Camping opportunities around Houston, Minnesota extend beyond the RV parks mentioned earlier. This area sits within the Root River Valley of southeastern Minnesota, characterized by limestone bluffs and scenic waterways. Spring through fall camping season brings temperatures ranging from 40°F to 85°F, with river levels typically highest in spring and early summer.
What to do
Biking and trails access: The Houston Nature Center serves as a trailhead for the Root River State Bike Trail. "The Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the [Root River State Bike Trail]. Trail Head Park is a nice tent only campground with walk-in sites. A majority of the sites have picnic tables and fire pits," notes a visitor to Houston Nature Center.
Fishing for various species: The rivers and lakes around Houston offer good fishing opportunities. At Neshonoc Lakeside near La Crosse, one camper noted, "Great place to go kayak, decent place to fish, and good access to bike trail. The lake is about 600 acres in size and about 11 feet deep at the deepest point. Lake Sturgeon, Bass, Muskie, Pike, Walleye, and Bluegill can be caught at this location."
Swimming in natural settings: Many campgrounds offer swimming opportunities. Whiskey Creek Family RV Park features "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," according to a visitor.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Sites along the Root River are particularly popular. At Eagle Cliff Campground in Lanesboro, one reviewer shared, "The Root River goes right alongside most of the campsites which creates a really peaceful space. The grounds are super clean including the showers and porta-potties that are available for campers."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the cleanliness of facilities as a highlight. One visitor to Whiskey Creek Family RV Park commented, "Clean bathrooms! Some of the nicest I have seen with free showers. Planned themes and activities on the weekends, great fun for the whole family."
Convenient town access: The proximity to small towns is appreciated by many campers. A visitor to Peterson City RV Park noted, "It was great fun for me to take a morning and/or evening walk around Peterson, a lovely quintessential midwest town, with a feed mill, some lodging, a small cafe, Legion bar, etc. Some closures due to covid, like the historical society."
What you should know
Weather and seasonal flooding: Some campgrounds in the region experience flooding during rainy periods. At Goose Island campground, a camper warned, "This place is a pretty great campground, and would be even better if it wasn't all under water this summer. Our site on the river was under water, so we got moved to another."
Varying site privacy: Site spacing and privacy can vary significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Beaver Creek Valley State Park observed, "The campsites are the smallest I've ever seen, everyone coming in remarked on how small they are. No privacy, the sites are very close together."
Limited cell service: Cell reception can be spotty throughout the region. One camper at Beaver Creek Valley State Park mentioned, "There is no cell reception because of the valley. This great if you want to get away from it all, but if you're staying a while and need to work, this isn't the place to do it."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Family-friendly amenities make a big difference. At Whiskey Creek Family RV Park, a camper shared, "This is a great destination RV park if you are looking for a family getaway or just a quiet trip for two. There is plenty to do at the park including a cool swimming pond with inflatables, live music most weekends, corn hole tournaments, Friday fish fry, and much more."
Consider campgrounds with playgrounds: Several RV campgrounds Houston, Minnesota area offer play areas. A visitor to Houston Nature Center mentioned, "Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite. When I visited during the week, I only saw a small group of people using the playground. The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more."
Reserve early for peak times: Family-friendly spots fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays. At Money Creek Haven, a visitor noted, "Nice campground, busy most of the summer. Call ahead for reservations. Kids love the man made pool. Been going here since since 1980!"
Tips from RVers
Check dump station locations: Some campgrounds have awkwardly placed dump stations. At Peterson City RV Park, a camper observed, "The RV sites have electricity, water, and sewer, and they are level– we were only staying one night and didn't even need to unhook our pickup. There is also an RV dump behind the bathrooms."
Consider hook-up distances: The placement of hook-ups can vary by site. Another visitor to Peterson City RV Park mentioned, "Note that depending on the site and how far you back in, the electric hookup may be a distance."
Look for concrete pads: Some rv campgrounds in Houston, Minnesota feature concrete pads for more stability. A camper at Goose Island noted, "The sites are all flat with a gravel pad, some also have concrete patio and all have nice fire pits. While there aren't a lot of trees or shade, it was a great site with our awning out."
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