- Birch Lakes State Forest
The best camping in Birch Lakes State Forest, MN
Discover the natural splendor of Birch Lakes State Forest.
Snag sold-out campsites.
Get notified the instant a national park campsite becomes available, for free.
See the best spots in one place.
Explore 500K+ public lands, RV resorts, and private sites you won't find anywhere else.
Book with confidence.
Read millions of real reviews from campers like you—so you know what to expect.Top-rated campgrounds near Birch Lakes State Forest
The Woods
The Woods
99%
(60)
13mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to our hidden gem in the Minnesota woods—perfect for campers looking to unplug and enjoy the simple beauty of the outdoors. Our property offers a peaceful, rustic setting with towering trees, quiet walking trails, and plenty of wildlife. You might spot deer wandering through, hear wild turkeys gobbling in the distance, or catch a glimpse of an eagle soaring overhead.
This is a primitive property, so you won’t find modern amenities like bathrooms or running water. But what you will find is space to breathe, unwind, and reconnect with nature. Whether you're here to hike, stargaze, cook over the fire, or just relax, this is your spot to slow down and enjoy the natural world.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$25
/ night
🌿 Oak Crest RV Getaway
🌿 Oak Crest RV Getaway
100%
(11)
21mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
🌿 Oak Crest RV Getaway | Near Glenwood, MN 🌿
Welcome to our peaceful retreat tucked away in the rolling countryside near Glenwood, Minnesota. Whether you're seeking a quiet weekend away or a memorable group gathering, our private RV-friendly property offers a restful escape in nature.
🏕️ RV Sites Only
We currently offer three spacious RV sites, each thoughtfully equipped for comfort and convenience:
50-amp electric hookups
Water hookups
Easy access for large RVs
Open space to stretch out and enjoy the outdoors
🌲 On-Site Amenities
Dog-Friendly Walking Path: Take a scenic stroll with your pup along our quiet nature path
Hammock Zone: Kick back and relax under the trees
Swing with a View: A guest favorite—perfect for quiet mornings or golden hour photos
Wildlife Viewing: Watch for deer, birds, and other peaceful visitors
🌊 Local Attractions
Just a short drive from Oak Crest, you’ll find activities for all interests:
Grove Lake (minutes away): Great for swimming, fishing, and boating
Glenwood (~20 mins):
Lake Minnewaska
Rolling Forks Vineyards
Barsness Park with splash pad, trails, disc golf
Pope County Museum for local history lovers
📅 Booking Information
We're no longer offering the tiny home for rent, but our RV sites are open for peaceful stays and small gatherings. Contact us directly to check availability and reserve your spot. Booking early is encouraged during peak weekends.
🌾 Stay Connected
Follow our journey and updates:
Facebook – Oak Crest
Instagram – @oakcresttinyhome
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$28
/ night
Wold Ranch
Wold Ranch
95%
(10)
26mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 1 site · RV
Pause your travels for the night or spend a few days. Conveniently located right off US Hwy 71 or 20 miles from I-94. This is a level RV site able to accommodate big rigs, 50amp service and water. We are a working family farm. Enjoy the horses , cows, cats, and dog. Patio with shade and fire ring located next to site.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from
$35
/ night
Alexandria Lakes Area Camp
Alexandria Lakes Area Camp
99%
(42)
26mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
Escape the noise and discover a hidden gem just 10 minutes from Alexandria. Nestled off a quiet gravel road, this peaceful retreat offers the perfect blend of seclusion and natural beauty. Surrounded by trees and wide-open skies, it's an ideal spot to unwind, reconnect, and enjoy the simple pleasures of being off the beaten path.
Each campsite includes a fire pit and picnic table, perfect for cozy evenings and shared meals under the stars. A clean, well-maintained toilet is available on-site for your convenience.
Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway, a relaxing overnight stop on a road trip, or a base for exploring the lakes area, this tranquil spot offers a peaceful, no-fuss experience in nature.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$30
/ night
Kobi’s Backyard Getaway
Kobi’s Backyard Getaway
96%
(14)
33mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 1 site · Tent, RV
Single site camp spot surrounded by woods and water. Our 51 acre parcel is just three miles from downtown Alexandria but you’ll feel like your way out of town. It’s a quiet location with no neighbors, a dock for fishing (or watching the sunset) trails for hiking and one of the best lakes for kayaking, canoeing or paddle boarding.
We are located:
A short mile to a trailhead on the Central Lakes Trail
Half mile to Lake Brophy County Park with a giant playground and Mountain Bike Trails
Quarter mile from the Arrowood 18 hole golf course
Also our lake is connected to the Carlos, Le Homme Dieu, Darling Chain of lakes, jump in your boat and connect to 11 more lakes
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Picnic table
from
$50
/ night
Welle's Campsite
Welle's Campsite
100%
(22)
35mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 1 site · Tent, RV
40 acres of peaceful hunting land with a mixture of woods, swamp, hay fields, and a permanent campsite established in the corner. Plenty of room for parking and multiple campers/tents. Campsite is well maintained and has 30 amp hookups, a picnic table, fire ring, and an outhouse to use.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$32
/ night
Swift Falls County Park
Swift Falls County Park
100%
(11)
40mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 23 sites · Tents, RVs
The Swift Falls County Park is located on the banks of the Chippewa River in the village of Swift Falls, Minnesota.
The park is open for camping from May to October and online registration is available below. Swift Falls Park is a great place to hike, fish, or enjoy the playground. Pets are allowed.
Need Firewood? Firewood can be purchased from the white building across the river (over the bridge) by the dam.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$15
/ night
Andes RV Park
Andes RV Park
100%
(11)
41mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 3 sites · RVs, Lodging
Our new RV Park was opened in 2023 and features 45 full hook up spots, bath/shower house, kids play area, Pickle ball court (coming Mid July 2023), and over 800 acres of trails to enjoy. We have 2 small bodies of water accessible by our trail system that are great for kayaking and fishing. Come enjoy the outdoors with us today!
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
$44
/ night
Pearsons Century Farm
Pearsons Century Farm
98%
(132)
49mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 16 sites · Tents, RVs
Homesteaded more than 100 years ago this farm is somewhat stuck in time. Once this was a prosperous dairy operation. Location location location, this place is my slice of heaven on earth. Located in the corner of 4 townships on an extremely quiet road. Our farm now raises grass fed beef and wooly pigs pastured along driveway along with the usual cast of a farm, dogs, cats, chickens, guineas and goats
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$45
/ night
Lower Elk Lake - Full RV Hookup
Lower Elk Lake - Full RV Hookup
98%
(54)
49mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 1 site · RV
Enjoy a spacious 2-acre lakefront RV site in a natural Minnesota setting, perfect for spreading out and relaxing. The property sits along a quiet, dead-end gravel road, just a short drive from a paved county highway.
Please note: The lake bay directly connected to the site is shallow and weedy, so swimming is not recommended, and fishing from the shore or dock may be challenging. However, the scenic lake views and gentle slope to the water make this an ideal setting for your RV retreat.
Location Reference:
• ~25 miles west of Alexandria, MN
• ~90 miles northwest of St. Cloud, MN
• ~155 miles northwest of Minneapolis, MN
• ~95 miles southeast of Fargo, ND
What You’ll Find Here:
• Full RV hookups including 30-amp (220V) and 20-amp (110V) electrical service, water, and a connection to a sewage holding tank.
• Mostly open, grassy lot with full sun exposure and a few small trees along the perimeter.
• Located ½ mile off a paved county road, with minimal traffic on a dead-end gravel road.
• Small dock provided. The shallow bay may be suitable for small boats, but water levels vary and larger boats may have difficulty. Public boat launch is 1 mile away.
• Swimming is not ideal from the property, but a well-maintained public beach is just 1 mile away on a neighboring lake.
