Best Campgrounds near Elba, MN

Join the fun near Elba. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Elba is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Elba, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Elba, Minnesota (131)

    1. Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    50 Reviews
    Elba, MN
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 932-3007

    "Site 53 was close to the showers and water spigot and it was a big enough spot for 2 tents while being private. It was a 10-20 minute walk to anywhere else."

    "Whitewater is by far one of the top state parks in Minnesota. Their camping facilities are clean with running water and free showers. The campsites are quite spacious but not too wooded."

    2. Carley State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Plainview, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 932-3007

    "Carley State Park is easy to overlook in favor of nearby Whitewater State Park. Whitewater has an actual visitor center, the dramatic scenery, the flush toilets, and spacious/level sites."

    "Site #2 is further down a path with 4 picnic tables and room for 4-5 tents. The site is right at the park border, with farm land/prairie just on the other Side of the trees."

    3. Lazy D Campground and Trail Rides

    5 Reviews
    Elba, MN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (507) 932-3098

    "Our campsite was next to the river, we enjoyed the sound of it drowning out vehicle noise from nearby roads."

    "was a little high but clear of fallen limbs ( for the most part) the woman who drove the bus to pick us up was amazingly friendly, you could tell she loved her job and it made you feel happy to be around"

    4. Merrick State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Fountain City, WI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 687-4936

    "We always bring the kayaks, so the water access offered is why we stay.  

    3 Campgrounds:

     - Island sites offer the best-in-park privacy for a campsite, but they are walk in (carts provided for hauling"

    "Really close to the river, as well. Yes… the trains do go by quite a bit, but it really hasn’t bothered us. Beautiful tall trees, clean pit toilets. This park is a gem! We’ll be back."

    5. Aefintyr

    4 Reviews
    Elba, MN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (507) 513-5598

    $29 - $139 / night

    "Short drive to White Water State Park. A lot of great trout fishing spots along the river. Very peaceful campground, great view of the stars on clear nights! Will definitely be back."

    "It was so fun to socialize in the shared space around the fire and play games. 

    If you are up in the bluff, be sure to wear good shoes for the hike up. "

    6. Cedar Hill Campground — Whitewater State Park

    2 Reviews
    Elba, MN
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 312-2300

    "Park is nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by rocky bluffs with great hiking trails. Campsites are spread apart nicely and some are right along the Whitewater river."

    "There is lots of hiking trails, and a beach to swim in the river. The campground is semi private with lots of trees and shade. The bathrooms are very nice."

    7. Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground — Whitewater State Park

    2 Reviews
    Elba, MN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 312-2300

    "My husband had a fall break at the beginning of October, and we were looking for beautiful fall colors a short drive from the twin cities for a one night camping trip."

    "Right when you park you see the push carts and it is a very short walk to the campsite. You are able to slightly see 1 cart-in site neighbor, but besides that it was very private and quiet."

    8. Prairie Island City Campground

    11 Reviews
    Winona, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 452-4501

    "This campground is a home away from home. We found this campground through this app, and was very happy with our stay. We had one of the primitive sites on the river front, and it was huge!"

    "Clean bath house and convenient outdoor bathroom buildings around the grounds. The road along the river is narrow making it hard to back your camper into the riverfront sites if you have neighbors."

    9. Perrot State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Trempealeau, WI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 534-6409

    "There is a rail line that runs along between the Mississippi and the park edge, campsites are away from this but still can be heard as well as motor boats on the River."

    "The nice little town of trempealeau is close by with a cool old hotel and some fun bars.

    Highly recommended."

    10. Chester Woods Park

    6 Reviews
    Eyota, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 285-7050

    "It has a campground and man-made lake (created when Bear Creek was dammed for a flood control project) with hiking trails, a horse trail, picnic shelters, a beach, and a playground."

    "Has many walking trails that you can take your dog on and just a couple that you can’t."

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Recent Reviews near Elba, MN

504 Reviews of 131 Elba Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit

    Lovely space

    There are a few spaces with views you can hike in to but I opted for a spot next to my car. And ideal spot for a one nighter. I stopped here after a 12 hour drive got set up and even walked the trails for a few miles before bed.

  • J
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Reicks Lake Park

    Didn’t stay the night

    Based on picture, we planed to stay at this campsite. It is right in the side of the highway, so too much noise and traffic for us. The picture this site provides is actually the other side of highway, over a hill, so you can’t see it from campsite. but there’s a view of marshlands. It’s $20, have showers and toilets. There’s a small playground for kids. We came across people That said they camp there all the time and love it.

  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Rochester-Marion KOA

    In transition

    The direct road to the KOA was all jacked up due to a large construction project that closed the whole road. We got back on the Interstate & got off on exit 224. Took Co Rd 7 to HWY 52. This is a lot easier than the directions the KOA gave.

     This is a small KOA Journey we stayed in 1 night on our way up North. It's an established campground, but well kept. We stayed on the office side of the road. The other side has newer sites & the pool. Our site was a buddy site, which I dislike. It was close to the bathrooms/showers though, which helps out my mobility challenged husband. I can put up with it for 1 night. 

