Swan Lake Campground & Resort 0
Swan Lake Campground & Resort 1
Swan Lake Campground & Resort 2
Swan Lake Campground & Resort 3
Swan Lake Campground & Resort 4
Swan Lake Campground & Resort 5
Swan Lake Campground & Resort 6
Swan Lake Campground & Resort 7
Swan Lake Campground & Resort 8
Swan Lake Campground & Resort 9

Swan Lake Campground & Resort Introduce

Are you a Minnesota local searching for that perfect family-friendly escape, where the joy of lake life meets welcoming hospitality and endless activities? Look no further than Swan Lake Campground & Resort, nestled on the scenic East Shore Drive in Pengilly. This "amazing" resort, as described by its delighted visitors, offers a vibrant and inviting atmosphere, making it a beloved spot for both seasonal campers and those seeking a memorable short-term getaway. With its prime location on the beautiful Swan Lake, it provides an idyllic setting for everything from thrilling water sports to peaceful evenings by the campfire, ensuring that kids, grandkids, and friends of all ages have an unforgettable time.

For us Minnesotans, our lakes are central to our summer traditions, and finding a resort that truly understands the essence of an "up north" experience is paramount. Swan Lake Campground & Resort embodies this spirit, offering a community where "everyone is friendly" and "everyone gets along well." It’s a place where the pristine waters of Swan Lake beckon for a day of fishing, paddling, or swimming, and evenings are filled with the easy camaraderie that makes Minnesota vacations so special. It's truly a destination that encourages you to unplug, explore, and create cherished memories with loved ones.

Location and Accessibility

Swan Lake Campground & Resort is conveniently situated at 29995 E Shore Dr, Pengilly, MN 55775, USA. This address places it directly on the east shore of the beautiful Swan Lake, located near Grand Rapids in Itasca County. Itasca County, known as the "Big Lake Country," is celebrated for its vast forests and numerous pristine lakes, offering an authentic Northern Minnesota experience.

For Minnesota residents, the resort's location provides excellent accessibility. Pengilly is roughly 20-30 minutes southeast of Grand Rapids, a larger hub that offers a wider range of services, dining, and attractions. The drive from the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) is typically around 3 to 3.5 hours, making it a feasible distance for a weekend escape or a longer vacation for families across the state. The resort's direct lake frontage and location off a well-maintained shore drive ensure easy access for vehicles, including RVs and trailers. This prime positioning allows campers to quickly immerse themselves in the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that Swan Lake and the surrounding Grand Rapids area have to offer.

Services Offered

Swan Lake Campground & Resort offers a comprehensive suite of services and amenities designed to cater to a wide range of campers, from those seeking rustic tent sites to comfortable lakeside cabins and full-hookup RV spots. Their focus on guest satisfaction and providing ample recreational opportunities is evident in their offerings.

  • Diverse Accommodations: The resort features lakeside cabins (2-bedroom, sleeping 6-8, with full kitchens, bathrooms, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, outdoor decks, grills, and firepits), full hook-up pull-through RV sites (5 lakeside, 4 woodside, with 20/30/50 amp electric, sewer, water, paved patio, picnic table, and firepit), and primitive/electric tent sites (behind the beach, with firepits and picnic tables).

  • Clean Facilities: Visitors consistently praise the "extremely clean" bathrooms and showers, indicating a high standard of hygiene and comfort for all guests.

  • Complimentary Watercraft: Guests have free access to a variety of water toys, including kayaks, paddleboats, and canoes. This is a significant highlight for enjoying Swan Lake without extra rental fees.

  • On-Site Store/Lodge: A well-stocked camp store provides "lake life necessities and groceries," including ice cream, coffee, candy, pizza, tackle, night crawlers, bait, firewood, and even gasoline. This convenience means you rarely need to leave the resort for essentials.

  • Waterfront Amenities: The resort boasts a "clean water with the lily pad" and a "sandy swimming beach" with a gradual slope, along with a swim raft and log roller, perfect for safe family fun.

