Best RV Parks & Resorts near Clearwater, MN

First the negatives. No internet, medium phone signal. The campsites are too small and too crowded. The adults let their young kids drive their cold carts and atvs back and forth from the campground to the beach all day long. I counted one particular one make 34 trips in less than 6 hours. I used to golf and I occasionally used a cart but usually I walked. Kids and young parents are way too lazy now, because it's a small campground and short walk to the beach from the farthest site. I think they do it for 2 reasons, they are bored, and they can. There is only one road in and out so there is constant traffic, and the road is gravel so prepare to eat dust. The sites aren't paved or even gravel, you park on the grass. Now for the positives. Some sites have 50 amp, most just 30 amp or less. Water hookups at most. No full hookups or dump site. There is a beach and swim area on Skunk Creek. A playground by the bathroom and showers. That building is clean, showers are free. Lots of shade from all the trees. Mosquitoes are few, flies plentiful. It is a quiet park after 10pm, but although they say closed after 8pm there was traffic all night long. Ask for a site in the back to avoid headlights shining on you all night long. Rates are $40/night for the pull through site we had w50 amp service. It has a few seasonal sites, all located at the rear. There is a golf course right next door across the creek. That is where the office is located. The town is small, only a gas station and small grocery store, so bring what you need. A Subway and nice drive-in are close by. Oh, the water is in me/my dogs opinion not for drinking. I wouldn't suggest weekends here unless you're into hearing every conversation your neighbors have or want to sleep in. Maybe the week days are better? They do allow leashed pets.

My partner and I scheduled a 3 day / 2 night stay in a new Vintage Cruiser RV for $39.99, in exchange for attending a presentation on private membership.

We checked in Wednesday evening, and the nicest staff I've ever met helped us acclimate to RV living. We are new to this game. They patiently described how to utilize the grey and black water tanks, as well as encouraged us to check-out the canoes, row boats, bikes, horseshoes, ladder golf and many other entertainment items - for FREE!

The map provided was accurate which made locating the cruiser a breeze. There were further instructions inside as well. The RV was immaculate. Provided for our use were all linens (a public very clean bath and shower was just across the road), dish soap, dish towels, paper towels, flat wear, plates, bowls, mugs and pans.

The campground has a couple of ponds, as well as access to Ham Lake where the watercraft is launched. There is a petting arena with goats, ponies, and a llama who gave my partner the stink eye, but fell in love with me rubbing the fence and giving me all googly eyes!

The clubhouse sells bundled wood, ice, snacks, cold drinks, ice cream and provides 24-hour fresh coffee. There is also a small resupply area, and gift shop.

There are pull-through sites, back ups, 50 and 30 amp hook ups, and tent sites, covered pavilions, picnic tables and fire pits.

The campground itself seems remote, secluded and peaceful, however, you are conveniently located to two well-stocked convenience stores, as well as Wal-Mart about 15 minutes away. It's also only about 45 minutes from the Minnesota Twin Cities.

One note: We visited in August and needed gallons of bug spray.

We very much enjoyed our get away!

This is a great little rustic campground within an hour's drive of the Twin Cities! It has several potable water sources throughout the campground, but no running water for toilets or showers. There are several vault toilets. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. You can buy firewood & ice at the Sand Dunes Stop gas station, just a 10 minutes drive away.

This is a first-come, first-served campground, so no reservations required. This does mean that there is a chance you won't be able to get a site, but I've only had that happen one time when I got there at 6pm on a Saturday. There are usually sites available.

I love going to this campground - it's family friendly, and there is a swimming beach a quick 3 minute drive away! The hiking trails aren't half bad, either! I love coming here to relax for a weekend, spend some time at the beach, and just enjoy nature. If you go in the early to mid summer, you'll also hear local whip-poor-wills serenade you to sleep.

Overall, 4 stars. The only downsides are no running water and no ice & firewood at the campground itself.

