Lake Camping Near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, US: 12 Best Lake Campsites 2026

In Pelican Rapids, camping means waking up with the lake right outside your tent flap. Over 160 lake-side spots put you close to the water—think early morning fishing, cannonball swims, and snow sports when winter rolls in. Swan Lake Resort & Campground (28 reviews) draws regulars with its easy access and no-fuss lakefront, while Strawberry Lake Cabin (4 reviews) and Hilltop Camp on the Lake (2 reviews) are quieter picks for small groups. Showers, pet-friendly spots, and campfires are standard, so you can pack light and bring the dog. Nightly rates average $101, but you’ll find plenty for $40 if you keep an eye out. Lake camping here is direct, unfussy, and made for anyone who’d rather spend the day in the water than watching it from a distance.

98% (54)

Top-rated campgrounds

In Pelican Rapids, camping means waking up with the lake right outside your tent flap. Over 160 lake-side spots put you close to the water—think early morning fishing, cannonball swims, and snow sports when winter rolls in. Swan Lake Resort & Campground (28 reviews) draws regulars with its easy access and no-fuss lakefront, while Strawberry Lake Cabin (4 reviews) and Hilltop Camp on the Lake (2 reviews) are quieter picks for small groups. Showers, pet-friendly spots, and campfires are standard, so you can pack light and bring the dog. Nightly rates average $101, but you’ll find plenty for $40 if you keep an eye out. Lake camping here is direct, unfussy, and made for anyone who’d rather spend the day in the water than watching it from a distance.

98% (54)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Swan Lake Resort & Campground

98%

(52)

25mi from Pelican Rapids · 21 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Fergus Falls, MN

⛺️ Since 1949, we've been a family-operated resort & campground on Swan Lake in Fergus Falls, MN. We offer lakeside cabins, tent camping, and full hook-up, pull-through RV sites. Here, there is time to slow down, room to breathe, and lots to explore. 🏖️ Soak up the sun on the sandy beach, hike through the hidden trails, and take the pontoon out for a cruise. Be sure to turn the tech off and challenge a rival to ping pong, crack a cold one, and explore the water on stand-up paddleboard. 🍦 Bring the little ones and get messy at the arts & crafts table, catch a sunfish off the docks, and indulge in s’mores around the campfire. Don’t forget to show us what you got on the volleyball court and savor an ice cream at the camp store. Curl up in a hammock and get lost in a good book, smile at the flowers and gaze in awe at the night sky. Just be.

2. Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

97%

(15)

29mi from Pelican Rapids · 1 site · Tent · Battle Lake, MN

Unwind on the shores of Stalker Lake with unforgettable sunsets, great fishing, and laid-back lake vibes. Whether you’re paddling out in the provided canoe, floating under the sun, or relaxing by the firepit as the sky turns gold, this peaceful spot is perfect for recharging. Please read the description for the property and the site. It provides key details on this beautiful and unique property. Note that the Peak Sunset campsite is hike-in (short, but uphill). Our lakeside beach features a sandy area, shady trees, beach chairs, and a picnic table just steps from the water. A clean porta potty is located near the parking area (at the bottom of the hill). The beach is shared with your hosts. Note: the beach and camping area are separated by Stalker Lake Road. Canoe and life jackets (2) are included with your stay. Pontoon use is not included or available for rent. Dock space for your boat is available as an add-on. You’re just one mile from Stalker Lake Golf Course & Bar and close to local gems like Glendalough State Park and the charming town of Battle Lake. Nearby Activities: message us for a PDF with weblinks :) Hiking & Biking: Glendalough State Park (14 mi): trails, swimming beaches, creek tubing, and rentals for kayaks, bikes, and paddleboards (Galloping Goose Rentals) (https://www.exploreminnesota.com/profile/glendalough-trail/4992) Inspiration Peak County Park (15 mi) Phelps Mill County Park (20 mi) Maplewood State Park (36 mi) More trails: Otter Tail Lakes Country Guide Fishing & Boating: Fish from our dock or launch your boat at the Stalker Lake access (¼ mile south) or Long Lake (1 mile). Both are great for recreation and fishing. Boat/pontoon rentals: Enclave Marine, G3 Rentals Tubing: ask us for details! Otter Tail River - Otter Tail Lake to Deer Lake Glenadalough State Park - Battle Lake Golf: Stalker Lake Golf Course Balmoral Golf Course

