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Best Campgrounds near Darwin, MN

349 Reviews

Camping areas surrounding Darwin, Minnesota include a mix of county parks, state forests, and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Lake Ripley County Park Campground in Litchfield offers developed sites for tents, RVs, and glamping accommodations with electric hookups, showers, and drinking water. Nearby, Masonic West River Park in Hutchinson provides boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access with similar amenities. Collinwood County Park in Cokato features tent and RV camping with electric hookups and shower facilities, operating seasonally from late April through September.

Road conditions and accessibility vary throughout the region, with most developed campgrounds maintaining gravel or paved access roads suitable for standard vehicles. "This state park uniquely showcases an ecologic transition zone between hardwood forest, savannah, and prairie," noted one visitor about a nearby park. Seasonal considerations affect camping availability, with most campgrounds operating from April or May through September or October. Lake Ripley operates from April 15 to October 15, while Masonic West River Park is available from May to October. Winter camping options are limited, though Lake Maria State Park Campground in Monticello remains open year-round with walk-in tent sites and cabins. Cell service can be unreliable in more remote areas, particularly in state forest lands.

Campers consistently mention the region's lakes and water recreation as primary attractions. Several campgrounds offer direct lake access, including Spirit of Ripley and Lake Ripley in Litchfield, providing opportunities for fishing, swimming, and boating. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The lakeside campground is green and leafy with mature trees but the campsites are very close together." Mixed-use campgrounds like Cokato Lake RV Resort combine traditional camping with cabin rentals and glamping options. For those seeking more seclusion, Lake Maria State Park features hike-in sites spread along trails for greater privacy, though visitors should prepare for seasonal insects. Campground amenities vary widely, with most county parks offering electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, while more primitive sites in state forests may have minimal facilities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Darwin, Minnesota (85)

    1. Lake Ripley County Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Darwin, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 693-3673

    $20 - $25 / night

    "They have you park your vehicle behind a row of bushes to help keep the view clear for everybody. Anderson flower gardens are a short walk away. Sites come with a picnic table and fire pit."

    "Easy parking with lake and playground. Close to town incase you forgot something. Sites have large open areas in front of camps for kids to play. Great hosts as well"

    2. Masonic West River Park

    7 Reviews
    Hutchinson, MN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 234-4494

    "We had a lakeview site right off the paved walking/biking trail with room for a large tent and the pop-up camper. Fire ring and picnic table provided."

    "But the experience was positive. Lots of geese!"

    3. Collinwood County Park

    3 Reviews
    Dassel, MN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 286-2801

    $19 - $36 / night

    "This is right on a lake in a very wooded area. Pretty camping basic area."

    "This was a small campground with nice trails. The campsites were open but still felt private. The bathrooms and showers were nice and clean."

    4. Spirit of Ripley

    2 Reviews
    Darwin, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 282-5260

    "Campground was easy to get to and is located across the highway from the lake with a pavilion and playground"

    "Close to the lake(mom and I went for some bike rides around the lake) and public boat access. Each site had a picnic table and a fire ring provided. All sites have power, water, and sewer hook ups."

    5. Lake Maria State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Silver Creek, MN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 878-2325

    "This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."

    "I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."

    6. Cokato Lake RV Resort Cooperative Association

    3 Reviews
    Dassel, MN
    13 miles
    +1 (320) 583-9711

    $60 / night

    "Impressed with the distance to/from the metro (less than an hour on Highway 12 heading west to Cokato)."

    "RV resort and some lot rentals, Heated pool, lake with beach, boat launch area just block away, tennis/pickle ball, mini golf, resort store with ice cream, goat park, paved roads and much more)!"

    7. Piepenburg Park

    1 Review
    Hutchinson, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 587-2082

    8. Grove City Campground

    1 Review
    Darwin, MN
    14 miles
    Website

    $30 / night

    "Not much privacy but great views of the little lake. Appears that all sites have 30 amp, water, and possibly sewer."

    9. Schroeder County Park

    5 Reviews
    Annandale, MN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 682-7693

    "Lots of walking trails , well groomed. Camping spots were large and specious."

    "There is also a fishing pier and boat launch available, great lake for water ski and other water sports. Fishing is mostly pan but you can catch large bass and northern on this lake."

    10. Lake Koronis Regional Park

    6 Reviews
    New London, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 276-8843

    $20 - $70 / night

    "Sites a a nice distance apart, lots of trees. Nice playground with swings, close to a larger park near the lake."

    "We stumbled upon this place just taking back roads and driving around. Nice beach area and Great picnic area!!! Big playground picnic tables scattered everywhere."

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Recent Camping Photos near Darwin, MN

76 Photos of 85 Darwin Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Darwin, MN

349 Reviews of 85 Darwin Campgrounds

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground

    Really nice campground!

    Really nice campground! Meadow setting where the campsites are, but then TONS of hiking trails with significant trees& shade. Really beautiful. Nice people staying in adjacent sites. We would return.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park

    Nice campsite

    Friendly staff, quiet during the week and busy on the weekends. Nice pool, laundry facility, nice restrooms with showers. Stayed for a little more than a month after selling my house. (End of Aug-Sept)
    Recommend!!

  • Andy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Ann Lake

    Nice, quiet, rustic

    30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Sites range from open and flat to secluded and a little hilly. Most sites are fairly private and well spaced. Higher elevation sites for air tv reception. 2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites. Pay immediately or the camp host will nag you even if you have to walk to higher elevation to get signal. Very beautiful and lots of deer on the trails.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Two Rivers Campground

    Great place to camp.

