The Up a Creek Campground is located on forty acres in Fifty Lakes, Minnesota. Daggett Creek runs along the property, and as such, there are kayak, canoe, and tube rentals available on the premises. A small beach and dock lead into the river. The property has tent sites, overnight stay RV sites, seasonal stay RV sites, rental campers, and a small apartment. Each guest accommodation comes with a full hookup and access to any of the activities on the property such as games in the recreation area, or swimming in the heated swimming pool. The campground has a large general store and movie rentals as well. Up a Creek Campground is open from May 1st to the third week in September.
The Up a Creek Campground is located in Fifty Lakes, Minnesota. The property sits on forty acres of land lining the Daggett Creek. Spread throughout the forty-acre property is a variety of overnight RV sites, seasonal RV sites, group camps, tent sites, rental campers, and a private apartment. Twenty-six overnight campsites are available for shorter-term stays and contain septic, water services, and power. The seasonal or long-term sites can cater to sixty-four campers. Each of these sites include a full hook-up and extra parking space for additional vehicles. The single group site on the property is separate from the campground just beyond the main entrance. This camping area looks out over the river and is surrounded by trees. The group site can host up to five families in addition to multiple tents.
Each of the sites at Up a Creek Campground—including the tent sites—have full hook ups. The designated RV sites are cement or gravel, with a smaller grassy area, while the tent sites are entirely covered in grass. There are five pull-thru sites for larger campers, and every back-in site has extra room for larger rigs. For those with two trailers in a group, it is recommended they book sites 41 and 42 in conjunction. These sites face each other and share a large grassy lawn where guests can play games and set up seating arrangements. All of the campsites come with a picnic table and fire ring for guests to use at their convenience.
The apartment and camper rentals are all separate and located at the center of the property. The apartment can sleep up to six guests with two bedrooms, a private outdoor seating area, a full kitchen, living room, and bathroom. This rental space is connected to the main office and has direct access to the outdoor swimming pool. Free Netflix is available for guests to use on flat-screen televisions, and the outdoor gathering area has a charcoal grill.
The River View Camper rental is newly renovated, with two bedrooms containing two queen beds and a bunk bed. A deck with shaded patio furniture was built onto the camper and also holds a charcoal grill. The campsite looks out over the river and has a private dock. A large fire pit sits in the center of a concrete seating area overlooking the river. The rental site also has a parking area for up to three additional vehicles.
The Beehive Camper is similar to the River View Camper with two bedrooms, a fenced-in yard, and a private outdoor seating area. This camper sleeps six guests and is fully furnished. All of the rentals come stocked with coffee and creamer, dish towels and soap, bath linens, televisions, DVD players, spices, cooking ware, utensils, a toaster, a microwave, bedding, toiletries, and other necessities. Pets are not allowed in the rentals.
Upon purchasing the property, the owner Michelle went to great lengths to clear safe pathways and private areas throughout the heavily wooded area. Mostly mature oak and some pine trees cover the property with dense shrubbery. The main road on the property is clearly marked, and multiple large maps are on display for guests looking to go to the bathhouse, main office, store, or their own campsites. A dirt road winds throughout the property with a speed limit of around ten miles per hour that is strictly enforced for the safety of all guests.
A large general store is located at the entrance of the property and is run by Michelle. This store is thirty by sixty feet and sells a variety of camping essentials and daily necessities. Visitors can purchase hard scoop ice cream from the ice cream counter or fill their coffee mugs at the coffee bar. The store also sells basic groceries such as milk and eggs, clothing items including hoodies and t-shirts, camping supplies, wood, and charcoal. The store was built as a convenience for guests who don’t wish to go into town for their everyday needs or last-minute supplies they may have forgotten.
Because the Up a Creek Campground is family-oriented and located on the river, there are many common areas and recreational activities they can participate in. A beach area was recently added to the property in 2020. This area sits beside a small dock and has sand toys, water floaties, and beach chairs guests are welcome to use at their leisure. A large grassy recreation area is covered in outdoor games such as horseshoe, cornhole, and croquet. A sand volleyball court also sits on the property. The most popular of the outdoor areas, however, is the twenty by forty foot swimming pool. Heated to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, this large pool is open to all guests at the Up a Creek Campground. Bingo night is also held at the campground often. Children are welcome to participate for free from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and a ten-dollar fee is charged to adults starting to play after 7:00 PM.
