Rice County offers several motorhome-friendly options within a 30-mile radius of Faribault, Minnesota. The area sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with seasonal temperature variations from below freezing in winter to humid 80°F summers. Many campgrounds in this region operate from April through October, with several RV parks offering amenities specifically designed for larger vehicles.
What to do
Hiking trails: Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, located about 10 miles east of Faribault, features a network of hiking paths through a unique forest ecosystem. "The trails were great and at the end of the trails there were beautiful falls. The falls weren't huge but there were pretty. A lot of things to photograph," notes one visitor who appreciated the Hidden Falls feature.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can enjoy fishing at Rice County McCullough Park on a scenic lake. The park provides "two boat/fishing docks, playground, pavilion, and hiking trails for things to do," according to a recent camper. Sites accommodate large RVs with crushed asphalt bases that are "decently level" with "large yard" areas.
Water recreation: Lake Byllesby Campground offers water access about 25 miles north of Faribault. The campground provides boat launches and lake access, though swimming conditions vary seasonally. One visitor mentions, "Great views of the lake and two great playgrounds. Very close to town and good priced," noting that water quality can fluctuate.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Crystal Springs RV Resort in Ellendale receives consistently positive feedback for maintenance. "Very quiet, nice sites. Everyone was very friendly easy to work with... Very well maintained just a great park overall!" comments one visitor about the adult-oriented park with no playground facilities.
Spacious sites: Many RV sites near Faribault, Minnesota feature extra room for larger vehicles. At Lake Byllesby Campground, one reviewer described the recently renovated park: "Spots 1-17 have remained the same and are awesome. Spots 18-46 are second best. Even numbered sites on the lake are better than the odd numbered sites but both have a view of the lake."
Proximity to amenities: Dakotah Meadows RV Park provides convenient access to regional attractions. "Great place to stop and rest when traveling through the twin cities. Great price for full hookup," states one visitor. Another mentions it's "about 100 sites that's big draw is the Mystic Lake tribal Casino" with "sites are 60+ feet, concrete and level."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the Faribault area operate approximately mid-April through mid-October. Camp Faribo specifically opens April 15 and closes October 15, requiring advance planning for shoulder season visits.
Connectivity challenges: Internet access varies significantly between parks. At Dakotah Meadows, one camper reported that "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."
Site-specific features: Hidden Meadows RV Park receives mixed reviews for site conditions. "The parking pads are very unlevel. WiFi signal is weak at best. If you have Verizon don't count on service. Antenna strength is weak. Also oddly spaced power hook up with sewer and water placements," notes one camper who still found the staff friendly.
