Cross Lake Recreation Area, Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake

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.

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.

Recreation Sites

Standard Electric
Standard Nonelectric
Tent Only Nonelectric
Overnight

Activities

Visitor Center
Camping
Boating
Biking
Canoeing
Fishing
Interpretive Programs
Swimming
Picnicking

Amenities

Accessible Campsites
Accessible Fishing Dock
Accessible Flush Toilets
Accessible Parking
Accessible Picnic Areas
Accessible Showers
Beach
Boat Ramp
Butterfly Garden
Dump Station
Firewood
Fish Cleaning Stations
Fishing Dock
Flush Toilets
Paved Roads
Showers

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."

Getting Here

Latitude

46° 40' 10.9999" N

Longitude

94° 6' 29.9999" W

From Brainerd, Minnesota on Highway 25, turn right on County Road 3 and travel north to Crosslake, Minn. The campground entrance is to the left, at the intersection of County Roads 3 and 66.

Need to Know

Reservations

* All reservations must be made and/or modified at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. No walk ins allowed.

* Cross Lake Recreation Area staff will not be making reservations or modifying reservations during the entirety of the 2024 camping season.

* Campers must check in within 24 hours of their scheduled arrival or risk their reservation being cancelled.

Title 36: Rules and Regulations

In the interest of more effective resource management and to increase the overall enjoyment of the visitor experience available at the Cross Lake Recreation Area, Corps wide rules and regulations have been established and will be enforced (Title 36). Click here for more information

Cross Lake Recreation Area has additional rules including but not limited to:

* Firewood restrictions are in effect to prevent the spread of invasive insects and disease. Click here for more information

* ATV/UTV and Golf Cart operation within the campground is not allowed.

* All vehicles and camping equipment must fit on the campsite. Do not park or place camping equipment on the grass.

* Posted speed limit is 10 mph.

* Limit two tents per site, or one wheeled unit and one tent.

* Reserved campsites must be occupied daily and with intention of overnight camping. Visitors may not book a site just for access to the boat docks.

Closure

* The Campground will close 15-OCT-2024 for the remainder of the season. This includes all dump stations, all restrooms, and water spigots. At this time, the main boat ramp is expected to remain available throughout October.