T
Teresa O.
Scout
ScoutOak Park Kampground
Great campground
Large sites, quiet, clean showers, very well taken care of.
Camping near Alexandria, MN
98 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Alexandria, Minnesota serves as a hub for diverse camping experiences, with multiple campgrounds situated along lake shores and within forested areas. Lake Carlos State Park Campground offers a range of accommodations including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping options near the water. Additional established campgrounds like Oak Park Kampground, Andes RV Park, and Canary Beach Resort provide varied experiences within a 30-mile radius of the city. The campground landscape around Alexandria features both public and private facilities, many offering electric hookups, showers, and other amenities that appeal to different camping preferences.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the region, with many campgrounds operating from May through October. Weather patterns in central Minnesota can create variable conditions, particularly in spring when rainfall may affect site conditions. "There are plenty of campsite in the lower area that are very close to the water and good for RV people who do not care for privacy. If you want privacy, go for the upper area which is completely forested with plenty of trees and brush between sites," noted one camper about Lake Carlos State Park. Travelers should check individual campground schedules, as some facilities like Lake Carlos State Park and Lakes Area Motel and RV Park remain open year-round, while others close during colder months. Reservation systems vary by location, with most established campgrounds accepting advance bookings.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Alexandria area. Campgrounds situated on or near lakes like Carlos, Brophy, and Minnewaska provide popular options for fishing, swimming, and boating activities. Several visitors mentioned enjoying the natural transition zones between prairie, savannah, and forest environments that characterize the region's ecology. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers appreciate the family-friendly atmosphere at many locations, particularly highlighting swimming beaches, fishing opportunities, and proximity to cycling trails. Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds and even within individual parks, with some waterfront sites offering minimal separation between neighbors while forested areas typically provide more seclusion. Nature programs, hiking trails, and proximity to local attractions make Alexandria's camping areas suitable for both destination travelers and those seeking weekend getaways.
Best Campgrounds near Alexandria (98)
1. Lake Carlos State Park Campground
"Close to downtown Alexandria where there are a variety of things to do: breweries and restaurants, shopping, other parks and trails."
"Lots of screaming kids the weekend we were here, but we found the quiet trails. Lower campground offers no privacy, but a newer shower house and views and access to the lake."
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability2. Oak Park Kampground
"Close to Alexandria which has a Super Walmart and amenities."
"We found this campground on a Google search looking for something near my Grandma’s house and have now visited twice! The staff is great and very welcoming."
from $32 - $48 / night
Check Availability3. Alexandria Shooting Park and RV Campground
4. Lakes Area Motel and RV Park
"Crop dusters zoom off from nearby airport. Over air TV has 60+ channels including cable channels."
5. Andes RV Park
"Golf cart rentals, and trails from the park. Would definitely recommend."
"It has outstanding trails that they use in the winter time for cross-country skiing with tons of outdoor activities. Brand new restroom and shower facilities with laundry."
from $45 - $125 / night
Check Availability6. Canary Beach Resort
"Only 4 stars we we stayed in their overflow which was asked for but it’s down the road outside of the park. It is within walking distance."
from $78 - $1090 / night
Check Availability7. Chippewa Park
"Near Brandon,Minnesota. Lots of Amenities. Nice swimming beaches. #2 of them."
"Each site has a fire ring & picnic table and sites 7-12 have lake views which are beautiful. Sites are 20/30/50 amp and spacious but pretty open to other sites."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability8. Sinclair Lewis City Campground
"There is a boat launch right next to the campground. A fish cleaning house is provided at the campground. Bathrooms are also located within the campground."
"Just blocks from the original Main Street, the campground is in the west end of the beautiful lakeside city park."
9. Lucky Acres Campgrounds
10. Glacial Lakes State Park Campground
"Despite it being a slightly shorter drive than the trip to Duluth from my house, it felt like eternity in comparison. It also felt very very unlike the Minnesota that I’m familiar with. "
"The trails in the park have nice rolling hills and offer a unique type of beauty. The campground is small, but offers some electric sites as well as some primitive sites."
from $22 - $150 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 59 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 1 hr 30 min from Fargo, ND
- 1 hr 52 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 2 hrs 47 min from Mankato, MN
Recent Camping Photos near Alexandria, MN
45 Photos of 98 Alexandria Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Big Foot Resort
Lake Carlos State Park CampgroundL
Canary Beach Resort
God’s Country Camping
Glacial Lakes State Park Campground
Birch Lakes State Forest CampgroundJ
Swift Falls County Park
Glendalough State Park Campground
Swan Lake Resort & Campground
Ambush City Park
Sunnybrook Park
Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park
Recent Reviews near Alexandria, MN
247 Reviews of 98 Alexandria Campgrounds
Sacred E.
TravelerSmith Park Campground
Great little town camp spot
We are loving finding these sweet little campgrounds! This one is easy, has power and water for $15 a night, nice host, and a great little bakery just down the road.
- DDaniel R.
GuideLake Carlos State Park Campground
Family Friendly Fun
There’s not one but two wonderful bathrooms at each end of the lower level campsites. Our children loved riding their scooters around the loop. If you happen to own a boat, you can park it right on the beach and tie off across from your campsite if you’re lucky enough to have one on the lake side. We stayed at spot 85 but site 102 is on the end and then you will only have one Neighbor.
