiting during weekdays for better chances of availability.
  • Explore nearby camping options to ensure you have a backup plan.

When to go

The best time to visit Savanna State Forest is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer brings warmth perfect for water activities, while winter offers a quiet, frosty escape. Avoid peak holiday weekends for a more tranquil experience.

Know before you go

  • Check the latest updates on road and campsite improvements before your trip.
  • Be prepared for encounters with local wildlife by reviewing safety guidelines.
  • Accessibility may vary across different areas of the forest; inquire ahead for specific needs.
  • Ensure you have the necessary permits for activities like fishing or hunting.
  • Remember to pack out your trash and respect the forest's pristine environment.

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