Camping near Kensington, Minnesota offers visitors access to a diverse landscape where prairie meets woodland terrain. The region sits at approximately 1,300 feet above sea level and experiences distinct seasonal transitions with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from May through October, with winter camping limited to a select few locations that maintain plowed access roads.
What to do
Cross-country skiing and tubing: Winter visitors to Andes RV Park can enjoy seasonal activities on the extensive trail system. "The park offers a fantastic range of activities, including golf cart rentals, volleyball, horseshoes, disc golf, pickle ball, etc…and in winter, cross-country skiing and tubing—there's something for everyone!" reports one camper.
Stand-up paddleboarding: Glacial Lakes State Park Campground offers crystal clear water perfect for paddleboarding. A visitor noted, "Our favorite part of this trip was renting stand up paddle boards. The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm."
Hiking on diverse terrain: The region offers trails through both prairie and woodland settings. At Glacial Lakes State Park, "The High Peak Trail did have some lovely views though!" while other trails showcase rolling prairie landscapes. During summer months, prepare for bugs on trails as one camper warned, "The bugs on the hiking trails were unrelenting even with lots of deet bug spray- I was planning to hike 5 miles but had to stop after 2."
Kayaking and fishing: The waterways around Kensington provide excellent paddling opportunities. At Tipsinah Mounds City Park, visitors can enjoy "Great place to go kayaking!" with access to multiple lakes. Fish cleaning stations are available at several campgrounds for anglers who catch their dinner.
What campers like
Winter camping options: Unlike many Minnesota campgrounds that close for winter, some locations near Kensington offer year-round access. At Lake Carlos State Park Campground, winter camping provides unique experiences: "I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter."
Clear swimming water: The lakes in this region are known for their water clarity. One camper at Glacial Lakes State Park mentioned, "The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm," while another at Lake Carlos State Park noted, "Good lake, had a great swimming beach."
Multiple lakefront options: Many campgrounds offer direct waterfront access. As one visitor to Tipsinah Mounds City Park observed, "most lots are lake front" and "the lake views are spectacular." Similarly, at Lake Carlos State Park, "There is a lower portion and upper portion with the lower campground being lakefront."
Recreation facilities: Campgrounds in the area feature diverse activity options. Oak Park Kampground offers "horseshoe pits, paddle boats, and hiking/biking trails," while Andes RV Park provides "disc golf, pickle ball" and other amenities.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Location and privacy vary significantly between campgrounds and even within the same park. At Glacial Lakes State Park, "Oak Ridge campground is prettier, quieter, and more private than the Lower campground. Site 28 and 30 don't have tree cover, but have beautiful views of the rolling hills."
Winter accessibility: Limited winter camping exists in the region. Lake Carlos State Park offers winter camping with restrictions: "They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter. We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent."
Bugs can be intense: Minnesota's summer brings mosquitoes and ticks. Multiple reviews mention bug issues, with one camper at Glacial Lakes State Park noting "Due to the grass, there were many ticks, pets should be treated for ticks ahead of time." Another visitor at Andes RV Park advised, "if coming in summer make sure to bring plenty of bug spray!!!"
Seasonal businesses: Many local establishments operate seasonally. For campers at Pomme De Terre Campground, the proximity to town services can be convenient despite weather challenges: "We were here for a night in pouring rain but it looked very nice."
Tips for camping with families
Activity-rich campgrounds: Several locations cater specifically to families with children. Oak Park Kampground receives high marks from families: "Our kids (3, 5, 7) enjoy the pool, the activities the staff plans, playground, paddle boats, and more."
Beach and playground access: Many campgrounds combine water recreation with play areas. Tipsinah Mounds City Park features "a nice Sandy beach" and "a big playground, basketball court, and ball field."
Hayrides and scheduled activities: Some campgrounds offer organized events. As one visitor to Oak Park Kampground noted, "Hayride!" while another visitor to Tipsinah Mounds mentioned, "In the afternoon they have a hay ride (without the hay) around the grounds, kids loved it."
Proximity to towns: Nearby communities offer supplemental activities. Hobo Park provides "wonderful proximity to Dairy Queen which allowed us to get a fun treat each evening!" while Lake Carlos State Park is "Close to downtown Alexandria where there are a variety of things to do: breweries and restaurants, shopping, other parks and trails."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: Many campgrounds accommodate larger rigs with specifically designed sites. Oak Park Kampground offers "Wide and long pull through sites that are big rig friendly with a picnic table and fire ring at each site."
Seasonal site availability: The Kensington area has numerous campgrounds with both overnight and seasonal options. At Elk Lake Campground, "Most or perhaps all full hookup sites have seasonal RVs but there are a few overnight sites that generally have electric only (30A)."
Electricity options: Power connections vary between campgrounds. At Alexandria Shooting Park and RV Campground, "All lots, (lots of lots), were level and had water & electric." However, some campgrounds like Elk Lake only offer "30A" service at their non-seasonal sites.
Site levelness considerations: Terrain varies across the region. Alexandria Shooting Park receives praise because "All lots were level," making setup easier for RVers without extensive leveling equipment.
