Lac qui Parle State Park offers river access and prairie camping options near Dawson, Minnesota. The region features several rv parks within 30 miles, including campsites with various levels of amenities. The area experiences significant seasonal changes with high mosquito activity during summer months and bird migrations in spring and fall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Big Stone Lake State Park Campground provides free fishing from park boundaries with extensive shoreline access. "Fishing is free from the park boundaries with lots of shoreline. Great access to the lake if you have a boat," notes a camper who frequently visits the park.
Water recreation: Enjoy clear lake waters at Glacial Lakes State Park Campground where paddle sports are popular. One visitor reports, "Our favorite part of this trip was renting stand up paddle boards. The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm," while another mentions seeing "beavers swimming; They were not fearful of campers."
Hiking trails: Take advantage of the varied terrain at Camden State Park where multiple trail types exist. "There are two campgrounds in this park - the upper one is on the prairie while the lower one is situated among trees along the river," explains one visitor who adds, "I brought my fat bike and bike the Bluebird and Dakota Valley trails. Both are mowed paths that go through prairie and wooded areas."
What campers like
Prairie views: Campers appreciate the unique prairie landscape at Lac qui Parle Upper Campground, which offers panoramic vistas. "We camped at the upper campground, where the sites were open but nicely spaced from the neighbors. The sites were surrounded by blooming prairie and had an exquisite view over the lake, especially at dawn and sunrise," writes one camper.
Wildlife watching: The region attracts diverse wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk. "We saw a deer walking through the campsite too! Fun to watch all of the birds and pelicans!!" shares a visitor to Big Stone Lake State Park, while another camper at Glacial Lakes mentions, "Its openness was also great for watching groups of large birds (geese, turkey vultures, pelicans) wheeling overhead."
Quiet, secluded options: Oraas County Park offers a less-crowded alternative to the state parks. "It is a great little Spot in Yellow Medicine county to get away for a few nights," mentions one camper, while another calls it a "Beautifully maintained and quiet Park with a couple of trails to walk the pup on."
What you should know
Cell coverage varies: Service can be inconsistent across campgrounds in the region. A camper at Lac qui Parle Upper Campground reports, "Verizon cell signal is poor," while another camper at Camden State Park noted, "We didn't have cell service (Verizon), which wasn't a big deal."
Bugs can be intense: Mosquitoes are particularly problematic after rain or during certain seasons. "The park and campground are nice, but the mosquitos weren't! Stayed right after a mosquitos hatch sadly," warns a Lac qui Parle visitor, while a Big Stone Lake State Park camper notes, "Flies can be an issue and the wind has an open shot from the south."
Weather preparation: The open prairie sites offer limited protection from elements. At Prairie View RV Park & Campground, campers appreciate the cement pads during wet conditions. "Very nice pull through cement pads. Easy full hook up's, and quite," reports one RVer, making this site more resilient during rain.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several parks feature swimming areas with varying conditions. "The weekend we camped it was scorching hot. Most of the hiking trails in the park were through the prairie grass," shares a Glacial Lakes visitor who made use of the lake to cool off, while another camper warns, "The swimming pond is very gross. Lots of weeds."
Kid-friendly amenities: Camping 109 RV Park offers basic facilities that work well for families. "They have the basic amenities as a bathroom and laundry room. The sites are roomy and well maintained as the owner mowed the sites often," reports a visitor, making it suitable for family stays.
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature play areas near camping loops. A Camden State Park visitor notes, "The lower campground is close to the playground and swimming pond," making it convenient for families with children who need recreation options close to their sites.
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality: Full-service rv parks near Dawson, Minnesota offer varying levels of amenities. At Outdoors Inn Campground, an RVer reports, "We had a full hookups with 50 amp service. Our site was next to US-12 and had no noise issues. The Chippewa river flows next to the camp and the adjoining river bank is woodlands."
Site spacing: RV sites at different campgrounds offer varying degrees of privacy. A Prairie View RV Park & Campground user notes, "Very clean and up to date facilities," while a visitor to Lac qui Parle mentions, "Lots of space between sites. There are not many trees so not much shade. Sites are gravel and relatively level, not much leveling required."
Water and dump stations: Check availability before arrival as some parks have limited facilities. At Dawson City Park, "Amenities are good. WiFi is shared with the public pool so it's very slow," according to a recent visitor, while a Lac qui Parle camper notes, "Recycling and garbage dumpsters on site. Dump station near entrance."
