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Glen B.
Ranger
RangerReddington Pass Dispersed
Goose chase
Gps puts the site smack in the middle of a soybean? field. The Dyrt needs to get with it on it's Minnesota sites. Phft.
Camping near Holdingford, MN
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Holdingford, Minnesota provides campers with a variety of options ranging from municipal city parks to state forest campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The Holdingford City Park on the Lake Wobegon Trail offers basic tent and RV camping with electric hookups and facilities adjacent to a popular bike trail, while more developed campgrounds like Two Rivers Campground and Cedar Lake Memorial Park offer full hookups for RVs and recreational amenities. Several mixed-use campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping with varying levels of services, with most campgrounds maintaining seasonal operations from May through October.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through early October, with limited winter accessibility. Reservations are recommended at popular locations like Two Rivers Campground and El Rancho Manana, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. Birch Lake in Birch Lakes State Forest offers more primitive camping for those seeking a quieter experience, with self-registration available for $17 per night. Facilities range from basic pit toilets and water access points at state forest campgrounds to full-service RV sites with electric, water, and sewer hookups at private campgrounds. A camper noted: "If you like quiet/off the beaten path sites, this one is awesome. Walk in sites as well as drive in. Great but small swimming beach, large lake with great fishing available."
Waterfront access represents a key feature at several campgrounds, with Cedar Lake Memorial Park and Two Rivers Campground offering beach areas and water recreation opportunities. The Lake Wobegon Trail provides a unique attraction for cycling enthusiasts staying at Holdingford City Park, with one reviewer highlighting that it's "a great place to overnight if on a multi-day bike or hike trek on the trail." El Rancho Manana distinguishes itself with horseback riding opportunities and regularly scheduled weekend activities and events. Family-friendly amenities vary widely across campgrounds, with more developed sites offering playgrounds, swimming areas, and recreational facilities. Visitors to more remote locations like Birch Lake appreciate the privacy and natural setting, describing it as "nice and quiet with few people" and "Lake Wobegon personified" for outdoor activities.
Best Campgrounds near Holdingford (121)
1. Two Rivers Campground
"This is a well kept and well run campground tucked in between the Mississippi River and the outlet of the Platte River."
2. Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Campground
"Sites are close together compared to some other Minnesota state parks. Lots of trees. Bathroom is older but decent. Hiking trails ok nothing special."
"There is about a 500yd walk to the restrooms, and you have to go another 500yds to the main campground to find the showers."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability3. Birch Lakes State Forest Campground
"Birch Lake is Lake Wobegon personified. Fish, swim, canoe, jet ski, you name it. The campsite is located in the Burch State Forest with tons of trees around each site."
"If you like quiet/off the beaten path sites, this one is awesome. Walk in sites as well as drive in. Great (but small) swimming beach, large lake with great fishing available."
from $50 / night
Check Availability4. Cedar Lake Memorial Park
"Shallow lake for swimming not a lot of sites"
"Had a nice park area with playground, clear lake swimming area. We had a dog with so limited areas that pets can go. It was very enjoyable. Would recommend"
5. Sauk River City Park
"Walking distance to stores water and electricity"
"There was so many goodies and we walked around park. It is right on river nice playground basketball courts walking trails everything you would need. Very nice and well kept!!! :)"
from $30 / night
Check Availability6. Holdingford City Park on the Lake Wobegon Trail
"The main community ball park is located here, along with several playgrounds, volleyball fields, picnic shelters, and a Veterans memorial."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability7. El Rancho Manana
"You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails. The sites are very close together not much privacy."
8. St. Cloud Campground & RV Park
"On the outskirts of St Cloud, this campground was very well maintained and clean."
"No lake but a pool. More like an RV Park although they do have rustic sites."
from $75 / night
Check Availability9. El Rancho Manana Campgrounds & Riding Stable
"This is a small campground in the middle of Minnesota that plays host to the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association' two annual festivals."
Drive Time
- 25 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 1 hr 19 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 2 hrs 16 min from Mankato, MN
- 2 hrs 28 min from Duluth, MN
Recent Camping Photos near Holdingford, MN
102 Photos of 121 Holdingford Campgrounds
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Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Campground
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Recent Reviews near Holdingford, MN
395 Reviews of 121 Holdingford Campgrounds
- Crystal R.
