Detroit Lakes American Legion Campground

A highlight of this RV campground is its access to Detroit Lake and the City Beach, which stretches for a full mile along the shores of Little Detroit Lake. Aside from swimming and sunbathing, there are also two public access areas for launching boats and fishing watercraft, as well as kayaks and canoes if you want to explore the lake waters at your leisure. Just a short stroll from the beach is the People’s Park, where the Lakes Area Farmers Market is held, and it’s also within walking distance of the grassy lawns of Washington Park. Campsites at the Detroit Lakes American Legion Campground are just 45 minutes’ drive from the Smoky Hills State Forest, which is carved by the Shell River and dotted with numerous shallow lakes. There are 13 miles of hiking trails where you can stretch your legs, as well as 30 miles of snowmobile trails for those visiting during the winter months. ATVers are also well catered for with over 15 miles of trails while hunters are permitted to shoot deer and grouse during the fall hunting season. Detroit Lake campers can also access the Itasca State Park, which is around an hour’s drive northeast of the RV park. Established in 1891, it was the first of Minnesota's state parks (and the second oldest in the United States) and encompasses the headwaters of the Mississippi River - Lake Itasca. The park is a popular destination for fishing, with walleye, northern pike, and bass all for the taking, as well as birding during the spring migration season. Canoeing, kayaking, and boating are all permitted on the waters of Lake Itasca while numerous mountain biking and hiking trails (including a 9.6-mile stretch of the North Country National Scenic Trail) wind through the surrounds. If you’re visiting during the winter months, you can try your luck at ice fishing on Lake Itasca or hit the well-groomed snowmobile and cross-country skiing trails. Itasca State Park is also dotted with historic sites, including a significant number of rustic, log-constructed buildings, such as the 1905 Douglas Lodge.