3. AN UNEXPECTED GREEN ISLAND

46mi from Pelican Rapids · 1 site · Tent · Wadena, MN

Green Island is an unexpected pine forest located actually inside a small town in northcentral Minnesota. The camping area is incredibly private and surrounds a small pond. It is primitive with minimal amenities beyond an outhouse and hand pump for water. Accessibility is only for tenting or truly tiny camper vehicles. The campground is a huge semi-shaded space for up to 20 tents, still, we prefer 1 or 2 at a time. However, larger group retreats are possible. We are serious environmentalists and we offer this opportunity just for true nature lovers as singles or couples, who totally take care of themselves, leave absolutely no trace, and are solid environmental stewards. In other words, its no place for a party. Separate from the campground there are: apple orchards, outdoor sculptures, wildlife, a meditation kuti, and perfect spaces for forest therapy. Yet almost unbelieveably, you can walk to a Pizza Hut or Walmart in 5 minutes. This is an excellent staging point for outdoors people en route to Itasca State Park, The Lost Fourty, and the state and national forests of the north.

4. Maplewood State Park

100%

(5)

67 sites · Erhard, Minnesota

Discover Maplewood State Park's natural beauty and outdoor fun.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

5. Glendalough State Park

90%

(5)

26 sites · Battle Lake, Minnesota

Discover Glendalough State Park's natural beauty and outdoor activities.

Pets

Campfires

Toilets

6. Clitheral Lake Hideaway

30mi from Pelican Rapids · 1 site · Tent · Clitherall, MN

Escape to the end of the road—literally—and find your slice of Minnesota lake life on beautiful Clitheral Lake. This peaceful, private campsite is the last property on a quiet dead-end road, nestled behind a scenic pine forest that opens up into a spacious clearing perfect for tenting or parking your RV. Enjoy all-day lake fun with direct access to a sandy beach that stays shallow for a long stretch—perfect for kids, lounging, or just soaking in the sun. Toss in a line for some of the area’s best fishing, or head out on the dock with your morning coffee or evening beverage of choice. As the day winds down, take in some of the most stunning sunsets around while gathered around the campfire pit perched right over the water. It’s a postcard-perfect view every night. With access to electricity, a peaceful setting with only one neighbor nearby, and nature all around you, this is the kind of spot that makes you want to stay an extra night or two. Whether you're looking to unplug, reconnect, or just catch a few fish and some serious sunset vibes, this hidden gem has you covered. Note there are two campers on the property that stay parked there but will not be in use during renting.

7. Strawberry Lake Cabin

100%

(4)

38mi from Pelican Rapids · 1 site · Lodging · Ogema, MN

Winter Wonderland in a Classic, Cozy Cabin - Strawberry Lake Cabin Here Up North, we know about winter. How to get cozy, enjoy good company, and, of course, how to deeply appreciate the downy white blanket of snow that envelops us for several months of the year. With our winter smarts and fondness for the season, we created what we think is the ideal wintertime getaway here at Strawberry Lake Cabin. Built in 2013 by local Minnesota craftsmen, our cabin wall and floors boast radiant heat (great for defrosting your toes after a snowy hike), its comfy indoor spaces are great for long conversations and warm drinks, and its spotless kitchen encourages you to prepare some snowed-in comfort food together. Or, maybe you'd like to be pampered and treated to a local homemade catered breakfast, lunch or dinner - we can help make that happen. Not to mention the world of winter activities waiting just outside the cabin. Watch thick snowflakes drift to the snow-blanketed ground and frozen lake through the prism of the cabin’s cathedral windows, which reach from the living area to the lofted bedroom. Then venture out to explore the glittering, snowbound landscape for yourself! A RETREAT FOR COUPLES, FRIENDS & FAMILIES; MOREOVER, A PLACE TO REUNITE WHERE EVERYONE CAN SPREAD OUT Experience the easy romance of tucking into nature together and shaking off the stresses of everyday life. From the cozy, lofted bedroom, views of an unpolluted Minnesota sky full of stars will lull you into a deep sleep, and a winter wonderland will greet you in the morning. When you and your sweetheart are ready to venture out, a whole slew of winter activities await. From ice fishing, ice skating at a local pond, to traversing 250 miles of snowmobiling trails and snowshoeing across beautiful landscapes…including at lovely Pine Lake in the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, just 3 miles from the cabin, or consider the nearby winter-sports haven Maplelag Resort, which offers cross-country skiing, fat tire biking and skate skiing. If you’d like to capture the essence of that “feeling of premium” – we’d love to have you here to experience our version of paradise at Strawberry Lake! Kind regards, Don (& Cheryl) Aamodt, Owners

