Best Campgrounds near Faribault, MN

Faribault, Minnesota's central location provides access to multiple camping environments ranging from riverside sites to wooded retreats. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, located approximately 10 miles east of Faribault, offers both drive-in and walk-in tent camping with electric hookups available at select sites. Other notable options include Cannon River Wilderness Area with primitive tent sites and Rice County McCullough Park for RV camping with modern amenities. The region includes several mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate both tent and RV campers, while some locations like Sakatah Lake State Park and Kamp Dels also provide cabin accommodations and glamping opportunities.

Most campgrounds in the Faribault area operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter accessibility. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park typically opens April 1 and closes October 23, while other facilities like River View Campground operate May through mid-October. Several facilities offer electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities, though amenities vary significantly between developed campgrounds and more primitive areas. The Cannon River Wilderness Area provides free camping with minimal amenities, requiring hikers to pack in all supplies. Weather considerations impact camping experiences throughout the season. One camper noted about Cannon River Wilderness Area: "For free the area is awesome right by the river. We found a site tucked away from people which is what we like. The hike from parking is not bad at all about a 10 minute walk."

Campers consistently highlight the natural features and varied terrain around Faribault as key attractions. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park receives positive reviews for its hiking trails and waterfall, with visitors mentioning the "beautiful falls" as a highlight of their experience. The park's "spacious camp sites" are frequently cited as a benefit compared to more crowded state parks near the Twin Cities. While some campgrounds like Roberds Lake Resort provide waterfront access with "spectacular sunsets at the private beach," others focus on woodland immersion. Proximity to nearby towns offers convenient access to supplies, with Northfield's downtown area frequently mentioned as a complementary destination for campers seeking dining and shopping options. Reviews suggest that campsites at most developed campgrounds tend to be relatively open with limited privacy between sites.

Best Camping Sites Near Faribault, Minnesota (90)

    1. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Nerstrand, MN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 333-4840

    "There are four “walk in” sites, and you can see one another from all of them. Sites 1 and 3 require a walk about three car lengths to the tent pad, and 4 is not much farther."

    "Nerstrand is nestled just outside Faribault MN. The town has a great downtown area on the river with places to eat and little shops."

    2. Sakatah Lake State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Waterville, MN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 362-4438

    "Sites are wooded and shady but some are close to neighboring sites. Not too many mosquitos or flies for August in Minnesota! Sakatah Singing Hills paved trail runs through the park. "

    "Great park if you’re not looking to drive too far to enjoy a bit of nature. Wonderful hiking paths and biking paths. Our site was nice a secluded and right next to the trail heads."

    3. Kamp Dels

    12 Reviews
    Waterville, MN
    15 miles
    Website

    "We reserved a spot right next to the pool area. It was a tight fit to back the camper it, but I was able to do it. They have cement pads for a patio area and a fire ring."

    "The one drawback, in my opinion, is that the lake it is right next to doesn’t have a beach for swimming. That was a little disappointing for me."

    4. Rice Lake Campground — Rice Lake State Park

    13 Reviews
    Owatonna, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 455-5871

    "My only complaint was how close together the walk-in sites were."

    "Beautiful forested area just outside Owatonna. Easy drive past beautiful farms to town. Camp host told us mosquitoes were light this year; they seemed plentiful to me!"

    5. Cannon River Wilderness Area

    2 Reviews
    Faribault, MN
    5 miles
    Website

    "We found a site tucked away from people which is what we like. We set up hammocks right next to the river."

    6. Roberds Lake Resort and Campground

    1 Review
    Faribault, MN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 332-8978

    7. River View Campground

    7 Reviews
    Owatonna, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 451-8050

    "Outside of this the children spent most of the weekend in the pool!"

    "Neighbors decided movie night was important with surround sound but over all I would stay here again. Lots of seasonal golf cart traffic and kids on bikes."

    8. Rice County McCullough Park

    1 Review
    Montgomery, MN
    10 miles
    Website

    $25 / night

    "Two boat/fishing docks, playground, pavilion, and hiking trails for things to do. Price is very reasonable for water and electric hookup. Just be prepared for the bugs!"

    9. Lake Byllesby Regional Park

    12 Reviews
    Cannon Falls, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 263-4447

    "Near lake and excellent bike path. Great brewery and winery close by."

    "Lakeside sites are close together, with W/E hookups, but they’re right in the lake with a wonderful view. The facilities are very clean and well-kept."

    10. Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    43 Reviews
    Apple Valley, MN
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 480-7773

    $24 - $42 / night

    "Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation"

    "We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. it has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps."

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Recent Reviews near Faribault, MN

562 Reviews of 90 Faribault Campgrounds


  • Sarah D.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Secluded Site and Great Views Close to the Twin Cities

    We did a one night camping trip for my birthday at Cart-In Site 1 the second to last weekend of September.

