Camping options near Beaver, Minnesota include rustic state forest sites, developed state park campgrounds, and private operations offering diverse terrain and amenities. Located in the bluff country where elevations range from 700 to 1,250 feet, the region's karst topography creates unique camping conditions with cold water springs keeping summer temperatures moderate. Winter camping is available at select locations, with sites at Whitewater State Park remaining open year-round.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: At Whitewater State Park, trails lead through valleys and up bluffs with varying difficulty levels. "I hiked up chimney Rock and then looped bacj to tackle park of the Dakota trail! The hiking paths were well taken care of. There were plenty of places to stop and rest if you need to," notes Sarah C.
Paddling and fishing: The Mississippi River and its tributaries provide water-based recreation at multiple campgrounds. At Perrot State Park, "you can rent kayaks canoes etc. and they have a boat landing," though Jennifer S. warns there is "no shore fishing or swimming which is disappointing."
Winter activities: For off-season camping, several parks maintain winter accessibility. Karla J.B. reports about Whitewater State Park: "We had great weather our first day and saw few other people on the trails. It got colder and rainy and most of the campers left... Overall, this was a great spot to get away into the fresh air. We'll be back another time for fishing."
Tubing river experiences: Several campgrounds offer organized river tubing. At Lazy D Campground, visitors enjoy "lazy river tubing" with helpful staff. Nicole L. shares: "The staff was very friendly and helpful... The tubes were in great shape, river was a little high but clear of fallen limbs (for the most part)."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Many campers prefer the private tent sites available throughout the region. At Carley State Park, Dani B. appreciates the "very quiet and secluded state park. Comfortable and rustic."
Star viewing opportunities: Clear night skies away from city lights offer exceptional stargazing. Mike L. at Aefintyr notes: "Very peaceful campground, great view of the stars on clear nights! Will definitely be back."
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe animals. At Merrick State Park, Seth J. mentions: "We like to hear the trains did they didn't bother us but they were quite frequent at times... The only thing that I would like to see is more trail signs and markings. There were some places where it was hard to tell which way to go."
Minimal insects: Unlike many Minnesota camping areas, several campgrounds report fewer mosquitoes. Leda T. notes at Whitewater State Park: "Best part: very few mosquitoes!! (The cold, constantly moving water helps keep them away.) One of my favorite parks in the state of Minnesota."
What you should know
Site accessibility challenges: Several campgrounds feature steep terrain requiring physical effort to access. At Kruger Campground, the rustic sites offer seclusion but minimal amenities. Neen K. notes: "This is a well maintained campground with private feeling sites. Some with firewood provided. Fire rings have attached grills. Lovely walking trails. Near Lake Pepin. One negative was orange/rusty water from hand pump well."
Wildlife management: Secure food storage is essential at many locations. Victor S. warns at Cedar Hill Campground: "Really nice campground in a beautiful state park. There is lots of hiking trails, and a beach to swim in the river... There are a ton of raccoons however that stole all our food from our sealed plastic tub containers."
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. Erik R. had a different experience during off-season at Whitewater: "I thought I was getting punked. I had the entire State Park to myself. It was super cool be eerie. Great hikes and the view from the top was worth it."
Train noise proximity: Several campgrounds are located near active train tracks. At Merrick State Park, campers should expect regular train noise, with Seth J. noting: "We like to hear the trains did they didn't bother us but they were quite frequent at times."
Tips for camping with families
River-based activities: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation suitable for various ages. Kate H. shares about Whitewater State Park: "We had so much fun playing on the river and exploring the park! Everything is right there and the river is so pretty! Despite the rain we had a great time!"
Playgrounds and structured activities: Some private campgrounds offer additional entertainment options. Nicole L. mentions that Lazy D Campground offers "fun tubing! Campers are able to sit in the river and 'help' tubers along."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer informative programs. Sarah C. from Whitewater State Park recommends: "There are also many places for non-campers to grill out and picnic."
Seasonal considerations: Families should plan for variable weather conditions throughout the camping season. Tiffany K. from Perrot State Park warns: "Lots of vegetation around the camp site that made it feel a bit more private but that also brought lots of bugs and mosquitoes. Had to pull out the heavy duty spray right out of the car."
Tips from RVers
Electric site availability: Not all campgrounds in the region offer electric hookups or can accommodate larger rigs. At Prairie Island City Campground, Tracy B. notes: "Spacious campsites on the Mississippi River. Nice wooded area allows for shade... Water/electric sites available reasonably priced. Dump station on site included in rate."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight turns or narrow roads. Tracy B. cautions at Prairie Island: "The road along the river is narrow making it hard to back your camper into the riverfront sites if you have neighbors."
Winter camping options: Select campgrounds remain open year-round with electric sites available. Amy G. shares about Whitewater State Park: "The campground has far more spaces than you can reserve this time of year (typical of 'winter' camps at State Parks in MN). But the loop that had the openings was super easy."
Size restrictions: Many of the best places to camp near Beaver have size limitations. Krista T. notes at Carley State Park: "Vehicles have a max length of 30 ft which cuts down on monster RVs."
