South Isle Family Campground

The Great Outdoors

Isle and the other towns surrounding Mille Lacs Lake make for great vacation destinations in the summertime thanks to marvelous landscapes and pristine lakefront beaches that are ideal for a host of outdoor activities. Several recreation areas and a few state parks are almost within walking distance when you rent an RV near South Isle Family Campground. Father Hennepin State Park is a small but incredible spot on the southern shores of the Mille Lacs Lake. The park is named for a French Franciscan priest who kept a log of the region’s streams, lakes, and terrain back in the 17th century, describing Minnesota’s beauty in great detail. The stunning wildlife that calls the park home is also part of its appeal, with ospreys, owls, eagles, and a whole bunch of other woodland critters.Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is found a few miles away from Father Hennepin State Park, with access to the lake as well. Both parks are fantastic places to go swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, or canoeing thanks to the wide-open Mille Lacs Lake. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is actually a National Historic Landmark thanks to over a dozen archaeological sites within. Burial mounds and other ancient Native American structures dating back beyond 3000 BC can be visited while at the cherished state park.Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is two hours' drive north and worth the trip. This magnificent park on the shores of Lake Superior is home to one of the nation’s most photographed lighthouses, and the park sits high atop chiseled cliffs overlooking the lake. There are campsites, nature trails, historic sites, a mesmerizing lighthouse museum atop the bluffs, and a historic shipwreck that scuba divers can access with the right equipment and training.While you're camping at South Isle Family Campground, you can head three hours' drive north to visit the state’s lone national park, located near the Canadian border. Voyageurs National Park has over 200,000 acres of mesmerizing natural beauty beckoning outdoor enthusiasts to explore its evergreen forests and spectacular waterways. Hundreds of lakes, ponds, and rivers allow for epic kayaking and swimming, and several camping areas enable you to stay the night in a peaceful, rustic setting with your RV rental.

City Attractions

The small town of Isle is a well-known summer destination due to the large lake it borders, but not much is going on the sleepy city aside from a few restaurants, bowling alleys, wineries, tourist shops, and cafes. If you want to see some museums or landmarks, both St. Cloud and Minneapolis are within easy driving distance. The Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud provides excellent insight into the history of central Minnesota, from the first pioneers and fur trappers to the proud Native American tribes who lived in the Great Lakes area for thousands of years. The vast genealogical records in the museum also draw people from all over the country to do family history research and uncover their ancestral pasts.Down in the capital region by St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can enjoy fine dining, shopping, and sightseeing. The Mall of America is one of the largest malls in the world, with an array of stores, eateries, entertainment venues, amusement parks, and other incredible features. Indoor roller coasters, movie theaters, and an aquarium can be found here too.The Minneapolis Institute of Art is housed in a gorgeous Greek-style building, with over 80,000 pieces of art in the permanent collection. Sculptures, drawings, photographs, paintings, and historical artifacts can be seen while touring this spectacular space, with some pieces dating back millennia.