Splash in Lake Carlos and wander birch forests when camping near Osakis.
About two hours outside of Minneapolis, Osakis offers quiet camping getaways on the shores of Lake Osakis. Embrace the lakeside at a private, rustic campsite on Lake Chippewa, or check in at a luxury RV park or resort cabin on Lake Villard. Just north of Alexandria, Lake Carlos State Park offers public camping with a few more options. Choose from a camper cabin, group camping site, tent camping, RV site with full hookups, or an equestrian site. All include basic amenities like showers, flush toilets, picnic tables, and a dump station. Campers can find something to do year-round like swimming in Lake Carlos, admiring the glacial topography, or cross-country skiing on groomed trails. East of Osakis, Birch Lakes State Forest offers a unique mix of forest and prairie landscapes for scenic hikes. Explore sandy beaches at Birch Lake, fish for walleye, and then sleep under the trees at a dedicated or dispersed campsite inside the state forest.