    Two Rivers Campground is the perfect spot for a fun and relaxing getaway. They have a lazy river, a splash pool for little ones, and another pool for all ages. Kids will love the giant inflatable bouncy house, mini golf, and the many activities offered. The general store has all your camping essentials, plus they make great pizza and other food—delivered right to your campsite along with firewood and ice, just by calling or texting. The campground also features a beautiful beach area on the river that’s perfect for swimming. A few nice spots to shower and restrooms. Quiet beaches one is 1100 to 0900. It’s well maintained and taken care of. We will come back again.

  • Dan O.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Mississippi Riverwood RV Park

    A hidden gem - PRIVATE RV Park

    This hidden gem is a PRIVATE RV Park where each lot is individually owned and most owners live South in the winter. Individual owners can rent their lot with restrictions and those rentals are between the owner and the renter. The owners association is not involved in these rentals or the disputes that sometimes arise.  That said, we own a riverside lot and absolutely love it here.

  • Kari P.
    Jul. 18, 2025

    Ann Lake

    Lake Ann

    Sites are large with varying degrees of privacy. Well spaced out, just some have less undergrowth. Be aware that the undergrowth is at least 25% poison ivy. Sites are large so they are clear. If you’re susceptible, not for you

  • Alison O.
    Jul. 1, 2025

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Nomad crew: Two humans, one adventure-seeking pup, zero bars on the phone 🏕️👫🐶📵

    🌲 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 ()

    ⸻

    📝 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).

    ⸻

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

  • Alison O.
    Jul. 1, 2025

    Elm Creek Horse Camp

    Campsite 2 – Elm Creek Horse Camp, Dayton MN

    If you’re the kind of camper who measures a site by how many tail wags it inspires, then Campsite 2 at Elm Creek Horse Camp is barking up the right tree.🌲🐶 Tucked away near the archery range(don’t worry—nobody’s aiming at your pup), this campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire. The ground is mostly level—perfect for a tent and a sturdy dog bed—and the trails? Chef’s kiss. Plenty of new smells, shaded stretches, and squirrels for days. Now, to be clear—this is a horse camp first and foremost. So if your dog isn’t a fan of our four-hooved friends, you might want to steer clear. But if they’re cool with horses and know how to heel when a giant gelding struts by, they’ll be just fine. A few bones to pick: There’s not much privacy between sites, so if your dog’s a talker, your neighbors might get a serenade. And while$16 a night is totally reasonable, the$7.50 reservation fee nips at the budget a bit—especially if you’re staying more than a couple nights. Still, Campsite 2 hits all the right notes: trails close by, fire ring ready, and enough space for a tent, a camp chair, and a dog who thinks every stick is a gift from heaven.🦴 Would we come back? Absolutely. My dog already packed his leash! what

    #ElmCreekHorseCamp#MNStateParks#DogFriendlyCamping#TrailDogApproved#HorseCampAdventures#Campsite2#ElmCreekParkReserve#HikingWithDogs#DogCampingVibes#PawfectCampground#TheDyrtDogPack#MinnesotaCamping#ArcheryRangeNeighbors#TailsOnTrails#WagMoreBarkLess

Guide to Darwin

Camping near Darwin, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just chilling by the campfire.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Lake Maria State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "You can either do a short-hike from the parking lot via the road to B5 or a 1 mile easy hike via the trail."
  • Birdwatching: If you're into birding, this park is a good choice. A visitor noted, "Another reason we chose this park was for birding," even though they had a bit of trouble getting information from the park ranger.
  • Swimming and Beach Activities: At Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park, you can enjoy a nice swimming beach. One reviewer said, "Nice beach for swimming. Shower and bathrooms available in the campground."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Lake Maria State Park Campground. A happy camper shared, "The backpacking sites are very spread out; we could barely tell anyone else was at the park with us ever."
  • Clean Facilities: Many enjoy the well-maintained amenities at St. Cloud Campground & RV Park. One visitor remarked, "The shower house was clean. We enjoyed our stay here and will return."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, families can enjoy a variety of activities. A reviewer said, "The bathrooms are clean along with the showers. If this place was close to home I’d be here every weekend."

What you should know:

  • Bug Spray is a Must: Many campers warn about mosquitoes, especially in the warmer months. One camper at Lake Maria State Park Campground advised, "Be prepared with bug spray/repellant!"
  • Site Spacing: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park mentioned, "Heard sites were very close at Lakeview so chose Oak Ridge, but felt they were still pretty close."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive facilities. A camper at Masonic West River Park noted, "Only reason it didn’t get 5 stars is because it has no showers and bathrooms are small."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park that offer activities for kids. One parent said, "This is a nice family campground. It has a 9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can make your camping experience smoother. A visitor at Green Lake County Park mentioned, "Affordable rentals, and so much to do!"
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during busy weekends. A camper at St. Cloud Campground & RV Park noted, "Some of the other sites were quite close."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park shared, "If you have a large tent, consider these campsites."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Wi-Fi: Many campgrounds have spotty internet. A visitor at St. Cloud Campground & RV Park said, "They warned us it was slow, but we couldn't even connect to it from our site."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have stores nearby. A camper at Lake Ripley County Park Campground mentioned, "Close to town in case you forgot something."

Camping near Darwin, Minnesota, has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, you'll find plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Darwin, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Darwin, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 85 campgrounds and RV parks near Darwin, MN and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Darwin, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Darwin, MN is Lake Ripley County Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Darwin, MN.

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