    We loved the hiking at Frontenac State Park - walking along the lake and then walking along the bluffs at sunset was magical! Fantastic views. I imagine if we had gone two weeks later, we would have had a fantastic display of fall color. We went a little too early to catch the changing leaves.

    We loved how easy Frontenac was for a casual weekend getaway. It was an easy, scenic one hour drive from St. Paul that was very enjoyable. The park was also nice with great bathrooms at the main campsite, nice trails, and they even had board games to check out at the front office for a rainy day- a great idea!

    We stayed at Cart-In Site 1. I would rate the site itself a 3. It was very secluded and spacious, which was fantastic! We could not see any other campsites from our site, which was fantastic. We only occasionally saw some hikers on a nearby trail. We could hear some other noisy campers, but it wasn't too much of a disturbance. Very wooded, nice, spacious site. There is not water at the Cart-In parking lot, so be aware that you will have to fill up prior to parking and heading to your site (easiest place to do so is the main office/ visitor center).

    I also slept poorly because of a nearby train that kept going past and honking at least until midnight. So if you're a light sleeper, be aware of persistent train noise at these sites!

    Overall good site and an easy, fun, and relaxing weekend getaway from the twin cities.

  • Lance L.
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Cleary Lake Regional Park

    Large campground with plentyy of activities!

    They have two lots for RV and travel trailer use although the first lot only has two spaces and the second one has a total of five. The five space spot has no water or electric hook up but was a great place for me to test out my new solar set up. Word to the wise, gates ACTUALLY close at 10pm, there's no way to contact anyone and I had to walk about a mile in parked outside the gate 😅. The White Pine lot (5 spaces) has a central bathroom/shower building. The park was jam packed Friday/Saturday but a ghosts town the remains sun/mon/tue I stayed.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Great hiking trails NICE Bathrooms

    The campground is well maintained, all of the sites are clean and laid out nicely. Some sites are kinda close but there is brush growing between sites.

    There are a LOT of NICE TRAILS at this park. Many nice prairie trails and some fun trails in the bluffs along the Mississippi River too. One trail down along the River can be challenging because of MANY STAIRS.

    Large drive in picnic areas away from the campground that many people drive in to us and had a nice overlook on the Mississippi River. There are 2 nice overlooks that are great to walk to in the dark and watch the calmness and peaceful nature of the river and forest.

    The men’s bathroom and showers are GREAT! There is also very nice large full handicap bathrooms. The SHOWER WATER IS VERY HOT so be careful!

    Dump station is sloped so it makes it easy to drive in either direction to help dump waste water easily. Also fresh water at the dumping station.

    Always Plenty of firewood in the shed next to the office.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Byllesby Regional Park

    Very nice campground

    This is a good campground. Very well kept. Fishing from shore and there is a boat launch. Nice playground for kids. Sites are fairly close. Many have no privacy from others, but some do. No water at the sites and pit toilets are the biggest weaknesses. Nice paths for walking and biking.

  • Maria D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Cleanest Campground Bathrooms Ever!

    Frontenac State Park had some of the nicest campground bathrooms and showers I’ve ever seen—clean, and modern. The ranger station was small and charming, stocked with board games to rent, and it’s clear the staff cares about creating a positive camping experience. I also loved the little free library outside the bathrooms.

    The downsides are that the campsites run small, usually only fitting two tents at most, and there aren’t many trees for hammocking. It’s also a popular park, so it can get pretty loud at times.

    Favorite sites: 37 – Shady and on the edge with just one neighbor (though the main road is on the other side). Decent privacy and potential for hammocking.

    21 – Nice views, but likely best for just one tent/car.

    22 – Very private, though the ground looked a little uneven.

    Other solid tent sites: 36, 25, 48, 49, 51. Site 57 also looked spacious with no neighbors, but it does border the visitor parking lot.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    Not a bad stay

    Sites are a little close with little to no privacy in most. Fun little trails nearby for an afternoon walk. Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All rv sites are the listed length plus 16’ for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Crystal Springs RV Resort

    Has a resort feel to it

    Spent one night passing through Ellendale Minnesota. Our reservation paperwork was waiting for us at the gatehouse with directions to our back-in site 11. A close walk to the laundry, showers and restroom pavilion was terrific. I can’t remember but I believe this was the best campground for low road noise of our entire trip!

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Zumbrota Covered Bridge Park

    Scenic

    Pros: great paved walking and bike trail; leads to state bike trail; MN only covered bridge; huge park playground; disc golf course; along branch of the river; easy walk into town; friendly camp host; very quiet Cons: few site pads, you just drive onto grass where you see electric/water posts and fire ring; restroom with 1 toilet and 1 shower were dirty (husband said it looks like it hadn’t been cleaned in a month) I concur on woman’s as well but there was toilet paper (happy) but no hand soap or paper towels; garbage in women’s shower

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Haycreek Valley Campground

    Beautiful surroundings

    Red Wing, Minn might be the prettiest small town in the US. Rolling hills, greenery, the Mississippi River, and genuinely nice people in a small city with lots of attractions.

