Cross Lake Recreation Area
In Central Minnesota's popular lakes area, the Cross Lake Recreation Area is best known for its picturesque sunsets, beautiful beaches and well-maintained campsites. The campground provides a full menu of activities for camping enthusiasts, while being located just minutes from shopping and paved bike trails.
More like this: electric hookups in Minnesota · full hookups in Minnesota · reservable in Minnesota · big rigs in Minnesota · pets allowed in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 98 |
| Standard, no hookups | 18 |
| Tent-only | 6 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 82 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
122 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Electric | Back-in | 75 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | Electric | Back-in | 34 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | Electric | Back-in | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | Electric | Back-in | 80 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | Electric | Back-in | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | Electric | Back-in | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | Electric | Back-in | 80 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | Electric | Back-in | 62 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Electric | Back-in | 80 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | Electric | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 87 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 086, 087 are listed accessible |
The sizable campground has 122 campsites including 97 with electric hookups. Additional amenities include two accessible hot shower facilities, a boat ramp, playground, floating docks for boat parking, 2 picnic shelters, a dump station and accessible fishing piers.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Brainerd, Minnesota on Highway 25, turn right on County Road 3 and travel north to Crosslake, Minn. The campground entrance is to the left, at the intersection of County Roads 3 and 66.
| Nearest town | Crosslake, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 46.6697° N, 94.1083° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Reservations must check in within 24 hours of their scheduled arrival or risk their reservation being cancelled. Modifications to existing reservations will be charged a $10.00 non-refundable modification fee.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Ice Castle - Nothern Sales and Manufacturing ↗ | 13.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Gander Outdoors ↗ | 22.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Van Life Camping at Cross Lake Campground in Minnesota | Travel in a Minivan Camper Conver
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Wilford H. Fawcett HouseBuilding · Breezy Point · 7.3 mi
- Pequot Fire Lookout TowerStructure · Pequot Lakes · 10.1 mi
- A.L. Cole Memorial BuildingBuilding · Pequot Lakes · 10.8 mi
Natural features
Cross Lake Recreation Area is nestled among tall pines on the eastern banks of Cross Lake on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. The area has tremendous appeal, with access to 13 natural lakes, 13,660 acres of water and 119 miles of scenic shoreline. The collection of lakes help form the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Recreation
The recreation area provides plenty of water based entertainment like boating, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing and fishing. Two onsite beaches are convenient for swimming and sunbathing. Two accessible fishing piers provide angling opportunities on both Cross Lake and the Pine River.
Nearby
The Recreation Area is located adjacent to the city of Crosslake and is just a short walk from shopping and a paved bike trail. It's also near the Crow Wing State Park where visitors can view the Mississippi River from the historic "Chippewa Lookout."
Guidebooks for Minnesota
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cross Lake Recreation Area?
Sites at Cross Lake Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cross Lake Recreation Area?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Cross Lake Recreation Area have?
122 sites, including 98 standard sites with power, 18 standard sites without power, and 6 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cross Lake Recreation Area?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Cross Lake Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Cross Lake Recreation Area?
Additional amenities include two accessible hot shower facilities, a boat ramp, playground, floating docks for boat parking, 2 picnic shelters, a dump station and accessible fishing piers.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cross Lake Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cross Lake Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cross Lake Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Cross Lake Recreation Area?
Sites 086 and 087 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Cross Lake Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Cross Lake Recreation Area?
The recreation area provides plenty of water based entertainment like boating, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing and fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cross Lake Recreation Area?
Crosslake, Minnesota. The Recreation Area is located adjacent to the city of Crosslake and is just a short walk from shopping and a paved bike trail.
Source: Getting there