    The bathrooms were clean. The laundry had 2 dryers out of service.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Zumbro Bottoms State Forest

    State Forest Dispersed Camping

    This area is off a low maintenance dirt road. It is best to come in from the south as sometimes the gate on the river bridge to the north is closed.

    There is a parking spot near a known dispersed camping site with easy vehicle access next to it. There are hiking trails that pass by this site.

  • JJ W.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Bluff Valley Campground

    Great site!

    Pretty good site. Cool playground, pool is a little small and no wifi. Phone reception is choppy and worse on the weekends. Many different-sized sites. Right on the river. Great tubing. Weekend activities are very fun and the concerts are always fun, the band rocks.

  • D
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Butternut Park

    Well maintained city park

    About a dozen sites with picnic tables on a grassy large circle. About half or more have electric hookups. Toilets are a short walk past the campground entrance.

  • D
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Holden Park Campground

    Peaceful, Friendly Camping

    A friendly campground host and wonderful county staff keep this little campground in good shape. Updated in 2025 with a new shower/restroom facility, fire rings, paved drive, and playground equipment. There are 20 sites, most of them will need some leveling for rvs. Generous firewood available for $5. Not many mosquitoes. ATT LTE cell 3 bars.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

    great camping

    Stayed in site 71 for 3 nights. Good level campsite and in walking around all the ones in the electric loop looked pretty level.  

    The shower house is the newer style - individual shower rooms and then a separate mens/women/handicapped bathroom.   Showers were clean.

    Lots of hiking - down to historic village and back is about 4.5 miles round trip.  

    If you get the chance, go do the the 1 hour walking tour of Mystery Cave - well worth the entry fee.  if you go on weekend probably need to make reservations. 

    and finally need to check out Wykoff - and see Ed's Museum.  Usually open on weekends.  We went over during the week and wasn't open but you can get view inside from the street.

    TV was able to pick up about 15 stations - but there is NO CELL SERVICE in the campground - no Verizon, ATT or T-Mobile.   Wifi down at the ranger office.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Blueberry Fields Forever

    Beautiful, rustic, quiet and peaceful campground

    This campground is unique, and very beautiful. The setting is a blueberry farm, and the scenery is gorgeous! It is very quiet, when we were there we were the only campers. Some mornings customers come to the farm to pick blueberries, but there is no bother. The owner, Steve is the best! If we had a need, he did all he could do to meet it. If you are looking for quiet, peaceful and rustic--this is your place


Guide to Elba

Camping near Elba, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking Trails: Explore the many trails in the area. At Whitewater State Park, one visitor mentioned, "We hiked to Chimney Rock and Inspiration Point and found the trails more challenging than we expected." The park has trails for all skill levels, making it a great spot for everyone.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park noted, "The cave tours are awesome! There is plenty of room to share the trails though!" You might spot birds, butterflies, and even raccoons.
  • Water Activities: Enjoy kayaking or canoeing at Perrot State Park. A reviewer shared, "This park has good access for a kayak/canoe path," making it perfect for water lovers.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One visitor at Frontenac State Park said, "Great showers with DRY AREAS to dress after taking a shower. Bathrooms are VERY CLEAN."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Great River Bluffs State Park mentioned, "The cart-in sites all have a fire pit with a grill, picnic table, and are a short walk from the primitive toilets."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Merrick State Park are noted for being family-friendly. One reviewer said, "Beautiful old trees. On the Mississippi, just a short walk to the river."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in summer. A camper at Perrot State Park warned, "Lots of vegetation around the camp site that made it feel a bit more private but that also brought lots of bugs and mosquitoes."
  • Limited Cell Service: Many areas have spotty cell coverage. One visitor at Whitewater State Park noted, "Spotty cell service," so plan accordingly.
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A camper at Eagle Cliff Campground mentioned, "The campground looks good but rules are ridiculous and staff and owners are very shady," indicating that it's best to secure your spot in advance.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized events. One family at Prairie Island City Campground said, "There’s always something to do. Whether it’s a movie night, live music, food trucks, or kayak rentals."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A camper at Maple Springs Campground shared, "Beautiful spaces of various size, a river runs next to it and they have duck races."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check if the campground has a restaurant. One visitor at Old Barn Resort mentioned, "The restaurant had good food and nice atmosphere."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A reviewer at Frontenac State Park noted, "There are limited electric sites, most on the inside of the first two loops."
  • Be Mindful of Site Size: Some sites may be too small for larger RVs. A camper at Great River Bluffs State Park said, "The sites are short and tree branches low."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Check if the campground has a dump station. One visitor at Merrick State Park mentioned, "Dump station on site included in rate."

Camping near Elba, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Elba, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Elba, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 131 campgrounds and RV parks near Elba, MN and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Elba, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Elba, MN is Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 50 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Elba, MN.