Best Campgrounds near Bigelow, MN

Campgrounds near Bigelow, Minnesota provide options for both tent and RV camping in a rural prairie landscape. The region includes established facilities like Olson City Park in Worthington and Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne, which offer electric hookups, drinking water, and reservable sites. Several campgrounds in the area feature accommodations ranging from basic tent sites to RV-compatible spaces with 30-50 amp electrical connections. Public lands within a 30-mile radius support mixed-use recreation, with many campgrounds providing both drive-in and walk-in access points for different camping styles.

Seasonal considerations shape the camping experience from April through October, when most facilities operate at full capacity. Olson City Park runs from April 1 to October 31, while Adrian City Park remains open slightly longer from April 15 to November 15. Blue Mounds State Park stands out as one of the few year-round camping areas, though winter visitors should expect limited services. Many sites require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends when local families frequent the parks. Water quality can occasionally be an issue, as noted in camping feedback. A camper wrote: "During our stay, the water in the camp tested positive for bacteria and the camp was giving out free drinking water."

Camping areas throughout the region range from open prairie settings to more wooded environments, providing varied experiences. The prairie landscape at Blue Mounds State Park offers unique views and wildlife opportunities not common in the Midwest. A review mentioned, "Amazing remnant of Minnesota prairie set among the farm country. With the prairie in Minnesota gone except for a handful of small conservation areas, Blue Mounds State Park is an oasis of prairie in a sea of corn and soybean." Most campgrounds feature standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to basic toilet facilities. Several visitors noted the importance of shade when selecting sites, as the prairie landscape can become quite hot during summer months. Proximity to lakes and small waterways adds recreational value to some camping areas, though accessibility to water varies significantly by location.

Best Camping Sites Near Bigelow, Minnesota (83)

    1. Olson City Park

    5 Reviews
    Bigelow, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 329-0760

    $23 - $35 / night

    "The campsites were clean, facilities were top notch, and the park and walking path provided a great spot to wear kids out before continuing on."

    "Right on the lake. Nice amenities such as a playground, dog run, and disc golf course. Electric sites with a central faucet (for filling jugs and bottles) and a pump out in the back."

    2. Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Hardwick, MN
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 283-1307

    $20 - $35 / night

    "Quiet place with nice bike and walking paths. Electric only 30amp water close by. Full dump station."

    "Amazing remnant of Minnesota prairie set among the farm country."

    3. Adrian City Park

    8 Reviews
    Luverne, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 483-2820

    "Its near the highway so there is road noise but nothing that kept me from sleeping. I booked by emailing and they emailed back to confirm."

    "Area is close to a community pool (a 1/2 block from the campground entrance). Friendly staff.**"

    4. Ludlow Park

    2 Reviews
    Bigelow, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 666-5028

    5. Magnolia City Campground

    6 Reviews
    Luverne, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 227-9278

    "Follow the gps location on the app. Don’t use the address off of the city’s web site. Plus there are signs for camping that will lead you right to it."

    6. Island Park - Rock Rapids

    8 Reviews
    Larchwood, IA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 472-3456

    $5 - $45 / night

    "The campground is nearby the City Rock Rapids .You can walk and bicycle ride around the Campground. You need not a reservation. Come and drive in ."

    "A good place to camp for the night with gas and groceries nearby. All sites have electricity but only 20/30/60 amps. Water spigots are spread throughout the campground."

    8. Silver Lake City Park

    1 Review
    Ocheyedan, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 832-3588

    10. Emerson Bay State Recreation Area Campground

    7 Reviews
    Milford, IA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 337-3211

    $25 - $35 / night

    "This campground is right on the lake! The spots are spacious, the bathrooms are clean, and the price is right. There are a few docks available for boating, fishing or just lake gazing."

    "Close to many amenities and quiet overall"

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Recent Reviews near Bigelow, MN

319 Reviews of 83 Bigelow Campgrounds


  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    Quiet Relaxing Visit

    Had a great time relaxing by the camper. We had great views from our campsite. Hiking was nice. Bathroom and shower facility were very well kept. Very grassy sites - great for group camping.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Island Park - Rock Rapids

    A good stopover campground

    A good place to camp for the night with gas and groceries nearby. All sites have electricity but only 20/30/60 amps. Water spigots are spread throughout the campground. A dump station is located at the west entrance across the driveway from the pay station. It's northwest Iowa (cattle country) so you will notice a hint of something special in the air.