8. Buffalo River State Park

100%

(2)

45 sites · Glyndon, Minnesota

Discover Buffalo River State Park's natural beauty and outdoor activities.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Pelican Rapids

100%

(4)

Lake Lida Campground

5.7mi from Pelican Rapids · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Maplewood State Park

100%

(1)

Grass Lake Campground

7.6mi from Pelican Rapids · 31 sites · Tents, RVs · in Maplewood State Park

Horseriders Campground

7.6mi from Pelican Rapids · 24 sites · in Maplewood State Park

90%

(5)

Glendalough Campground

26mi from Pelican Rapids · 26 sites · in Glendalough State Park

100%

(2)

Buffalo River Campground

27mi from Pelican Rapids · 45 sites · Tents, RVs · in Buffalo River State Park

Stories from the community

Heidi

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

I stayed at the Peak in May 2025 and couldn’t think of a better place to close out my camping season. The site was even more beautiful with fall colors emerging. Mindy is attentive and helpful, and the farm eggs are amazing. Highly recommend this Hipcamp.

D

Derek

September 2025

32 ft Class A

With pets

Weekend Trip to Swan Lake Resort & Campground

Swan Lake Resort and Campground was the perfect escape for our family. From the moment we arrived, the peaceful atmosphere wrapped around us — quiet mornings with birdsong, calm lake breezes, and spacious campsites that gave everyone room to breathe. One of the best parts was the uninterrupted stillness during the day and especially in the evenings. Thanks to the thoughtful layout and generously sized slots, there was very little noise or commotion from neighboring campers, which made it easy to truly relax. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive — when my son crashed his bike, they didn’t hesitate to help with his wounds, showing genuine care that meant a lot to us. Their flexibility with boat rentals was also a gift; they rolled with our shifting plans and even a last-minute cancellation when the kids hit a moody streak on our final day. We loved the honor-system store, where you could grab a snack or drink from the fridge or shelves and simply jot it down for later billing. It felt like a place built on trust and community. And scattered throughout the grounds were these amazing tree carvings — almost like totem poles — that added a touch of rustic artistry and whimsy to the landscape. This wasn’t just a campground — it was a place where we felt cared for, connected, and free to enjoy the simple joy. We will definitely be going back.

Mary and Dan

September 2025

17 ft travel trailer

1 night at Swan Lake Resort & Campground

Wonderful campground with amazing amenity and game room.

V

Vamsi

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

Loved tent camping on the Site! And the view from the top was a reward after the short trek. Was able to take pretty much everything in two trips and the cart helped a lot!

N

Nickolis

September 2025

20 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Swan Lake Resort & Campground

It was nice and quite had a couple of very relaxing days. The bathrooms where always clean and plenty of activities to keep you busy if you wanted to be!

A

Alex

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

Beautiful secluded site with incredible sunsets over the lake. The hill up to the site is very steep (to corroborate others), but the hosts provide a cart that makes carrying gear manageable. Once you’re up, it’s worth it: quiet, shaded mornings, breezes off the lake that keep bugs away, and plenty of privacy. The ground isn’t perfectly level, but fine for a small tent. Host was communicative, and the port-o-potty was very clean. Overall, a great stay — I’ll be back soon.

Catherine

August 2025

25 ft Class C

With pets

1 night at Swan Lake Resort & Campground

Don't attempt to stay here for one night. Stay for AT LEAST a week! It is a beautiful spot, so much attention to detail has been put into this place. A game room, a fitness path, a BEAUTIFUL beach! So much to do for everyone!

K

Krista

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

I camped for one night at Mindy’s hilltop camp site. It was so beautiful and peaceful and a great experience. If I hadn’t been on a road trip and needing to get back on the road, I would have loved to have gotten out on the lake. I saw Mindy coming back from kayaking and she was nice. It’s a bit of a work out going up the hill but it’s a short hill and I could bring everything up in two trips, and the view was worth it!

