Camping options around Glyndon, Minnesota offer diverse experiences from prairie landscapes to riverside retreats. Located in Minnesota's Red River Valley at approximately 930 feet elevation, the area features primarily flat terrain with temperatures ranging from summer highs in the 80s to winter lows below zero. Most campgrounds in this region close between September and May due to harsh winter conditions, though a few offer limited year-round access.
What to do
Fishing access: The Red River provides catfish fishing opportunities near Lindenwood Campground in Fargo, about 15 miles west of Glyndon. "There was rental bikes and canoes which was fun for the kids, as well as fishing - only caught one catfish but was fun anyway," reports one visitor.
Swimming options: The man-made swimming pond at Buffalo River State Park Campground provides a natural alternative to chlorinated pools. A visitor notes, "The swimming area is wonderful! Less chlorine than you'd ever get exposed to in a public pool and picnic table access with lots of area to picnic."
Hiking trails: Buffalo River State Park offers interconnected trails through both prairie and woodland settings. According to one camper: "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."
Golf access: Several RV parks in the Detroit Lakes area, about 30 miles west of Glyndon, offer golfing options. Forest Hills Golf and RV Resort combines camping with direct access to golf courses, making it convenient for visitors wanting to include golfing in their camping trip.
What campers like
Clean facilities: The restrooms and shower buildings at area campgrounds typically receive positive reviews for cleanliness. At Buffalo RV Park in Buffalo, ND, a visitor mentioned it was "Clean, easy booking online, full hookups and less than 10 minutes from 94."
Riverside camping: Sites along the Red River at Lindenwood Campground offer scenic water views despite some highway noise. One camper shared: "Lindenwood Park is a very nice campground with an abundance of shelters, children's play areas, and walking/hiking trails. The surroundings are tranquil and while you are there, it makes it hard to believe you are still in town."
Beach access: Long Lake Campsite-RV Resort in Detroit Lakes provides extensive beach access. "I'm giving this a 4 because it has a long strip of a beach... Fairly clean. All in all it's very busy with lots of activity," noted one reviewer.
Prairie views: The unique prairie landscape at Buffalo River State Park offers a different camping experience than typical woodland settings. A camper observed, "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)."
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Several campgrounds report significant mosquito activity, especially in summer months. A visitor at Buffalo RV Park noted: "Good number of mosquitoes requires bug spray, and keeping RV buttoned up, or stay inside."
Site spacing variations: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds and even within the same park. At Buffalo River State Park, a camper observed: "Two small loops of campsites, one with electrical service and the other without... Well spaced sites, with some screening between sites."
Reservation systems: Most campgrounds in the Glyndon area use online reservation systems with varying lead times. Shooting Star RV Park and Casino in Mahnomen offers an alternative to traditional nature camping with easy booking and full hookups.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds, particularly those in Fargo. At Lindenwood Campground, a visitor reported: "There was significant noise from the nearby interstate (trucks, cars, and frequent sirens from police) and bright lights shining which made it hard for us to sleep."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families with young children should consider campgrounds with play equipment. Lindenwood Campground offers "2 great playgrounds nearby for the kiddos. We were on site B9 and it was spacious," according to one family.
Swimming safety: Buffalo River State Park's swimming area provides a safer alternative to river swimming for families with children. One visitor commented that "The swimming area is wonderful! Less chlorine than you'd ever get exposed to in a public pool."
Site selection for privacy: Choose outer loop sites at Hillsboro Campground and RV Park and other area campgrounds for more privacy, as interior sites often have less separation between campers.
Activity options: Long Lake Campsite-RV Resort provides family-friendly amenities beyond just camping. A visitor mentioned it has a "Large sandy beach and beautiful swimming area, store for convenience if forgetful, helpful and friendly staff, huge parking and play area for kids."
Tips from RVers
Connectivity options: Remote work is possible at several RV campgrounds near Glyndon. At Long Lake Campsite-RV Resort, one working camper noted: "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."
Site selection for larger rigs: Buffalo River State Park accommodates various RV sizes, though larger rigs should request specific sites. A camper described: "Two small loops of campsites, one with electrical service and the other without. We stayed in the larger loop with electrical service."
Hookup variations: Full hookup availability varies between RV campgrounds Glyndon, Minnesota and surrounding areas. At Buffalo RV Park, a visitor reported it had "Spacious, easy access, level sites with convenient hookups and garbage can at each site."
Seasonal considerations: Most RV parks in the region operate only from May through October. Shooting Star RV Park specifically notes their season as "May 15 to Oct 15," important for planning trips to avoid closure dates.
