Campgrounds near Caledonia, Minnesota sit within the Driftless Area, an unglaciated region characterized by steep bluffs, deep valleys, and clear streams. The area receives about 32 inches of annual precipitation, supporting diverse plant life around camping areas. The Root River and its tributaries offer camping opportunities with access to water activities during the April to November camping season.
What to do
Trout fishing: Access Beaver Creek Valley State Park's clear streams. The park features well-maintained trails and multiple fishing spots. "The creek is absolutely beautiful" and offers "great natural water features to relax in after a hot hike," according to visitors to Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Explore multiple waterways. The Mississippi River backwaters provide excellent paddling opportunities. At Goose Island, "This campground is ideal for boating, fishing and camping" with "several locations to launch boats, canoes, & kayaks."
Biking: Access the Root River State Trail. The paved trail connects multiple communities. "This campsite is at the trailhead for the Root River Bike Trail. This bike trail is so awesome and by far the best in the tri-state area," notes a camper at Houston Nature Center.
Hiking: Traverse varied terrain. Many parks offer hiking options through woodland and riverside paths. "The trails around have gorgeous views of the driftless area and Kickapoo river," reports a visitor to Wildcat Mountain State Park.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Direct water access. Sites along the Mississippi and Root River offer water views and fishing access. At Pettibone Resort, "We booked this on a whim so wasn't expecting much but found it to be a wonderful getaway... worth renting a golf cart for the day as the campground is pretty spread out."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained shower buildings. Several campgrounds feature updated bathroom facilities. At Houston Nature Center, "Spotless showers and bathrooms, access to drinking water" make for comfortable stays, with one camper noting it's the "Best tent campground on the Root River Trail."
Family-friendly activities: Organized events and play areas. Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities. "With 2 swimming pools, daily activities, movies, and a full ice cream shop you won't be bored here" at Neshonoc Lakeside, where "In the evening there was a Glow Parade where the full timers decked out their golf carts and drove around- candy for kids and lots of dancing."
Natural playgrounds: Unique outdoor play spaces. Some campgrounds feature creative play areas beyond standard equipment. "Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite...The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding: Water levels affect camping areas. Many campgrounds sit on flood plains. At Goose Island, visitors should "Beware of the flooding and mosquitoes" and may need to adjust site expectations as "Our site on the river was under water, so we got moved to another."
Site differences: Variety between tent and RV options. Many rv campgrounds near Caledonia have distinct areas for different camping styles. At Whiskey Creek Family RV Park, visitors find "plenty of room to roam" with "river access, walking trails, and so much more."
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly. Remote valley locations can block signals. At Beaver Creek Valley State Park, "there is no cell reception because of the valley. This great if you want to get away from it all, but if you're staying a while and need to work, this isn't the place to do it."
Weekend vs. weekday experiences: Busier conditions during peak times. "During the week the grounds are super quiet. Weekend partying happens, but quiet time quickly puts an end to the noise."
Tips for camping with families
Activities for kids: Look for water features. Swimming areas provide entertainment for children. At Neshonoc Lakeside, "the top pool is very large and new with a splash pad area" and "Bingo, tie dye, outdoor movies, and other relay races kept the kids happy."
Wildlife viewing: Abundant bird and animal sightings. Many campgrounds offer nature experiences. "Eagles, geese, pelicans, barred owls, ducks, deer, rabbits, raccoon, possum, etc. are abundant."
Food storage: Secure provisions overnight. Wildlife can access food items. One camper at Wildcat Mountain State Park learned this the hard way: "we woke up in the middle of the night to find some smart raccoon (or whatever it was) had enjoyed our breakfast. We kept it in a cooler, but it figured out how to open it!"
Wagon availability: Helpful for walk-in sites. Some campgrounds offer transport assistance. "There were wagons available for transporting things to sites but I just carried my pack."
Tips from RVers
Hookup types: Research available utilities. RV sites offer varying levels of service. At Peterson City RV Park, "The RV sites have electricity, water, and sewer, and they are level– we were only staying one night and didn't even need to unhook our pickup."
Site surfaces: Concrete, gravel, or grass pads. Surface types impact leveling needs. "The park streets are asphalt with two concrete strips for your tires in the sites" at Pettibone Resort, where sites are "a little unlevel" requiring "very little adjustment to get our spot in order."
Dump station access: Plan waste disposal carefully. Not all campgrounds have dump stations. "Depending on the site and how far you back in, the electric hookup may be a distance."
Site spacing: Proximity to neighbors varies. Some campgrounds offer more separation than others. Skip-A-Way Resort features "nice quiet sites. Sites were kind of close together. Mostly seasonal spots here."
