Dassel camping areas sit within Minnesota's central lakes region at around 1,100 feet elevation, characterized by glacial terrain with numerous lakes and hardwood forests. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during peak camping season, with mild nights dropping to 55-65°F. Campgrounds throughout this region typically feature sites partially shaded by mature oak, maple, and birch trees.
What to do
Hiking at backpacker-friendly sites: Lake Maria State Park offers multiple backpacking trails suitable for various skill levels. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," notes Tori K. about Lake Maria State Park Campground.
Kayaking on local waters: The lakes around Dassel provide excellent paddling opportunities for beginners and experienced kayakers alike. Anne G. shares about Lake Ripley County Park Campground: "Even though we flipped our kayaks, we had a great time here on the lake!" Many sites offer direct water access or are within walking distance of public launches.
Biking on paved trails: Several campgrounds connect to local bike trail systems. At Baker Campground, visitors can access miles of paved pathways. "There is a nice 6+mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes," according to Jennifer H., who stayed at Baker Park Reserve.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers consistently praise the secluded nature of sites in the Dassel area. Brian K. comments on the natural setting at Lake Maria State Park Campground: "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."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept shower and bathroom facilities. At Collinwood County Park, Melissa A. observed, "The bathrooms and showers were nice and clean." Sites often include basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables.
Lakefront camping: Water access is a major draw for the region. Tori K. describes the experience at Lake Ripley: "Most of the sites here are lakefront. They have you park your vehicle behind a row of bushes to help keep the view clear for everybody." This thoughtful layout maximizes lake views for all campers.
What you should know
Bug preparation essential: Insects can be intense during summer months. Steph H. warns about Lake Maria State Park: "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos." Bring appropriate repellent and consider camping during spring or fall for fewer insects.
Site accessibility varies: Some campgrounds require hiking to reach your site. Brian C. shares about his Lake Maria experience: "This lovely spot is a one mile hike from the parking lot, so be ready to walk if you need to make more than one trip. The hike itself is rather hilly."
Reservation timing matters: Popular dog-friendly campgrounds near Dassel fill quickly, especially on weekends. "You'll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I'd say almost all of them were booked," notes Joe R. about Baker Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Several pet-friendly campgrounds include playgrounds and beaches. Mick S. recommends Lake Ripley: "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."
Consider activity options: Schroeder County Park offers multiple recreation options for families. Danny K. explains, "This campground is about 1.5 hours from the twin cities and it has a beautiful sandy beach and swimming area. There is also a fishing pier and boat launch available, great lake for water ski and other water sports."
Select campsites strategically: For families with pets, site selection impacts your experience. Bryan S. observed at Baker Campground: "The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great. With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: RV campers should note site dimensions when booking. Josh B. from Collinwood County Park states: "Nice campground, sites are nice size and well shaded." Many pet-accommodating campgrounds near Dassel offer both electric and water hookups.
Utility access varies: Masonic West River Park provides full hookups at some sites. Kay T. notes, "We have stayed here several times now in many different area's. Sites with full hook ups with wide open grass and play area for kids and adults." However, Pat M. cautions about facilities: "Nice level full hook up sites. Only reason it didn't get 5 stars is because it has no showers and bathrooms are small."
Level sites available: RVers appreciate the terrain at many Dassel-area campgrounds. Tori K. describes Masonic West River Park: "Sites are large and grassy! We had a lakeview site right off the paved walking/biking trail with room for a large tent and the pop-up camper." This makes setup easier for larger vehicles.
