Kilen Woods State Park Campground, near Lakefield, Minnesota, is a charming spot that offers a peaceful escape with plenty of room to breathe. The campsites are spacious and well-kept, featuring picnic tables and fire rings that make for cozy evenings under the stars.

This campground is a hit for its clean facilities, including showers and flush toilets, which visitors appreciate after a day of hiking. One camper noted, “The park Ranger on Duty was very helpful,” highlighting the friendly atmosphere you can expect during your stay. The walk-in sites are particularly popular for their privacy, nestled among beautiful oaks and sumac, providing a nice retreat from the busier electric sites.

For those eager to explore, the park boasts well-maintained trails that can be hiked in a day, offering stunning views of prairie, river, and oak savanna. Whether you're looking to unwind or get active, Kilen Woods has a little something for everyone. Just remember, no alcohol is allowed, so keep it family-friendly and enjoy the natural beauty around you!

Kilen Woods State Park Campground

Are you in need of a campground near Lakefield, MN? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Minnesota camping adventure.

Lakefield

The Best Camping Near Lakefield, Minnesota

Stayed in the walk-in section of the campground. Just a short walk from the parking and vault toilet. Beautiful Oaks surround you as does the sumac, raspberries and mosquitos. Even though it rained it was a superb experience 🙏

Secluded slice of paradise.

Not far from i90, but felt like we were in the middle of nowhere! Lots of cornfields surround the state park, so there wasn’t much traffic or the sound of cars. We stayed on a weeknight and there was barely anyone there…not actually sure if the campground host was even there. Showers and bathrooms were very clean. Campsites we’re shaded and private, but also spacious and ours had some grass. We did have AT&amp;T service at our site. 


Great campground!

Found this site by luck just searching on the Minnesota DNR site! Lots of RV sites but there are 4 walk in sites down a small trail, very private and away from everyone else. We chose site 4 and we definitely made the right decision!! Great hiking with beautiful sights. We will definitely be back and are already planning our next visit!

Great private site all the way in back!

Kilen Woods SP

Chosen at the last minute for its proximity to the Twin Cities area, the drive was about 2 hrs 45 minutes. Park is quiet, clean and very easy to hike. Entire park can easily be hiked in a day, with prairie, river and oak savanna views. The park rangers were not at the station at any point while we visited, meaning payment for firewood and parking must be done online. Really nice facility with flush toilets and showers sits between the two campground loops. Camped in Walk-In Site #1 and the seclusion from the electric sites was great. The walk-in sites are nestled in the woods and fairly private. From the parking spot to the campsite was an easy ~100’.

Peaceful Prairie Spot

Great Campground. The park Ranger on Duty was very helpful. Campsites were generous in space. Well kept. Fire Ring and picnic table on site were kept up well. Trails and scenery through the back hills are well kept and maintained. 

Great Campground! Conveniently located!

First thing to know is that you cannot pay for anything there directly... no cash, no checks, no credit cards, no tap, nothing. You need to use the Yodel app to purchase firewood and, even if there is staff present, you'll need to pay for your site on the MN State Park reservations system. What's nice is that there is no convenience charge when you are on site. This totally threw us as we are used to pulling up and paying with cash or card to a human. And, they have no wifi. So you'll have to use your phone or, like I did, use your phone as a hotspot to use your laptop/tablet.

  

Once that was all finally taken care of, we got to enjoy our spacious site. It was HOT, but there is a tree in the center of Site 7 that offered shade and lots of bushes and trees around that offer shade. We just had to keep moving to get it. Each site has a firepit and picnic table. Site 6 has a trail going through it on the edge while Site 7 had a trail on the other side but it was several feet from the actual site. I'm not sure it ever gets busy there, but if it did, you may have people around your site if you choose those edge sites.

  

This place was SO quiet! I know that also has to do with the other campers, so thank you to our fellow campers that weekend who kept it quiet. No road noise at all. There are fields nearby, so if it's plowing season I imagine it would be quite noisy and quite dusty.

  

At the end of September, along with the heat, there were tons of what we later learned were Asian Lady Beetles, which actually do sting. Surprise! Then when they started slowing down, here came the midges/no-see-ums. So I came away with a lot of stings. Boo! My spouse did not. So I guess they just liked me a lot.

  

I would totally recommend Kilen Woods SP! It was a total surprise to use as we were looking for a last minute place to camp, so that was wonderful. If you're driving along I90 in Minnesota or I26 in South Dakota and need an easy overnight, check this place out.

Photos of Kilen Woods State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers