Hanover sits in the central Minnesota region near the Crow River, experiencing warm summers and cold winters with snowfall from November through March. The area features hardwood forest zones interspersed with small lakes and rivers, creating diverse camping environments. Most RV campgrounds near Hanover, Minnesota operate seasonally from May through mid-October due to winter conditions.
What to do
Tubing adventures: Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River offers tubing trips where "they have a bus that takes you into town float back to the campground," according to Tom D. The river has "a very clean and sandy bottom," making it popular for summer water recreation.
Swimming options: Cokato Lake RV Resort features an "inground, heated swimming pool" plus "lake with beach, boat launch area just block away, tennis/pickle ball, mini golf, resort store with ice cream," notes Alan V. The pool and splash pad combination works well for families with children of different ages.
Quarry exploration: Visit nearby quarry parks when staying at St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park. Teresa O. shared, "We stayed here to visit the nearby quarry park and that was a blast!" The quarries offer swimming in clear water and hiking trails around former mining sites.
Mini golf and recreation: Multiple campgrounds offer on-site mini golf and game areas. One visitor noted that St. Cloud-Clearwater provides "a 9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop. They also offer a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade."
What campers like
Larger sites: Country Camping RV Park receives praise for spacious camping areas. Spencer C. notes, "It has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites! You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river."
Trees and shade: The mature trees at many campgrounds provide natural cooling during summer months. Aaron L. describes St. Cloud-Clearwater as an "absolutely beautiful campground with mature trees. Cedars, white oaks, hickory's and more" creating comfortable camping conditions even in July heat.
Waterfront options: Several campgrounds offer waterfront sites for campers seeking direct water access. Barbara B. notes, "I have a small travel trailer that is self contained so I could reserve spots down by the river" at Country Camping, providing convenient access for water activities.
Clean facilities: St. Cloud Campground & RV Park maintains well-kept restrooms and common areas. Jody M. reports, "This campground is well maintained. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The shower house was clean."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most RV campgrounds near Hanover close between mid-October and early May. Love's RV Hookup stands as an exception with one reviewer noting, "Still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23."
Wifi limitations: Internet connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At St. Cloud Campground, Dave P. experienced issues: "Host stated that the wifi was weak but since there were not a lot of campers we should be alright. We were unable to even get a signal!"
Ownership structures: Mississippi Riverwood RV Park uses a different model than typical campgrounds. Dan O. explains, "This hidden gem is a PRIVATE RV Park where each lot is individually owned and most owners live South in the winter. Individual owners can rent their lot with restrictions."
Pricing variations: Non-seasonal rates can reach $80 per night at some premium locations. A visitor to Codgers Cove RV Resort commented, "Just passing through, great lake location but $80 was kind of high" for daily stays without seasonal commitment.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Baker Campground offers exceptional facilities for families. Bryan S. shares, "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be." The paved trails provide safe biking options for children.
Pool and splash pad combo: Multiple reviewers highlight the combination of swimming pools with splash pads as ideal for families with children of different ages. At Country Camping, one visitor noted their kids loved the "heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area."
Game areas: Campgrounds with indoor recreation spaces help during inclement weather. S L. describes St. Cloud-Clearwater as offering "a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade," giving families backup activities when outdoor plans aren't possible.
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds connect to regional bike trails. Jennifer H. notes at Baker Campground, "There is a nice 6+mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes," creating safe riding options away from traffic.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: RiversEdge RV Park offers "concrete patios on every lot" and "crushed granite streets and drives" which improve navigation for larger rigs, according to Tori K. These harder surfaces prevent sinking during wet conditions.
Hookup variations: Water and electric connections are standard at most parks, though sewer hookups vary. At Cokato Lake RV Resort, Alan V. notes they offer "RV resort and some lot rentals" with 225 sites, though not all include sewer connections at individual sites.
Power reliability: During peak summer use, electrical service can become strained. David G. encountered minor issues: "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off. It was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max."
Overnight options: Love's RV Hookup provides convenient short-stay facilities for travelers. Tori K. explains, "I love that Love's has RV spots that are big rig friendly! These are a great option for a stop halfway through a trip. You have clean bathrooms in Love's, Hardee's for food."
