Renting an RV in Minnesota

The “Land of Ten Thousand Lakes” is an outdoorsman’s paradise and the perfect place for an RV adventure. Lush forests, 15,291 lakes (to be exact), abundant wildlife, and scenic drives along Lake Superior make for an ideal RV destination.

Exploring Minnesota in an RV is an easy way to enjoy ultimate comfort as you enjoy the great outdoors. Pack up the family, hit the road, and explore everything the “Star of the North” has to offer. 

Why Renting an RV in Minnesota Is the Way to Go

You may have heard of the term, “Minnesota Nice.” Minnesotans are renowned for their incredible friendliness and generosity. By hitting the road in your rental RV, you’ll be able to stop and enjoy the hospitality of the very welcoming locals. There’s nothing better than finding out about an underappreciated gem from a friendly conversation.
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If you are and your family are water sports enthusiasts (e.g. boating, kayaking, swimming), Minnesota is a perfect choice (in summer). You will simply have more lake choices than you could ever explore in an entire lifetime.

What’s so great about Minnesota lakes is that there’s usually another one not more than five miles away. Don’t forget to pack your fishing poles and enjoy world-class fishing at any one of these lakes as you hop from landmark to landmark along your journey.

10 Fantastic Places to See in Minnesota in Your Rental RV

Although located in the Midwest geographic region, which is typically known for agriculture, Minnesota is jam-packed with waterways. Lakes, rivers, ponds, and creeks cover its nearly 87,000 square miles. The majority of the southern half of the state is largely agricultural and industrial, with rolling crop fields interwoven with bustling modern cities. The northern half, however, is home to some of the most beautiful forested lands you could hope to see. 

Superior National Forest

Superior National Forest borders its namesake great lake, which happens to be the largest and deepest of the Great Lakes family. Gaze out at the incredible expanse of water from one of the many tree-lined cliffs that border the lake and take in its massive splendor. Within the park, there are hundreds of opportunities for camping, hiking, biking, horse riding, climbing, hunting, and fishing. In fact, there are over 2,000 miles of trails within the park.

There are dozens of RV campgrounds within the park, but you’ll want to double-check a specific site you’re interested in for hookup availability. Reservations are needed so don’t delay. The park also offers three rental cabins in the Gunflint Ranger District, if you prefer.

Learn more about Superior National Forest

Voyageurs National Park

At the northern border of the state, you can find Voyageurs National Park. Voyageurs is beloved for its access to many interconnected waterways and world-class smallmouth bass fishing (among other species). It’s easy to rent a canoe or small boat to explore the backwaters and a day trip on the lake is a must for your visit. Stay up late one night and you just may be able to catch a glimpse of the famed Northern Lights.

All of the internal campsites are only accessible by water at Voyageurs. This can be a lot of fun if you wish to canoe out to a campsite and have a purely authentic experience. Near the park’s borders, however, there are several RV-friendly drive-up campgrounds to consider your ‘home-base’.

Learn more about Voyageurs National Park

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

A canoer’s or kayaker’s delight, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway offers the ultimate experience in waterway exploration. Running along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, the riverway provides access to two major rivers, the St. Croix and the Namekagon. That’s over 200 miles of paddling, swimming, fishing, and camping territory.

Campsites that are actually on the riverway are primitive and are only suitable for tents. The riverway is not far from small towns and cities, so finding an RV park somewhere along the way is not difficult. Some state forest campgrounds that allow RV camping are also very nearby and are more cost-effective.

Learn more about the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
4. Three Rivers Wine Trail
If your crew is over 21, consider a visit to Minnesota’s wine country. Venturing through the St. Croix, Mississippi, and Cannon River valleys, the Three Rivers Wine Trail features five of the state’s most beloved wineries. In total, the trail is approximately 80 miles, with an average distance of 22 miles in between venues. Don’t forget a designated driver!

Consider staying at an RV park near Stillwater or Canon Falls. Both are very quaint river towns that have worked hard to maintain their historic charm. 

Learn more about the Three Rivers Wine Trail

Pipestone National Monument

Pipestone is a great stop for a historical perspective. Learn all about the rich American Indian culture of the region and the significance of the red pipestone that has been quarried here for generations. A hike out to Winnewissa falls is also worth the view.

No camping is allowed within Pipestone; however, the Pipestone RV campground is just across the road and features full hookups and a community pool. 

