RV campgrounds in the Dassel, Minnesota area operate primarily from spring through fall, with most closing by mid-October due to harsh winter conditions. This central Minnesota region sits approximately 50 miles west of Minneapolis at an elevation of 1,060 feet, offering campers access to numerous lakes and waterways. Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping options, with several parks shutting down water systems by early October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide lake access for anglers. Baker Park Reserve on Lake Independence offers excellent fishing conditions. "There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities," notes one visitor who enjoyed the park's water recreation.
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, swimming beaches and water activities are popular in warmer months. At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, campers appreciate the "nice pool, laundry facility, nice restrooms with showers." Another visitor mentioned the "saltwater pool" among other amenities like "shuffleboard, mini golf, and a lobby/gift shop."
Mini golf and recreational facilities: Many RV parks near Dassel feature recreational amenities beyond standard camping. One camper at St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park noted the "9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop. They also offer a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade."
What campers like
Family-friendly environments: Families particularly appreciate the amenities at Cokato Lake RV Resort, where one camper mentioned "Inground, heated swimming pool; mini golf; pickleball; tennis; arcade room attached to the office. Ice cream shop has 8 flavors of hand-dipped yum!"
Cleanliness and maintenance: Several campgrounds receive praise for their well-maintained facilities. At St. Cloud Campground & RV Park, visitors note "This campground is well maintained. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The shower house was clean."
Seasonal activities: The region offers different experiences based on time of year. Another camper at Baker Park Reserve explained, "We spent a lot of my childhood playing and exploring this park! The campgrounds are grouped, well maintained, and always have firewood stocked for their guests."
What you should know
Off-season restrictions: Many RV campgrounds near Dassel have limited seasonal operations. Love's RV Hookup stands out as one that remains accessible year-round. As one camper noted, "Still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23."
Site privacy varies: Campsite privacy differs significantly between parks and specific sites. At Baker Park Reserve, one camper observed, "The sites are about as private as the typical state park, so not very, but that is offset by all the other positives this campground has to offer."
Reservation requirements: Most parks fill quickly during peak season. At Baker Park Reserve, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: RiversEdge RV Park provides family-friendly amenities with "Horseshoe and lawn games" and "large pavilion provides for fun weekly events and activities." Their "lush lawns and nice walking paths with colorful gardens" offer safe areas for children to play.
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming facilities for children. Oak Leaf Park includes "fishing pond, two baseball fields, basketball court, playground, disk golf, and aquatic center/swimming pool," according to a recent visitor.
Entertainment during inclement weather: Indoor facilities help during rain. St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park features "a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade," making it suitable for families with children who need entertainment during bad weather.
Tips from RVers
Bathroom access policies: Some parks have specific rules about facility use. At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, a visitor noted, "Restrooms and laundry available on site. Although from a sign posted, they wanted the restrooms to be used by those in pop-ups or tent camping only."
Connectivity issues: Cell service and WiFi quality vary significantly between rv campgrounds in Dassel, Minnesota. At Dakotah Meadows RV Park, visitors report, "Wifi is not great, less than 1MB download speeds from our site, and our Verizon service was pretty poor in our spot, max 2 bars."
RV site dimensions: Concrete pads and site measurements differ between parks. Dakotah Meadows RV Park offers "level cement parking area and grassy spots" with "sites that are 60+ feet, concrete and level."
