Army Corps of Engineers · Minnesota
Cross Lake Recreation Area
Army Corps of Engineers · Minnesota, United States
- Sites
- 122
- Hookups
- 98 electric, 120 with water, 24 no hookups
- Season
- May 14 to October 14
- Max RV length
- 100 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,234 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile good · AT&T good · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake
- Nearest town
- CROSSLAKE
- Address
- 35507 COUNTY RD 66, PO BOX 36, CROSSLAKE, MN, 56442-0036
- Phone
- 651-290-5793
- Activities
- Biking, Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Interpretive Programs, Picnicking, Swimming, Visitor Center
122 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
In Central Minnesota's popular lakes area, the Cross Lake Recreation Area is best known for its picturesque sunsets, beautiful beaches and well-maintained campsites. The campground provides a full menu of activities for camping enthusiasts, while being located just minutes from shopping and paved bike trails.
For a virtual tour go to: http://www.photographyoptions.net/images/headwaters/tour.html
Recreation
The recreation area provides plenty of water based entertainment like boating, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing and fishing. Two onsite beaches are convenient for swimming and sunbathing. Two accessible fishing piers provide angling opportunities on both Cross Lake and the Pine River.
Facilities
The sizable campground has 122 campsites including 97 with electric hookups. Additional amenities include two accessible hot shower facilities, a boat ramp, playground, floating docks for boat parking, 2 picnic shelters, a dump station and accessible fishing piers.
Natural Features
Cross Lake Recreation Area is nestled among tall pines on the eastern banks of Cross Lake on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. The area has tremendous appeal, with access to 13 natural lakes, 13,660 acres of water and 119 miles of scenic shoreline. The collection of lakes help form the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Nearby Attractions
The Recreation Area is located adjacent to the city of Crosslake and is just a short walk from shopping and a paved bike trail. It's also near the Crow Wing State Park where visitors can view the Mississippi River from the historic "Chippewa Lookout."
Charges & Cancellations
Reservations must check in within 24 hours of their scheduled arrival or risk their reservation being cancelled.
Modifications to existing reservations will be charged a $10.00 non-refundable modification fee.
Modifications to reservations may be made online or by calling Recreation.gov at (877)444-6777
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18° | 0° | -23° | 41° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 22° | 2° | -27° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 38° | 21° | -10° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 31° | 16° | 75° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 64° | 46° | 33° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 74° | 58° | 45° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 64° | 54° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 76° | 62° | 55° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 71° | 57° | 42° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 42° | 25° | 71° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 37° | 27° | 6° | 60° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 27° | 16° | -18° | 47° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Greer Lake Campground · State Forest · 4 mi · 31 sites
- Clint Converse Campground and Day-Use Area · State Forest · 14 mi · 31 sites
- Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area · Minnesota State Parks · 14 mi · 29 sites
- Aitkin Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 21 mi · 9 sites
- Gull Lake Recreation Area · Army Corps of Engineers · 21 mi · 43 sites
All public campgrounds in Minnesota · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.