Best Campgrounds near Byron, MN

Byron, Minnesota provides several campground options within a 20-mile radius, with Oxbow County Park serving as one of the closest established campgrounds. The area features a mix of county parks, state parks, and private RV resorts that accommodate tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals. Most developed campgrounds in the region offer electric hookups, drinking water, and standard amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, with several also providing shower facilities and sanitary dump stations.

Camping seasons near Byron typically run from early May through mid-October, with few year-round options due to Minnesota's winter conditions. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when campgrounds reach capacity. Oxbow County Park maintains well-kept facilities with clean bathrooms and showers, while offering hiking trails along the river. A review mentioned, "The campground is well maintained and right by the river. Nice RV spots and nice tent spots along the river."

Most campgrounds in the Rochester-Byron area feature a balance of wooded and open sites, with several offering water proximity. Campers consistently rate Oxbow County Park highly for its peaceful setting, wildlife viewing opportunities, and adjacent zoo that features rescued animals. Chester Woods Park, located about 15 miles east of Byron, receives similar praise for its well-maintained grounds and dog-friendly policies including a designated dog swim beach. Highway noise can be a factor at some of the private RV parks situated closer to major roads, particularly Autumn Woods RV Park and Tilly's American Travelers RV Resort, though these locations offer convenient access for Mayo Clinic visitors. Cell service varies throughout the region, with limited connectivity noted at some of the more rural campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Byron, Minnesota (120)

    1. Oxbow County Park

    6 Reviews
    Byron, MN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 775-2451

    $25 - $30 / night

    "There is an awesome park near the sites for children."

    "The zoo is amazing, the campground is well cared and a ton of hiking trails!!"

    2. Hidden Meadows RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Pine Island, MN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 356-8594

    $38 - $45 / night

    "The lower area of this park is so nice and right near a river. The owners are really nice, bathrooms/showers clean and everybody is friendly."

    "Portable toilets spaced around and a centralized bath house by the office. There are seasonal guests and everyone was friendly."

    3. Autumn Woods RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Stewartville, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 990-2983

    4. Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    50 Reviews
    Elba, MN
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 932-3007

    "Whitewater is by far one of the top state parks in Minnesota. Their camping facilities are clean with running water and free showers. The campsites are quite spacious but not too wooded."

    "Easy access to hiking trails. My site was close in distance to adjacent ones, but was on the edge by the creek, so it was pretty quiet."

    5. Tilly's American Travelers RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Pine Island, MN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 367-2499

    "It's a nice stop if you need close to Rochester. Not badly priced. Grill and Bar on site with good food. The store, bath, and laundry are still closed due to Covid."

    6. Chester Woods Park

    6 Reviews
    Eyota, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 285-7050

    "It has a campground and man-made lake (created when Bear Creek was dammed for a flood control project) with hiking trails, a horse trail, picnic shelters, a beach, and a playground."

    "Has many walking trails that you can take your dog on and just a couple that you can’t."

    7. Rochester-Marion KOA

    5 Reviews
    Marion, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 288-0785

    "We got back on the Interstate & got off on exit 224. Took Co Rd 7 to HWY 52. This is a lot easier than the directions the KOA gave."

    "It has convenient access to the freeway and the city of Rochester. Bathrooms are cleaned frequently and we'll stocked."

    8. Rice Lake Campground — Rice Lake State Park

    13 Reviews
    Owatonna, MN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 455-5871

    "My only complaint was how close together the walk-in sites were."

    "Beautiful forested area just outside Owatonna. Easy drive past beautiful farms to town. Camp host told us mosquitoes were light this year; they seemed plentiful to me!"

    9. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Nerstrand, MN
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 333-4840

    "This is a Nice campground middle of Minnesota. Surprising place in the middle of farm country. Very nice campground and lots of walking trails. Great for leaf peeping."

    "To be on the safe side, incase we had issues, we decided to stay close to home so we decided to hit up a new park, Nerstrand Big Woods State Park just outside Northfield, Minnesota."

