Willow River Campground

Nice spot for camping. Plenty of sites to choose from and there is a size for most needs. There is also a group camp area but you need to book in advance to use as it was closed by a gate when we stopped to look around. Sites 7 and 8 had a shared parking area and you must carry in your gear to the sites. It's not far or difficult to either and they are far enough apart so both can feel private. The rest were pretty standard to what you would expect. Water pumps at 2 locations give decent coverage along with vault toilets at 2 different locations. Several sites have direct access to water and fishing.

The sites are great! Some poison ivy in the woods. Quiet campgrounds, but yes freeway background “surf noise”. If you’re urban it’s nothing. I’m very happy with this location

Really beautiful campground with large private sites. Depending on conditions sometimes there's a lot of freeway noise. If it weren't for this I think the campground would be more popular. We are here on the Friday of Labor Day weekend and hardly anybody here which is kind of nice. Definitely a great spot Midway between the Twin Cities and Duluth if you need to pull off and camp. There are a couple of sites for large RVs. $17 a night to camp is pretty nice.

Felt like it's underrated. Beautiful campground with nice sites. The price is fair. And it's first come first serve.

Stayed here on a Friday night in July on the way up to Duluth. Not super busy. Well spaced campsites in mostly pine forest. The reservoir is not super large, kayaked and paddle boarded. Only downside is that it is very close to I-35 and there is road noise most of the night, but it is a plus if you need somewhere close and convenient while traveling. Other than that, would be a 5-star.