Best Tent Camping near Blue Earth, MN

Tent camping options around Blue Earth, Minnesota include a mix of county parks and wildlife management areas offering primitive sites for tent campers. Bright Lake County Park in Ceylon provides tent-friendly campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, and restroom facilities. Iowa Lake County Campground, located just across the state border, offers tent camping near water with vault toilets available. Both locations serve as good basecamp options for tent campers exploring the surrounding countryside.

Most tent campgrounds in the Blue Earth area feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient camping. Bright Lake County Park allows tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables provided at each site. Vault toilets are typically available, but running water is limited at many locations. Iowa Lake County Campground offers drinking water and toilets but lacks electric hookups, making it ideal for tent camping. Several sites permit pets, though regulations vary by location. Seasonal closures may apply, with Rapidan Dam County Park operating from early April through late October.

The tent camping experience in this region provides access to lakeside settings and natural areas with modest crowds. Sites at Bright Lake County Park offer partial lake views through the trees and accommodate multiple tents, making them suitable for small groups. Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area provides more dispersed camping options with access to fishing and wildlife observation opportunities. Rapidan Dam County Park features secluded tent sites separated by trees along a river, ideal for paddling activities. One camper noted, "This is a great spot with numerous sites along the river. Small trails for car/tent camping. Not trailer friendly." Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations, offering more seclusion than drive-in camping areas.

Best Tent Sites Near Blue Earth, Minnesota (7)

    1. Iowa Lake Co Campground

    2 Reviews
    Dolliver, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 362-2510

    "It is right in a lake, has water, and a nice vault toilet. Unlike the other reviewer I was literally the only one there. That’s always a bit odd but in this case it didn’t bother me at all."

    2. Bright Lake Co Park

    1 Review
    Dolliver, IA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 236-4693

    "Really nice spot almost overlooking the lake (Through the trees), had fire ring, picnic tables and room for quite a lot of tents! For me and my family it was perfect!"

    3. Rapidan Dam Co Park

    6 Reviews
    Skyline, MN
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 304-4049

    "Small trails for car/ tent camping. Not trailer friendly. Small vehicles only. At the foot of the road in there a small food/ice cream shop with friendly staff."

    "Beautiful location in the woods witha stream next to it. There are a few water pumps and some outhouses. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring. Restaurant onsite is fantastic."

    4. Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Leland, IA
    36 miles

    "There is a boat launch and paths down each side of the launch you could fish. On the way in, you'll see a deck to the left, providing a scenic overlook."

    5. Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Algona, IA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 581-4835

    $10 - $18 / night

    "Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared. Free firewood is provided. Nice oak trees. No privacy between sites. Pit toilets. No showers."

    "The park itself is pretty nice with several trails and a small campground. There is an enclosed stone shelter house you can rent for gatherings."

    6. St. James City Park Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Mountain Lake, MN
    35 miles
    +1 (507) 375-3241

    7. Devine Wildlife Area

    1 Review
    Algona, IA
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 295-2138
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Blue Earth, MN

4 Photos of 7 Blue Earth Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Blue Earth, MN

297 Reviews of 7 Blue Earth Campgrounds


  • C
    Aug. 8, 2021

    White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park

    Nice state park

    This is a rustic state park with limited amenities. There are no water or electric hook ups. However clean water is available in the park. The park does have flush toilets and showers. We found these to be in good condition and clean. The showers had warm water. The water stream is on a timer and so are the lights. The shower stalls are Individual stalls. The interior roads are dirt roads with a few potholes they are very narrow. The camping sites are nice sized and relatively private. There is a gravel pad on each site and some have a tent pad. Each site had a picnic table and a fire ring. There are plenty of walking and biking trails and there are walk-in tent camp sites. However, you cannot see the lake from the campground and there is no access to the lake from the campground. We were able to drive through the campground with our 40 foot fifth wheel. But just barely, be careful! 

  • Tracy O.
    May. 25, 2021

    Sakatah Lake State Park Campground

    Close drive to Minneopa!

    We stayed here while visiting Minneopa state park. The campground was nice. It was mid April so no water at the sites but had electric in ours. We were able to get potable water at the entrance. And firewood. Had great trails to walk and bike on. Sites are spaced out. Our 34’ trailer fit easily. Vault toilets on site. Bathrooms were closed (covid). The loops near the entrance had more shade. Spaces are large and accommodating!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 14, 2022

    White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park

    Delayed Autumn

    We tent camped at Myre-Big Island State Park in Minnesota from September 30 to October 3, 2022. The weather was warmer than usual at this time of year, and the fall color development was a couple weeks behind normal. It was cool but beautiful during the daytime (light jacket/sweater weather). The temperature dropped at night but didn’t require anything more than our sleeping bags to keep us warm. The earlier sunset meant meal cooking and cleanup needed to be a bit earlier, but it also meant longer time for beautiful campfires in the evenings.