  • Dawn S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Robertson Park

    Relaxing

    This place offers cabins places for tent camping as well as places for dispersed free camping

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Palisades State Park Campground

    Average

    Overpriced, no water hookup at electric site and do dump station. Friendly staff but probably wouldn’t stay again

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    Beautiful and peaceful

    Super friendly people all around. Very quiet and beautiful campground. Well minus the semitrucks going down the road here and there. Beautiful clean bathrooms and showers. Pathway is well lit without being obnoxious. Seems to be mostly electric sites. There's a dump and water fill with small clean dumpsters throughout. The hosts were super nice to talk to. Sites are clean and manicured and pretty level. Would definitely stay here again. Beautiful little oasis amid what seems to be endless farmland. Just such a welcome stop after a long drive.

  • Karla J. B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    Peaceful prairie getaway

    We went to Sioux Falls for a concert and added a few night to our trip to camp at Blue Mounds. Sites were not full on the weekend, even less so on Sunday night. Do the prairie tour, interesting and worth the time and the $15. Some sites were smaller and closer together than others, so your experience may vary. But people were quiet and respectful, so I’m sure you can enjoy your stay. The naturalists here are friendly and knowledgeable, take advantage of programming! Visit the nearby Pipestone National Monument while in the area. Misc notes: Others have mentioned clean facilities, we did get manure smell with the breeze, but very few mosquitoes, great sunsets!

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Palisades State Park Campground

    Expensive

    We made a reservation using the phone number provided. On short notice, we were charged 80+ dollars for two nights after requesting a tent site without electricity. 0n arrival, we were charged 30 dollars for entrance passes to put on the car. The trains ran close by, and the flies were terrible.


Guide to Bigelow

Camping near Bigelow, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and friendly campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Many campgrounds, like Blue Mounds State Park Campground, have great trails. One visitor mentioned, "We went on a couple trails and just enjoyed the beautiful fall colors."
  • Wildlife Viewing: Spotting bison is a highlight at Blue Mounds State Park Campground. A camper shared, "We could hear the Bison... Sites were great and amenities were clean and spacious."
  • Fishing and Boating: Marble Beach State Rec Area is close to Spirit Lake, making it a good spot for fishing. One reviewer noted, "Easy to access- large site campground... Plan to return again and again! We loved it."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Kilen Woods State Park Campground said, "Showers and bathrooms were very clean."
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campgrounds have welcoming staff. A camper at Jackson KOA remarked, "Every person there was INCREDIBLY nice!"
  • Spacious Campsites: Campers enjoy the generous space between sites. One review for Adrian City Park mentioned, "Beautiful CG just off I-90... Perfectly level site with new hookups."

What you should know

  • Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Kilen Woods State Park Campground, do not allow alcohol. A camper noted, "NO alcohol allowed."
  • Seasonal Availability: Check the season for each campground. For example, Jackson KOA is open from April 15 to October 13.
  • Site Privacy: Some sites may lack privacy. A camper at Marble Beach State Rec Area mentioned, "Lots of sloping on sites. Generally tight quarters to other campers."

Tips for camping with families

  • Playgrounds and Activities: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. One reviewer at Magnolia City Campground said, "The playground was nice for the kids."
  • Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise levels, especially at night. A camper at Adrian City Park noted, "Kids were up and playing far past 10 pm."
  • Easy Access to Towns: Choose campgrounds near towns for convenience. One visitor mentioned, "Luverne is super close and we hit up Tasty's Drive In for supper."

Tips from RVers

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites for easier setup. A camper at Jackson KOA said, "Our site was level, easy to get into."
  • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A reviewer at Gull Point State Park Campground mentioned, "They DO NOT have water hookups at each site."
  • Plan for Space: Some campgrounds may have tight spaces for larger RVs. A camper at Gull Point State Park Campground noted, "Twists and turns for an RV to get to their spot."

Camping around Bigelow, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Bigelow, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bigelow, MN is Olson City Park with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.