Campgrounds and RV parks near Gem Lake, MN

Gem Lake is a small city in Ramsey County, Minnesota, just northeast of Saint Paul near White Bear Lake. Its location off U.S. Route 61 puts renters within a short drive of the Twin Cities metro and the St. Croix River valley, where most of the region's RV camping is concentrated. Trips typically pair urban conveniences with lake and river recreation east of the city. Closer-in options include Golden Acres RV Park near Stillwater and Ham Lake Resort to the north. For state-park camping along the St. Croix, the Savanna loop at William O'Brien State Park is the closest developed public campground, about 45 minutes northeast near Marine on St. Croix. Willow River State Park Campground sits across the river in western Wisconsin, roughly an hour east. Veterans and their sponsored guests have access to the Disabled Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake, a nonprofit facility with RV sites, cabins, and lake access.

Minnesota state park sites and cabins, including those at Savanna - William O Brien State Park, are booked through the Minnesota DNR reservation system up to 120 days in advance. Reservations can be made online around the clock or by phone at 866-857-2757, with the call center open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April through September and reduced hours the rest of the year. A Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required in addition to the campsite fee. Willow River State Park Campground is on the Wisconsin side and uses the Wisconsin State Parks reservation system, which opens sites up to eleven months in advance and requires a separate Wisconsin vehicle admission sticker. Golden Acres RV Park and Ham Lake Resort are private and take reservations directly. The Disabled Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake books only for eligible veterans, military families, and sponsored guests through its own office.