Best Campgrounds near Hardwick, MN

Campgrounds near Hardwick, Minnesota provide tent and RV sites across multiple state parks and developed facilities. Blue Mounds State Park Campground offers both standard drive-in sites and more secluded cart-in options with tent, RV, and glamping accommodations. Located approximately 20 miles southwest of Hardwick, this park features 30-amp electric hookups, showers, and sanitary dump facilities. Nearby options include Adrian City Park, which remains open from April to November, and Split Rock Creek State Park with electric sites and walking access trails. Most established campgrounds in the region maintain facilities year-round, with seasonal variations in site availability.

Access to many campgrounds varies by season, with peak visitation occurring from late spring through early fall. Blue Mounds State Park maintains year-round operation, though amenities may be limited during winter months. Electric hookups are available at several developed campgrounds, with both 30-amp and 50-amp service at select locations. The terrain throughout the region is primarily prairie and grassland, with some wooded areas providing shade at cart-in sites. Cellular coverage is generally reliable at most established campgrounds, with several reviews noting good connectivity even at remote sites. Water access can be limited in some areas, as noted in visitor experiences: "The lake that used to be there is now gone and just overgrown with plants. Most of the park is dedicated to the bison, so hiking opportunities are kind of limited."

The camping experience near Hardwick features prairie landscapes, wildlife viewing opportunities, and stargazing. Blue Mounds State Park receives particular attention for its unique natural features, including the resident bison herd visible from designated viewing areas. Several campers mention the exceptional night sky visibility, with one noting, "At night, it's nice and dark so you can see a lot of stars - if you walk a short way down one of the trails from the campground you can even see the Milky Way." Cart-in sites typically offer more privacy than standard drive-in locations, though site spacing varies considerably between campgrounds. Weekends during summer months see higher occupancy rates, particularly at established campgrounds with shower facilities and electric hookups. Developed campsites throughout the region typically include picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grates, and nearby access to drinking water.

Best Camping Sites Near Hardwick, Minnesota (75)

    1. Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Hardwick, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 283-1307

    $20 - $35 / night

    "Quiet place with nice bike and walking paths. Electric only 30amp water close by. Full dump station."

    "Amazing remnant of Minnesota prairie set among the farm country."

    2. Palisades State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Garretson, SD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 594-3824

    "There are also several vault toilets around the area. From the campground you have access to the water. There are also several short hiking trails from where you can see the rock formations."

    "This is a sweet little tucked away oasis near Sioux Falls featuring trails, bluffs and climbing options. Great views and clean camp sites."

    3. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    38 Reviews
    Brandon, SD
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 582-7243

    "We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!"

    "They have nice long paved trails for walking and biking. We got to walk our dogs on it to avoid tick contact from the grassy trails. There was a cool suspension bridge that was fun to walk on."

    4. Magnolia City Campground

    7 Reviews
    Luverne, MN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 227-9278

    "Follow the gps location on the app. Don’t use the address off of the city’s web site. Plus there are signs for camping that will lead you right to it."

    5. Split Rock Park

    10 Reviews
    Garretson, SD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 594-6721

    "There was a really nice dump station outside of the park near entrance to Devil’s Gultch."

    "A well maintained city campground with vault toilets and convenient nearby dump station just outside the park. Night time train traffic may be a negative for light sleepers."

    6. Split Rock Creek State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Ihlen, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 348-7908

    $40 / night

    "Playground nearby. The campground is right off the hiking club trail for that doing that. Site 22 had nice trees for hanging hammocks. Firewood is available at the office."

    "A small lake with 5 docks and a swimming beach. A few small hiking trails and a park for the kiddos."

    7. Adrian City Park

    8 Reviews
    Luverne, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 483-2820

    "Its near the highway so there is road noise but nothing that kept me from sleeping. I booked by emailing and they emailed back to confirm."

    "Area is close to a community pool (a 1/2 block from the campground entrance). Friendly staff.**"

    8. Sioux Falls Yogi Bear

    23 Reviews
    Brandon, SD
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 332-2233

    $40 - $200 / night

    "At the time of our visit I-90 was being rebuilt nearby so access from the interstate was more difficult, but this isn’t the fault of the campground."

    "Location is right on interstate and easy to find. Not for nature lovers."

    9. Freedom Ranch Campground

    1 Review
    Luverne, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 920-5784

    10. Sioux Falls KOA

    28 Reviews
    Sioux Falls, SD
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 332-9987

    "We decided to stay at this campground because it was close to Falls Park. It’s 4 miles away from the KOA to Downtown. It wasn’t crowded, very clean, met lots of Texans and the pet areas were awesome!"

    "Also a neat little micro brewery walking distance, across the road. Very nice staff and an RV dealer next door. Very close to I-90 and it’s noise, but that comes with the easy access."

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Recent Reviews near Hardwick, MN

345 Reviews of 75 Hardwick Campgrounds


  • Erik R.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    Meh, ups and downs

    In many ways, this is just like any other MN State Park campground. Most of the campground caters to RVs. Here are the things that make this place unique. #1 They have tipis you can reserve! They look cool, but they are hard to come by. There is no seasonal information available about these, but I can tell you they aren’t available in October. I am here now and they are empty with no way to rent. Bummer. That would have been cool. #2 Here is what I really dislike about this campground. It is sooo loud. The noise from the nearby interstate is constant, like all night constant. Really takes away from the experience. #3 other than the tipis and noise if you know what it is to stay at a MN State Park campground, you know pretty much everything else to expect.

