Crow Wing State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Head out on the town in your RV and travel to the breathtaking 3,119-acre Crow Wing State Park. Located in the hills of Minnesota, this park is a created by the confluence of the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers and is the site of a former popular fur-trading town of Old Crow Wing. Hike or ski the frontier on over 14 miles of open trail including the Paul Bunyan Trail and Battle of 1768 Trail. Walk a portion of the Red River Trail through the historic Woods Trail, a former ox cart trail that carried supplies between St. Paul and the Red River settlements. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, history buffs will enjoy touring the park with a leisurely walk and learning about the many historic details of the Ojibwe Indians and the former frontier town. Pack or rent a kayak or canoe to explore the mighty Mississippi River that is great for paddlers of all levels. You’ll enjoy RV camping at one of the 61 sites either under the shade of the forest in Crow Wing State Park. Remember to bring your camera as you will want to take your photo sitting in Paul Bunyan’s chair during your stay. Now, just get here!
RV Rentals in Crow Wing State Park
Transportation
Driving
Get out of the city hustle and bustle and travel the open road with your RV as you head to Crow Wing State Park. Part of the Anoka Sand Plains region, this beautiful state park is situated along the Mississippi River. Located nine miles south of Brainard, Minnesota, the park is easily accessible from U.S. Highway 371. You will need to head west at County Road 27 for an estimated mile before you arrive at the state park office. A true getaway, the relaxing atmosphere at this state park will be worth the travel in your RV. The best camping sites will be claimed quickly, so don’t delay your trip to Crow Wing State Park.
Parking
Once you arrive, plan to stop by the visitor area to view the many neat displays near the park entrance. Be advised that there is no hookup allocated on the outer loop. However, if you are looking for additional privacy and do not need electricity, consider parking in this area but away from the trails and bathhouse. Most sites are roomy and require back-in parking. The campground is fairly close to the bathrooms, showers, dump station and only a short walk to the Mississippi River. There are several other parking lots located within the park near the picnic areas and trail heads.
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Crow Wing State Park
Campsites in Crow Wing State Park
Reservations camping
Crow Wing State Park Campground
With beautiful skies and warmer weather, you will want to take advantage of the outdoors and camp with your RV. Take a moment and relax at one of the 61 sites at Crow Wing State Park.
Each site provides electric hookups, and there is an updated bathhouse with hot showers, drinking water, and flush toilets on the grounds. Water is not provided on individuals sites, but the park has several water spigots placed throughout the campgrounds. There is a sanitary dump station located at the park. The park provides ice and firewood on an honor system. Bring Fido along as pets are welcomed at the campsite as long as they’re on a six-foot leash and accompanied at all times. The maximum vehicle length is 45 feet.
Seasonal activities in Crow Wing State Park
In-Season
Fishing
Fishing on the Mississippi River is a true memory! It is always a blast to fish for Smallmouth Bass while on a river. Whether from your boat or along the shoreline, this relaxing activity is one for anglers of all experience levels. Crow Wing State Park offers visitors both drive-in and carry-in boat access. Need a boat? You can rent one or a canoe by visiting the park office. Catch your dinner tonight and have memories for years to come as you fish in this majestic river.
Picnicking
Under the shade of the forest, have the unique experience of eating outside with a picnic lunch near the peaceful Mississippi River, at the Old Crow Wing historic frontier site, or at the picturesque Chippewa Lookout area. Picnics can be enjoyed in an intimate setting or with a large group of friends or family reunion at the park picnic shelter. Always great for parties with electricity and indoor toilet facilities, visitors can rent the enclosed shelters by contacting the park office.
Hiking
Grab your hiking boots out of the campervan as you discover the unique, well-groomed trails of Crow Wing State Park. View the variety of wildlife like white-tailed deer, beavers, or even a black bear that inhabit the state park as you enjoy some fresh air. There is an interactive map that highlights different aspects of the area for you to learn more about Old Crow Wing and its importance to the state of Minnesota.
Off-Season
Visiting Historic Sites
Crow Wing State Park is a perfect place for any history buff to visit and explore. There are a lot of historic activities within the park from viewing the battleground site of the Battle of 1768 between the Dakota and the Ojibwe Indians to the former Catholic mission of Father Pierz Chapel built in 1852. Still in use today, the chapel and grounds are owned by the St. Cloud Diocese.
Touring Main Street Crow Wing
Take a self-guided tour of the former Main Street of the Old Crow Wing. As a former fur-trading post of the 1820s along the Red River Ox Trail, the village was a bustling center of trade. That all changed when the railroad arrived and bypassed the town for a river crossing where Brainerd, Minnesota is today. Old Crow Wing faded from existence but is now listed on the National Register of Historic Parks. A unique experience for any travelers, this tour is one that you will not want to miss!
Biking along the Paul Bunyan State Trail
Ride your bike for a unique experience as you travel over this trail’s small hills for a six-mile one-way excursion. Pedal past the Mississippi River, prairie fields, or the forest of pines and hardwoods on a paved road making the trip a breeze. Want to keep riding? You’re in luck as this trail connects to a larger trail that covers 115 miles connecting Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidji State Park.