🌲 Backcountry Bliss (with a side of frustration)

Venturing into Sand Dunes State Forest feels like claiming a slice of untamed wilderness just an hour from the Cities. The experience? Rustic and immersive—zero amenities (no toilets, no water, no trash cans) as per MN DNR guidelines . That means real freedom—and responsibility.

You’ll access pull-off dispersed sites along gravel roads south of Ann Lake (Co Rd 233–237). The sites are spaced for solitude, nestled between pine stands and open sandy stretches—perfect for hammock hangs or pooch romps (). One camper even notes:

“Lots of poison Ivy. Weak cell service but manageable.” 

📵 Zero Bars, Zero Interruptions

Bring a journal and some good company—your phone’s chances are slim. Recent check-ins confirm unreliable cell coverage, even for Verizon. It’s peaceful… until you need GPS or an Uber. The upside? You’ll actually unplug and be present under the pines.

🐜 Wide-Open Wilderness & Pesky Pests

Campers speak of “quiet and serene” nights once side roads thin out . But set foot off-trail and you risk scenic encounters with poison ivy (it’s nearly unavoidable) and mosquitoes thicker than the air . Long sleeves, tick checks, and bug spray are essential.

✅ Highs, Lows & Clever Tips

👍 Pros • Free, legal dispersed camping up to 14 days in summer; 21 in cooler seasons   • Privacy and space—even pull-through spots for low-profile trailers  • Trails galore—horse, ski, hiking, and horseback routes all crisscross here ()

👎 Cons • Poison ivy is everywhere—avoid off-trail wandering  • Minimal cell service—plan accordingly • Primitive roads; bring anything from AWD to 4×4 depending on your rig and route

💡 Camp Hacker Hacks • Drive until a decay path opens, park, then trek 100–300 ft off-road to your camp  • Download the MN DNR MVUM and use GPS overlay to avoid gated roads and day-use zones  • Bug up at first signs of dusk—mosquitoes and ticks love these woods ()

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📝 Final Take

If you’re chasing raw, quiet, and free dispersed camping near civilization—you’ll find gold here. It’s honest-to-goodness backcountry: phone signal is scarce, poison ivy is a fact of life, and you supply everything beyond a plot of land and forest atmosphere. But those epic silent nights, stars overhead, and pine-scented breezes? Priceless.

Score: 4.5/5—For freeing your soul, but testing your patience (and other survival basics).

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#TheDyrt #DispersedCamping #SandDunesStateForest #MNBackcountry #OffGridAdventure #RusticCamping #NoCellNoProblem #PoisonIvyZone #FreeCamping #TrailDogApproved

For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn’t expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly. I stayed here for one night and roads were totally fine for any vehicle. Most spots are like the pictures shown. There are a few spots that have great views or pull-through areas, and there are limited spots that are big-rig friendly. Saw lots of dogs, and mine had a blast, even had what seemed to be a stray husky quickly roll through camp around dusk. Something to keep on your mind. The road goes for a long ways, I parked near the front and closer to numbers, always like to be safer. Overall there was some shouting and yelling but for the location I was happy.

This is a well kept and well run campground tucked in between the Mississippi River and the outlet of the Platte River. The emphasis is on RV camping, and a large percentage of the sites are for full season May to October rentals. However there are nightly and weekly rates with both full and partial hookups, and some basic tent sites in a nice location right on the river. Daily and weekly campsite rentals are a bit expensive, however the campground offers many resort amenities that arent part of usual campgrounds such as a full service lodge, large beautiful pool as well as a beach on the river, mini golf, canoes and kayaks, and their specialty: river tubing. The pluses at this location include nice river setting, great amenties, secure family-friendly grounds, and a variety of on site services. The monthly RV site rental is about $800 a month for a bluff side site which might be a nice retreat for families or retirees. The minuses are primarily that the nightly rental is not cheap, especially if you want to tent camp, but fir some folks the amenities might be worthwhile. Summer is peak season if course, it is quieter and cheaper in the fall and spring.