Camping near Glenwood, Minnesota centers around Lake Minnewaska, a 7,110-acre glacial lake with maximum depths of 32 feet. The region features a mix of prairie lands and hardwood forests, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping season. Spring campers should prepare for potentially muddy conditions as snowmelt can leave trails and campsites wet through early May.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Carlos State Park Campground offers excellent lake fishing access with a dedicated fishing pier near the swimming area. "The lake was really high when we visited, which led to a useless campground fishing pier and a boat dock that you had to swim to to use," notes Lisa H., highlighting how water conditions can vary seasonally.
Prairie hiking: Explore the unique rolling prairie landscapes at Glacial Lakes State Park Campground. "Beautiful park with rolling prairies. Oak Ridge campground is prettier, quieter, and more private than the Lower campground," reports Mike O. The High Peak Trail offers particularly good views according to campers.
Water recreation: Rentals for paddleboards and kayaks are available at several area lakes. "Our favorite part of this trip was renting stand up paddle boards. The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm," shares Tessa Z. about her experience at Glacial Lakes State Park.
Small town exploration: Visit nearby New London from Oak Ridge Campground. "Short drive in to cute town of New London," mentions Sara S. The town offers local cafés and shops within a short drive from several campgrounds.
What Campers Like
Lake access: Many campgrounds in the area provide direct lake access for swimming and boating. At Lake Carlos State Park Campground, "one campground is on Lake Carlos and very open. Sites have beautiful lake views. You can apparently drive your boat right into a sandy shore and dock it," according to Joanna B.
Privacy options: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of seclusion. "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," according to Mike O.'s experience at Glacial Lakes.
Clean facilities: Sinclair Lewis City Campground maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. "The campground supervisor was friendly and informative. Our site was a pull through grass site with water and electric. Bonus- it had a view of the lake!" reports Kristen I., who discovered the campground while passing through.
Winter camping options: Limited winter camping is available for cold-weather enthusiasts. "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," notes Tori K. about Lake Carlos State Park.
What You Should Know
Bug preparedness: The prairie sections of parks can have significant insect populations. "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," warns Mike O. about Glacial Lakes State Park.
Water level variability: Lake levels can affect dock access and beaches. "When we were visiting, the shower house was closed due to Covid, so no review of that. The vault toilet was stocked with TP and fairly clean. The portapotty was near full and smelled awful," reports Lisa H. about her experience at Glacial Lakes.
Shower facility distance: At some campgrounds, shower facilities may require a walk. "Had a great stay, everything was as expected with a camper cabin. Beautiful park with great trails and a beautiful lake! Our cabin was a long ways from the shower facility which I knew going into the weekend. Parking near showers was close to non existent," notes Samuel V. from Glacial Lakes State Park.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Glenwood: The Chalet in Glenwood's Barsness City Park permits pets throughout the grounds. "We stayed up on the hill where they had full hookups. Lots of full season residents. Nice campground," notes Kaiel T. about this pet-accommodating option.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Canary Beach Resort offers family-oriented amenities. "Fun campground to be part of. Lots of things to do for the whole family," shares Dave B. about the pet-accommodating facilities.
Swimming spots: Many campgrounds feature designated swimming areas for children. "The water in the lake is nice and clear. The swimming area isn't awesome, but I have seen much worse," reports Tony S. about Glacial Lakes State Park.
Cabin options: For families wanting more shelter, several parks offer cabin rentals. "We stayed in camper cabins that were really amazing. Fishing Pier and a small lake to canoe and kayak on. I'd definitely come back," shares Tikki B. about her stay at Glacial Lakes State Park.
Pet-friendly activities: Several campgrounds welcome dogs for family adventures. "Super nice hosts Janet & Mike. Helped us get our electric service working on our new RV," mentions Tom M. about his experience at Oak Park Kampground, another dog-friendly option near Glenwood.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are available at multiple campgrounds. "We are camping/glamping in 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!" shares Michele about Lake Carlos State Park.
Site selection: For RVers needing more space, certain campgrounds offer pull-through sites. "Wide and long pull through sites that are big rig friendly with a picnic table and fire ring at each site," notes Tori K. about Oak Park Kampground.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations, though some have limitations. "The water fill and dump stations are on the opposite side of most campers which was the only downside. There was not water supply at the dump station to rinse out the tank," notes Amanda M. about her experience at Glacial Lakes.
Seasonal RV options: Some campgrounds cater to seasonal residents. "We stayed up on the hill where they had full hookups. Lots of full season residents," mentions Kaiel T. about Chalet Campground, indicating options for longer-term RV stays.