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Recreation.gov has posted a notice for Cross Lake Recreation Area

Closure * The Campground will close 15-OCT-2026 for the remainder of the season.

We read this on September 30, 2026. Read the full notice for Cross Lake Recreation Area

Cross Lake Recreation Area in Minnesota
Moderate to Book

Cross Lake Recreation Area

Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake, Minnesota

Sold out? We check Cross Lake Recreation Area for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.

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As of October 2026, Cross Lake Recreation Area is a campground in Minnesota with 122 campsites. Cross Lake Recreation Area is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Cross Lake Recreation Area for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Cross Lake Recreation Area is located at 46.6697° N, 94.1083° W.
people allowed on each site
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Cross Lake Recreation Area reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Mid-stay changes allowed
  • Changes allowed: 5 change(s) per reservation
  • Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive nights
  • Maximum stay: 14 nights
  • Maximum per transaction: 4 reservations per transaction
  • Military discount available
  • Minimum stay: 1 consecutive nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Cross Lake Recreation Area, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Cross Lake Recreation Area

  • Standard 116
  • Tent 6
  • Accessible 2
  • Hookups 98

What an RV fits

  • 20–24 ft5 sites
  • 30–34 ft1 site
  • 40–44 ft2 sites
  • 50–54 ft7 sites
  • 55–59 ft3 sites
  • 60–64 ft13 sites
  • 65–69 ft3 sites
  • 70–74 ft24 sites
  • 75–79 ft8 sites
  • 80–84 ft19 sites
  • 85–89 ft3 sites
  • 90–94 ft18 sites
  • 95–99 ft8 sites
  • 100–104 ft1 site

Amenities

  • showers
  • potable water
  • dump station

At a glance: Setting: Lake · Access: Paved road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, photography.

All sites at Cross Lake Recreation Area, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the CROSSLAKE loop.

SiteTypeSleepsMax RVHookupsAccess
001Standard875 ftElectric-
002Standard834 ftElectric-
003Standard870 ftElectric-
004Standard880 ftElectric-
005Standard870 ftElectric-
006Standard870 ftElectric-
007Standard880 ftElectric-
008Standard862 ftElectric-
009Standard880 ftElectric-
010Standard860 ftElectric-
011Standard890 ftElectric-
012Standard850 ftElectric-
013Standard854 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
014Standard858 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
015Standard8-Electric, Water, Sewer-
016Standard822 ftElectric-
017Standard822 ftElectric-
018Standard822 ftElectric-
019Standard822 ftElectric-
020Standard822 ftElectric-
021Standard860 ft--
022Standard895 ftElectric-
023Standard840 ft--
024Standard880 ftElectric-
025Standard870 ft--
026Standard890 ftElectric-
027Standard860 ft--
028Standard860 ft--
029Tent8---
030Standard890 ft--
031Tent8---
032Standard899 ft--
033Tent8---
034Standard870 ft--
035Tent8---
036Standard860 ft--
037Tent8---
038Standard890 ft--
039Tent8---
040Standard870 ft--
041Standard860 ft--
042Standard855 ft--
043Standard860 ft--
044Standard870 ft--
045Standard870 ft--
046Standard870 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
048Standard890 ft--
049Standard870 ft--
050Standard890 ftElectric-
051Standard875 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
052Standard890 ftElectric-
053Standard880 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
054Standard899 ftElectric-
055Standard860 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
056Standard890 ftElectric-
057Standard870 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
058Standard890 ftElectric-
059Standard860 ftElectric-
060Standard890 ftElectric-
061Standard870 ftElectric-
062Standard890 ftElectric-
SiteTypeSleepsMax RVHookupsAccess
063Standard870 ftElectric-
064Standard890 ftElectric-
065Standard860 ftElectric-
066Standard870 ftElectric-
067Standard850 ftElectric-
068Standard890 ftElectric-
069Standard890 ftElectric-
070Standard880 ftElectric-
071Standard866 ftElectric-
072Standard895 ftElectric-
073Standard885 ftElectric-
074Standard880 ftElectric-
075Standard850 ftElectric-
076Standard880 ftElectric-
077Standard870 ftElectric-
078Standard890 ftElectric-
079Standard880 ftElectric-
080Standard8100 ftElectric-
081Standard875 ftElectric-
082Standard897 ftElectric-
083Standard843 ftElectric-
084Standard860 ftElectric-
085Standard863 ftElectric-
086Standard877 ftElectricAccessible
087Standard880 ftElectricAccessible
088Standard880 ftElectric-
089Standard855 ftElectric-
090Standard880 ftElectric-
091Standard850 ftElectric-
092Standard885 ftElectric-
093Standard850 ftElectric-
094Standard880 ftElectric-
095Standard850 ftElectric-
096Standard870 ftElectric-
097Standard875 ftElectric-
098Standard865 ftElectric-
099Standard882 ftElectric-
100Standard870 ftElectric-
101Standard895 ftElectric-
102Standard870 ftElectric-
103Standard870 ftElectric-
104Standard875 ftElectric-
105Standard870 ftElectric-
106Standard865 ftElectric-
107Standard889 ftElectric-
108Standard890 ftElectric-
109Standard880 ftElectric-
110Standard899 ftElectric-
111Standard870 ftElectric-
112Standard899 ftElectric-
113Standard870 ftElectric-
114Standard880 ftElectric-
115Standard870 ftElectric-
116Standard875 ftElectric-
117Standard890 ftElectric-
118Standard880 ftElectric-
119Standard880 ftElectric-
120Standard890 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
121Standard870 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
122Standard880 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
123Standard875 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-

About Cross Lake Recreation Area

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

Rules and notices at Cross Lake Recreation Area

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Cross Lake Recreation Area on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Closure

* The Campground will close 15-OCT-2026 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.

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 and volunteers do not make reservations on site.

* 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

14-Day Stay Limit

To ensure everyone has a chance to enjoy our campsites, please be aware of our 14-day camping policy.

•

Camping at any of our sites is limited to a maximum of 14 days within any 30-consecutive-day period .

•

This rule is in accordance with official regulation CFS 327.7(b). An extension may only be granted with written permission from the District Commander.

•

Please be aware that violations may result in the cancellation of reservations or removal from the campground.

America The Beautiful Passes

We proudly accept America The Beautiful passes. To ensure fair use, please remember:

•

The pass may only be used for the single campsite you are actively occupying.

•

Passes are non-transferable and cannot be shared with friends or family for other sites.

•

If a pass is used for multiple sites simultaneously, it will be invalidated, and the full camping fee for the additional site(s) will be charged.

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.

Cross Lake Recreation Area FAQ

Is Cross Lake Recreation Area open?

Recreation.gov publishes this notice for Cross Lake Recreation Area: "Closure * The Campground will close 15-OCT-2026 for the remainder of the season." Recreation.gov does not date its notices; we last read this one on September 30, 2026. Check Recreation.gov before you travel.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Cross Lake Recreation Area?

Cross Lake Recreation Area is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 122 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Cross Lake Recreation Area?

Cancellations happen frequently at Cross Lake Recreation Area, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Cross Lake Recreation Area have?

Cross Lake Recreation Area has 122 campsites.

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