• A paved bike trail is ½ mile away, offering access to the beach and nearby town.
• Fire ring provided. Firewood is available as an optional add-on.
Things to Note
• The RV shown in photos is not included—it’s for example purposes only.
• There are no trash facilities onsite—guests must pack out all garbage.
• One RV and up to two vehicles per booking, please.
• A shed on the premises is locked and not accessible during your stay.
• No storm shelter is available. Guests are responsible for seeking shelter in case of severe weather.
• Insects and mosquitoes are common—bring repellent or screens.
• There is a neighboring house on the west side and another private lot across the bay on the east, partially screened by trees.
• You may hear distant train sounds as they pass through the area.
• A security camera is onsite, but it is disconnected between check-in and check-out for guest privacy.
Pets
Full hookups
from
$45
/ night
Big Birch Slice Of Pie
Big Birch Slice Of Pie
1.7mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
A slice of heaven all for your viewing pleasure!
Connected to another 1.25 acres with cabins is a 3 acre wide open space with 360 views of the lake and a RV hookup.
Patios to sit and view and no neighbours make this the most sought after heavenly space!
Game room on property fun for all types with pool table and shuffleboard, darts and air hockey.
Great for rainy days too!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$315
/ night
RV There Yet
RV There Yet
75%
(10)
30mi from Birch Lakes State Forest · 40 sites · RVs
RV There Yet is located in the gorgeous town of Alexandria, Minnesota. Campers come here every year to escape the busyness of life; visitors can look forward to clean and well-managed facilities, friendly and helpful staff, and of course, plenty of peace and quiet.
There's tons to do around the park, so expect excellent golf courses, bowling alleys, local museums and antique shops. There's also a plethora of great dining options, so if you're from out of town, be sure to dine out as much as you can to experience Alexandria through its cuisine.
Near the campground, campers can also enjoy tastings at the Carlos Creek Winery or take the kids to the Erickson Petting Zoo.
Pets
Full hookups
from
$50
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
J
Jim
October 2025
A
ANDREW
October 2025
20 ft campervan
Wonderful establishment! Well thought out. Beautiful and peaceful stay. Communication with host was very accommodating. All the amenities needed.
See more
D
Dylan
October 2025
30 ft travel trailer
Great site, sadly could only stay one day but highly recommend! Quiet / private site ! The dogs loved the space to play ball! The electric was a great plus!! 10/10 recommend !
See moreL
L
October 2025
16 ft travel trailer
We enjoyed our stay so much! This is a lovely, quiet spot. Easy to find, but no highway noise. Check in was straightforward with great communication from the hosts. You can see the other sites, but they are comfortably separated. Beautiful sunset view from under the giant old oak tree shading our little camper. We were so happy to have had the opportunity to stay and would definitely recommend.
See more
Samuel
September 2025
Tent
With pets
The 40 was an awesome little property to get away for the night! Great host, easy to find, well maintained and great for truck camping. 👍🏻
See more
S
Sam
September 2025
28 ft travel trailer
Kobi's place was an amazing site, just outside of town so everything was close, but the site was nice and quiet and very secluded. We were encouraged to burn as much wood as we desired for our campfires, which was awesome. We also enjoyed the calm lake with our paddleboard, and visits from the ever so friendly pup. They gave us a local area tourist guide and were happy to provide any help. All in all I wouldn't hesitate to come back as the site was fantastic and the hosts were even better!
See more
Dagmar
September 2025
17 ft travel trailer
With pets
This is indeed a camping spot to be proud of!
Obviously much thought went into to creating this amazing spot. A nicely decorated and maintained huge space, evergreens planted for even more privacy, generous DRY wood supply, super clean outhouse with light, table with bench and electricity.
The hayfields were mowed and our dog sure enjoyed running over it. There is even a path through the woods.
One of our favorite hipcamps, we would love to return.
See more
Samuel
September 2025
Tent
Always one of my favorite places to camp! Michael is the best host and the property is beautiful a secluded.
