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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Gilbert, MN
36 campgrounds and RV Parks near Gilbert, MN. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
36 campgrounds
1271 campsites
11 RVs available for delivery
From $26/night
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Best campgrounds near Gilbert, MN
West Forty RV Park and Campground
Gilbert, MN (1 miles away)
$$$$$
(49 sites)
+8
Fortune Bay Resort Casino and RV Park
Minnesota (23 miles away)
$$$$$
(36 sites)
+4
Hoodoo Point Campground
Minnesota (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(85 sites)
+2
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park
Minnesota (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(34 sites)
+4
Bear Head Lake State Park
Ely, MN (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(73 sites)
+5
Side Lake - McCarthy Beach State Park
Minnesota (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(58 sites)
+5
Birch Lake RV Park and Campground
Babbitt, MN (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
+5
YMCA Camp Northern Lights
Babbitt, MN (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(23 sites)
+7
Pine Acres Resort and Campground
Minnesota (43 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
+6
Cabin Opines Resort
Minnesota (43 miles away)
Veterans on the Lake Resort
Ely, MN (43 miles away)
$$$$$
(3 sites)
+4
Silver Rapids Lodge
Ely, MN (43 miles away)
$$$$$
(35 sites)
+9
Most common amenities
Tables Showers Grills Toilets Pet friendly Firewood Dump station Internet Trails Hiking
Campgrounds near Gilbert, Minnesota
Gilbert sits on Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range in St. Louis County, roughly an hour north of Duluth on U.S. Highway 53. The city is known for direct trail access to the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area, which covers 1,200 acres with 36 miles of OHV trails and anchors most of the RV traffic in the immediate area.
RV travelers have two useful clusters of campgrounds. Close to Gilbert itself, West Forty RV Park and Campground offers full hookups with direct OHV trail access. Roughly 30 to 45 minutes north on Lake Vermilion, Fortune Bay Resort Casino and RV Park, Hoodoo Point Campground, and Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park form a second base for anglers and boaters.
Farther east near Ely, Bear Head Lake State Park adds a quieter, forested option on the doorstep of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Together these five properties cover the range from full-hookup RV resorts to state-park sites with electric only.
Things to do near Gilbert
OHV riding is the headline activity. Trails at the Iron Range recreation area range from easy to most difficult, OHV registrations are required, alcohol is not permitted anywhere within the recreation area, and no camping is allowed inside the recreation area itself. Trails are closed to all vehicle traffic in November for rifle deer hunting season.
Beyond riding, the paved Mesabi Trail runs through the region for biking and inline skating, and Lake Ore-Be-Gone, a reclaimed mine pit adjacent to Gilbert, is used for swimming and fishing.
On Lake Vermilion, walleye and muskie fishing draws most visitors. At Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, the Underground Mine Tour takes visitors 2,341 feet down via a cage to the 27th level, then by rail back into the mine. Bear Head Lake State Park adds swimming, paddling, and 17 miles of hiking trails.
Camping spots and RV parks near Gilbert, MN
Seasonal patterns and closures
- spring
March - May
50° / 28°F 52 mmThaw and mud; most campgrounds open by mid-May.
- summer
June - August
75° / 54°F 100 mmPeak season; book electric sites 120 days ahead.
- fall
September - November
50° / 32°F 53 mmCool color season; OHV trails close in November for deer hunt.
- winter
December - February
21° / 1°F 20 mmFrigid and snowy; most private campgrounds closed.
The practical RV season in this part of northern Minnesota runs roughly May through September. Hoodoo Point Campground's season runs from May 1st through October 1st. Private parks like West Forty RV Park and Campground and Fortune Bay Resort Casino and RV Park focus on the same warm-weather window, with summer weekends filling first.
State parks are more flexible. Bear Head Lake State Park's campground is open year-round, though its shower buildings are only available seasonally from May through September. Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park keeps camper cabins available across seasons, and its new Pyrite Campground, the first Minnesota state park campground designed for OHV users, offers 24 electric pull-through sites built for visitors towing OHVs on trailers.