GuideCamper Cabins — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Beautiful cabins, excellent staff!
I had a very...interesting experience at the camper cabins this week! I stayed at the cabin #3 this week, Monday through Thursday (3 nights). Monday and Tuesday were awesome. I was the only one there on the whole side of the road, and it was soooo peaceful.
Early Wednesday morning (around 3am)is where things stopped being peaceful. A really bad storm developed (that I had no idea was coming). It was probably the worst storm I had ever experienced in my life. Five trees fell in the yard, one small one hitting the cabin. One tree even fell a couple of feet behind my car, blocking me in. After taking a short walk when the sun came up, I realized the damage was everywhere in the park. I was seeing downed trees all over every single trial and road. I emailed the park office which opened at 8 that I was trapped, and they cleared all the trees from the office to where I was (almost three miles away) and was getting me out by 9:30. I was so impressed with how fast they worked. Amazing job! They offered to give me a refund if I wanted to go home early (I didn't, because I was still really enjoying my time there). I will definitely be back!
Without the whole storm fiasco, here are some pros and cons:
Pro *the cabins are gorgeous and cozy. *they have electric and heat (a gas burning stove heats the cabin, how cute!) *there's a screened in porch allowing you to enjoy the weather without bugs. *the vault toilet is really close, but there is also flush toilets with a shower in the campground, which is like a five minute walk, or a very short drive. *the mattresses on the bunk beds appear to be newer than some cabins I stayed in, that being said, a foam mattress topper isn't a bad idea if you struggle to sleep *the trails are gorgeous. The cabins aren't far from the lake either. There's a visitor center that's currently closed for renovations (2026) but I think will be open next year. There's a short interpretive trail behind it too. *there's a fire ring and picnic table outside.
Cons (there aren't many!) *I think being separated from the main campground is both a pro and a con, depending on your personality. If you like solitude then it's perfect. If you enjoy being where everyone else is, then it's a con.
- the cabins are kinda close together, but there's trees and shrubs between (although several fewer than there were earlier this week 😭) so it does kinda feel private. But the noise can travel (there were people two cabins down my first night and I did hear them just a little bit).
- there's not much cell service. I heard Verizon does best. I had t mobile and depending on where I was standing I either got zero bars or occasionally up to 2bars (usually I didn't really get much though). That's kinda annoying especially during situations like the storm that happened (thankfully I was not harmed, my car wasn't harmed, and the cabin didn't get damaged from the tiny tree that fell right on it).
- SScott S.
TravelerEl Rancho Manana
Run down with buildings in disrepair.
Just spent 4 nights here with our popup and disappointed in how poor the place has been kept up. Only one shower worked out of 3 in the mens and womens bathroom and the light was out in the one that did work. Hardly any water came out as well. Same for the hand washing sinks in the mens, only one had water coming out. The laundry building mens bathroom had a faucet the wasn't even attached to the counter top so I had to hold it down to move the lever to turn the water on. The gravel roads have a lot of washed out areas so ruts and potholes everywhere. Definately not worth the price and won't be staying here again. The only two positives that I can say is that the staff is freindly and the lake is very clear for June compared to other lakes in MN. Caught quite a few nice sunfish off the dock and even a few sm bass. The old west show area does look nice but nothing went on there the weekend we were at the campground.
- Amanda P.
ScoutLum City Park
Nice stay
Small campground but nice location with it being close to shopping and other activities. City park is just across the parking lot and includes a beach, fishing docks, boat access and the bathroom/shower amenities. Be warned that the map online may not seem quite accurate. They camp spots seem much larger and spaced apart more then they actually are. Even the host agreed with that. We picked a site that seemed like it would be plenty large enough for our camper and truck but in reality it was barely big enough for our camper which is 31 feet long. So be aware of that when booking. My kids enjoyed the beach area when it was nice enough out. Bathrooms are what I would call a typical public bathroom. Could use some updating such as repainting and better mirrors over the sink area and I didn’t see a single trash can in the bathroom either. The shower area is basic but does the job. It’s a single person room basically but there is no interior lock so if someone has a key and you don’t hear them knock they can enter and with it being just a room as soon as that door is open it’s not private. All in all I would stay there again but I would definitely be more prepared and pick a better location for a site.
