Campgrounds around Barry, Minnesota center primarily on Big Stone Lake, with several established options providing a mix of lakefront and inland camping experiences. The Hartford Beach State Park Campground in nearby Corona, South Dakota features tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with both electric hookups and boat-in access. Big Stone Lake State Park Campground in Ortonville offers additional camping options with electric hookups for RVs and tent sites, situated directly on the Minnesota side of the lake. Several smaller municipal and county parks, including Toqua County Park in Graceville and City Park in Browns Valley, provide alternatives with varying levels of amenities.
The camping season in this region typically runs from May through September or early October, with most facilities closing for the winter months. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when lakefront sites fill quickly. While some campgrounds offer full hookups, others provide more basic amenities like drinking water and pit toilets. Road access is generally good throughout the region with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads. Seasonal variations affect the camping experience, with summer offering warm days ideal for swimming and boating on Big Stone Lake. A visitor noted that "Big Stone Lake State Park has beautiful sunsets, lots of wildlife and nice trails. Fishing is free from the park boundaries with lots of shoreline."
Waterfront sites consistently rank as the most desirable camping locations in the area. Hartford Beach State Park receives particularly high ratings for its lakefront sites, with some campers noting paths leading directly to the water's edge from certain sites. The campgrounds in this region generally feature clean facilities, though site privacy varies considerably between locations. Several visitors highlight the fishing opportunities, wildlife viewing, and water access as key attractions. One camper shared that Toqua County Park was "situated right between a lake and a golf course. Very clean camp sites." Visitors to Hartford Beach State Park frequently mention the exceptional cleanliness and maintenance of facilities, though the campground layout offers limited privacy between sites. Travelers seeking cabin accommodations have options at Hartford Beach State Park, Camping 109 RV Park, and Lakewood Supper Club, which combines lodging with an on-site restaurant.
"Some, however, were right on the lake or had paths that lead to a picnic table & fire ring closer to the water. As another reviewer mentioned, one of the loops has sites that are not very level."
"This was a nice campground on the lake. The sites are not very private and some of the fire pits are are far away from the camping pad, they are down the hill by the lake."
$24 - $34 / night
"A few of the tent sites had lake views with even a few having short paths right to the waters edge. All sites are drive in with not much privacy in between, but it was enough for me."
"Beautiful sunsets, lots of wildlife and nice trails. Fishing is free from the park boundaries with lots of shoreline. Great access to the lake if you have a boat."
"Situated right between a lake and a golf course. Very clean camp sites. Had a blast."
"The campground is near a river so beware of the mosquitoes. We will stay here again when in the area. Also you can get 50% off with passport america pass!"
"On the shores of Big Stone Lake. A nice beach and a boat landing. There are normally no open sites, we are told, as they are all rented for the season."
LegendThis is a large campground with lakeside campsites available. Hiking trails, beach, boating, paddling area. Campground has nice views and is well maintained.
LegendThis is an historically significant area that has activities for the history buff. The campground is pretty basic with nothing fancy other than a place to camp for the night. Large grassy area. Small cabins available.
LegendBeautiful equestrian campground during many seasons. The sites are nice but basic. There is water access at the park. Hiking trails. Well maintained. Horse trails available.
LegendWell equipped campground on the lake in South Dakota. Large sites, many are paved. There are cabins available too.
LegendCan't add much to the review from before but I agree it is a very nice place to stop. 50 and 30 amp connections on both the East and West side. Nice bathrooms. Would like a few more hiking trails.
LegendThis is a adorable little campground near to a cute downtown bike trails and beach. It did look like somebody had been living here, even though there's a limit on how long you can stay. And it isn't necessarily a place one would choose to be a destination, but as a night through or if you wanna see downtown, it would work well for that.
LegendFunctional park with hookups and shade. Well done.
LegendThe spots are arranged in a circle around the property with two campers on each electrical hook up. No water or sewer connections but a dump station. Pit toilets. The attraction is the lake and there is a small beach and boat access.
LegendThis is a horse campground with very basic services. Trash, pit toilets, corals but there are well maintained trails that go throughout and streams and small waterfalls. Some of the most interesting hiking on this end of the state. Only 11 or so spots and very little shade and it has been surprisingly busy. I will do as much as I can on the trail system.
