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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Scanlon, MN
61 campgrounds and RV Parks near Scanlon, MN. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
61 campgrounds
3489 campsites
34 RVs available for delivery
From $17/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Scanlon, MN
Knife Island Campground
Esko, MN (1 miles away)
Cloquet / Duluth KOA Journey
Cloquet, MN (2 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
+8
Main - Jay Cooke State Park
Carlton, MN (4 miles away)
$$$$$
(79 sites)
+5
Buffalo Valley Camping
Duluth, MN (6 miles away)
$$$$$
(63 sites)
+4
Fond du Lac Campground and Boat Landing
Duluth, MN (8 miles away)
$$$$$
(49 sites)
+4
Mont du Lac Resort
Superior, WI (8 miles away)
$$$$$
+8
Big Lake Shores Campground and The Lounge
Cloquet, MN (9 miles away)
$$$$$
(60 sites)
+9
River Place Campground and Dockage
Duluth, MN (10 miles away)
$$$$$
(40 sites)
Spirit Lake Marina and RV
Duluth, MN (11 miles away)
$$$$$
(45 sites)
+4
Indian Point Campground
Duluth, MN (12 miles away)
$$$$$
(51 sites)
+9
Bent Trout Lake Campground
Barnum, MN (14 miles away)
$$$$$
(102 sites)
+8
Head of the Lakes Campground
Superior, WI (16 miles away)
Most common amenities
Showers Tables Toilets Pet friendly Grills Playground Dump station Firewood Internet Laundry
Camping near Scanlon, Minnesota
Scanlon sits in Carlton County along the St. Louis River, roughly 20 miles southwest of Duluth and directly adjacent to Cloquet. The city is small (under 1,000 residents) and functions mainly as a base for exploring the St. Louis River corridor, Jay Cooke State Park, and the western edge of the North Shore region. Interstate 35 runs just east of town, making it easy to reach with a rental RV from either the Twin Cities or Duluth.
Campground options in the immediate area cover a full range of styles. Knife Island Campground and Buffalo Valley Camping offer private, no-frills sites close to town. The Cloquet / Duluth KOA Journey sits on wooded acreage just south of Scanlon with full-hookup RV sites, cabins, a pool, and a hot tub. Mont du Lac Resort adds a ski-hill setting a short drive east.
For a state-park experience, Main - Jay Cooke State Park is about 10 miles southeast, with paved-access RV loops, electric sites, and camper cabins along the St. Louis River gorge.
Things to do around Scanlon
Jay Cooke State Park is the main draw. Visitors can walk the Swinging Bridge over the St. Louis River gorge, hike more than 50 miles of trails, and connect to the paved Willard Munger State Trail, which runs from Hinckley to West Duluth and passes near Scanlon. Mountain biking, horseback riding, and river fishing are all available inside the park.
The river itself supports paddling on calmer stretches upstream. Mont du Lac Resort operates a downhill bike park, disc golf, and zip lines in summer, plus skiing and tubing in winter.
Duluth is a 20 to 30 minute drive and adds Lake Superior beaches, the Lakewalk, the Aerial Lift Bridge, and Canal Park restaurants for a full family day out.
Camping spots and RV parks near Scanlon, MN
When to visit Scanlon
- spring
March - May
46° / 30°F 60 mmMud and thaw early; parks reopen by mid-May
- summer
June - August
75° / 55°F 100 mmPeak season; sites fill weeks out; bugs in June
- fall
September - November
52° / 34°F 63 mmFall color peaks late September along the gorge
- winter
December - February
19° / 7°F 22 mmDeep cold and snow; most campgrounds closed
The main RV season runs mid-May through mid-October. The Cloquet / Duluth KOA Journey opens May 1 and closes in mid to late October, and Jay Cooke State Park's shower buildings and dump station operate on a similar seasonal schedule. Late June through August is peak: warm days, active ranger programs, and full campgrounds. Reservable state-park sites often book up on weekends, especially around the Fourth of July and any Duluth event weekend.
September and early October bring cool nights, fewer bugs, and hardwood fall color along the St. Louis River gorge, which is one of the best reasons to visit. Black flies and mosquitoes peak in June, so bring repellent.
Winter camping is limited but possible: Jay Cooke keeps 12 sites open through winter, 5 of them with electric hookups, for RVs willing to handle sub-zero nights. Cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing, and snowmobile routes take over from November into March.
How to book a site
Jay Cooke State Park uses the Minnesota DNR reservation system at mndnr.gov/reservations (phone 866-857-2757). Campsites and camper cabins can be reserved up to 120 days in advance, and same-day reservations are also allowed. A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required in addition to the camping fee and can be added to the reservation online.
Private campgrounds around Scanlon, including the Cloquet / Duluth KOA Journey, Knife Island Campground, Buffalo Valley Camping, and Mont du Lac Resort, book directly through their own websites or by phone. For summer weekends and fall-color weekends, reserve four to eight weeks out. If a preferred state-park site is full, cancellation-scanning services can help catch last-minute openings.
What to expect on-site
Jay Cooke State Park has 83 single-family sites (21 with electric hookups) that accommodate RVs up to 60 feet, plus backpack sites, walk-in sites, group sites, and five camper cabins with electricity and heat. Modern restrooms with showers, flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station operate in the warmer months only; winter shifts to vault toilets and a frost-proof spigot. Cell service in the park is patchy.
The Cloquet / Duluth KOA Journey sits on about 15 wooded acres of white pines with 30/50-amp full-hookup pull-through sites, a camp store, laundry, heated pool, hot tub, sauna, and Kamping Kabins. Sites can feel close together on busy weekends, and Interstate 35 and a rail line are nearby, so expect some ambient noise.
Bring layers, insect repellent, and buy firewood near where it will be burned to help prevent the spread of invasive pests.
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 Scanlon, 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 Scanlon, MN?
Campsite prices near Scanlon, 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 Scanlon, MN?
Free camping near Scanlon, 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 Scanlon, MN?
Camping near Scanlon, 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 Scanlon, MN?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Scanlon, 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 Scanlon, MN?
Dump stations near Scanlon, 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 Scanlon, MN?
Renting a RV in Scanlon, 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 Scanlon, MN?
RV rentals in Scanlon, 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 Scanlon, 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 Scanlon, MN?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Scanlon, 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
Minneapolis, MNDuluth, MNApple Valley, MNHopkins, MNPrior Lake, MNRice, MNLong Lake, MNHudson, WIChamplin, MNAntigo, WIDurand, WIMaplewood, MNAitkin, MNSaint Anthony, MNCoon Rapids, MNSandstone, MNBecker, MNSaint Francis, MNSavage, MNBelle Plaine, MNOtsego, MNLake Wissota, WIGlenwood, MNRichfield, MN