Main Loop Campground

Welcome to Main Loop Campground, a key component of the extensive camping opportunities within the beautiful Maplewood State Park, located in Maplewood Township, Minnesota. For many locals, Maplewood State Park is a cherished gem, renowned for its unique landscape that blends rolling hills, hardwood forests, and over 20 clear lakes. The Main Loop Campground stands out as the park's primary and most developed camping area, especially popular among RV enthusiasts and those seeking more amenities during their outdoor escape. Situated conveniently between Bass and Beers Lakes, and particularly noted for its proximity to Grass Lake, the Main Loop offers a comfortable and engaging base for exploring all that this diverse state park has to offer. Whether you're looking to enjoy a relaxing lakeside stay, embark on a hiking adventure, or cast a line into bountiful waters, Main Loop Campground provides the ideal setting for your next Minnesota camping trip.

Main Loop Campground is located within Maplewood Township, MN 56572, USA, which places it squarely inside the beloved Maplewood State Park. This prime location is easily accessible from various points across Minnesota. Maplewood State Park itself is situated near Pelican Rapids, a charming town in Otter Tail County, a region famous for its abundant lakes and picturesque scenery. The campground's specific placement within the park is strategic: it's nestled in a wooded area primarily between Bass and Beers Lakes, with a strong emphasis on its eastern edge alongside Grass Lake. This proximity to multiple water bodies means campers have convenient access to various lake activities. While the exact mileage from major Minnesota metropolitan areas like the Twin Cities or Fargo-Moorhead will vary, the state's well-maintained highway system makes the drive to Maplewood State Park straightforward. Once inside the park, the Main Loop Campground is well-signed and easily navigable, ensuring a smooth arrival for campers of all types, including those with larger RVs.

Main Loop Campground, as the central and most equipped camping area within Maplewood State Park, offers a comprehensive range of services designed to enhance your camping experience. These services focus on providing comfort and convenience, especially for RV campers, while maintaining the natural appeal of the state park setting.

• RV Campsites with Electric Hookups: A significant portion of the 71 single-family campsites within the Main Loop (32 sites) are equipped with 30/50 amp electrical hookups, accommodating RVs and trailers up to 50 feet in length.
• Flush Toilets: Clean and accessible flush toilet facilities are available, providing a comfortable alternative to more primitive options.
• Hot Showers: A newly built shower/restroom building is centrally located within the Main Loop, offering hot showers (which may incur a small fee) for guest comfort.
• Dump Station: An RV sanitation dump station is available for convenient wastewater disposal.
• Drinking Water: Access to potable drinking water is provided at various points within the campground.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite comes equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill, perfect for outdoor meals and campfires.
• Fish Cleaning Shelter/Station: A dedicated facility for cleaning fish, convenient for anglers.
• Firewood Sales: Firewood is available for purchase at the park office/contact station, ensuring campers have access to approved wood.
• Nature Store/Gift Shop: Located at the park office, offering basic supplies, souvenirs, and information.
• Pet-Friendly: Pets are welcomed at the campsites, provided they are kept on a leash and attended at all times.
• ADA Accessible Sites: The Main Loop Campground includes accessible campsites and a shower building, ensuring inclusivity for all visitors.

These services make Main Loop Campground a preferred choice for those who appreciate a more amenity-rich camping experience in a natural setting.

Main Loop Campground offers a wealth of features and highlights that truly distinguish it as a prime camping destination within Minnesota's state park system. These attributes contribute to its popularity and the memorable experiences it provides for campers.

• Prime RV Camping Destination: Recognized as the primary area for RV campers, with a significant number of sites offering electrical hookups. Many of these sites are along Grass Lake, providing scenic views.
• Newer Facilities: Reviews frequently highlight the presence of a "brand new shower/restroom building" and a new fish cleaning house within the Main Loop, indicating modern and well-maintained amenities.
• Direct Lake Proximity: Located on the eastern edge of Grass Lake and between Bass and Beers Lakes, offering easy access to the water for various activities. Some campsites even boast lakefront views.
• Abundant Water Activities: Maplewood State Park features 8 major lakes and many ponds. Campers at Main Loop have access to boat ramps (on Beers Lake and South Lake Lida), fishing piers (on Beers Lake), and a sandy swimming beach (on Lake Lida), allowing for boating, fishing (bass, northern pike, bluegill, panfish, and even trout in Bass Lake), and swimming. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the park office.
• Extensive Trail System: The park boasts nearly 30 miles of hiking trails (including interpretive signs along trails like Grass Lake Trail) and 20 miles of horseback riding trails. These trails wind through rolling hills, wooded areas, and prairie restoration sites, offering diverse landscapes for exploration. The Hallaway Hill Overlook provides stunning vistas.
• Rich Wildlife and Nature Observation: Situated in a transition zone between forests and prairies, the park is home to nearly 150 species of breeding birds (including loons and cerulean warblers), 40 kinds of mammals (like deer, raccoons, and beaver), and 25 types of reptiles and amphibians. This makes it an excellent spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
• Stargazing Opportunities: The relatively remote location, away from major light pollution, provides excellent opportunities for stargazing and viewing the night sky.
• Beautiful Fall Colors: Maplewood State Park is particularly famous for its stunning display of fall colors, transforming the landscape into a vibrant spectacle.
• Spacious and Private Sites: While part of a larger campground, many sites within Main Loop are noted for being spacious, with some offering more privacy nestled among the majestic trees.

These features collectively ensure that Main Loop Campground offers a versatile and high-quality outdoor experience.

For reservations and further information about Main Loop Campground within Maplewood State Park, please use the following details:

Address: Maplewood Township, MN 56572, USA

Phone: (218) 863-8383 (Maplewood State Park Office)

Reservations for campsites at Main Loop Campground and other areas within Maplewood State Park are typically made online through the Minnesota DNR (Department of Natural Resources) state park reservation system. It is highly recommended to book in advance, especially for electric sites during peak season.

Main Loop Campground at Maplewood State Park is an exceptionally suitable destination for Minnesota locals for numerous reasons. For Minnesotans who cherish the state's natural beauty and outdoor recreation, Main Loop provides a perfect balance of rustic charm and essential amenities. Its status as the primary RV camping area with electric hookups makes it particularly appealing for local families or individuals who own RVs and prefer a comfortable base camp. The newly built showers and restrooms are a significant draw, offering modern conveniences that enhance the camping experience, a factor often highly valued by frequent local campers. The campground's location directly on Grass Lake and its proximity to other lakes like Bass and Beers offers unparalleled access to fishing, boating, and swimming, activities deeply ingrained in Minnesota's summer culture. Whether you're an avid angler looking for bass or trout, or a family wanting a safe beach for swimming, Maplewood delivers. Furthermore, the extensive network of hiking trails accessible directly from the campground allows locals to easily immerse themselves in the park's unique rolling hills and diverse ecosystems, from hardwood forests to restored prairies. The opportunity for wildlife viewing and stargazing also speaks to the appreciation for nature that many Minnesotans share. Being a state park, it’s a well-managed and protected natural space, giving locals confidence in its preservation and accessibility for years to come. In essence, Main Loop Campground offers a comprehensive, comfortable, and quintessential Minnesota outdoor experience, making it a recurring favorite for local adventurers seeking to connect with the state's natural heritage.

Main Loop Campground

Maplewood Township, MN 56572, USA