    The trails were in great shape and beautiful with past-peak grasses and developing colors in the trees. Most of the wildflowers were done for the year, but some were still in bloom. Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and lots of birds were active near the trails and campgrounds.

    We have camped here previously, in early summer. Then the bugs were abundant and aggressive on the Big Island trails. During this fall trip, there were very few.

  • Chloe T.
    Oct. 14, 2024

    Myre State Park Campgrounds

    Beautiful and easy to get to backpacking sites

    Sites are approximately 2 miles from parking and the hike it relatively easy with minimal elevation change. You have a choice between a grassy walk or walking mainly on tar and gravel as part of the Blazing Star Trail. They are also accessible by boat.

    There are 4 backpacking sites and they are well-spaced so you each have privacy. #3 and #4 are close enough that you could be in a group together but #1 and #2 are pretty isolated. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, wood cabinet/fish cleaning table, at least 1 flat spot for a tent, and a nearby porta potty.

    Views of the lake are amazing with a variety of birds making appearances. Harvesting season may bring some farm sounds but otherwise, aside from the occasional train, you'll mainly hear the sounds of nature around you.

    If you can make the walk carrying everything, including water, on your back, definitely check out one of these sites.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Devine Wildlife Area

    Free and fairly primitive

    Dispersed camping really. You can bring a big rig in. No really prepared sites. Maybe 5 places you could set up. No water, no electric, no toilet. Swampy area nearby so bring mosquito repellent. But the price is right.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 17, 2024

    Rapidan Dam Co Park

    Super spot!

    This is a great spot with numerous sites along the river. Small trails for car/ tent camping. Not trailer friendly. Small vehicles only. At the foot of the road in there a small food/ice cream shop with friendly staff.

  • Clint  G.
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Korte's Checkers Welcome Campground

    Great value as Passport America member

    This is a small private campground that offers a quiet nights stay.  Site size was moderate with some shade, a fire ring, picnic table, on a level gravel pad.  $20 per Passport America members for FHU is sweet.  The grounds were well cared for and was not to far from the interstate but far enough away that there was little noise.

  • Rachel O.
    Jul. 3, 2021

    Myre State Park Campgrounds

    Bird Songs/Sounds Galore at BP1

    You have to check-in at the camp office, which closes at 8pm. I didn’t realize this and arrived at 8:20pm and probably made the nice state park lady work late. Don’t be me.

    This remote site is about a mile hike in from the parking area. Easy/moderate hike in. Saw 6 or 7 deer hiking in. At my site, BP1 or backpack 1 or R1, you have water access nearby so prep for the sounds of waterfowl. PELICANS! They flap loudly when entering or exiting the water. Very cool to watch. I wasn’t bothered by it, just a surprise. Other posts somewhere on the internet mentioned the interstate noise being an issue at this site-I did not have that experience. Occasionally, I’d hear the revving of someone’s extremely loud motorcycle or semi engine (maybe 5 times total) in the distance, but the nature sounds covered it for me. I woke up to so many bird sounds. The 2 crows were annoying but fortunately they took off and I got to hear the songbirds more clearly.

    The site itself was very nice. Partially shaded, but also allowed for sunshine during the day. The park provides firewood at the backpacking sites, which is nice since this park has a no firewood collecting rule. Flat, clear areas to pitch your tent.

  • Evan W.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Watona City Park

    Perfect Stop On a South Dakota RoadTrip

    We pulled into this place at 2:00 AM so we weren't really able to see much of the environment. In the morning though we awoke to a beautiful park with good shade coverage from the trees. Our group only hammock camps so we were glad to see the abundance of trees between each camp slot. The only downside to this place was the gnats. Although not that bad we woke up with tiny bites on us. That being said if we would have brought a bug net or been in a tent we would have had no problem with them. Overall this camp site was a great place to stop while we were driving to the Badlands.


Guide to Blue Earth

Tent camping near Blue Earth, Minnesota offers a variety of scenic spots perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Iowa Lake Co Campground provides drinking water and a vault toilet, making it a convenient choice for tent campers.
  • Bright Lake Co Park features picnic tables and fire rings, ideal for family gatherings and evening campfires.
  • Rapidan Dam Co Park offers a beautiful wooded setting with several sites along the river, perfect for a peaceful retreat.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Tent campers should check out unique features

  • St. James City Park Camp is big rig friendly and offers fifty amp hookups, accommodating a variety of camping setups.
  • Rapidan Dam Co Park has a fantastic family-owned drive-thru fast food shop nearby, perfect for grabbing a quick bite after a day of outdoor activities.
  • Bright Lake Co Park allows pets, making it a great option for those who want to bring their furry friends along for the adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Blue Earth, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Blue Earth, MN is Iowa Lake Co Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Blue Earth, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Blue Earth, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.