This trip was all about spending time with family. We have a large blended family with 11 grandchildren, and while not everyone enjoys camping, even fewer are fans of tent camping. I can understand why. I wasn’t a big fan of tent camping with young kids either. That said, everyone has their own idea of what makes a great camping experience, and there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy the outdoors.

We chose the Hayward KOA because they offer Kamping Kabins, allowing most of the family to stay together in one campground while still enjoying different styles of camping.

The campground is clean, well maintained, and conveniently located. The sites, however, are very tight for larger RVs. We had a full hookup site, but our fifth wheel used virtually every inch of the space. The front and rear of the RV were each less than a foot from the roadway, which wasn’t ideal.

The campground has a swimming pool, playground, and the usual outdoor recreation areas. They also offer a water slide, mini golf, and a bounce pad, although these attractions require an additional fee. The water slide is open to the public as well as campground guests.

During our stay, a strong thunderstorm rolled through. We woke up to nearly two inches of standing water under and around our RV. Fortunately, we had moved everything off the ground because rain was in the forecast, although we certainly weren’t expecting that much water. The sandy soil drained quickly, and by noon the water was gone. It had enough force, however, to carry our pile of firewood nearly 80 feet from beneath the camper.

The campground is just a few minutes from town, making it easy to pick up groceries or any supplies we needed. We’d definitely stay here again, but next time I’ll be asking a few more questions about site size before making a reservation. Hayward KOA

We had driven past this campground for years but had never stopped. After hearing good things from friends who had stayed here, we finally decided it was time to check it out for ourselves and enjoy the spectacular fall colors along Minnesota’s North Shore.

From the moment we arrived, we felt welcome. The owners were working in the office, personally escorted us to our site, helped guide us while backing in, and made sure we were satisfied before leaving us to get settled. It’s that kind of personal service that leaves a lasting impression.

The campground offers both seasonal and overnight sites, although during our visit it appeared that most campers were there for shorter stays. Since we visited late in the season, many seasonal campers had likely already moved their RVs into storage for the winter.

One unique feature is that the campground is open year round. We noticed several RVs already skirted and prepared for the winter months ahead, something you don’t often see.

Amenities include full hookup sites, several pull throughs, a restaurant, swimming pool, playground, and horseshoe pits. If you’re planning to spend a few days exploring Duluth, the North Shore, or the surrounding area, this campground makes an excellent home base. Buffalo Valley Campground

We were introduced to this campground by friends who camp here regularly, and it didn’t take us long to see why they enjoy it so much. Located just across the road from Mille Lacs Lake, it offers a peaceful setting with easy access to one of Minnesota’s premier fishing destinations.

Like many campgrounds, most of the sites are seasonal, and it’s easy to understand why. In fact, the waiting list for a seasonal site is over 100 people long, and yes, we’re on that list too!

The campground features a swimming pool, a large grassy play area, a fishing pond, and a playground, making it a great destination for families. The sites are generously sized, so you never feel crowded by your neighbors, and everyone we’ve met has been friendly and welcoming.

We’ve spent several weekends here over the past two summers, and it has become one of our favorite places to camp. In fact, our first trip of the 2022 camping season was here, giving us a chance to make sure everything was in order after the RV had been in winter storage.

Although the campground isn’t directly on Mille Lacs Lake, it’s only about a quarter mile from the public boat launch. That convenience makes it a popular choice for anglers who want quick access to the lake without paying waterfront campground prices.

This is a campground we have no hesitation recommending. If you’re looking for a friendly, well-kept campground with spacious sites and excellent access to Mille Lacs Lake, it’s definitely worth considering. Pete’s Retreat