  • Recreational Facilities: A playground for kids, a game room (with ping-pong, pool, foosball, board games), and various yard games (volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, spikeball, cornhole, bocce ball, slackline, crossnet) are available to keep all ages entertained.

  • Boat Services: Boat slips can be reserved, and pontoon rentals are available for exploring Swan Lake. There's also a boat launch on the property and non-ethanol gasoline available.

  • Fish Cleaning House: A dedicated fish house with countertops, sinks, running water, and electricity is provided for anglers.

  • Pet-Friendly: Pets are allowed in all lakeside cabins (with cleaning fees) and presumably on campsites, making it easy to bring furry family members along.

  • Laundry Facilities: On-site laundry facilities are available for guest convenience.

Features / Highlights

Swan Lake Campground & Resort distinguishes itself with a plethora of features and highlights that consistently earn rave reviews and contribute to its strong appeal among Minnesota locals.

  • Exceptional Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Overwhelmingly, reviews emphasize the "fun," "friendly," and "welcoming" environment, highlighting the "family feel" of the campground. This creates a strong sense of community where "everyone gets along well," making it perfect for family gatherings and creating lasting memories.

  • Direct Lake Access with Outstanding Water Activities: The resort's location on Swan Lake is a major draw. It features a "beautiful sandy beach" described as "clean water with the lily pad," and a swim raft. Guests particularly love the "free kayaks and paddle boat" (and canoes), allowing easy access to water sports. Swan Lake itself is a nearly 750-acre recreational lake, perfect for swimming, tubing, water skiing, jet skiing, and fishing, known for crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, sunfish, and walleye.

  • Attentive and Helpful Staff/Owners: Visitors consistently praise the "super friendly staff" and "very helpful" owners, whose welcoming nature contributes significantly to the positive experience. This personal touch ensures guests feel valued and well-cared for.

  • Cleanliness and Comfort: The "extremely clean" bathrooms and showers are frequently mentioned, providing a high level of comfort for campers. Cabins are well-furnished with modern amenities, and RV sites are full hook-up, ensuring a stress-free stay.

  • Abundance of Activities for All Ages: Beyond water sports, the resort offers a playground for kids, a game room, and a variety of lawn and court games (volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, etc.). There’s also a "wilderness path" and "geo-workout" stations for active exploration, ensuring there's always something fun to do.

  • Seasonal and Returning Guests: The presence of many "seasonal campers" who "had kids, grandkids and friends here...looking forward to coming again" speaks volumes about the resort's ability to foster loyalty and repeat visits due to its positive atmosphere and amenities.

  • Convenient On-Site Store: The well-stocked camp store with essentials, treats, bait, and even gasoline is a significant convenience, reducing the need to leave the resort for supplies.

Contact Information

Ready to plan your family's next unforgettable Minnesota lake vacation at Swan Lake Campground & Resort? Here's how you can get in touch to inquire about availability and make your reservation:

Address: 29995 E Shore Dr, Pengilly, MN 55775, USA

Phone: (218) 256-4573

Mobile Phone: +1 218-256-4573

For the most current information on cabin and campsite availability (including seasonal openings which can fill quickly), rates, and to make a booking, it is highly recommended to contact the resort directly via phone or visit their official website. Their online reservation system allows you to check openings and book your stay 24/7. The friendly staff will be delighted to assist you with any questions and help you plan your perfect lakeside retreat on Swan Lake.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For us Minnesotans, Swan Lake Campground & Resort is more than just a place to stay; it's a vibrant embodiment of our cherished "cabin and lake life" culture, making it exceptionally suitable for locals. Its prime location on Swan Lake in Pengilly, within the heart of Itasca County's beautiful lake region, means it's an accessible and authentic "up north" escape without requiring extensive travel across the country. We value finding places that resonate with our love for the outdoors and community, and this resort truly delivers.

