Three miles east of Staples, Dower Lake Recreation Area sits on city-managed land surrounding a small lake with a sandy swimming beach. The campground provides both primitive sites and spots with electric hookups, though water comes from a central potable station rather than individual site connections. Sites run narrow but maintain reasonable spacing between neighbors.
The lake serves paddlers, swimmers, and anglers, while the recreation area includes a boat dock, disc golf course, basketball court, and horseshoe pits. Campers can access free firewood and a dump station with registration. Black flies populate the lake area during warmer months. For those exploring central Minnesota's lake country, camping near Staples offers additional options in the region.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsDower Lake Recreation Area is located in Minnesota near Staples
Coordinates
46.35414217 N
94.84943136 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 16 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 1 hr 42 min from Fargo, ND
- 2 hrs 8 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 2 hrs 32 min from Duluth, MN








