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Long Lake (Clearwater County Park)
Overview
Long Lake Clearwater County Park offers a peaceful retreat for travelers seeking a classic Minnesota lakeside experience. Located near Shevlin, this county-managed facility is known for its well-maintained grounds and tranquil atmosphere. It serves as an accessible getaway for those who appreciate the natural beauty of the Northwoods without the heavy crowds often found at larger state parks. Whether you are stopping for a night or staying for a week, the park provides a refreshing outdoor environment where the focus remains on the water and the surrounding forest.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the heart of Clearwater County, the park sits along the shores of Long Lake, a body of water known for its clarity and scenic views. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dense stands of hardwoods and pines, offering plenty of shade for RV sites. Being tucked away in Shevlin, MN, the park feels remote enough to provide a true escape, yet it remains conveniently accessible from Highway 2. This location makes it an ideal basecamp for exploring the lush headwaters region of northern Minnesota.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features a variety of sites equipped with electric hookups to accommodate most modern RV setups. Guests have access to a clean swimming beach and a sturdy fishing pier, which are central to the summer experience here. For those bringing watercraft, the public boat launch provides easy entry to the lake. Additional facilities include a modern playground for children, a sanitation dump station for RVers, and several wooded hiking trails that wind through the park’s natural acreage, allowing for birdwatching and quiet morning walks.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Beyond the park boundaries, visitors are just a short drive from the world-famous Itasca State Park, where you can walk across the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The nearby town of Bemidji offers cultural attractions, including the iconic Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues. Fishing is a primary draw at Long Lake, with opportunities to catch walleye, northern pike, and panfish. For cyclists and hikers, the regional trail systems offer miles of paved and primitive paths through the scenic Minnesota wilderness.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an excellent choice for family campers looking for a safe, lakeside environment where kids can swim and play. It is equally appealing to anglers and nature lovers who want a quiet home base near some of the state’s best fishing and hiking. Because it leans toward a rustic, natural vibe rather than a high-end resort, it is best suited for travelers who value privacy, mature trees, and a slower pace of life during their Minnesota RV adventure.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Tim Smith
We have been at this campground for 41 years this year and I will say this we are pleased this year with the new staff, we wanted to try it this year again and if it was like the last 5 years we were not going to go back but this year changed our mind the staff was wonderful, thank you for a great weekend see you for sure next year
Malina Hammer
We had never been here before. When we got to our site our hook ups were on the wrong side. I went to the office and thankfully they still had 2 open sites so we picked one that worked out. The only other problem was that the fire pit was by our door and under the awning so they offered to move it for us. The guy had to dig a chunk of concrete up that it was anchored to. It was kind of a job! The customer service was top notch and we were able to enjoy the site fully. We will definitely be back! It's a beautiful place!
D P
I had high hopes for this place. Some plusses: the staff is super liberal in some ways, such as quiet hours. It’s a nice change from a state park if you enjoy staying up late. And they’re not militant about dogs. It’s fun that they have a little arcade for the kids and a decent sized playground. I also liked the layout of the campground. Lots of loops to go for a walk on. The lake is pretty and fishing is fun. As for the cons: My family had two separate incidents with a random elderly gentleman on a golf cart. We assumed he worked there, but how would we really know. I was tempted to call the police after the second time he started harassing us (this time) for standing on the fishing dock. He followed us on his golf cart the first night as we were walking with our two kids (9 & 13) and made us extremely uncomfortable. There are signs absolutely everywhere telling you what is forbidden, including the use of e-bikes. Which, I guess could be reasonable if they did not allow every other motored mode of transportation. Including dirt bikes, ATVs, and, evidently golf carts. Another con, our campsite was advertised as water and power hook ups but the actual hookups were 50 feet behind the neighbors camper, requiring us to go to their office and purchase an additional hose so we could access the water. We brought this to their attention and they simply did not give a damn. I will stick with itasca from now on when we camp in the area.
Jesse Rae
Beautiful lake, not real large, great for kayaking with the no wake speeds and great fishing, clean bathrooms. Never had a bad experience.
Marty Winn
Nice family friendly place. Clean grounds and bathroom/shower house. The ladies at the front office were very nice and friendly. Only down fall is 12 year old kids driving around in golf carts and atv’s and I got talked too for riding my E-bike to the bathroom even though it was not turned on. Seemed pretty foolish to me.