Hokah, Minnesota sits in the bluff country of southeastern Minnesota's Driftless region. This unglaciated area features steep limestone bluffs, narrow valleys, and cold water trout streams. Camping options around Hokah range in elevation from the Mississippi River floodplain at 600 feet to ridgetop locations at 1,200 feet above sea level. Winter typically closes many facilities from late October through mid-April.
What to do
Fishing: Trout and more: The streams and lakes around Hokah offer diverse fishing opportunities. At Beaver Creek Valley State Park, "The river that runs through is beautiful, cold, and clear," according to one visitor. Multiple cold-water streams in the area hold native brook trout and stocked brown trout throughout the fishing season.
Kayaking: Quiet backwaters: Mississippi backwaters provide calm paddling environments ideal for beginners and wildlife watchers. One visitor at Goose Island notes it's an "Excellent place to kayak and explore the backwaters of the Mississippi. You can put in or take out at the boat landing. See map in photos for 'canoe trail'."
Hiking: Varied terrain: The region offers hiking on both paved and natural surface trails. The Root River Trail connects multiple communities and runs near Peterson City RV Park. A camper mentioned, "The park and campground are right on the trail, so very handy," making it easy to access this popular regional trail system from your campsite.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Abundant species: The Mississippi River flyway attracts diverse wildlife throughout the seasons. A camper at Goose Island reported seeing "Eagles, geese, pelicans, barred owls, ducks, deer, rabbits, raccoon, possum, etc. are abundant." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Water recreation: Swimming ponds: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. At Whiskey Creek Family RV Park, "They also have a beautiful white sand beach around a 1-acre swim pond. The water was the color of the Caribbean with these huge blow-up toys and slides in the middle. Kids loved it."
Evening activities: Community events: Many campgrounds host regular weekend activities. Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort offers "In the evening there was a Glow Parade where the full timers decked out their golf carts and drove around- candy for kids and lots of dancing. Bingo, tie dye, outdoor movies, and other relay races kept the kids happy and adults amused."
What you should know
Cell service: Variable coverage: Cell reception varies dramatically across the bluff country. Beaver Creek Valley State Park has "no cell service at all" due to the valley location. This can be advantageous for disconnecting but problematic if you need reliable communications for work or emergencies.
Seasonal flooding: Spring high water: The Mississippi and its tributaries regularly flood in spring. At Pettibone Resort, one camper reported, "We got flooded out the only day we stayed. Got our money back for second night. Mississippi was over flowing this flood plain and yet still beautiful and want to return." Always check water levels when camping near rivers.
Reservation timing: Book ahead for weekends: Weekend occupancy increases dramatically during summer months. Many campgrounds fill completely for holiday weekends, especially those with limited electric sites. Non-holiday weekdays typically offer much better availability and quieter camping experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple pool options: Cooling off: Several campgrounds feature swimming pools beyond natural water bodies. At Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort, "With 2 swimming pools, daily activities, movies, and a full ice cream shop you won't be bored here... The top one is very large and new with a splash pad area. The lower pool is older and smaller, and where grown ups tend to go for a dip."
Playground locations: Beach access: Some facilities place playgrounds directly adjacent to swimming areas. A camper at Goose Island mentioned, "One of the things I like best is the playground is on the beach. My kid really loves that!" This setup allows parents to supervise both sand play and water activities simultaneously.
Activity schedules: Weekend programming: Most organized activities occur on weekends. Whiskey Creek Family RV Park offers "Planned themes and activities on the weekends, great fun for the whole family." Check campground calendars when planning your visit as most weekday periods have fewer organized events.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Minimal adjustment: Many rv camping sites near Hokah, Minnesota feature level pads requiring little setup work. At Peterson City RV Park, "The sites are level– we were only staying one night and didn't even need to unhook our pickup." This makes the area particularly suitable for overnight stops on longer journeys.
Utility hookup locations: Variable positioning: Electric and water connections differ in placement between campgrounds. At Pettibone Resort, "Utilities were located in the rear. 20A/30A electric and water. Site was a little unlevel." Pack extra-length hoses and cords to ensure you can reach connections regardless of site configuration.
RV size considerations: Big rig access: Most campgrounds accommodate large motorhomes, though specific sites may be limited. Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park offers "Electricity, potable water connections, sewer" suitable for larger rigs while maintaining a natural setting in the driftless area's rolling terrain.