Jeremiah B.ScoutSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Great Spot
Got a nice spot by the water, big parking spot, little below the spot is an opening towards water with a fire pit. 2-3 bars of service but never had an issue. Worked well. Very private. Bugs weren’t bad either
- SShanae O.Traveler
Two Rivers Campground
Amazing
Absolutely love this campground. 2nd year for my family. We plan on coming back for many years to come. This place is completely family oriented. Very well maintained. Wonderful staff members. Just overall a wonderful experience each and every time. I highly recommend a visit if you want to make memories that will last a life time.
- BBonita C.Scout
Clarissa City Park
Don’t think it has camping anymore
I couldn’t locate where the camping was. A local said just there on the grass but signs say stay off grass. So I went on to Brenda. I would call if you are planning a stop there.
Larisa M.ScoutSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Peaceful
I was able to find a campsite not on the road. There was a trail from the parking spot so keep an eye out. Lots of animals saw a turkey and coyote so just be aware. Very pretty and calm. Had to pick up some trash from other campers just a reminder to leave no trace.
Nika S.TravelerSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Very popular but good
We stayed here from about 10pm to 6am. There were a ton of people there so it was hard finding somewhere to sleep. Once we did, it was very quiet and we got a good nights rest. There were a couple of cars that passed us in the morning when we left but nothing too crazy. The scenery was very beautiful. This is definitely a great free option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot in the woods to sleep!
Guide to Holdingford
Campsites near Holdingford, Minnesota offer diverse overnight options within a rural landscape dominated by lakes and forests at an average elevation of 1,150 feet. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging 80°F and cold winters, making most camping opportunities seasonal. Several locations provide river access with varying levels of amenities from primitive to full-service facilities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Birch Lake, campers can access excellent fishing on a large lake. "Nice and quiet with few people. Great but small swimming beach, large lake with great fishing available," notes one visitor who appreciated the natural setting.
River activities: Two Rivers Campground offers unique water recreation where the Mississippi and Platte Rivers meet. "Tubing down the river is a MUST! Lots of fun," reports a camper. The campground features a designated beach area and provides canoe and kayak rentals.
Disc golf and sports: Sauk River City Park maintains recreational fields with multiple sports options. "Campground has a restroom with showers. Keep in mind it is a public park so it can get a little busy during the day," mentions a reviewer who noted the "fishing, horseshoe pits, basketball court, sand volleyball court, disc golf, soccer fields, softball fields, picnic pavilions" available.
Hiking trails: Charles A. Lindbergh State Park features several hiking paths with historical significance. "The sites are nice and the trails are enjoyable," says one camper who spent a weekend there. Trails range from easy walks along Pike Creek with scenic rapids to longer routes with historical markers.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Birch Lakes State Forest, campers appreciate the secluded atmosphere. "Walk in sites as well as drive in. Sites are spaced far enough apart to give you some privacy," notes a visitor who rated the campground highly.
Convenient bike trail access: Holdingford City Park offers direct connection to regional cycling routes. A visitor described it as "a great place to overnight if on a multi day bike or hike trek on the trail," highlighting its location "adjacent to an official trailhead of the SooLine spur of the Lake Woebegone Bike Trail."
Clean facilities: St. Cloud Campground & RV Park maintains well-kept amenities. "This campground is well maintained. The shower house was clean," reports a satisfied camper. Another noted it was "very well maintained and clean. They have a pool, lodge, bath house and laundry facilities."
Swimming beaches: Cedar Lake Memorial Park features a popular swimming area. A camper who stayed midweek mentioned, "It was so relaxing and not a lot of campers out felt like we had the park to ourselves. Had a nice park area with playground, clear lake swimming area."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from May through mid-October. Birch Lake in Birch Lakes State Forest runs from "May 1 to October 15" according to official listings, though one camper noted being able to access it off-season: "I pulled in at like 11pm and went straight to find an open spot, which was pretty easy."
