Camping sites near Glyndon, Minnesota offer a mix of prairie, woodland, and riverside environments within Minnesota's lake country. Located in Norman County at an elevation of approximately 922 feet, this region experiences wide seasonal temperature variations with summer highs reaching 80-85°F and winter lows often dropping below 0°F. Camping season typically runs from May through September, when the prairie landscapes bloom with native wildflowers.
What to do
Hiking prairie trails: Buffalo River State Park Campground provides several interconnected hiking trails ranging from 15 minutes to 2-hour loops. "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," notes Patrick M.
Swimming in natural settings: When temperatures rise, the swimming pond at Buffalo River State Park Campground provides relief. "There is a swimming pond close to the campground and some open area to play lawn games. Would go back here!" shares Stephanie H. The swimming area offers a natural alternative to chlorinated pools.
River activities: Access to waterways near Lindenwood Campground provides opportunities for kayaking and boating. "Clean, lots of paved trails, easy access to kayak, only thing missing is a place to swim!" explains M C. The Red River and its tributaries offer paddling routes suitable for beginners.
Stargazing: The prairie landscape creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing, particularly at sites away from city lights. "We were on site B9 and it was spacious. However the road noise from the freeway was pretty loud," notes Amy K., suggesting that sites deeper in campgrounds provide better stargazing conditions.
What campers like
Prairie landscapes: The unique ecosystem surrounding camping areas provides distinctive views and wildlife observation opportunities. "The park is absolutely gorgeous and the camp sites are no different," writes Leslie R. about Maplewood State Park Campground. The park showcases diverse terrain including native prairie grasses.
Site privacy: Campers consistently mention the importance of site selection for privacy. "The sites without any hookups are more private and secluded, great for tent camping," says Leslie R. about Maplewood State Park. At Buffalo River, sites in the non-electric loop tend to offer more seclusion.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean amenities receive frequent praise from visitors. "If you want the best kept state park I have seen this is the place. Beautiful, quiet, well maintained, and wildlife give this park a perfect 10 for me. Not a scrap of trash the restrooms clean and well stocked," reports StaceeQ Q. about Buffalo River State Park.
Fall colors: For those camping in autumn, the changing foliage provides spectacular views. "Lots of maple tree's red, orange colors in fall," notes Denise D. about Maplewood State Park Campground, making September an optimal time to visit this location.
What you should know
Seasonal mosquito activity: Insects can be abundant, particularly in wooded areas and near water. "The campsite was spacious and nicely kept. There was a water filling station and toilets and showers near by. It was great. To s of mosquitos though make sure you have spray," warns Sophia P. about her stay at Buffalo River State Park.
Road noise at some locations: Campgrounds near highways may experience traffic sounds. At Lindenwood Campground, Susan M. reports, "It's like sleeping under a highway. Lindenwood is a pretty park but you are right off of 94 and the bridge that crosses the Red River from Minnesota to North Dakota. All we heard were cars and trucks all night long."
Water conditions: Stream and river levels fluctuate seasonally. "The river access requires a .5 mile walk and there really isn't much to do or anything unique to see," mentions Delanie J. about Buffalo River State Park, suggesting campers should check water conditions before planning water-based activities.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer weekends. Walk-in availability varies significantly between locations and seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Country Campground offers dedicated recreational areas for children. "There are two playgrounds in a field. Chipper golf, ladder golf, horseshoes, basket ball & volleyball courts," notes Joshua G., making this campground particularly suitable for families with children of various ages.
Beach activities: For families seeking water recreation, Long Lake provides sandy shorelines. "Great beach. I'm giving this a 4 because it has a long strip of a beach but spaces are close. Lots of boats on the beach! Fairly clean," shares Shari M. about Long Lake Campsite-RV Resort.
Loop selection: Families should consider which campground loop best suits their needs. At Buffalo River State Park, the electric loop tends to be more open with less privacy but easier access to facilities. "The campground was pretty open, but it was a fun place," notes Stephanie H.
Evening activities: Many campgrounds offer recreation rooms for rainy days or evening entertainment. Country Campground provides "a rec room that has pool table, foosball, ping pong and shuffleboard," according to Joshua G.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service sites with water, electric, and sewer connections are available at select campgrounds. "All 30 sites have water, power and sewage, picnic table and fire rings," reports Joshua G. about Country Campground, making it convenient for RVers needing full hookups.
Site levelness: RVers should note ground conditions when selecting sites. "The sites are level and have shade. Laundry available," James mentions about Country Campground, highlighting features important for comfortable RV setup.
Low-cost options: Budget-conscious RVers can find affordable full-hookup options at community parks. "We found this site Googling free campsites. It is not free it is $15 a night with full hookups! 50amps!" shares Amurican L. about Hendrum Community Park, which offers basic amenities at lower costs than larger facilities.
Internet access: For those needing connectivity, select campgrounds offer reliable WiFi. "We stayed here for an entire week and felt very welcomed. We also worked full time from a spot by the main office and their onsite WiFi was pretty fast ~50/10 mbps," notes Lee G. about Long Lake Campsite-RV Resort.
