Camping spots near Fertile, Minnesota offer overnight accommodations within the distinctive prairie and forest transition zone of northwestern Minnesota. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F and cold winters with temperatures frequently dropping below 0°F. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through mid-October due to harsh winter conditions in this part of the Red River Valley.
What to do
Swimming access: Polk County Park provides a sandy beach area for cooling off during summer months. "This place is such a great place to go camping and take the kids. There are showers and bathrooms that are really well kept. As well as a fun little Sandy beach for the kids to play on," notes Jill R.
Fishing opportunities: Several area campgrounds offer fishing access to local waterways. At Old Crossing Treaty Park, you can fish the Red Lake River. "There is a boat launch to put into the Red Lake River, and the water was calm enough you could have had a leisurely paddle in a kayak either direction," writes Torey H.
Hiking trails: Buffalo River State Park Campground features walking paths through prairie and woodland environments. "Several looping hiking trails start in and around the campground, so you can put together a hike from 15 minutes to two hours. Ours was about an hour, half in the prairie and half along the river," shares Patrick M.
What campers like
Affordability: Many municipal parks in the region charge modest fees. At Fosston City Campground, "The price in 2020 September is $5 for a tent and $16 for RVs," according to SmallRVLifestyle V. Most city parks operate on similar pricing structures.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and grounds. "This park is a gem for anyone seeking a peaceful and well-maintained spot to unwind," one camper wrote about Heiberg Park. "The lawn is always kept in top shape, with the grass trimmed neatly, and you'll rarely, if ever, find trash littering the ground."
Quiet atmosphere: Many camping areas offer peaceful surroundings away from crowded recreation areas. "Remarkably quiet considering it's right in town," notes Torey H. about Fosston City Campground, while Buffalo River State Park received praise as "Beautiful, quiet, well maintained, and wildlife give this park a perfect 10 for me."
What you should know
Limited amenities: Most smaller municipal campgrounds have basic facilities. "The 'facilities' are a portapotty, albeit a clean and new one!" notes Janet R. about Mentor City Park, which represents the typical small-town camping experience in the region.
Seasonal operations: Almost all campgrounds close during winter months, with most operating from May through October. Buffalo River State Park specifically notes a season from "April to November," while Shooting Star RV Park operates from "May 15 to Oct 15."
Reservation systems: Many municipal parks operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration. "Bring exact change as payment is done via an envelope in a dropbox mounted on the main gate," advises Torey H. about Fosston City Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play equipment for children. "The park has large shade trees, playground and picnic shelter, and shares ball fields with the adjacent school," mentions Janet R. about Mentor City Park, making it suitable for families needing recreation options.
Water recreation: McIntosh City Park offers community facilities alongside camping. "The city park itself is well manicured and well maintained, with community ball fields and picnic areas and playground. It is clearly a much loved community gathering place," writes Janet R.
Safety considerations: Be aware of proximity to roadways at some campgrounds. McIntosh City Park is "located immediately adjacent to Highway 2, a busy 4-lane highway with truck noise, and risky for kids or pets if they wandered away from the campsite," cautions Janet R.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric service is available at several municipal parks. "We stayed in the larger loop with electrical service: half the loop backing up against the prairie (lower numbers) and the other half backing up against the woods (higher numbers)," notes Patrick M. about Buffalo River State Park.
Dump station access: Some campgrounds provide sanitary dump facilities. "There are basic hookups for RVs if desired, and a dump station with non-potable water," explains Janet R. regarding McIntosh City Park's facilities.
Site configurations: Shooting Star RV Park and Casino offers dedicated RV camping with full amenities. "There are quite a few RV sites at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen and they offer full hookups! We stayed at site 19, shown in the photo. Although the sites are close together, there were quite a few empty sites so we felt like it was semi-private," reports Glenda D.