Learn more about Pipestone National Monument

Itasca State Park

Less than two square miles, Lake Itasca is the head of the mighty Mississippi River. The head of the river is only 20 to 30 feet wide and you could easily throw a stone across it. The rest of the park offers a diverse array of activities, including biking, boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, hunting, geocaching, and shooting. You’ll find something for everyone at Itasca.

RV camping is available within the park with one hundred and sixty sites available with electrical hookups. Be aware that there is a 60-foot limit for all RVs 

Learn more about Itasca State Park

7. North Shore Scenic Drive

Pack up the crew and drive along MN-61 from historic shipping town, Duluth, to the Canadian border town of Grand Portage. You will catch breathtaking views of Lake Superior and its cliffs as wind along its northern shore for about 150 miles. Make sure you bring a camera, you’ll want one.

There are plenty of RV parks and campgrounds around the small towns that dot the shore. Consider staying near Duluth if you would like to explore a mid-sized shipping town with tons of historic charm. 

Learn more about the North Shore Scenic Drive

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is over 1 million acres in total and is so named because the lakes here span the state’s northernmost border with Canada. The wilderness area is considered the gold standard for canoeing trips, with over 1,200 miles of canoe routes and more than two thousand campsites (most only accessible by water).

Several pull-through campsites allow RV parking near large lakes, however many of the sites are reachable only by water. Some lakes allow the use of small electric trolling motors, although most of the lakes prohibit any type of motorized watercraft. If you want to so some serious camping, consider parking the RV at one of the larger campsites and canoeing about the wilderness for the remainder of your trip.

Learn more about the Boundary Waters

9. Mall of America

While not a natural landmark, the Mall of America is a modern marvel that warrants a proper visit. About 15 minutes south of the Twin Cities, the Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the U.S., boasting over 500 stores, a theme park, and an aquarium within its doors. Bear in mind that the state of Minnesota has no sales tax on clothing items so if you’ve been eyeing those designer shoes or suits, this might be the perfect place to spoil yourself.

Although you certainly wouldn’t want to camp here (and it’s not allowed anyway), there is designated parking for your RV in the Lindau lot near the Ikea. The mall is huge, with tons to explore and having your hotel on wheels will allow you to take a break when needed. 

Learn more about the Mall of America

Split Rock Lighthouse

Built in 1909, the Split Rock Lighthouse served as a safety beacon for logging ships along Lake Superior’s Northern coast. Perched atop a rock outcropping, it is especially photogenic and if you climb to the top, offers supreme views of the lake and coastline. The surrounding state park itself also contains many trails, waterways, and campsites for your enjoyment.

There is no RV camping available within the state park, however, 20 sites are available for carting-in your gear. However, the quaint town of Two Harbors is just 25 minutes down the road and has a few RV camping options to choose from. If you do go that way, you absolutely must stop at a local and state favorite, Betty’s Pies.

Learn more about Split Rock Lighthouse

Campgrounds and RV Parks in Minnesota

Camping is a way of life in Minnesota so you will never be too far from RV accommodations. Most national and state parks within the borders also offer RV parking on-site. If you’d like to stay nearer to towns or camping sites have already filled up at the parks, take a look at these Good Sam campgrounds.

Also, be aware of any fire advisories at national and state parks during your visit. A dry spell in the summer can be very hazardous for all of the vulnerable forests in the northern part of the state. Good Sam maintains a list of campgrounds in the state you can utilize to find a campsite for where you're going.

Things to Note About Camping in Minnesota

For the most comfortable and safest travel conditions, consider taking your RV trip to Minnesota between April-October. Although the winter provides a beautiful, frosted white forest landscape, winters are quite cold, and icy roads are no fun in a large vehicle, like an RV (especially if you are a novice RV pilot).

In the spring and summertime, be aware that Minnesota mosquitos are a different breed. Make sure to pack insect repellent and if hiking through the backwoods, consider mosquito netting for your face and long clothing to minimize your swatting.

Also, ticks are abundant in the Minnesota woods. After a day outdoors, make sure to give yourself and your family members a thorough once-over for any attached ticks and remove them immediately. Although rare, ticks in this area are known to carry Lyme’s Disease.  

Dry Camping or Boondocking in Minnesota

If you are looking to get away from it all, dry camping or “boondocking” is your best RV option to isolate yourself. Boondocking means that there are no hookups available (e.g. sewer, electrical, water), and your RV unit is operating independently.

A great place to do this is on public land identified by the Bureau of Land Management. Unfortunately, Minnesota does not have any of this type of land available for RV camping. Not to worry, though, many campgrounds (of which there are plenty throughout the state) will let you dry camp if all of their hookup spots are taken and they have additional space.