West Forty RV Park and Campground

West Forty RV Park opened in May 2004 with the opening of the nearby Iron Range Off-Road Vehicle Park. West Forty takes its name from the second parcel of land owned by the Skrbec family. The first parcel (East 40) was located immediately to the east and once was the location of Sunrise Terrace Mobile Home Park which was at its peak in the 1970s and 1980s during the last mining boom for the Iron Range. At one point, more than 300 people lived at Sunrise Terrace and was responsible for 10 percent of the City of Gilbert's population.


In the early 2000s, the City of Gilbert and the Department of Natural Resources began to move forward with the now, extremely popular OHV Park project which reclaimed the old Schley Mine and created a new center of off-road recreation for the state. Our family decided to open a privately-owned alternative to the municipal-run campgrounds in the area.


Over the years, West Forty RV Park has continued to make improvements to the campground, but we've learned our number one asset is the friendliness and helpfulness of our family-owners and park host staff. Our top priority is to ensure that our guests have an enjoyable time while they visit Gilbert! 


Our family has lived in Gilbert dating back to the mid-1940s and we consider ourselves as ambassadors to the great things our city has to offer. We know every business and service you might need in the area and we're happy to make referrals to you so your time spent in Gilbert is enjoyable. We pride ourselves on being able to help you out when you need it.


Visit our Campground News page for the latest updates of what's going on at West Forty RV Park and Campground.


Camping options

We have five dedicated group camping sites with a variety of services on each site; water, sewer and electric options vary by site. Three of the group sites designed for tents (G1-G3) and two that are for campers/RVs (G4 & G5). Site G4 also includes the use of our pavilion which is a popular site for event leaders. 


We have camper/RV sites including full hook-ups, drive-through sites, back-in sites with electric and various hook-up options and a partially secluded tent/small camper area. 90 percent of our campsites are larger than those you'll find at other area campgrounds.


Campground features and amenities

  • We escort guests to their site whenever possible
  • We assist you by marshalling/guiding you into your site upon request
  • Restrooms open 24-hours-a-day
  • Large restroom building opening in 2024 including 3 individual showers, family/ADA restroom & shower, men's and women's restrooms 
  • Picnic shelter for rent; or included in group campsite rental (site G4)
  • Group camping sites for multiple tents (sites G1, G2 & G3)
  • Group camping sites for 2 RVs/campers (sites G4 & G5)
  • Games for rent by the day at the office
  • Owner/campground host on-site all season
  • Campground clean-out/dump station
  • Garbage and recycling center on property
  • Free air
  • Dedicated emergency repair zone for OHV's
  • Dedicated electric pedestal for electric vehicle (EV) charging or arc-welding (to make repairs to off-road vehicles)
  • Reasonably priced firewood, ice and propane exchange (20# & 30# tanks) on-site - we deliver all firewood directly to your site
  • ATV washing station
  • Trail access to the Iron Range Off-Road Vehicle Park for 4-wheelers, side-by-sides and dirt bikes.
  • Direct access to the Mesabi Trail

About the owners

Leo Skrbec and his wife Yvonne Skrbec, are life-long residents of Gilbert who served as the original owners of West Forty RV Park after Leo retired from LTV Steel after 40 years of service. Leo serves as the Secretary and Executive Vice President of Mesabi Mountain Holdings and assists with daily operations of the campground. While Leo is now in his 2nd retirement after turning over the campground to his son's, he still helps with maintenance and campground expansion plans as well as taking some time to have a beer with campers.

The Campground

Eldest son, Ron Skrbec, is the CFO and treasurer of Mesabi Mountain Holdings. He is responsible for human resources and providing budget oversight for West Forty RV Park and Campground. He lives in Rosemount and assists with camping operations on weekends whenever he can. He is nearing retirement from Dakota County and also drives a Zamboni for the City of Rosemount. 

Paul Skrbec, is the youngest son of Leo and Yvonne, and serves as the CEO of Mesabi Mountain Holdings and partner of the campground since 2020. He manages daily campground operations, reservations, marketing, technology, customer service and strategic planning. He loves the outdoors, camping, running and adventure travel. From May 1 through October 31, his primary residence is at the campground; in the off-season he resides in Minneapolis.


His professional background includes more than 20 years of working in tourism at several industry-leading companies such as National Car Rental, Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines. After living in Atlanta for six years, he retired from Delta in 2015 to be closer to family and pursue certification as a massage therapist and personal trainer. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the City of Gilbert's Campground Board and is active in organizing the Gilbert business community. He grew up blazing many of the trails in the Iron Trail Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area with his junior and senior high school friends and is a strong advocate for further economic development in the area tied to the sport of off-roading.