Camping near Cold Spring, Minnesota provides diverse outdoor experiences throughout three seasons. The central Minnesota region features rolling hills, glacial lakes, and mixed hardwood forests at approximately 1,100 feet elevation. Camping options range from rustic backpacking sites at Lake Maria State Park to full-hookup RV locations, with most campgrounds open from early May through mid-October.
What to do
Horseback riding opportunities: El Rancho Manana Campground offers on-site horseback riding trails for campers. "Every weekend have something different going on to do," notes Andy R., highlighting the variety of activities. Another visitor mentioned, "You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails."
Swimming beaches: Lake Koronis Regional Park features a sandy swimming beach with a designated swimming area. "Great beach area and Great picnic area!!! Big playground picnic tables scattered everywhere," says Jordan L. The park also offers picnicking facilities and a playground near the water.
Backpacking trails: Lake Maria State Park Campground maintains hike-in backcountry sites ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 miles from parking areas. "Site B6 at Lake Maria State Park is about a half-mile walk from the parking area, and the journey in is half the magic: winding wooded trails, wildflowers, and glimpses of the lake through the trees," describes Alison O., highlighting the appeal of these secluded sites.
What campers like
Wooded sites with privacy: Many campers appreciate Lake Maria's secluded campsites. "When I went, the black flies were vicious, so be careful. You could see the occasional car from the site, which is surrounded by a small pond. You could hear voices, but not see anyone. In fact, I went the whole weekend without seeing a single person," shares Brian C.
Weekend entertainment: El Rancho Manana Campgrounds & Riding Stable hosts seasonal music events. "This is a small campground in the middle of Minnesota that plays host to the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association's two annual festivals," explains Jason S., adding, "These festivals are one of the most laid back, fun music festivals I've been to."
Year-round accessibility: Some sites remain open during winter. Lake Maria State Park operates year-round, with Brian K. noting, "Appreciated the camper cabin and the clean sites. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves. Good trails and a fun experience."
What you should know
Bug populations: Insect activity can be intense during summer months. Steph H. warns about Lake Maria: "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon. We prepared the kiddos for a quick grab and run and jumped out of the car. First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Site orientation issues: Some campsites have unusual layouts. Mandy S. notes about Lake Koronis Regional Park: "This is a back-in only site and yet the site is backwards. The firepit is on the backend of the camper instead of the front. When I spoke to the front desk he confirmed that 1/3 of their sites are setup backwards."
Seasonal site limitations: Many campgrounds allocate significant space to seasonal campers. Jesse H. observed at El Rancho Manana: "About 1/2 seasonal sites and intermingled short-term sites. Well-kept with fair amount of trees."
Tips for camping with families
Indoor recreation options: St. Cloud Campground & RV Park provides facilities for rainy days. "Nice facilities including 2 bathroom facilities, playground, volleyball court, dog walking area, baseball field, a lodge with games and a store, and a hall where they hold bingo and other events," explains Elizabeth W.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "We have a pop up so we parked on a grassy spot next to the cabins that backed up to a field. It was nice to be there instead of in the thick of the big camper section. Pool was nice and store too," shares Teresa O. about St. Cloud Campground.
Cabin options for easier family camping: Cabins provide comfort for families not wanting to tent camp. "This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness," describes Lydia N. about the cabins at Lake Maria State Park.
Tips from RVers
Overnight travel stops: Love's RV Hookup-Rockville offers convenient stopover camping. "Stayed here kind of last minute on my way home and wanted electric hook ups. Still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food," reports Tori K.
Site selection considerations: RVers should check site maps before booking. Amy K. advises about Lake Koronis Regional Park: "Only reason we gave it 4 is because, as another reviewer pointed out, many of the sites are facing the wrong way…including ours. Not that big of a deal for weekend trips."
WiFi reliability varies: Internet connectivity can be limited at certain locations. Dave P. mentions about St. Cloud Campground & RV Park: "Host stated that the wifi was weak but since there were not a lot of campers we should be alright. We were unable to even get a signal! This is a nice campground that could get better with decent wifi."
