Seasonal tent camping sites extend around Belle Plaine in all directions, offering overnight stays in hardwood forests, near river valleys, and across Minnesota's prairie landscapes. The region sits where the Minnesota River valley meets gently rolling farmland, with elevations around 750 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during camping season, while spring and fall bring cooler conditions with frequent rainfall that can impact trail conditions.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 1-mile trek: Visitors at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground can access the Hidden Falls trail directly from campsites. "We went there last July just go hiking for the dat. The trails were great and at the end of the trails there were beautiful falls. The falls weren't huge but there were pretty," notes Halie B.
Winter camping options: year-round access: For those seeking off-season tent camping near Belle Plaine, Minnesota, Lake Maria State Park Campground operates throughout winter. "Appreciated the camper cabin and the clean sites. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves. Good trails and a fun experience," reports Brian K.
Paddleboarding: river access: The Blue Earth River at Rapidan Dam Co Park provides calm water perfect for stand-up paddleboarding. "The river is perfect for paddle boarding," confirms Nick G., who visited the park in September.
What campers like
Privacy between campsites: Tent campers appreciate the secluded sites at Crow Hassan Park Reserve, which features mature trees and hammock-friendly spacing. "This campground is nicely maintained and has nice mature trees that a lot of people set up hammocks in," notes Krista T.
Beach access: family swimming: For tent campers seeking water recreation near Belle Plaine, Lake Rebecca Park Reserve offers swimming opportunities at its beach area. "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to," reports Daniel R.
Riverside camping: Sites at Rapidan Dam Co Park provide direct river access. "Great secluded spot. Lots of sites all separated by trees. Has a awesome family owned drive thru fast food shop at the entrance. The river is perfect for paddle boarding," writes Nick G.
What you should know
Bug preparation: essential: Mosquitoes and black flies can be intense at Cannon River Wilderness Area and surrounding campgrounds, particularly during summer months. "For free the area is awesome right by the river. We found a site tucked away from people which is what we like. We set up hammocks right next to the river," reports Nick G.
Reservation fees: budget consideration: Many campgrounds charge both nightly rates and reservation fees. At Elm Creek Horse Camp, "while $16 a night is totally reasonable, the $7.50 reservation fee nips at the budget a bit—especially if you're staying more than a couple nights," notes Alison O.
Weather impacts: spring flooding: Some campgrounds experience seasonal closures due to flooding. Rapidan Dam Co Park was recently "Closed due to flooding," according to Kent F., so checking conditions before arrival is essential, especially during spring melt or after heavy rains.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: top-rated: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve features exceptional children's play facilities. "The best kids park at any campground I've been to," writes Daniel R., making it a standout choice for the best tent camping near Belle Plaine with children.
Short hike-in options: beginner friendly: Lake Maria State Park offers backpacking sites with varying distances from parking. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes," explains Tori K.
First-time camping: controlled environment: Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center provides structured camping facilities that work well for introductory experiences. "Great place to take kids, good 1st camping experience for bonfires and single night camping," according to Megan L.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: challenging approaches: At Nerstrand Big Woods, some RV sites require careful navigation. "There's some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back," cautions Deb M.
Limited connectivity: plan accordingly: Cell service can be unreliable at many campgrounds. "And, through no fault of the park, cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible. There's WiFi at the office, which is just a short hike from the campground," notes Deb M. about Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.
Dump station access: seasonal availability: Nerstrand Big Woods offers sanitary dump facilities. "Sites are good and some can handle bigger RV's. Some Electric sites. Nice dump station. Closed all 2020 camping season for Covid. Great for a weekend getaway," writes Tim B.