Daggett Creek flows along the Up a Creek Campground and is a common area guests can spend time during the warm summer days. Tube, kayak, and canoe rentals are all available to rent on the property, and there are many fishing supply rental shops nearby. Just five miles from the campground is the Emily Outing Trail System. The network of trails ranges in difficulty and contains many paths that are large enough for mountain bikes, dirt bikes, ATVs, and UTVs. Cross Lake is the closest lake to the campsite and is known for being a part of the whitefish chain. There are more than eight other lakes within a mile of the campground as well.
In addition to the outdoor attractions in the area, there are many unique dining options. The Bourbon Room is a local favorite with a diverse menu that includes tater tot hot dishes, homemade mac n cheese with pork and cornbread, and many different types of grilled cheese sandwiches. The 50 Lakes Bottle Shop is another popular stop. This local bar serves pub-style food and off-sale liquor. Pine Peaks is another high-end dining option in the area.
Michelle is the current owner of the Up a Creek Campground. Michelle had a distinct idea when it came to the atmosphere and culture she wanted to create at her campground. “I want my guests to feel like they are at a resort and don’t have to leave until check out time,” says Michelle. By adding many outdoor activities such as the heated swimming pool, colorful camping displays, and rental equipment for the river, Michelle has done significant work to reach this goal. As a family-oriented area, Michelle and her staff made sure to add activities for all ages. There are two large playgrounds and sandy beaches for younger children, volleyball courts and swimming docks for middle-aged children, and outdoor games such as cornhole and croquet for adults. Finally, the bingo night activities are structured to cater toward people of all ages.
Most guests who spend time at Up a Creek Campground are visiting for the outdoor activities. Many of them spend time fishing, hunting, riding ATVs, and most prominently camping. Michelle herself is very interested in these outdoor activities and appreciates when she can connect with her guests over these topics. In order to interact with her visitors, Michelle often runs the check-in and check-out process, works daily in the property store, and walks around the campground checking on her guests. Over 75% of those who spend time at Up a Creek Campground are families with children or grandchildren and adults ranging from the ages 30-60 years old.
Michelle and her staff built the property store, heated the pool, and created the sand beach because they wanted the campground to be a place where guests could park their vehicles and never have to leave. They deliver firewood, provide activities, and even have basic grocery items. In addition, there is a large maintenance shed on the property where guests can find supplies for fixing their campers such as wrenches, duck tape, bolts, and various tubes. Kayak, canoe, and tube rentals are also available on the property. Guests are welcome to use to property’s entrance to the Emily Outing Trial System, so they don’t have to load up their ATVs. To emphasize the intent to provide many guests' needs directly on-site, Michelle created a property motto upon purchasing the property: “Up a creek? We’ve got your paddle.”
A variety of reviews have been left regarding the convenience of the property store, the many activities guests can participate in, and the privacy of each campsite. A recent guest at the campground left this review, “We chose to come to Up a Creek for our annual family camping weekend, and we all had a blast! Lazy river tubing was so much fun. Park for the little kiddos along with a basketball hoop, game room, and pool for all ages. The owner was so friendly with great hospitality!”
Pets are allowed on the property as long as they are leashed. There are several stands with garbage bags to clean up after visitor’s animals, and they are encouraged to do so. Pets are not allowed in the swimming pool area, rental campers, or inside the property store. However, they are welcome on the beach and in the river. The property is open from May 1st to the third week in September every year. Long-term rentals can be arranged to stay for more extended periods of time.
Michelle is the owner and general manager of the Up a Creek Campground. She spent over fifteen years of her early career as a public health inspector, specializing in campground inspections. She also spent several years working in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her experience in these work fields led to her desire to start her own campground. Local to Minnesota, Michelle spent years searching for the property she wanted to buy and start her campground. Because she worked with various campgrounds over the years, Michelle is very familiar with the industry and what things are essential in running a successful business. Michelle enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping.
The Up a Creek Campground was originally named Fifty Lakes Campground when it was opened in 1992. The original owner ran it for five years before being purchased by a young couple. That couple ran the property for twenty years. Michelle came upon the land in 2017. The property was extremely run down, so upon purchasing the property, many changes were made. All of the bathhouses were renovated with new tiles and paint, a new deck was added around the pool, and all of the outdoor buildings were painted for easier identification. Michelle founded the property store and added twenty-eight overnight stay campsites. The entire property was landscaped for guest safety and easier navigation, the beach, and outdoor recreational areas were added as well.
16263 Co Rd 1
Fifty Lakes, Minnesota 56448
United States
Campground
Michelle
