Crow Wing State Park — Hotel in Baxter

Summary, pro and cons at the bottom of the review.

My group of 32 people recently stayed at the group camp site for 4 days. We were all excited until we got to the campsite. There was a sign which looked like it was recently hung on the fence. It indicated, that group campers cannot shower at the shower facility at the park. With further inspection of the group site, the water pump was covered with a black trash bag and as we approached the toilet vault we can smell it. However we decided that since were already there, we will make the best out of it.

Shortly after, two DNR rangers stopped by to check on the toilet vault. We asked them about the shower. They indicated that if that is what the sign indicates then that is probably the case. I indicated that we have a group camp every year and this is the first park that has indicated such. How can 32 people be out at camp for 4 days without showering? I explain that we do understand that if we all were to go shower at the same time, that it will cause a traffic issue at the shower facility but we usually go in small groups of 3-5 people. The DNR ranger okay us to use the showers in small groups. He also indicated that the pump has a bag over it because of the nitrogen in the water and that if we need water we would have to go to the facilities to get it.

That night my nephew and his girlfriend went to shower without any issues. The second group which had 4 people went and the host told them that they cannot use the shower facility. She told them that there is a YMCA about 5 miles south and it costs about $2-$4 to take a shower and that they need to go there to shower. That night the rest of the group did not shower and we decided to talk to the host tomorrow

The 2nd day: In the morning a DNR ranger (not the same ranger from the 1st day) stop by to check on the toilet vault again. Again we asked about the shower. I explain the same thing to him as the first ranger and ask why we cannot use the showers when we got the okay. He said that the host was only doing her job and that people can go 4 days without showering. I understand that some men, women or children could go 4 days without showering but not all men, women, children can do that. I asked, would his wife be okay being out at camp for 4 days, doing activities, hiking, play volleyball and not shower? He hesitated to answer and say well maybe. At this point one of the women in the group was irritated and said in an assertive manner, “It does not indicated anywhere on the DNR site or during reservation or rules that says group camp members cannot use the shower facility!! If it did, we would not be here!!” The ranger said, no need to escalate the issue and was fairly positive there was a statement that indicated that but he will go back and check.

Later that day, a DNR park worker stop by to clean the trash bins. She was really nice and after talking for a little bit she indicated that we can use the shower facility. That night we shower without any issue until the last group of 4 men which went around 9:40pm. The host was at the shower facility and told them that they can only shower from 9am to 4pm. So they did not shower that night as well.

I’m reaching my review character limit so in summary, we continue to have shower issue with the host of the park. We average about 3 hours a day driving back and forth filling water in our containers as the water pump was not functional and usable. The toilet vault was checked on a daily basis but was never clean and we can smell it from about 50 strides away.

Pros: Site was fairly private

Cons: Group site campers cannot use shower facility water pump did not work toilet vault was check but never cleaned mosquito was a problem as well Host was not nice, not accommodating to all. Relentless sound of helicopters, guns and explosions from nearby Camp Ripley

I do not recommend this group camp site for anyone. First...

I’ve learned to really like this park. I visit it maybe 10 times a year, most of those being fall and winter. The ticks and mosquitos aren’t issues then. There are some nice hiking trails ( I don’t camp at the park). The river is mostly undeveloped here, so it is nice to kayak and canoe. There are some beautiful, large silver maple trees along the Mississippi River shoreline and flats.

Trumpeter swans concentrate on the River when all the other lakes lock up with ice or when the River is the first to thaw in spring. I’ve seen (and heard) fifty or more of these swans on some days.

This is a wonderful place to snowshoe. There are some rolling hills that give great overlooks. Chippewa Lookout (next to the public access) is one great view, especially in fall and after an early snowfall when the river isn’t iced over. There are other nice vantage points as well.

The park also includes land that is on the other side of the river. You have to use the Camp Jim Road west of Baxter to access it. From there, there are a couple different sections to hike, with one of those being a stretch at the confluence of the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers. I like going here because it really doesn’t get a lot of traffic... not that the rest of the park does anyways. This was a former farm, so you can still see some indications of that.

The paved bike trail on the eastern side of the park is a fun ride.....it has enough curves and smaller hills to make this more interesting than other parts of the Paul Bunyan Trail.

You will see multiple type of habitat and tree stands...

It’s a nice park. Not the most scenic, or expansive. But it is very rich in history. If you, like me, appreciate history of the land and people who lived here prior to settlement, you will enjoy it. This was the most important trading post on the confluence of the two major rivers in the area; Crow Wing and Mississippi. The Meadow where the former townsite was is BEAUTIFUL. You can envision this being a bustling frontier town. Native Americans (Ojibwe, Dakota) had camps here prior to settlement. With a very important battle taking place on a ridge line here. The Ojibwe defeated the Dakota and pushed them out of the area. There are historical markers that give you details at the site.

HEADS UP; There is an active military base just across the River from the park. Camp Ripley. It is an important LIVE FIRE range for our military. BUT, they do artillery fire and all sorts of Extremely Loud ordinances. Maybe do some research and see if they are training when you plan to stay. It WILL be hard to sleep with 155mm artillery rounds shaking the ground. I don’t know if it is mentioned on the park website or anything. But definitely should be, as it could have an impact...