Camping spots near Barry, Minnesota center on several lakefront options along Big Stone Lake, which straddles the Minnesota-South Dakota border. The region features primarily flat terrain with lake elevations around 970 feet, creating accessible shorelines for anglers and water enthusiasts. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March, with summer highs averaging in the 80s. Campground occupancy peaks during walleye fishing season in May and June.
Fishing access points: Hartford Beach State Park Campground offers multiple shore fishing locations with no license required from certain areas. A camper noted, "In the evening we saw tons of fish and an otter" near site 20, where a small trail leads to the lake.
Swimming beaches: Big Stone Lake State Park Campground provides a designated swimming beach with gradual entry points. "The hiking trails were very enjoyable and the swimming beach looked very nice," mentions a visitor who biked into the park.
Golfing options: Toqua County Park sits adjacent to a golf course, providing an additional recreation option. A camper shares, "Situated right between a lake and a golf course. Very clean camp sites."
Wildlife observation: The region hosts significant bird populations, particularly along shorelines. "Fun to watch all of the birds and pelicans!" notes a visitor to Big Stone Lake State Park, where waterfront sites provide optimal viewing conditions.
Waterfront site access: At Hartford Beach State Park Campground, some sites feature direct water access. "Some, however, were right on the lake or had paths that lead to a picnic table & fire ring closer to the water," shares one visitor about the site layout.
Campground cleanliness: Traverse Co Park maintains clean facilities despite limited amenities. "The attraction is the lake and there is a small beach and boat access," mentions a visitor, noting the park's focus on water recreation rather than campsite features.
Sunset views: Big Stone Lake State Park offers westward views across the lake. A frequent visitor comments, "Beautiful sunsets, lots of wildlife and nice trails."
Site spacing variations: City Park in Browns Valley provides full hookup sites with adequate spacing. "Functional park with hookups and shade. Well done," notes one RVer about the modest but practical layout.
Reservation requirements: Most lakeside campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends, particularly those with electrical hookups. At Hartford Beach State Park, "Mid week stay so nearly empty," indicates a camper, suggesting Sunday-Thursday visits for better site availability.
Facility maintenance variations: Maintenance standards vary significantly between parks. A Hartford Beach visitor commented, "Very friendly staff, very well kept. The showers & other facilities we're cleaned every morning. Maybe more. It is clean."
Seasonal insect considerations: Mosquitoes can be prevalent, especially in riverside locations. "The campground is near a river so beware of the mosquitoes," warns a visitor at Camping 109 RV Park, suggesting campers bring appropriate repellents.
Wind exposure factors: Big Stone Lake campsites can experience significant winds due to the open lake terrain. A regular visitor notes, "Flies can be an issue and the wind has an open shot from the south," highlighting the need for proper tent staking and awning security.
Beach proximity: At Big Stone Lake State Park, beach access requires planning. "Short walk to some green space with a large sandbox, the boat launch, and swim beach," notes one family, suggesting sites closer to these amenities for those with young children.
Playground access: Hartford Beach State Park features playground equipment for children. "Nice playground too," mentions a visitor who found the facility suitable for family recreation despite the walk from some campsites.
Site selection strategy: For families needing more space, Hartford Beach offers varied options. "The upper sites are HUGE and very near nice!" recommends a camper who preferred the more spacious sites away from the lake for family camping.
Restaurant option: Lakewood Supper Club combines camping with on-site dining. "A former resort, now home to just 12 full hook up RV sites, a couple of cabins, and an amazing supper club that opens at 5:00 daily," explains a visitor, offering an alternative to campfire cooking for families.
Electrical hookup locations: At Hartford Beach, power connection points require planning. "The electric hook up is pretty far from the picnic table/fire ring area. Have a long cord," advises one RVer about site 20.
Site levelness considerations: The topography at some campgrounds creates challenges. "The sites near the lake are very wooded, a bit smaller and pretty uneven. The sites themselves are even but your canopy might be overhanging a slope," explains an RVer at Hartford Beach State Park.
Dump station availability: City Park in Browns Valley offers full hookups with sewer connections. "Site had dump station, bathrooms. Sites have sewer, water and electric," confirms a visitor who appreciated the complete services.
Year-round access options: While most campgrounds close seasonally, Camping 109 RV Park operates year-round. A long-term camper noted, "We stayed here during a deployment for work. We were one of many work campers staying at this RV park," highlighting its use for extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Barry, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Barry, MN is Hartford Beach State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 8 reviews.
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