Camping options near Garfield, Minnesota range from primitive tent sites to electric hookups with sandy beaches. The area sits at an elevation of about 1,370 feet and experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging 80°F from June through August. Winter camping is available at several locations with temperatures often dropping below freezing, requiring proper cold-weather gear and preparation.
What to do
Lake activities: Swimming, fishing, and paddling on non-motorized lakes at Glendalough State Park Campground. "The tent sites are all cart in, making the scenery the main focus. You don't have to stare at vehicles while you are enjoying a fire, which I love. They also have sites that you can canoe in to as well as cabins and yurts," explains one visitor.
Trail exploration: Over 25 miles of trails for hiking through diverse landscapes at Maplewood State Park Campground. A camper noted, "Easily a contender for best hiking trails in the MN state parks state system. This western park offers miles of hiking with the North Country Trail weaving throughout."
Winter recreation: Snowshoe and ski on groomed trails. "I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter," shares one winter visitor to Lake Carlos State Park.
Beach access: Sandy swimming areas with clear water for cooling off. "The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm," says a paddleboarder at Glacial Lakes State Park.
What campers like
Private sites: Secluded camping spots for those seeking quiet at Glacial Lakes State Park Campground. "Oak Ridge campground is prettier, quieter, and more private than the Lower campground. Site 28 and 30 don't have tree cover, but have beautiful views of the rolling hills."
Clear lakes: Clean water for swimming and fishing opportunities. "Good lake, had a great swimming beach. Our campsite wasn't private but there are some that are surrounded by trees and private," reports a camper about Lake Carlos State Park.
Year-round accommodations: Various glamping options near Garfield open all seasons. "We headed to Lake Carlos for their candlelight ski, this was our first visit to this state park. Tent camping wasn't available and we were able to reserve a camper cabin - Frog Pond. It was a nice change and a warmer option, the cabin is gorgeous!"
Modern amenities: Clean facilities with shower houses. As noted at Games Lake County Park, "Super clean facilities, friendly staff, and plenty of space for both tents and RVs. The kids loved the beach area and playground, and we spent most of our time fishing and boating on the lake."
What you should know
Bug pressure: Heavy insects in wooded and prairie areas. "The site was a bit buggy, but very manageable with bug spray and a Thermacell. The bugs on the hiking trails were unrelenting even with lots of deet bug spray- I was planning to hike 5 miles but had to stop after 2."
Winter preparation: Special gear needed for cold-weather camping. "We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent. A couple and their 2 dogs stayed in the truck camper and me and another friend stayed in the clam with an electric space heater going in addition to our 0 degree bags. It stayed pretty cozy!"
Tick awareness: High tick populations in grassy areas. "Due to the grass, there were many ticks, pets should be treated for ticks ahead of time. We didn't stay overnight due to the amount of them," warns a visitor to Glacial Lakes State Park.
Limited shower access: Long walks to facilities from some campsites. "Would be nice to have showers in the Oak Ridge campground as it's a long walk to the Lower campground."
Tips for camping with families
Tent-only sections: Cart-in sites offer more privacy and natural settings. At Glendalough State Park, a visitor explains, "What a wonderful park for families and first time campers. All sites (except one handicapped site) are tent only and cart-in sites. That being said, the trip from the (assigned) parking spot to your site is very short and very flat."
Kid-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and beaches provide entertainment. "The kids loved the beach area and playground, and we spent most of our time fishing and boating on the lake—it's such a peaceful spot," shares a family visiting Games Lake County Park.
Nature programs: Educational opportunities for children at several parks. "Nature center is really good and all of the staff are great and friendly," notes a visitor to Lake Carlos State Park.
Cabin options: Luxury glamping near Garfield for families wanting comfort. "We are camping/glamping in a 30' fifth wheel. The sites here are spacious and cozy at the same time. Feels like we are deep in the forest but civilization is close enough for WiFi!" explains a visitor at Lake Carlos State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for specific loops with better RV accommodations. "Nice large campground. There is a lower portion and upper portion with the lower campground being lakefront. There are primitive and electric sites available," advises an RVer at Lake Carlos State Park.
Seasonal availability: Book early for prime summer spots. "We've camped a few times and always had a great time! The lake views are spectacular," notes a repeat visitor to Tipsinah Mounds City Park.
New facilities: Modern amenities at newer RV parks. "We were in town for a weekend event and Andes RV Park was outstanding! Friendly service was in the easy check-in and checkout process. It has outstanding trails that they use in the winter time for cross-country skiing with tons of outdoor activities. Brand new restroom and shower facilities with laundry."
Pull-through access: Easy setup at certain sites. "The water in the lake is nice and clear. The swimming area isn't awesome, but I have seen much worse," comments a visitor about site access at Glacial Lakes State Park.
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