The Fairmont camping area sits in the heart of southern Minnesota's prairie and lake country, where elevations range between 1,150 to 1,250 feet above sea level. The region features over a dozen lakes within a 20-mile radius, creating diverse fishing opportunities throughout the camping season. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from April through October, with water typically turned off after the first frost.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Cedar Hanson County Park offers access to a shallow lake that's best for fishing early in the camping season. "The only down side is the lake is shallow so fishing is best early early camping season," notes one camper at Cedar Hanson Co Park.
Mini golf and recreation: Beyond standard camping activities, some Fairmont area campgrounds offer additional recreation. Flying Goose Campground includes "a mini golf course, volleyball, basketball, the works to keep the kids happy and entertained while you relax in a quiet clean setting," according to a visitor.
Walking trails: Several campgrounds connect to walking paths. Blue Earth City Campground features a paved trail that "meanders thru for walking or bicycling, and town is less than 2 miles away," as one camper explains.
What campers like
Affordable rates: Camping sites near Fairmont, Minnesota offer budget-friendly options. At Tuttle Lake Park, sites with electricity cost "$20 I stayed in a 26' B+. Water and dump are separate," notes a reviewer. Burt Lake County Park charges only "$10/night!" according to another camper.
Clean facilities: Many campers mention well-maintained facilities as a highlight. One camper at Blue Earth City Campground observed, "The facility is ran by a very nice and knowledgeable owner—you are greeted right away and given lots of information to make your stay enjoyable. Bathroom/showering area was very clean."
Spacious sites: Campground layouts around Fairmont tend to offer adequate space. At Korte's Checkers Welcome Campground, visitors noted "Large site and we'll spaced out" and "Site size was moderate with some shade, a fire ring, picnic table, on a level gravel pad."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds close or limit services in colder months. Flying Goose Campground operates from "May 1 to Oct 31" while Korte's Checkers Welcome Campground runs "April 1 to November 15." Water access may be restricted early or late season.
Reservations and availability: Several campgrounds operate on a first-come basis. At Everett Park, one visitor noted it's "first-come-first-serve. Not sure why it popped up on the map" when filtering for reservable sites. Weekday visits often mean more availability, with one camper at Flying Goose Campground & Resort noting, "We were there for a one night mid-week stay, and it was so quiet and calm because ~70% of the spots are taken by seasonal guests who are primarily at the campgrounds on the weekends."
Utility setups: Electric hookups and water access vary significantly between campgrounds. A visitor at Perch Lake Park observed "Water and 50 amp at sites" while also mentioning "Would like more night lighting and lake access" as issues.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds have dedicated play areas for children. Everett Park features "a great playground, plenty of room to run & play. Sites are large and well spaced" according to a recent visitor.
Beach amenities: Families appreciate water access for swimming. Flying Goose Campground has "a boat dock and a sandy swimming beach" with "three playgrounds (one at the swimming beach)" as noted by a visitor who had the beach "entirely to ourselves!"
Night noise considerations: Family campers should note potential noise issues at some locations. At Everett Park, one camper mentioned "Kids screaming and people partying super late" while Cedar Hanson County Park visitors report "you basically have the whole place to yourself" except on holiday weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Multiple campgrounds have uneven sites that may require leveling equipment. At Burt Lake County Park, "Lower camp area is on the lakefront and very uneven by the power hookup's" while at Tuttle Lake, "None are very level."
Big rig accommodations: For larger RVs, site selection is important. Blue Earth City Campground can "accommodate tents or up to 50' RVs," while another camper noted some campgrounds have "All sites are back in on grass. Heavy big rigs could sink if wet."
Hookup access: RVers should note hookup locations when selecting sites. Flying Goose Campground has "pull through sites with electric, water and sewage at every site" while some campgrounds like Perch Lake Park offer "Water and 50 amp at sites" but limited lake access.