Toni

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

Beautiful site, it is a trek to the top with gear but totally worth it!!!

View of Grasslands 3 Primitive Tent Camping Site

Z

Zackeriah

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Swan Lake Resort & Campground

Absolutely beautiful place and cant wait to return. Lagos is very friendly and charismatic with an easy going attitude. We maintain and highly recommend

A

Amanda

August 2025

Tent

With kids

2 nights at Swan Lake Resort & Campground

Amazing resort! Owners are very friendly, kind, and accommodating. I was nervous booking the renting locations as photos looks like it’s far away and very primitive. However, they are in such a great location. Close to activities and the beach. Dog friendly was a plus for us and the amenities the resort had. I love how it has something for everyone- hikinf, natural gym, gaming room, bikes, water play. It’s all there! My son and I are looking forward to and already talking about our next camping trip back! Would HIGHLY recommend.

Paige

July 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

We ended up not being able to make it to the check in on time due to car issues. The hosts were great and were able to accommodate for us. We had a great sleep on our road trip out west from PA!

R

Ryan

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

Owners were very helpful and responsive, made it great experience for my 5yo son and I’s first camping trip together. The beach area was absolutely beautiful. Everything was as advertised. Nearby town of battle lake had everything we could ask for couldn’t recommend highly enough

View from Area 51 Electric Tent Camping Site

Tiffany

July 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Swan Lake Resort & Campground

We are driving cross country and last minute booked a stay for one night - extremely accommodating for our late arrival. Wish we could have stayed longer - so many activities and everything was clean and in great shape. Thanks for hosting us! 🫶🏻

R

Richard

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Swan Lake Resort & Campground

We loved the campsite very much it was lots of activities for the family. The host were very friendly and nice they answered all of our questions and made us feel very welcome. The site was very clean and family friendly the sites were very beautiful. My family loved it so much we are going planning on visiting the site again soon. Highly recommended spot

I

Isabelle

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

Mindy and her husband were so kind and created a fun and clean environment to camp on. Also, the site had a beautiful view. Definitely recommending this place to future campers and plan to camp here again in future.

B

Brooke

July 2025

Tent

Group trip

5 nights at Swan Lake Resort & Campground

Swan Lake Campground & Resort was lovely! It’s perfect for families with a beach & swimming area, free canoe, kayak, and paddle board usage, an arcade area, bikes to borrow, hiking path, and more. We rented a pontoon from them for a very reasonable price and had two great days on the lake. They have bathrooms & a shower, but the water does have a sulfuric smell that grossed out our teenagers. 😉 There was a hiccup between our Hipcamp booking and their computer, but the campground managers were super accommodating trying to find another site we approved of. The staff are very friendly and they have a stocked store, with reasonable prices, in case you forgot something or just need an ice cream cone on a hot day. We were there the week leading up to Independence Day and they had a great list of activities to participate in—my kids had a blast at the kickball tournament! Finally, Fergus Falls is nearby if you need a day in town or a Walmart. You can’t go wrong with Swan Lake!

T

Terre

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

Nice and secluded with beautiful views. This site catches the breeze off the lake so it helps keep the bugs down. Pack light because it's a cart in area and has a steep climb to the top but that's what makes this site unique. Mindy answered all of our questions and had good suggestions on where to get some breakfast. I would definitely go back again.

A

Alyssa

July 2025

Tent

2 nights at Swan Lake Resort & Campground

Super cute, they have anything you could need, and lots of fun stuff to do!

L

Lauren

June 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Sunset Hilltop Retreat-Battle Lake

We had an amazing stay at the Peak campsite! Mindy truly thought of everything. The porta-potty was clean and even lit up at night, which was such a thoughtful touch. The beach was beautiful and well-equipped, and the campsite itself was secluded with the most perfect view of the lake. Mindy was also incredibly communicative and gave us great local recommendations. We had a fantastic time and can’t wait to come back! One thing to keep in mind is the climb to the site. My boyfriend and I are avid hikers, and even we found it a bit challenging with all our gear. Just something to consider when booking—but we still found it completely worth it!