State Forest · Minnesota
Thistledew Campground and Day-Use Area
State Forest · Minnesota, United States · in George Washington State Forest
- Sites
- 23
- Cost
- $17 per night, taxes included
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,385 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 218-571-2600
About
The campground is considered "primitive," designed to furnish only the camper's basic needs. The campsites consist of a cleared area, fire ring, and table. Also, vault toilets, garbage dumpsters, and water are available.
Thistledew Campground and Day-Use Area features swimming, water access to a great walleye and crappie lake and the Thistledew ATV Trail.
ATV use is not allowed in the campground.
23 primitive campsites (21 drive-in), 2 of them accessible. First come, first served for individual sites; pay the camping fee online on the day you arrive, or at a state park ranger station. Managed from Scenic State Park (218-571-2600). In George Washington State Forest.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16° | -3° | -29° | 41° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 20° | -1° | -35° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 37° | 18° | -12° | 62° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 43° | 30° | 9° | 71° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 63° | 43° | 29° | 82° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 72° | 55° | 43° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 78° | 60° | 50° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 76° | 59° | 53° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 54° | 38° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 53° | 39° | 23° | 70° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 35° | 25° | 3° | 59° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 25° | 11° | -24° | 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
- Togo Horse Campground · State Forest · 1 mi · 12 sites
- Button Box Lake Campground and Day-Use Area · State Forest · 4 mi · 11 sites
- Bear Lake Campground and Day-Use Area · State Forest · 9 mi · 27 sites
- Larson Lake Campground · State Forest · 9 mi · 12 sites
- Stony Brook Horse Campground · State Forest · 9 mi · 17 sites
All public campgrounds in Minnesota · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.