Registration systems: Registration methods vary by location. At Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, reservations are required. In contrast, at Birch Lake, "Registration is easy & self service. They have envelopes at the entrance you just fill out, so you can use any payment method including card if you're comfortable with that."
Varying site privacy: Site spacing differs significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Two Rivers noted: "Campground very nice but lots of people. Not very private." Meanwhile, Birch Lake sites were described as "nice and quiet with few people."
Pricing considerations: Costs vary based on amenities. Basic sites at Birch Lake cost "$17 per night" according to a reviewer, while more developed campgrounds charge more, especially for premium spots. One camper noted a recent price increase at a private campground, stating "huge jump in prices! Extra fees added everywhere."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sinclair Lewis City Campground offers multiple recreation options for children. "There is a public beach, skate park, splash pad, and bike trail all located within walking distance of the campground," notes a visitor who found the lakefront sites particularly appealing.
Swimming options: Two Rivers Campground provides multiple water features for different age groups. A reviewer explains, "They have a lazy river, a splash pool for little ones, and another pool for all ages. Kids will love the giant inflatable bouncy house, mini golf, and the many activities offered."
Campsite selection: When camping with children, consider site location carefully. At Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, one camper warns: "Do not book site 30... behind site 30 is a vault toilet that people would occasionally walk directly through our campsite to get to."
Budget-friendly options: City parks often provide economical family camping. Sauk River City Park charges reasonable rates with essential amenities. "Rolled up in the middle of the night. $10 cash in the box for a tent site. Clean bathroom with shower," reports a camper who found it convenient for families.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Love's RV Hookup provides convenient overnight stops for travelers. "These are a great option for a stop halfway through a trip. You have clean bathrooms in Love's, Hardee's for food, Love's for snacks and drinks, and gas is right there," explains an RVer who appreciated the convenience.
Site dimensions: St. Cloud Campground & RV Park offers spacious RV spots. "The sites were pretty large, much larger than data KOA, but not so big or private as some campgrounds we've been to," notes a visitor comparing the site sizes to other campgrounds.
Winter access: While most campgrounds close for winter, some remain accessible. A Love's RV Hookup user highlighted, "Still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23," making it valuable for year-round travelers needing electrical hookups.
WiFi connectivity: Internet access varies widely between campgrounds. At St. Cloud Campground, a camper reported: "It was the worst wifi of about 15 campgrounds we've been to on our trip this year. They warned us it was slow, but we couldn't even connect to it from our site."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping facilities are available in Holdingford, MN?
What camping facilities are available in Holdingford, MN?
Holdingford offers a convenient city park campground right along the Lake Wobegon Trail. Holdingford City Park on the Lake Wobegon Trail provides several campsites with hookups suitable for RVs, along with community amenities including ball fields, playgrounds, volleyball courts, picnic shelters, and a Veterans memorial. For those seeking additional options within a reasonable drive, Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Campground offers a traditional state park camping experience with older but decent bathrooms and plenty of trees, though sites are somewhat close together compared to other Minnesota state parks.
What outdoor activities can you do when camping in Holdingford?
What outdoor activities can you do when camping in Holdingford?
The Lake Wobegon Trail runs right through Holdingford, providing excellent opportunities for cycling, walking, and inline skating on a paved former railroad corridor. For water-based activities, several nearby state parks offer diverse options. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park features hiking trails and water recreation on Mille Lacs Lake. Bird watchers will enjoy Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park, which showcases an ecological transition zone between hardwood forest, savannah, and prairie with unique bird species. Fishing enthusiasts can visit nearby lakes, while history buffs can explore local historical sites connected to the region's past.
Where is the nearest RV campground to Holdingford, Minnesota?
Where is the nearest RV campground to Holdingford, Minnesota?
The nearest dedicated RV campground to Holdingford is St. Cloud Campground & RV Park, located on the outskirts of St. Cloud. This well-maintained facility offers large sites (bigger than typical KOA sites), a pool, lodge, bathhouse, and laundry facilities. For a more rural option with electric hookups, Games Lake County Park near New London provides RV camping with clean facilities and friendly staff, though it's a bit further from Holdingford.
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