What makes Swan Lake Campground & Resort particularly ideal for local families and friends is the consistently praised "friendly" and "welcoming" atmosphere. The dedication of the owners and staff to ensuring "everyone is friendly" and "gets along well" fosters a genuine sense of belonging, which is invaluable for seasonal campers and repeat visitors. The extensive array of complimentary watercraft, the clean and safe sandy beach, and the diverse on-site activities – from playgrounds to game rooms – mean that every member of the family, from toddlers to grandparents, will find something to love and enjoy. It’s a place where kids can play freely, adults can relax, and everyone can connect with nature and each other.

Whether it's the thrill of fishing for crappies and walleyes, the simple joy of paddling on a calm lake, or the warmth of a bonfire shared with friends and family under the stars, Swan Lake Campground & Resort offers an authentic, activity-rich, and deeply rewarding outdoor experience. It reinforces why we love living in Minnesota, providing a perfect blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunity, and welcoming community that keeps locals coming back year after year.

Location

MinnesotaItasca CountyPengillyEast Shore Drive

Customer Reviews

4.0
47 reviews
c
cindy hansmann
May 09, 2025

We are seasonal campers out here. The place is fun and everyone is friendly. Owners were very welcoming when we came here last year. We had kids, grandkids and friends here from Indiana and they had a great time playing at the playground, at the beach/lake and on the paddle boats, kayaking. Everyone loved there time here. They were looking forward to coming again. The campground is very friendly and everyone gets along well. I recommend this campground to anyone that is looking for a place to camp.

J
Johana Franco
Sep 02, 2024

Amazing weekend at Swan Lake Campgrounds! Super friendly staff. VERY helpful! Bathrooms& Showers were extremely clean! Kids loved the clean water with the lily pad and the free kayaks and paddle boat. We can’t wait to come back!

D
Dan Edwards
Jul 23, 2022

We are seasonal campers at Swan Lake Campground. This campground is very family friendly! We have a young daughter and the fun and experiences at the campground are priceless!! Very clean amenities, wonderful sandy beach! Very nice swimming area with a great fishing off the dock!! Cannot say enough about the owners and other campers 😊❤️ Such a great place🥇🥇

D
Dan Edwards
Apr 29, 2025

This campground was bought by new owners and is now the worst campground in the area! The campground has declined terribly and is not a family friendly place. Just trying to save families from spending money and time expecting a relaxing experience! Many people feel the same way! Kind regards

C
Cleone Zunich-Bowen
Aug 17, 2023

I have family that are seasonal campers at Swan Lake Campgrounds so I have been visiting from AZ for nearly 15 years now. It truly is a great place to make family memory’s. The swimming beach isn’t that great but we make do. Several times we would have leeches on us after a swim. The water out of the tap is disgusting! I don’t care how it was inspected or who inspected it, it smells so bad you can’t shower in it. The friendly new owners are great to your face but be careful, they are backstabbers. They sit around with you chatting like they are your friend but they aren’t. My family, along with a couple other campers, all got letters saying their leases won’t be renewed next year right after they all sat around a fire one night celebrating a couple birthdays at 10:22 pm. The camp site “quiet time rule” is 11pm. We have always respected the “quiet time rule” as we have a young daughter too. Because their leases won’t be renewed, they have to have their campers removed from the property by October 1st. My brother had added an addition, a sun porch, to the camper that ran the whole length of it with eight 2x4 windows facing the lake. Because of the addition, you can’t back up a truck to it & pull the camper out. My sister-in-law asked if she could sell her place to new people, that way the owners would have new people leasing & she wouldn’t have to tear down everything they built. It would be a win/win for both parties but the owners said no. She has to have everything out & off the property by October 1st. She is a widow, my brother recently passed away. It will be a huge undertaking. It just doesn’t say much for the kind of people the new owners are. It wouldn’t cost them a dime to allow her to sell her place. The new owners didn’t say why or give any kind of explanation of what the reason was for not renewing, maybe their campground really isn’t a good place to make family memories. When you can’t sit around a fire with your friends at 10:22pm, maybe you shouldn’t celebrate your birthday at a campground, at least, not at Swan Lake Campgrounds! I sure hope they find a new campground with a better beach so they can start building some family memories that will remain forever fabulous family memories! I’m looking forward to my next visit from Arizona to be apart of those memories at a different campground.