    The campground is about a 10 minute ride from the city center. The amenities are sparse and aged, but the sites are level, plentiful, and reasonably priced.

    Be aware however…..The Dyrt is wrong. There are no sewer hookups at this campground. They have a dump station and will pump for a fee.

    There is a perfectly average pub on site. The food is okay, the price is reasonable.


Guide to Faribault

Camping near Faribault, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.

What to do

  • Hiking and biking: Explore the trails at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The trails are also nice and well kept," making it a great place for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Myre-Big Island State Park, provide access to lakes for fishing. A camper noted, "Great spot for nature seekers," highlighting the park's natural beauty.
  • Wildlife viewing: At Red Fox Campground — Minneopa State Park, you can see bison and other wildlife. One camper shared, "This park has one of my favorite sites," emphasizing the unique experience of camping among nature.

What campers like

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve. A reviewer said, "Peaceful, quiet, with spacious sites that are situated in a staggered way," making it a favorite for those seeking solitude.
  • Clean facilities: Many campgrounds, such as Afton State Park Campground, are praised for their cleanliness. One visitor remarked, "Bathrooms are very clean," which is always a plus when camping.
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, a camper noted, "The staff were nice and accommodating," making for a pleasant camping experience.

What you should know

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, have fewer amenities. A camper pointed out, "Only portapotties," so be prepared for a more rustic experience.
  • Mosquitoes: Be ready for bugs, especially in the summer. One camper at Sakatah Lake State Park mentioned, "Not too many mosquitos or flies for August," but it's always good to bring repellent just in case.
  • Reservations recommended: Popular spots like Willow River State Park Campground can fill up quickly. A visitor advised, "Must reserve months in advance as usually full," so plan ahead.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with roomy sites, like Afton State Park Campground. A family shared, "Our site was mighty large and for the most part secluded from those near," making it easier to enjoy family time.
  • Engage in activities: Many campgrounds offer fun activities for kids. At Myre-Big Island State Park, one camper noted, "Great bike trails," perfect for family adventures.
  • Plan for meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals and snacks. A camper at Baker Campground mentioned, "Clean restrooms and showers," which can make meal prep easier.

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Lebanon Hills Regional Park noted, "RV portion has full hookups," which is great for larger rigs.
  • Be aware of road noise: Some campgrounds, like Sakatah Lake State Park, are near highways. A camper mentioned, "It's next to the highway and there are residents that live on the lake that can be noisy," so keep that in mind when choosing a spot.
  • Utilize dump stations: Many campgrounds have dump stations available. A visitor at Baker Campground appreciated the "water fill-up stations," making it easy to maintain their RV.

Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a family adventure, the Faribault, MN campgrounds have something for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Faribault, MN?

The Faribault area offers several excellent camping options. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground is nestled just outside Faribault with scenic wooded sites and hiking trails. It's especially beautiful during fall when leaf-peeping is at its best. Another top choice is Sakatah Lake State Park Campground, located less than an hour from the Twin Cities with wooded, shady sites and access to the paved Sakatah Singing Hills Trail that runs from Faribault to Mankato. For a more primitive experience, Cannon River Wilderness Area offers free riverside camping with sites that require a short 10-minute hike from the parking area. Roberds Lake Resort and Campground provides a boat-in experience close to town for water enthusiasts.

Are there any RV-friendly camping options in Faribault?

Yes, several RV-friendly camping options exist near Faribault. River View Campground near Owatonna accommodates big rigs with drive-in access, water hookups, and toilet facilities. Rice County McCullough Park is another good option with big-rig-friendly sites, reservable spots, and basic amenities like toilets. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Kamp Dels near Waterville offers comprehensive RV facilities including water hookups and accommodations for larger vehicles. The campgrounds generally provide essential hookups for RVs, though specific electricity amperage and sewer connections may vary by location. Most RV-friendly sites in the area are available by reservation, which is recommended especially during peak summer months.

What amenities are available at Faribault campgrounds?

Campgrounds around Faribault offer varying amenities depending on their type. Lebanon Hills Regional Park provides comprehensive family amenities including Schultz Beach for swimming, mountain bike trails, and miles of hiking paths for various outdoor activities. Frontenac State Park Campground features spacious sites with basic facilities, though not all sites offer complete privacy. Many state parks in the area provide shaded campsites, drinking water, toilet facilities, and shower houses. The Sakatah Singing Hills paved trail is accessible from several campgrounds for biking enthusiasts. Primitive sites at Cannon River Wilderness Area offer riverside camping but minimal facilities. For water recreation, several campgrounds provide lake or river access, though swimming beaches aren't available at all locations. Most campgrounds feature fire rings and picnic tables at individual sites.