Lake Ripley County Park Campground sits approximately 20 miles north of Glencoe, Minnesota at an elevation of about 1,100 feet. The camping season typically runs from mid-April through mid-October with temperatures averaging 70-85°F during summer months. Most campgrounds in the region feature flat terrain with sandy or clay soil that drains well after the frequent summer thunderstorms.
What to do
Swimming and beach activities: Lake Auburn Campground offers a gentle sloping beach area perfect for families. "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," reports a visitor at Lake Auburn Campground.
Biking on paved trails: Baker Campground features several miles of paved trails connecting to a larger trail system. "There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities," notes a camper at Baker Park Reserve Regional Park.
Historical exploration: Fort Ridgely State Park provides access to historical sites with educational displays about early Minnesota history. "The historical fort site has lots of great information and signage around the excavations. There is a fee to enter the museum," explains a visitor at Fort Ridgely State Park Campground.
Nature walks: Explore prairie ecosystems on well-maintained trails. "In JULY The Prairie Trails are stunning with all the wild flowers in full bloom. Many trails and nice overlooks too. I walked and hiked the trail over and over because of the beautiful flowers and trails," shares a camper at Fort Ridgely State Park.
What campers like
Private walk-in sites: Lake Maria State Park offers backpacking-style sites with varying distances from parking. "This hike-in site is about a half-mile walk from the parking area, and the journey in is half the magic: winding wooded trails, wildflowers, and glimpses of the lake through the trees," notes a reviewer at Lake Maria State Park Campground.
Playground access: Many area campgrounds feature well-maintained playgrounds for children. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," describes a visitor at Baker Park Reserve.
Creek access for cooling off: Several campgrounds offer creek or stream access that kids enjoy. "Kids had a blast playing in the creek. There was also people out on their horses offering rides to kids and educating about horse ownership," mentions a camper at Fort Ridgely State Park.
Friendly staff: Lake Marion County Park is known for attentive staff who help campers. "Even the caretakers drive around and talk to people, deliver wood to your campsite, etc. They have a shelter you can rent for parties, playground for kids, volleyball, etc," says a visitor at Lake Marion Co Park.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds have open sites with limited privacy. "While the park is nice and has mature trees, the sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites. The only separation is the driveway where you park your car," explains a camper at Lake Auburn Campground.
Mosquito management required: Bug pressure can be intense, especially near water features. "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon. We prepared the kiddos for a quick grab and run and jumped out of the car," warns a visitor at Lake Maria State Park.
Weather-related closures: Spring flooding can affect campsite availability. "It's obvious that the park had some heavy flooding earlier in the year. A lot of the waterfront sites became sandy," reports a camper at Fort Ridgely State Park.
Cell service limitations: Coverage can be spotty at rural campgrounds. "There isn't any cell phone reception at the campground but there is service around the historical site," notes a Fort Ridgely visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible glamping options: Baker Campground offers glamping facilities with nearby activities. "The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great. With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," shares a visitor at Baker Campground.
Noise consideration: Some campgrounds are busier and noisier than others. "It was fairly busy, but we still felt secluded despite a full campground," explains a camper at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.
Water recreation access: Multiple sites offer swimming areas with varying amenities. "Lakefront sites... The playhroubd is nice, the vault toilets have automatic lights at night, which is pretty nice, and the beach has couple large shade umbrellas and a fishing dock," reports a visitor at Lake Ripley County Park Campground.
Campsite location selection: For glamping in Glencoe, Minnesota with children, choosing the right location matters. "Decided last minute to try a State Park campground I'd never been to and picked Fort Ridgley. The sites were large enough to fit two tents and had plenty of trees to hook up the hammocks," shares a Fort Ridgely visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV glamping options near Glencoe vary in hookup types. "Nice place close to the cities. Access to lake independence. A lot of biking trails. Nice clean bathrooms. Nice park for kids just a small hike away. Plus a decent amount of rentals," notes a Baker Park visitor.
Site levelness challenges: Some sites require leveling equipment. "The site was very unlevel and the water Spicket didn't really work very well," explains a visitor at Minneapolis Southwest KOA.
Amenity access: Check shower and restroom facilities when booking. "Bathrooms and showers are in the campground and there is wood available for purchase. Lot of day use and activity. Around 5-6PM or so, it starts to slow down as people go back to their camp or head home for dinner," reports a Flandrau State Park camper.