- LLeonard N.Traveler
Delagoon Park Campground
City Owned Park and Campground (nicest one on our two week vacation)
Stayed on 07/18/26 1 night in our 30' RV pulling a motorcycle trailer, while traveling through on I94, without a reservation. It is 3-4 miles off the highway, and a little challenging to find (poor signage), but worth the effort. This is a city owned and operated park, and campground BUT, it is located on the outskirts of town on a very large parcel, with no nearby industrial, or residential neighbors. The access road from HWY 82 is 3/4 mile, and was rough in one 1/4 mile stretch (repaving pending). The campground was completely renovated, and reopened in 2026 (new sites, hookups, restroom/shower house). The rates have increased (we paid $56). The sites are large, level compacted gravel, with most three pull through sites. There were many trees removed during the renovation, limiting shade, and privacy, but allowing good views of Pebble Lake. Our Tuesday night stay was very quiet, with only a few other campers dispersed throughout the campground. There is a very nice playground for children, and walking/biking trails throughout the park, and a convenient dump station at the entrance. This isn't an "RV Resort", nor a "wilderness campground", but it is the nicest campground we stayed at during our two week vacation (and possibly ever). We would highly recommend Delagoon Campground to anyone visiting family or friends in the Fergus Falls area, or as a destination vacation campground. Wish we could have stayed longer!
- WWilliam D.Scout
Sauk River City Park
Suak river campground
Fishing ,great campground for little ones, lots of space two playgrounds. Very clean bathrooms and showers.
- TTom R.Scout
Oak Park Kampground
Great Location
Nice privately owned Campground with swimming pool. The owners and staff are very friendly. Close to Alexandria which has a Super Walmart and amenities.
- SScott S.Traveler
El Rancho Manana
Run down with buildings in disrepair.
Just spent 4 nights here with our popup and disappointed in how poor the place has been kept up. Only one shower worked out of 3 in the mens and womens bathroom and the light was out in the one that did work. Hardly any water came out as well. Same for the hand washing sinks in the mens, only one had water coming out. The laundry building mens bathroom had a faucet the wasn't even attached to the counter top so I had to hold it down to move the lever to turn the water on. The gravel roads have a lot of washed out areas so ruts and potholes everywhere. Definately not worth the price and won't be staying here again. The only two positives that I can say is that the staff is freindly and the lake is very clear for June compared to other lakes in MN. Caught quite a few nice sunfish off the dock and even a few sm bass. The old west show area does look nice but nothing went on there the weekend we were at the campground.
- BBonita C.Scout
Clarissa City Park
Don’t think it has camping anymore
I couldn’t locate where the camping was. A local said just there on the grass but signs say stay off grass. So I went on to Brenda. I would call if you are planning a stop there.
- JJay D.Scout
Camp S'more Campground
Camp Smore
Not free but a very nice owner and campgrounds
Guide to Alexandria
Alexandria camping options extend beyond the city limits into surrounding Douglas County, where elevations range from 1,350 to 1,430 feet above sea level. The region sits in a transition zone between prairie and deciduous forest ecosystems, creating varied camping environments within a 30-mile radius. Winter camping is available at select locations with temperatures often dropping below 0°F from December through February.
What to do
Water recreation access: Lake Carlos State Park Campground offers multiple water activities with a designated swimming beach. "Nice large campground. There is a lower portion and upper portion with the lower campground being lakefront. There are primitive and electric sites available," explains reviewer Tori K. The park provides boat access to Lake Carlos for fishing and water sports.
Winter activities: Several campgrounds maintain winter operations with seasonal programming. At Lake Carlos State Park, "I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter," reports Tori K. The park maintains winter-accessible sites from November through March.
Disc golf and land sports: Andes RV Park features multiple recreational options beyond water activities. "The park offers a fantastic range of activities, including golf cart rentals, volleyball, horseshoes, disc golf, pickle ball, etc...and in winter, cross-country skiing and tubing—there's something for everyone!" notes Canada0718 F. The disc golf course remains accessible during regular park hours.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the quality of bathrooms and showers at area campgrounds. At Andes RV Park, "The facilities are top-notch, with brand-new, spacious bathrooms and showers that were really nice and clean!" according to Canada0718 F. Multiple reviewers noted bathroom cleanliness as a deciding factor for return visits.
Off-season experiences: Sinclair Lewis City Campground receives positive reviews for shoulder season camping. "We pulled in later and pick it based on a previous review. Easily found a spot by the lake and woke to a pleasant midwestern vista," writes David H. Fall camping here provides less crowded conditions with full amenities until mid-October closing.
Proximity to town amenities: The location of campgrounds relative to city services gets frequent mention. About Sinclair Lewis City Campground, Janet R. notes it's "Just blocks from the original Main Street, the campground is in the west end of the beautiful lakeside city park... but a close walk to Main Street for unique shops and cafes." This accessibility to town services appeals particularly to campers without towed vehicles.
What you should know
Bug preparation: Insect protection is essential, particularly in summer months. "Side note: if coming in summer make sure to bring plenty of bug spray!!!" warns Canada0718 F. about Andes RV Park. Mosquitoes are most active from June through August, especially near wetland areas.
Site privacy variations: Privacy levels differ significantly between and within campgrounds. At Glacial Lakes State Park Campground, "The sites are close side-to-side, but trees line the outside sites and there is good back-to-back space between the inner sites. Not all sites have hammock trees though," explains Amanda M. Upper campsites typically offer more seclusion than lakefront options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Alexandria, MN?
Which is the most popular campground near Alexandria, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alexandria, MN is Lake Carlos State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 29 reviews.
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