Glamping close to Hay Creek, Minnesota offers access to elevated camping sites along the Zumbro and Mississippi river valleys. Set at an elevation of approximately 800 feet above sea level, the region experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers and cold winters. Overnight temperatures can drop 15-20 degrees from daytime highs even in summer months, requiring proper preparation for comfort.
What to do
Hiking trail exploration: Minneiska Campground at Whitewater State Park offers extensive hiking opportunities. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" reports Mike K. The park features multiple trail difficulty levels suitable for various experience levels.
Fishing opportunities: Fishing is excellent in this region, with multiple species available. "The lake is nice for fishing, boating or swimming. Has a small store," notes Carla A. about local water access points.
Winter activities: The camper cabins at Whitetail Woods provide cold-weather accommodations. "The cabins in the woods are great in winter with snow on the pine trees. I would probably prefer the prairie cabins in the summer, especially with mosquitoes," explains Krista T., highlighting seasonal options.
What campers like
Private sites: Kruger Campground offers secluded camping experiences. "This is a well maintained campground with private feeling sites. Some with firewood provided. Fire rings have attached grills," notes Neen K. Sites are spaced to maximize privacy.
Clean facilities: Cleanliness stands out at Chester Woods Park. "The bathrooms and showers we pristine clean and close and easy to walk to. The beach was great and clean," shares Erik O. The park maintains high standards for its amenities.
Water activities: Paddling and boating options abound. "It's a nice park, sometimes hard to get into on weekends. The lake is right next to the campground with RV sites right on the water," explains Kayla O. about regional water access.
What you should know
Water availability varies: Some parks have seasonal water restrictions. "This may be an ongoing issue but none of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center," warns Warren H.
Reservation requirements: Popular glamping sites near Hay Creek book quickly. "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve," advises Blair about Whitetail Woods cabins.
Site access considerations: Afton State Park Campground has varied terrain. "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites," reports Andrew C., highlighting access challenges.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Family campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas. "This is a great family campground! Camping spots are rather close, but we have two little ones so they made friends quick with other children," shares Angela L.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites strategically when camping with children. "The sites are very private. It has beautiful trails. Next to the river great for exploring and fishing," recommends Nick G. about Kruger Campground.
Educational options: Rice Lake State Park provides nature learning opportunities. "We sat and watched the sun set and join in on the star gazing event that was going on in the park. We got to look at the moon and Saturn through a few big telescopes," shares James B., describing educational programming.
Tips from RVers
Hookup information: Electric-only sites are common in the region. "Nice place but it is a campground not an rv park, 30 & 50 amp service but no water hookup (fill when you come in) and dump tanks when leaving," explains Kevin about Chester Woods Park.
Site dimensions: Size considerations matter for larger vehicles. "Very nice county park. All spots have a lake view and the beach is within walking distance," notes Lisa D. The sites accommodate various RV sizes but advance planning is recommended.
Amenities for extended stays: Comfort facilities vary between parks. "The sites are nicely paved and diverse. Some are more wooded and others in the open prairie," observed one visitor about site variety.