    10. Bluff Valley Campground

    5 Reviews
    Pine Island, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 753-2955

    "Bathrooms near by need updated. But brand new showers by main entrance. Very clean, nice staff. They have a little restaurant that I saw but didn't eat or see open."

    "They have a pool, video games, driving range and park but the draw from this camp ground for us is sitting in the river and relaxing watching the tubers go by."

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Recent Reviews near Byron, MN

519 Reviews of 120 Byron Campgrounds


  • Sarah D.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Secluded Site and Great Views Close to the Twin Cities

    We did a one night camping trip for my birthday at Cart-In Site 1 the second to last weekend of September.

    We loved the hiking at Frontenac State Park - walking along the lake and then walking along the bluffs at sunset was magical! Fantastic views. I imagine if we had gone two weeks later, we would have had a fantastic display of fall color. We went a little too early to catch the changing leaves.

    We loved how easy Frontenac was for a casual weekend getaway. It was an easy, scenic one hour drive from St. Paul that was very enjoyable. The park was also nice with great bathrooms at the main campsite, nice trails, and they even had board games to check out at the front office for a rainy day- a great idea!

    We stayed at Cart-In Site 1. I would rate the site itself a 3. It was very secluded and spacious, which was fantastic! We could not see any other campsites from our site, which was fantastic. We only occasionally saw some hikers on a nearby trail. We could hear some other noisy campers, but it wasn't too much of a disturbance. Very wooded, nice, spacious site. There is not water at the Cart-In parking lot, so be aware that you will have to fill up prior to parking and heading to your site (easiest place to do so is the main office/ visitor center).

    I also slept poorly because of a nearby train that kept going past and honking at least until midnight. So if you're a light sleeper, be aware of persistent train noise at these sites!

    Overall good site and an easy, fun, and relaxing weekend getaway from the twin cities.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Great hiking trails NICE Bathrooms

    The campground is well maintained, all of the sites are clean and laid out nicely. Some sites are kinda close but there is brush growing between sites.

    There are a LOT of NICE TRAILS at this park. Many nice prairie trails and some fun trails in the bluffs along the Mississippi River too. One trail down along the River can be challenging because of MANY STAIRS.

    Large drive in picnic areas away from the campground that many people drive in to us and had a nice overlook on the Mississippi River. There are 2 nice overlooks that are great to walk to in the dark and watch the calmness and peaceful nature of the river and forest.

    The men’s bathroom and showers are GREAT! There is also very nice large full handicap bathrooms. The SHOWER WATER IS VERY HOT so be careful!

    Dump station is sloped so it makes it easy to drive in either direction to help dump waste water easily. Also fresh water at the dumping station.

    Always Plenty of firewood in the shed next to the office.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Byllesby Regional Park

    Very nice campground

    This is a good campground. Very well kept. Fishing from shore and there is a boat launch. Nice playground for kids. Sites are fairly close. Many have no privacy from others, but some do. No water at the sites and pit toilets are the biggest weaknesses. Nice paths for walking and biking.

  • Maria D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Cleanest Campground Bathrooms Ever!

    Frontenac State Park had some of the nicest campground bathrooms and showers I’ve ever seen—clean, and modern. The ranger station was small and charming, stocked with board games to rent, and it’s clear the staff cares about creating a positive camping experience. I also loved the little free library outside the bathrooms.

    The downsides are that the campsites run small, usually only fitting two tents at most, and there aren’t many trees for hammocking. It’s also a popular park, so it can get pretty loud at times.

    Favorite sites: 37 – Shady and on the edge with just one neighbor (though the main road is on the other side). Decent privacy and potential for hammocking.

    21 – Nice views, but likely best for just one tent/car.

    22 – Very private, though the ground looked a little uneven.

    Other solid tent sites: 36, 25, 48, 49, 51. Site 57 also looked spacious with no neighbors, but it does border the visitor parking lot.

