Lake Maria State Park Campground provides rustic camping sites situated in the forested terrain of east-central Minnesota, approximately 60 miles from Hutchinson. The park encompasses 1,580 acres of maple-basswood forest with rolling hills at elevations between 1,000-1,100 feet. Backpack campsites require hikes ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 miles from parking areas, offering more seclusion than traditional campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Lake Maria State Park offers several miles of woodland trails connecting the backpacking sites. "We spent a bit of time outside and then played in the tent the rest of the night. Unfortunately the bugs were bad enough that the next morning we just packed up and headed back to the car," notes one camper, highlighting the importance of timing your visit to avoid peak insect seasons.
Fishing access: Games Lake County Park provides excellent fishing opportunities with its location on the east shore of Games Lake. A visitor mentions, "It's part of the 'Norway chain of lakes,' which total 2,800 acres, and provides an excellent fish population." The park includes a boat launch with parking for anglers.
Swimming options: Lake Auburn Campground features a gentle swimming beach that's ideal during summer months. "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," reports one visitor. The beach area includes shade umbrellas for protection during hot weather.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Backpacking sites at Lake Maria State Park offer privacy rarely found at drive-in campgrounds. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," explains one camper who particularly recommends sites 1, 2, and 3 for maximum seclusion.
Family-friendly amenities: Baker Campground provides extensive facilities for families. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," notes one visitor. Another adds, "There is a nice 6+ mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes."
Accessible nature experiences: Lake Auburn Campground offers walk-in camping options close to the Twin Cities. "This campground even has 2 walking/hike-in campsites to give your avid campers a real out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind of feel, like you drove hundreds of miles to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city," explains one visitor, noting the campground is actually "just minutes from the major city."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Lake Ripley County Park Campground operates from April 15 to October 15, with waterfront sites being most popular. "Most of the sites here are lakefront. They have you park your vehicle behind a row of bushes to help keep the view clear for everybody," explains one visitor, providing insight into the campground layout.
Bug preparation: Insect activity can be intense during summer months at Lake Maria State Park. One camper warns, "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon. First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos." Visitors should pack effective repellent and consider bug-protective clothing.
Cell service variability: Many campgrounds in the region have limited connectivity. Fort Ridgely State Park campers note, "There isn't any cell phone coverage at the campground but there is service around the historical site." This varies by location and carrier, so plan communications accordingly.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Flandrau State Park features a sand-bottom swimming pool popular with families. "The man made swimming lake is small but clean and well maintained," notes one visitor. Another adds, "In the summer there is a sand bottom pool that looked nice."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play facilities for children. Lake Auburn Campground provides "awesome playground and green space for the kids," according to one family. The campground features concrete bag toss boards and volleyball courts for additional recreation.
Historical experiences: Fort Ridgely State Park Campground offers unique historical learning opportunities. "The historical fort site has lots of great information and signage around the excavations," notes one visitor. Children can explore the history of the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862 through museum exhibits.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Lake Marion Co Park offers both electric and water hookups for RVs, with sanitary dump facilities on-site. "The grounds are very well kept. Everyone there is very friendly. Even the caretakers drive around and talk to people, deliver wood to your campsite, etc," reports one RV camper.
Site spacing: RV sites at most regional campgrounds provide adequate but not generous spacing. At Flandrau State Park, visitors note, "The campsites have no privacy at all unless you go with one of the hike in sites." This reflects the typical layout of established campgrounds in the region, where convenience often trades off with privacy.
