Moose Lake State Park Campground

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For Minnesota locals eager to embrace the state's natural beauty without venturing too far off the beaten path, Moose Lake State Park Campground offers a fantastic opportunity. Located near the charming town of Moose Lake, this state park campground provides a comfortable and accessible base for exploring diverse landscapes, enjoying lake activities, and even discovering unique geological wonders. It strikes a balance between providing essential amenities for a pleasant stay and maintaining a natural, state park ambiance.

Moose Lake State Park Campground is a popular choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With a mix of electric and non-electric sites, it caters to various camping preferences, from RVers to tent campers. Beyond the campsites, the park offers a wealth of recreational opportunities, including access to Echo Lake for swimming and fishing, and a network of trails for hiking. It’s a place where you can easily connect with nature, unwind, and create cherished memories, making it an excellent destination for any Minnesotan looking for a refreshing escape.

Moose Lake State Park Campground is officially located within Moose Lake State Park, at Moose Lake, MN 55767, USA. This places it strategically in Carlton County, approximately halfway between the Twin Cities and Duluth, making it highly accessible for a large portion of Minnesota's population. It's conveniently situated about one-half mile east of Interstate 35, at Exit 214, with the park entrance off County Highway 137.

This excellent highway access ensures that reaching the campground is straightforward for all types of vehicles, including large RVs and trailers. The short distance from a major interstate means less time driving and more time enjoying your stay. While the campground itself is nestled in a forested area close to Echo Lake, providing a sense of natural immersion, the nearby town of Moose Lake offers easy access to small shops, liquor stores, and other essentials, ensuring you can find most of what you need within a few minutes' drive from the park.

The park’s location also grants direct access to Echo Lake, providing opportunities for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Furthermore, it serves as a convenient gateway to exploring other regional attractions, including the nearby Willard Munger State Trail for biking and other outdoor pursuits, solidifying its standing as an ideal base for Northern Minnesota adventures.

• Campsites with Electric Hookups: The campground features 35 single-family campsites, with 20 of them offering electric hookups (30/50 amp), accommodating RVs up to 60 feet in length.
• Non-Electric Campsites: Non-electric sites are also available, including 2 walk-in sites for those seeking a slightly more secluded tent camping experience.
• Group Campsite: One group campsite is available, accommodating up to 45 people, ideal for larger gatherings or youth groups.
• Flush Toilets and Vault Toilets: The campground provides both modern flush toilets in a main shower house and additional vault toilets for convenience.
• Hot Showers: A shower house with hot showers is available, offering comfort after a day of outdoor activities.
• Drinking Water: Potable drinking water is available within the campground.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite is equipped with a standard painted wood picnic table and a fire ring (though some reviews note a lack of grates, so bringing your own for cooking is advisable).
• Designated Recycling: The park offers a place to put recyclables, demonstrating an environmental consciousness.
• Playgrounds: Two playgrounds are available within the park – one plastic playground near the campground and a larger wooden one by Echo Beach/picnic area.
• Band Shell: A band shell is located by Echo Beach, potentially used for events or gatherings.
• Dump Station (Nearby, not in-park): While there is no dump station directly within Moose Lake State Park, a public dump station is available a few miles away in the town of Moose Lake (e.g., at the Kwik Trip on Opportunity Drive near I-35 Exit 214, or Moose Lake City Park). This requires a short drive for RVers.
• Fishing Pier: An accessible fishing pier is available on Echo Lake, perfect for angling enthusiasts.
• Boat Launch/Rentals: A boat ramp is available on Echo Lake. The ranger station offers rentals for canoes, kayaks, and boats.
• Interpretive Center / Agate and Geological Center: Located at the ranger station, this unique center features impressive displays and information about Minnesota's minerals and Lake Superior agates.
• Firewood Sales: Firewood can be purchased at the park or from approved vendors outside the park (note: gathering firewood within the park is not permitted).
• Free Fishing Kits, Birding Kits, GPS Units, Kid's Discovery Kits: These are available for checkout from the ranger station, enhancing recreational opportunities.

• Direct Access to Echo Lake: A major highlight is the campground’s immediate access to Echo Lake, offering a sandy swimming beach, a fishing pier, and a boat launch. The lake is noted for its clear, warm water and good fishing (panfish, bass, northern pike), making it perfect for water-based recreation.
• Unique Agate and Geological Center: A standout feature of Moose Lake State Park is its fascinating Agate and Geological Center, located within the park office. This free museum showcases impressive displays of Minnesota's state gemstone, the Lake Superior agate, and other geological exhibits, providing an educational and engaging experience.
• Variety of Campsite Options: With 35 sites, including 20 with electric hookups and walk-in tent sites, the campground caters to diverse preferences. While privacy between sites can be limited due to less vegetation, this can be an advantage for groups wanting to camp close together and "merge" sites.
• Clean and Well-Maintained Facilities: Reviews consistently praise the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers, indicating that these essential facilities are well-kept and decent for a state park, contributing significantly to camper comfort.
• Family-Friendly Amenities: The presence of two playgrounds (one plastic, one wooden), a swimming beach, and the availability of free discovery kits and equipment rentals (fishing, birding, GPS, canoes, kayaks) make this campground highly appealing for families with children.
• Extensive Trail System: Moose Lake State Park boasts about 5.5 miles of hiking trails that wind through various habitats, including woods and along lakes and ponds. Popular trails like the Rolling Hills Trail and Wildlife Pond Trail offer picturesque views and opportunities for birdwatching.
• Proximity to Town and Interstate: Its convenient location just off I-35 and a few minutes' drive from the town of Moose Lake means easy accessibility and quick access to supplies, balancing a natural setting with practical convenience.
• Affordable State Park Experience: As a Minnesota State Park campground, it offers an affordable way for locals to experience quality camping with essential amenities, making it a great value for families and individuals.

Address: Moose Lake, MN 55767, USA

Phone: (218) 460-7001

Mobile Phone: +1 218-460-7001

For Minnesota locals, Moose Lake State Park Campground stands out as an exceptionally suitable and appealing destination for a host of reasons. Its prime location, just off I-35 and roughly halfway between the Twin Cities and Duluth, makes it remarkably accessible. This means less time spent driving and more time enjoying the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that our state has to offer, perfect for both quick weekend getaways and longer family vacations.

The campground’s balanced amenities cater to a wide range of local campers. Whether you're an RVer needing electric hookups, or a tent camper seeking a more traditional experience, Moose Lake State Park has a site for you. While some sites might lack extensive privacy, this can be a benefit for groups of friends or families who wish to camp closely together. The consistently clean shower house and flush toilets provide essential comforts that enhance the overall camping experience, making it more appealing than more primitive options.

Furthermore, the park itself is a hub of activity. Direct access to Echo Lake means endless opportunities for swimming on the sandy beach, fishing from the pier, or paddling in a rented canoe or kayak. The five miles of hiking trails winding through diverse landscapes offer a chance to explore and observe local wildlife. Perhaps most uniquely for locals, the free Agate and Geological Center provides a fascinating educational diversion, celebrating Minnesota's official state gemstone and adding an unexpected layer of interest to your trip.

Despite the lack of an on-site dump station (which is easily found a few miles away in town), the overall value, convenience, and range of activities make Moose Lake State Park Campground an excellent choice. It embodies the accessible, family-friendly outdoor experience that many Minnesotans seek, providing a welcoming environment to connect with nature and create lasting memories in our beautiful state.

Moose Lake State Park Campground

Moose Lake, MN 55767, USA