Campground

Cross Lake Recreation Area

Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake · CROSSLAKE · Minnesota — managed by US Army Corps of Engineers

Books out fast — 1 of 3 weekends we sampled are sold out
Cross Lake Recreation Area campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · Melanie Peterson PAO

Weekend availability at Cross Lake Recreation Area

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 19, 12:04 PM PT

Sold out 1 of the next 3 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 25
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Limited
    17/113 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Open
    35/113 sites

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

How booked is Cross Lake Recreation Area?

as of September 20

Weekends book out well ahead here — 1 of the 3 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Oct, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Cross Lake Recreation Area and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Sep 26Sold out
Oct 3Open
Oct 10Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 23Open
Oct 7Open
Oct 14Open

Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
122
Electric sites
98
Water hookups
12
Sewer hookups
12
Pull-through
1
Standard ElectricStandard No HookupTent Only No Hookup

About this campground

Overview In Central Minnesota's popular lakes area, the Cross Lake Recreation Area is best known for its picturesque sunsets, beautiful beaches and well-maintained campsites. The campground provides a full menu of activities for camping enthusiasts, while being located just minutes from shopping and paved bike trails. For a virtual tour go to: http://www.photographyoptions.net/images/headwaters/tour.html Recreation The recreation area provides plenty of water based entertainment like boating, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing and fishing. Two onsite beaches are convenient for swimming and sunbathing. Two accessible fishing piers provide angling opportunities on both Cross Lake and the Pine River. Facilities The sizable campground has 122 campsites including 97 with electric hookups. Additional amenities include two accessible hot shower facilities, a boat ramp, playground, floating docks for boat parking, 2 picnic shelters, a dump station and accessible fishing piers. Natural Features Cross Lake Recreation Area is nestled among tall pines on the eastern banks of Cross Lake on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. The area has tremendous appeal, with access to 13 natural lakes, 13,660 acres of water and 119 miles of scenic shoreline. The collection of lakes help form the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. Nearby Attractions The Recreation Area is located adjacent to the city of Crosslake and is just a short walk from shopping and a paved bike trail. It's also near the Crow Wing State Park where visitors can view the Mississippi River from the historic "Chippewa Lookout."Charges & Cancellations Reservations must check in within 24 hours of their scheduled arrival or risk their reservation being cancelled. Modifications to existing reservations will be charged a $10.00 non-refundable modification fee.  Modifications to reservations may be made online or by calling Recreation.gov at (877)444-6777

Getting there

From Brainerd, Minnesota on Highway 25, turn right on County Road 3 and travel north to Crosslake, Minn. The campground entrance is to the left, at the intersection of County Roads 3 and 66.

Elevation
1,231 ft
Contact
651-290-5793

Activities

  • CANOEING
  • FISHING
  • INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
  • SWIMMING
  • PICNICKING
  • VISITOR CENTER
  • CAMPING
  • BOATING
  • BIKING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Cross Lake Recreation Area

Popular Minnesota campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Cross Lake Recreation Area around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

Not ready to subscribe? Get a free weekend heads-up.

We'll email you if Cross Lake Recreation Area opens up for a weekend you pick. No account needed.

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.