  • L
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Holden Park Campground

    Fall Ride in Ocotber

    Our group has been camping at the Holden County Park for 4 years now, this will be our 5th year.

     We are so happy that the shower/restrooms are finally done, its a great plus and we feel that more people will camp there now. 

    We love how quiet it is when we return from our daily rides, its like its our own place as there aren't many if any at all other campers there. This year may be different and if it is we won't mind at all, hopefully they don't either as we do stay up late by the fire but aren't wild crazy loud.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Crystal Springs RV Resort

    Has a resort feel to it

    Spent one night passing through Ellendale Minnesota. Our reservation paperwork was waiting for us at the gatehouse with directions to our back-in site 11. A close walk to the laundry, showers and restroom pavilion was terrific. I can’t remember but I believe this was the best campground for low road noise of our entire trip!

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Zumbrota Covered Bridge Park

    Scenic

    Pros: great paved walking and bike trail; leads to state bike trail; MN only covered bridge; huge park playground; disc golf course; along branch of the river; easy walk into town; friendly camp host; very quiet Cons: few site pads, you just drive onto grass where you see electric/water posts and fire ring; restroom with 1 toilet and 1 shower were dirty (husband said it looks like it hadn’t been cleaned in a month) I concur on woman’s as well but there was toilet paper (happy) but no hand soap or paper towels; garbage in women’s shower

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Haycreek Valley Campground

    Beautiful surroundings

    Red Wing, Minn might be the prettiest small town in the US. Rolling hills, greenery, the Mississippi River, and genuinely nice people in a small city with lots of attractions.

    The campground is about a 10 minute ride from the city center. The amenities are sparse and aged, but the sites are level, plentiful, and reasonably priced.

    Be aware however…..The Dyrt is wrong. There are no sewer hookups at this campground. They have a dump station and will pump for a fee.

    There is a perfectly average pub on site. The food is okay, the price is reasonable.


Guide to Byron

Camping near Byron, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Whitewater State Park. One visitor mentioned, "We hiked to Chimney Rock and Inspiration Point and found the trails more challenging than we expected from their descriptions."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. A camper shared, "Fishing was great, and we enjoyed ourselves the whole time."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife at Afton State Park. One reviewer noted, "The eagles soar as you swim in the sandy, shallow warm river stream."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. A visitor said, "Sites are wooded so you don’t have neighbor issues."
  • Clean Facilities: Many enjoy the well-maintained restrooms and showers at Frontenac State Park. One camper remarked, "Bathrooms are VERY CLEAN. Trails are well maintained."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpful staff at Great River Bluffs State Park. A reviewer stated, "Very friendly staff. Bathrooms buggy… to be expected… but clean."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Afton State Park, do not have showers or sewer hookups. A camper pointed out, "There are no showers, toilets, or trash."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in summer. One visitor at Perrot State Park noted, "The mosquitoes were so horrible, I don’t think I could have stayed longer."
  • Reservation Needed: Popular spots like Lebanon Hills Regional Park fill up quickly. A camper advised, "Must reserve months in advance as usually full."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, which has playgrounds. One parent shared, "There is also a nice little beach for a place to hangout and swim in the river."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a mix of activities. A camper at Sakatah Lake State Park mentioned, "Great place to camp and get away from the cities without a long drive."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone happy with snacks on hand. A visitor at Myre-Big Island State Park noted, "The trails were in great shape and beautiful with past-peak grasses."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Frontenac State Park said, "Plenty of space to park a 21 ft trailer."
  • Leveling Gear: Bring leveling blocks or jacks. One RV owner at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park mentioned, "Only tricky part is finding a level spot if you don’t have leveling rams or jacks."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump station is located. A visitor at Great River Bluffs State Park noted, "Easy dump station."

Camping near Byron, Minnesota, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Byron, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Byron, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 120 campgrounds and RV parks near Byron, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Byron, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Byron, MN is Oxbow County Park with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Byron, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Byron, MN.