Map showing campground location near Houston, Minnesota

Camper submitted image from Houston Nature Center

Houston Nature Center

Walk-in tent sites at Houston Nature Center occupy flat, well-spaced ground near the Root River State Trail trailhead. Campers carry gear several hundred feet from parking to reach the camping area, where most sites include picnic tables and fire rings. The facility operates on a first-come, first-served basis at $10-20 per night, with payment accepted inside the nature center or through a slot near the restroom mirrors.

The campground serves primarily as a trail access point for cyclists and paddlers exploring the Root River. A one-acre natural playground features a zip line, treehouse, and small rock wall adjacent to the camping area. April S. notes the sites are "wonderfully quiet and safe" with singing toads providing nighttime sounds. Clean restrooms and free showers operate with a suggested donation system.

Local firewood sits available near the restrooms on a donation basis. The nature center building houses interactive displays and will soon relocate the International Owl Center from Houston's main street. Cell service reaches the campground, and the town grocery store sits within walking distance. For additional camping options, visitors can explore campsites near Houston throughout the driftless region's rolling landscape.

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Location

Public Campground

Houston Nature Center is located in Minnesota

Coordinates

43.76600068 N
91.57200028 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 5/5/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 5/5/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 5/5/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 5/5/26

Access

Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Market
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

25 min from La Crosse, WI
54 min from Rochester, MN
1 hr 44 min from Eau Claire, WI
2 hrs 13 min from Waterloo, IA

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the clean facilities, spacious level sites, and quiet atmosphere at this tent-only campground. The natural playground and Root River Trail access were frequently highlighted as major draws for families and cyclists.

Crystal B.

Legend

Reviewed Mar. 30, 2026

Primative tent camping in Houston MN

This area is getting more developed as the Owl Center will be moving here from the current location on Main Street. You do need to walk several hundred feet to the tent sites. Nature center, natural playground, biking trails, root river with paddling opportunities. This area is part of the drift-less region and known for its rolling landscape.

Month of VisitMarch

(9) View All

April S.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 20, 2025

Peaceful

Wonderfully quiet and safe. Had bathrooms and showers. Right at the end of the root river state trail. Singing toads at night. Very flat. Sites are spread out. Within walking distance to grocery store.

Site#4

Month of VisitJuly

Steve S.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 15, 2023

Great Campground for Cyclists

Spacious, level, well kept, quiet. $10/night, which is great. Spotless showers and bathrooms, access to drinking water. The International Owl Center was a welcome discovery. Best tent campground on the Root River Trail.

Site8

Month of VisitSeptember

Michael V.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 11, 2022

Bike trail campground with parking near by.

Has very clean showers and toilets. Owl center at office. Tent sites only and not many. Must make reservations but typically not many people here camping.

SiteNA

Month of VisitJuly

Alison

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 18, 2018

Root River Bike Trail

This campsite is at the trailhead for the Root River Bike Trail. This bike trail is so awesome and by far the best in the tri-state area!

The nature center is tent camping only but they do have nice spots with picnic tables and grills. Even though I'm not a kid, I thought the park was AWESOME. They litterally have a tree house to play in!!!! The Nature Center also has a bike servicing station, showers, and bathrooms. Everything is extremely clean and the town of Houston is so sweet. I will visit again!

GoWhereYouAreDraw N.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 14, 2018

Great location!

The Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the Root River State Bike Trail. Trail Head Park is a nice tent only campground with walk-in sites. A majority of the sites have picnic tables and fire pits. The Nature Center has clean bathrooms and free showers. They recommend donations for the use of the showers.

$20 per night camping fee. You can pay inside the Nature Center or at the slot between the restroom mirrors. The sites are first come, first serve. Local firewood is available near the restrooms as well; take what you need and leave the center a donation.

Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite. When I visited during the week, I only saw a small group of people using the playground. The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more. Inside the Nature Center, they have interactive and interesting displays. The highlight of this campground is the Root River State Bike Trail and the Owl Center in the town of Houston.

I'd give the campsite 4/5 review. The location, the bluffs, the bike trail, and center get 5/5 review.

Month of VisitSeptember

(8) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fires allowed at Houston Nature Center?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Houston Nature Center, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Houston Nature Center have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Houston Nature Center does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Houston Nature Center?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is excellent coverage for AT&T, excellent coverage for T-Mobile, and excellent coverage for Verizon.

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