Compare campervans, motorhomes and RVs to rent in Minneapolis, listed by private owners and local rental businesses. See prices, photos and reviews for RV rental in the USA, then book online with insurance included.
Minneapolis puts the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters wilderness and a chain of city lakes all within a few hours of the same pickup point — a rare mix of genuine wilderness and a walkable, bike-friendly downtown. Enter your Minneapolis pickup details on the search page and you’ll see insured RVs, motorhomes and camper vans listed by owners and local operators near you.
Every vehicle is listed by its owner — private owners and local rental businesses — and booked through our partner Outdoorsy, with insurance and payment protection on every booking.
RV, Motorhome and Camper Van Rental in Minneapolis
The choice runs from compact camper vans that handle city driving and tight campground loops easily to full-size Class A motorhomes with a kitchen, bathroom and slide-outs. A camper van or smaller travel trailer suits the Chain of Lakes area and North Shore’s narrower turnouts; a larger motorhome is fine on I-35 and the main highways north but takes more planning to park downtown. Minneapolis and St. Paul sit either side of the Mississippi, with I-35W, I-35E, I-94 and I-694 forming a full loop around the Twin Cities that keeps through-traffic away from downtown surface streets.
Rental cost depends mainly on vehicle class, season and rental length — a camper van is consistently the cheaper option, a Class A or large travel trailer the most expensive, and per-night rates usually drop the longer you book. Summer weekends and the Minnesota State Fair at the end of August push demand up across the metro; enter your dates above for a live quote rather than a generic average.
Where to camp near Minneapolis
- Town & Country RV Park and Campground, Savage — open year-round with full hookups and level, pull-through sites, about 20 minutes south of downtown.
- Bunker Hills Campground, Coon Rapids — an Anoka County park with shaded, secluded sites north of the city, handy for an early start toward Duluth and the North Shore.
- Ham Lake Resort — northeast of the Twin Cities, open May to November with a mix of full-hookup RV sites and cabins.
- St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, Hastings — east of the metro on the St. Croix River, a good base for exploring the scenic river valley without committing to the long drive north.
Things to see near your Minneapolis pickup
Minnehaha Falls is a 53-foot waterfall inside Minnehaha Regional Park, free to enter and an easy stop on the way into or out of the city, with trails down to the gorge and along the Mississippi. The Chain of Lakes — Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake — are linked by paved paths for walking and biking, with public beaches and canoe or kayak rental in summer. The Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, sits just west of downtown. Mall of America, one of the largest malls in the country, is a short drive south near the airport and reachable by light rail if you’d rather leave the rig at the campground for the day.
Best road trips from Minneapolis
- The North Shore of Lake Superior — about 150 miles to Duluth, roughly 3 hours, then Highway 61 continues another 150 miles to Grand Portage on the Canadian border. Waterfalls, agate beaches and Split Rock Lighthouse line the route; allow 3–5 days to do it properly.
- The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness — about 4–5 hours via Duluth and the Gunflint Trail out of Grand Marais. A vehicle gets you to the entry points; the wilderness itself is paddle-and-portage only, so this suits travelers combining a few RV nights with a guided or self-planned canoe trip.
- Wisconsin Dells — about 250 miles southeast, roughly 3.75 hours. Water parks and Wisconsin River sandstone gorges for a family-friendly changeup.
- Voyageurs National Park — about 280 miles north, roughly 4.5 hours. A water-based park near International Falls with far fewer crowds than the North Shore.
- Red Wing and the Mississippi River bluffs — about 55 miles southeast, just over an hour. An easy overnight loop along the river before committing to a longer trip north.
Driving and camping in Minnesota
Minnesota winters are genuinely severe — sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow are routine from November through March, and the vast majority of campgrounds close for the season, so RV travel here runs May through September for almost everyone. Summer brings its own consideration: mosquitoes are serious business near the lakes and up toward the Boundary Waters, especially in June, so repellent and screened areas matter more here than in most states. If any part of the trip includes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness itself, overnight entry needs a permit booked in advance through a quota system — the RV and campground stay doesn’t need one, but a paddle-in night inside the BWCAW does.
When to travel
Late May through September is the practical camping season, with July and August the busiest and warmest. The Minnesota State Fair in late August is one of the largest state fairs in the country and fills Twin Cities accommodation, including nearby campgrounds — book ahead if your trip overlaps it. September brings the North Shore’s fall color, usually peaking in late September to early October, with noticeably quieter roads than summer.
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RV rental Minneapolis — FAQs
Where can I pick up an RV near Minneapolis?
Owners and operators list vehicles across the Twin Cities metro, inside the I-494/I-694 loop and out toward the suburbs. Widening your search radius shows the full spread of vehicles near you.
Do I need a permit to camp in the Boundary Waters?
You need a permit only if you’re paddling and camping overnight inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness itself, booked in advance through a quota system. Staying at a regular campground on the way up, including anywhere along the North Shore, doesn’t require one.
How far is the North Shore from Minneapolis by RV?
Duluth is about 150 miles north-east of the Twin Cities on I-35, around 2.5 hours, so the start of the North Shore is a comfortable first day. From there, Highway 61 runs about 150 miles to the Canadian border, past eight state parks including Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse. Browse more routes on the USA page, and check campground details with the Minnesota DNR.
What is the best time of year to start an RV trip from Minneapolis?
Summer to early autumn is easiest. Duluth has about 100 days a year when the high stays at or below freezing, and averages around 90 inches of snow, so winter RV trips north need extra care. Lakes in northern Minnesota are usually ice-covered until mid-May, according to the National Park Service. Booking for July and August fills early, so reserve campsites well ahead.