  • David B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Olson City Park

    Great stopover

    We just spent the night passing through, looking for something more than the Walmart parking lot. $23 for a non-electric site, basically a tent spot. Bathrooms were clean and had showers but we didn’t use them. We had a rainy night but had potential for a nice walk next to the lake. A bit of traffic nearby but didn’t disturb us at all in our van. Midweek in Mid- October and there were probably a half dozen other campers. Definitely recommend it!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Magnolia City Campground

    Convenient to I90

    Very basic sites. Town park. Dated and feels strange when no one else if here. But, $20 a night for full hook ups can’t be beat.

  • Donna H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Beautiful but pricey.

    The park is on the outskirts of a little town just east of Sioux Falls. I made my reservations online ($30 for the reservation, $1.26 tax, $0.45 for more tax, and $10 for the non-resident reservation fee). The campsites are clean, spacious, and beautiful. Absolutely loved it there. I had no sooner settled in, and a woman knocked on my van asking that I pay a city tax, an additional $15. I really don't mind paying the fees as that's what supports the park...What I didn't like was that it wasn't mentioned when making the reservations. Other than that little "gotcha" it was a wonderful experience. Would definitely visit again.

  • John D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Nice for occasional family camping.

    This SD State Recreation site is next to Sioux Falls. Make reservations early. It will get filled on weekends and holidays. Not a bad park for a family, first timers, or those who want to just get outside. This park may be in the city limits of Brandon SD. Grocery store, restaurants, and gas stations within about two miles. This is a very good park if you are visiting someone in the area or a traveler.

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Swift Lake Park

    Lake view with in budget

    Nice campground just outside of town. Has several sites with a view of swift lake large enough to float around in a kayak. Sites are well spaced with shrubs between sites. All have picnic table & fire ring. Bathroom & shower are in need of some new paint & a bench. Otherwise very usable.

  • Emer O.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Sioux Falls Yogi Bear

    Great night stay family orientated

    Just booked as a stopover. Friendly staff, everything needed available as a couple travelling lovely to see families enjoying themselves. Recommend stop

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Another overnight stop.

    Just another overnight stop on my drive to Iowa. I spent the night in a non-electric tent site so I can't really comment on the other parts of the campground. It does have nice bathrooms with running water and showers. The non-e tent sites are in a forested section, all shaded. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings. Sites are located a very short walk from the designated parking. I had a great night's sleep as it was relatively quiet. I didn't partake but they do have a Frisbee golf course. Took a short walk on their trail system to the suspension walking bridge. My complaint would be the fees. I thought i was paying one fee for the non-e tent site but then there was an additional fee for non-res and another fee for park day use fee or permit. This fee was confusing whether I was supposed to pay this or not. So what looked like a small fee to spend the night turned into much more.

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    River Road Campground

    Convenient stop over

    Super easy to access and right near Blue Mount State Park. There is a playground which is great for kids and awesome bike trails right to the sight that leads to town, river and a huge playground.

    Has all hookups for 35$ a night.

    I wouldn’t stay more than the night due to RVs being really close together - not so much room to open space or have privacy , but if you’re looking for a stop over it’s perfect.


Guide to Hardwick

Camping near Hardwick, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are great spots to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Blue Mounds State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "We went on a couple trails and just enjoyed the beautiful fall colors."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for bison at Blue Mounds State Park Campground. A camper shared, "Was able to walk around before the sun went down and listen to the Bison."
  • Fishing and Boating: Enjoy fishing at Sunrise Campground — Lake Shetek State Park. One reviewer said, "Good fishing. Stock up on groceries as large grocery stores are approximately 40 minutes away."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the parks. A visitor at Palisades State Park Campground noted, "Bathrooms exceptionally clean. Showers great."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campers enjoy the roomy sites. A review from Big Sioux Recreation Area mentioned, "Sites are big and roomy."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Sioux Falls KOA said, "Staff was friendly."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Sioux Falls KOA mentioned, "Lots of noise since it’s off the highway."
  • Limited Privacy: Many sites are close together. A visitor at Oak Woods Campground — Lake Shetek State Park remarked, "When this campground is full you have zero privacy."
  • No Showers at Some Parks: Not all campgrounds have showers. A camper at Split Rock Park noted, "There are no showers or toilets, just outhouses."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. A family at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park said, "It was an absolute blast for our kids with plenty of activities to keep them entertained."
  • Safety First: Be cautious near cliffs and water. A parent at Split Rock Park advised, "There are cliffs and water, so plan accordingly."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring enough food, as grocery stores can be far away. A camper at Sunrise Campground — Lake Shetek State Park mentioned, "Stock up on groceries as large grocery stores are approximately 40 minutes away."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Palisades State Park Campground noted, "Totally new entrance with easy access to new section that will handle larger RVs."
  • Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds with electric hookups and clean facilities. A visitor at Big Sioux Recreation Area said, "Level spots with electric."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Bring gear for changing weather conditions. A camper at Blue Mounds State Park Campground mentioned, "The weather cooperated except for some wind and a little rain."

Camping near Hardwick, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Hardwick, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hardwick, MN is Blue Mounds State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 53 reviews.