Wildfire risk shapes summer trips. During periods of high fire danger, statewide or local burning restrictions may limit or prohibit campfires in the state parks. Deer hunting also affects fall access: OHV trails at the Iron Range recreation area close for the November firearms season.
How to book campgrounds near Gilbert
Minnesota state parks use a single reservation system. Online reservations are available 24 hours a day at reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb, and phone reservations can be made by calling 866-857-2757. Bear Head Lake State Park and Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park both book through that portal up to 120 days in advance, and a Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required in addition to camping fees.
Minnesota state parks enforce a 14 consecutive day limit per reservation, so longer trips need to be planned across multiple sites.
Private and municipal campgrounds book direct. Hoodoo Point Campground takes bookings on its own site or by phone, and Fortune Bay Resort Casino and RV Park reserves through the resort. Popular summer weekends, especially around fishing openers and Fourth of July, fill weeks ahead.
What to expect on the ground
Expect a mix of hookup levels. Private parks like West Forty RV Park and Campground and Fortune Bay Resort Casino and RV Park offer full-hookup sites with resort-style amenities, and Fortune Bay has a marina attached. Hoodoo Point Campground provides a mix of primitive tent sites, water and electric sites, and some full-hookup sites for larger motorhomes.
State-park sites are more rustic. Bear Head Lake State Park has 73 back-in campsites, of which 45 offer electric hookups, plus a dump station and seasonal shower buildings. Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park offers electric hookups but no sewer at the site, with a dump station provided.
There is iron in the soil around the OHV area, so campers should be prepared for orange and red stains on clothing and equipment. Cell service is patchy once you leave the highway corridor, so download maps before arrival.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Gilbert, MN
How do I choose the right campsite for my RV?
Start with the practical stuff: site length, the hookups you need, and whether it's a back-in or pull-through. Camping conditions in the U.S. vary by region and elevation, so check the local season, road access, and reservation requirements before you book. Federal campgrounds use Recreation.gov and state parks each have their own systems. Learn more.
How much are RV campsites near Gilbert, MN?
Campsite prices near Gilbert, MN depend on the type of campground. State park sites typically run $20-$45 with hookups. Private RV parks in town often run $40-$100, with tourist-hub locations charging more. Nearby Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management sites are usually $10-$25, often without hookups.
Is there any free camping near Gilbert, MN?
Free camping near Gilbert, MN depends on what federal public land is in driving distance. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land usually allows up to 14 days of dispersed camping at one spot. Check fire restrictions before you head out. Learn more about free camping.
Can I book a campsite through RVezy?
Not directly. RVezy doesn't handle campsite reservations, but each campground listing links to the operator's website or booking page when one's available.
What's the best time to go camping near Gilbert, MN?
Camping near Gilbert, MN works best in the shoulder seasons, with spring and fall hitting the sweet spot in most of the country. Summer is peak in northern climates; winter is peak in the southern and desert states. Local weather and elevation drive the specifics.
How far are RV campgrounds from Gilbert, MN?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Gilbert, MN. The closest are: {closestCampgroundsWithDistance(3)}. Most U.S. cities have a state park or private RV park within an hour's drive.
Where are dump stations near Gilbert, MN?
Dump stations near Gilbert, MN are usually at private RV parks and state park campgrounds, sometimes for a fee if you're not staying overnight. RVDumpsites.net maps the nearest options.
What's the best time of year to rent a RV in Gilbert, MN?
Renting a RV in Gilbert, MN works best in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) across most of the U.S. Peak rental demand runs June through August nationwide, while the snowbird stretch from December through March drives winter demand in the southern states and southwest deserts.
What's the best time of year to rent an RV in Gilbert, MN?
RV rentals in Gilbert, MN peak from June through August when school is out. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have better availability and lower rates. Winter is high season for snowbird destinations in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California.
Can I have an RV delivered to my home or campground in Gilbert, MN?
Yes. Many RVezy hosts in the U.S. deliver and set up at your home, a campground, or a destination. It's especially useful for first-time renters and for trips into remote areas where backing in a big rig isn't fun.
Can the RV be delivered near Gilbert, MN?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Gilbert, MN at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.