The best campgrounds near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota with swimming

In Pelican Rapids, swimmers have over 160 camping options where water takes centre stage. You’ll find sites set right on lakefronts and tucked along rivers, perfect for cooling off after a day in the Minnesota sun. The average night comes to $101, but you can snag a spot for as low as $40. favorites include Swan Lake Resort & Campground (28 reviews), Strawberry Lake Cabin (4 reviews), and Oak Knoll (1 review). Most sites allow pets and come stocked with toilets and showers. Bring your rod or your snow gear—fishing and snow sports are just as easy to find as a swimming hole. If you want to spend more time in the water than at camp, this town delivers.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Pelican Rapids

In Pelican Rapids, swimmers have over 160 camping options where water takes centre stage. You’ll find sites set right on lakefronts and tucked along rivers, perfect for cooling off after a day in the Minnesota sun. The average night comes to $101, but you can snag a spot for as low as $40. favorites include Swan Lake Resort & Campground (28 reviews), Strawberry Lake Cabin (4 reviews), and Oak Knoll (1 review). Most sites allow pets and come stocked with toilets and showers. Bring your rod or your snow gear—fishing and snow sports are just as easy to find as a swimming hole. If you want to spend more time in the water than at camp, this town delivers.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Pelican Rapids

1. Swan Lake Resort & Campground

98%

(52)

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

⛺️ 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. Strawberry Lake Cabin

100%

(4)

38mi from Pelican Rapids · 1 site · Lodging

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

3. The Grove Glamping

97%

(17)

27mi from Pelican Rapids · 8 sites · Lodging

Escape to The Grove Glamping, a hidden gem on the edge of Glendalough State Park, MN. Nestled on 5 wooded acres, our luxury glamping tents and campsites offer the perfect blend of comfort and nature. Each site features a cozy queen bed, fire pit, and thoughtful amenities to make your stay unforgettable. Explore pristine lakes, paddle serene waters, and unwind in the beauty of untouched wilderness. With nearby Battle Lake for dining and adventure, this is your chance to reconnect with nature—without sacrificing comfort. Book your stay today and experience Minnesota’s best-kept secret!

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. 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

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(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

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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.

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!

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!

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.

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

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!

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!

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Gregg

May 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Swan Lake Resort & Campground

Great Campground with lots of amenities. Supplies are stocked in Camp store to keep you from running to town for forgotten supplies. Great Showers and Bathroom. Host was great.

A

Allie

May 2025

Tent

Group trip

1 night at Swan Lake Resort & Campground

We booked our stay on the worst weather day imaginable, but the hosts went above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful experience. This campground is incredibly charming and offers a large amount of exciting activities. We will definitely be returning in the future!

C

Cassie

May 2025

17 ft travel trailer

With kids

1 night at Swan Lake Resort & Campground

This place has amenities galore! So many fun spots for the kids, welcoming, tidy and clean. Would love to stay here again, as we had to sadly get on the road.