See moreM
Mindy
September 2025
32 ft Class C
With pets
It was absolutely the most perfect, peaceful, and stunning camping spot! Will be back again soon! Thank you for letting us have a little piece of your heaven for a weekend!
See more
Doug
September 2025
20 ft travel trailer
With pets
It is secluded and peaceful. Had a nice time walking up the road between the corn fields. He was quick with response time and there was firewood available. The sight was also well taken care of. Great place to get away from everything.
See more
A
Amber
September 2025
17 ft travel trailer
With pets
2nd booking! Will be continuing to book in the future!
See more
J
Jennifer
September 2025
30 ft Class A
With kids
We lived camping on Randy’s land. It was so spacious and made the 4 campers plus the tents have plenty of space and kids loved fishing off the docks all day long. Tons of grass areas for the dogs to run and play.
See more
K
Karen
September 2025
26 ft travel trailer
This place was perfect for us. It had full hook-ups for a reasonable price. Easy to get to and was close to town and the bike trail. It was a clean, quiet campground which suited our needs perfectly. The manager, Amy, was very friendly and accommodating. I would definitely come back!!
See moreW
Whitney
August 2025
22 ft campervan
Beautiful camp site! Will be back! The host provided a lot of great information right after booking and was super friendly!
See more
A
Amanda
August 2025
Tent
Beautiful spot and large site! It was a bit closer to the house and neighbors houses than anticipated but hosts were very nice and we had a great time!
See more
Brad
August 2025
24 ft travel trailer
With pets
Great place, super private and quiet. Will be back!
See more
D
Danny
August 2025
12 ft travel trailer
Except for the rain it was fabulous! I don't think there's a bad spot in the campground! The river is really high kids need to be aware of fast moving water.
See more
Alex
August 2025
20 ft travel trailer
With pets
This is a beautiful and peaceful place to stay. Wonderful shade trees and well maintained grounds with easy access.
See more
Ted
August 2025
15 ft travel trailer
With pets
Very private, clean, and the dog enjoyed the freedom. We thought the price point was a little high, but all in all a great night. Very thankful for the spot.
See moreA
Aeriana
August 2025
Tent
With pets
Great site! There was plenty of space. Great spot for star gazing
See moreThe best camping in Birch Lakes State Forest, MN guide
Overview
About
If you were the kid who liked the tiniest presents at Christmas, because you knew a big box didn’t necessarily mean a great gift, then you’ll appreciate Birch Lakes State Forest. It’s not the biggest forest. In fact, it’s one of Minnesota’s smallest. But that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most intriguing places in the state.
Uniquely situated between Minnesota’s northeast forested region and the prairie region to the southwest, you get a little bit of each landscape here. The waters of Little Birch and Birch Lake are about as clear as a crystal glass, and are waiting for you to dive right in! We bet you’ll want to do just that after working up a healthy sweat on the 7 miles of hiking trails in the area.
Notable campgrounds
- Walter Stark Horse Campground – A serene retreat for equestrian lovers with picturesque trails and modern campsite facilities.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Book early to secure your spot at the popular Walter Stark Horse Campground.
- Visit during weekdays for better availability and a quieter camping experience.
- Keep an eye on the official website for updates on campsite improvements and availability.
- Explore nearby camping options to ensure you have a backup plan during peak seasons.
When to go
The best time to visit Birch Lakes State Forest is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers lush greenery, but be prepared for busier trails and campsites. Winter can be harsh, so check road and campsite conditions if you're planning a cold-weather adventure.
Know before you go
- Check the latest updates on road and campsite improvements before your trip.
- Ensure you have the necessary permits for activities like fishing and horseback riding.
- Be mindful of wildlife and practice safe viewing from a distance.
- Prepare for varying weather conditions by packing appropriate gear.
- Respect the forest's natural environment by following Leave No Trace principles.
Be the first to review
Share your experience here to help other campers.