time at the Rock Lake Campground in the Pillsbury State Forest in Nissawa, which is about 21 miles northwest of Crow Wing State Park.
“ It’ s a state forest campground that’ s first come, first serve, all with very primitive sites. There are 44 sites out there. None of them are electric. It’ s all a rustic campground. There are about a dozen sites on the lake itself right along the water,” said Nelson, who added that the campground is open year-round and does get plowed in the winter.
More information can be found online here: Dnr. state. mn. us / state _ forests / forest. html? id = sft00039 # cmp00038
CAMPING RV STYLE For those who prefer to enjoy some of the comforts of home, but still want the feel of camping, a good option is to either rent or bring your own recreational vehicle( RV). If you don’ t have an RV of your own, Pleasureland RV Center is a good place to turn. The company has locations in the Twin Cities( Shakopee and Ramsey), as well as St. Cloud and Brainerd.
Pleasureland RV Center sells a wide variety of RVs and also offers vehicles for rent. The company website publishes some prices online if you want to buy. Rental prices are also published.
At the high end is a 32-foot Class A motorhome with a full kitchen, bathrooms and comfortable sleeping for six-to-eight people. It rents for $ 2,795 per week. At the low-end is a 20-footlong travel trailer you’ d need to tow behind your vehicle that rents for $ 795 per week. It features a fully equipped kitchen, cozy sleep area for up to five people, bathroom and slide-outs for extra space. I don’ t believe I’ ve seen a camper with multiple bathrooms.
“ My family and I travel in an RV all the time and we love it! The views you’ re going to see when looking out the window of a motor home, it is kind of like having a movie screen right in front of you when you travel down the road,” said Vinny Binsfeld, Pleasureland RV Center’ s Business Development Manager.
He has worked at the company for 20 years and said he has fallen in love with the lifestyle.“ There’ s no better way in my opinion to travel and see the country than in an RV.”
For more information, Pleasureland RV Center’ s rental line is 1-800-862-8603. The website address is Pleasurelandrv. com
WHERE TO STAY
Once you have the RV ready to go, there are plenty of campgrounds you can stay at in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Crow Wing State Park has a rustic site along the Mississippi River with space for RVs in the parking area.
There are also a number of RV Parks in the region. They are listed on the Brainerd Lakes Vacationland Website: Brainerd. com / businessdirectory / lodging / rv-parks /
Another good place to stay is at the Paul Bunyan Land Campground, which is located at 17553 State Highway 18, Brainerd, MN 56401. The campground features 32 overnight camping spots. Some are pull-through sites. Others have back-in spaces.
“ All of our sites have electricity and water. Some of them also have sewer hookups available. Plus, we probably have the nicest shower house people will find at a campground,” said Lois Moon, co-owner, Paul Bunyan Land, who added that the shower house also serves as the storm shelter for the campground.
An added bonus for people who stay there, discounted admission to the Paul Bunyan Land Amusement Park, which features 20 different rides, including a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, kiddie canoes, a climbing wall and haunted house. Also at the park, a giant statue of Paul Bunyan that greets young guests by name when they arrive at the park.
Paul Bunyan is a folk hero in America and Canada. The giant lumberjack is known for his superhuman feats.
Learn more, or book your stay at PaulBunyanland. com
CABINS For people who prefer lodgings that are more comfortable than a fold-out bed, a cabin may be the way to go. Many of the local resorts in the area include cabin rentals as options in addition to the main hotel.
Madden’ s on Gull Lake, for example, has 25 cabins or cottages that are stand-alone units with one or two bedrooms. If you are looking for a more rustic experience, there are some quaint cottages and cabins along Wilson Bay, which is on the western edge of the resort.
The cabins are in an area surrounded by tall pine trees, and they have views of the water. There are also four multi-bedroom houses people can stay in that have everything a guest may need for an extended stay. The houses are on the water and have four-to-seven bedrooms.
“ We have over a dozen different room types and everything is unique,” said Casey Gall, Marketing Manager for Madden’ s on Gull Lake. She pointed out that everyone who stays on the property, whether in a cabin, house or the hotel, has access to everything the resort has to offer.
“ All guests have access to Madden’ s three sand beaches, four pools, the inflatable water park and more,” said Gall, who added that Madden’ s guests can enjoy special guest rates on the resort’ s four golf courses.
Photo by: Madden’ s on Gull Lake
Crow Wing Greer Lake campground
Cottages
Madden’ s on Gull Lake
Beach house
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