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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Mountain Iron, MN
34 campgrounds and RV Parks near Mountain Iron, MN. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
34 campgrounds
1182 campsites
12 RVs available for delivery
From $26/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Mountain Iron, MN
West Forty RV Park and Campground
Gilbert, MN (8 miles away)
$$$$$
(49 sites)
+8
Side Lake - McCarthy Beach State Park
Minnesota (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(58 sites)
+5
Fortune Bay Resort Casino and RV Park
Minnesota (23 miles away)
$$$$$
(36 sites)
+4
Hoodoo Point Campground
Minnesota (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(85 sites)
+2
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park
Minnesota (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(34 sites)
+4
Bear Head Lake State Park
Ely, MN (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(73 sites)
+5
Birch Lake RV Park and Campground
Babbitt, MN (36 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
+5
YMCA Camp Northern Lights
Babbitt, MN (36 miles away)
$$$$$
(23 sites)
+7
Pine Acres Resort and Campground
Minnesota (37 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
+6
Cabin Opines Resort
Minnesota (37 miles away)
Bass Lake Campground
Effie, MN (41 miles away)
Itasca County Fairgrounds Campground
Grand Rapids, MN (47 miles away)
Most common amenities
Tables Showers Grills Toilets Firewood Dump station Pet friendly Trails Hiking Internet
Camping near Mountain Iron
Mountain Iron sits on Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range in St. Louis County, roughly 60 miles north of Duluth. The city is tied to the birth of the Mesabi Iron Range iron ore industry, developed by the Merritt family in the 1890s. Today it functions as a practical base for exploring the surrounding forests, lakes, mining heritage sites, and long-distance trails of northeastern Minnesota.
RV travelers have a mix of private, tribal, municipal, and state park options within a short drive. West Forty RV Park and Campground in nearby Gilbert offers hookup and pull-through sites suited to larger rigs. Fortune Bay Resort Casino and RV Park and Hoodoo Point Campground both sit on Lake Vermilion near Tower, while Side Lake at McCarthy Beach State Park and Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park cover the state park side of the region.
The broader area includes Superior National Forest, several state forests, and hundreds of lakes, giving campers straightforward access to fishing, paddling, biking, and off-highway vehicle riding from any base.
Things to do around Mountain Iron
The Mesabi Trail is a paved route that stretches through the heart of the Iron Range, offering views of forests, lakes, and mines, and is used for cycling, running, and walking. Mountain Iron itself is a trailhead, and Locomotive Park in town serves as an open-air stop tied to the mining story.
Mining and industrial history anchor much of the sightseeing. Visitors can connect to the Mesabi Trail from inside Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, use the Armstrong Bay Day Use area for picnicking, and tour Minnesota's first iron mine at Soudan, where underground tours resumed after a two-year closure caused by flooding damage in 2024.
Outdoor options are wide. The Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in Gilbert covers dozens of miles of roads for trucks, ATVs, and Jeeps, and Redhead Mountain Bike Park at the Minnesota Discovery Center offers 25 miles of trails for a range of skill levels. Lake Vermilion is a regional draw for walleye, muskie, and northern pike fishing.
Camping spots and RV parks near Mountain Iron, MN
Seasons and when to visit
- spring
March - May
46° / 25°F 55 mmCool start; state parks reopen for camping in May.
- summer
June - August
75° / 54°F 100 mmPeak season; lakeside sites fill weeks ahead.
- fall
September - November
48° / 30°F 55 mmFall color in September; freezing nights by November.
- winter
December - February
19° / -2°F 25 mmDeep cold and snow; most RV campgrounds closed.
Camping in the Mountain Iron area is a warm-season activity for most travelers. Vermilion Ridge Campground at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park is generally open early May through late October, and Hoodoo Point Campground operates from May through October under the City of Tower.
Summer brings the warmest weather, the longest days, and peak demand for lakeside sites. Fall arrives quickly: September and early October deliver hardwood color across the Iron Range before overnight lows drop toward freezing. Snow typically begins by late October and lingers into April.
Winter shifts the region toward snow-based recreation. McCarthy Beach State Park grooms about nine miles of cross-country ski trails and 12 miles of snowmobile trails, with a spur to the Taconite State Trail. Most private and state park RV campgrounds close for the cold months, so cold-weather visitors generally shift to camper cabins or day-use only.
How to book
State park sites go through the Minnesota DNR reservation system. Reservations can be made up to 120 days before the arrival date, online at mndnr.gov/reservations or by calling 866-857-2757. This applies to Side Lake at McCarthy Beach State Park and to Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, including drive-in sites, camper cabins, and hike-in sites.
At Lake Vermilion-Soudan, all sites in Vermilion Ridge Campground are reservable. Boat-in and canoe sites on the lake are the exception and are handled first-come, first-served.
Private and municipal campgrounds book directly. Hoodoo Point Campground reserves through the City of Tower, Fortune Bay Resort Casino and RV Park books through the resort, and West Forty RV Park and Campground handles reservations through its own site. For summer weekends and holidays, book well in advance; lakeside and electric sites go first.
What to expect on the ground
Site quality varies by campground. Vermilion Ridge Campground at Lake Vermilion-Soudan opened in 2017 and has 32 drive-in sites arranged in four loops, all with 30 and 50-amp electric service, plus a dump station, modern showers, and free Wi-Fi in developed areas. Three pull-through sites accommodate larger rigs. Side Lake Campground at McCarthy Beach offers electric hookups but has some tight interior turns, so RV drivers should review site details before reserving.
Expect a classic northwoods setting: pine and birch cover, sandy lake beaches, and gravel or grass pads. Cell service is uneven once away from the main highways, but modern state park campgrounds and several private parks offer Wi-Fi.
Biting insects, especially mosquitoes and black flies, peak from late May through early July. Bring bug spray, watch for ticks after trail time, and buy firewood locally to avoid moving pests between counties.
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 Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN?
Campsite prices near Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN?
Free camping near Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN?
Camping near Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN?
Dump stations near Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN?
Renting a RV in Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN?
RV rentals in Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Mountain Iron, MN at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
Nearby cities with campgrounds
Duluth, MNRice, MNAitkin, MNSandstone, MNBecker, MNSaint Francis, MNGlenwood, MNBemidji, MNRandall, MNCass Lake, MNPillager, MNNowthen, MNRoyalton, MNDetroit Lakes, MNMonticello, MNSaint Joseph, MNSt. Augusta, MNRhinelander, WIOak Grove, MNKimball, MNZimmerman, MNBig Lake, MNTwo Harbors, MNCambridge, MN