The RV camping options near Lakeland, Minnesota offer diverse experiences for campers seeking waterfront access, family activities, or proximity to the Twin Cities. Sites range from riverside locations with water recreation to more developed facilities with dedicated camping amenities. Most campgrounds in this area maintain seasonal operation from spring through fall, with a limited number remaining accessible during winter months.
What to do
Tubing and river recreation: Country Camping Tent & RV Park provides river-based activities along the Rum River. "Large sites. Great tubing and canoeing," notes Rory T. The campground facilitates river adventures by offering transportation. "They have a bus that takes you into town float back to the campground, love it," explains Tom D. from Country Camping RV Park.
Hiking trails: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features extensive trail networks through varied terrain. "Directly behind the site was a hiking trail that led us through woods, fields and prairie," shares Steph H. The park encompasses approximately 2,000 acres with diverse ecosystems for exploration.
Casino entertainment: For those seeking entertainment options, Tresure Island RV Park offers convenient casino access. "There is a shuttle to the casino and at 7pm folks seemed to clear out to head over. It was honestly one of the quietest campgrounds we've been to on a Friday night," notes Ashley K.
Waterfall viewing: Willow River State Park Campground features impressive natural water features accessible via trails. "Willow River falls is definitely a beautiful site to see. Definitely a place to camp if you like to be active and explore the trails. Winter, summer or fall!" states Jessica B.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many rv sites near Lakeland, Minnesota maintain well-kept amenities. At Dakotah Meadows RV Park, campers appreciate the maintenance standards. "Super neat and tidy campsites. Easily accessible! Would definitely stay here. Friendly Staff," reports Marla A.
Spacious campsites: Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River provides generous site dimensions. "HUGE sites! You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak," Spencer C. remarks. The campground accommodates larger rigs, with Spencer noting, "Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!"
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds in this region often feature recreational options for various age groups. "The campground is nice and clean. Good size spaces. The tubing is a plus... Pool was small but nice. Splash pad was even nice for adults," reports David G. about Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
Natural surroundings: Wildwood RV Park & Campground offers sites with natural features. "We tent camped for two nights in site CC, which had a small quiet creek beside it. These primitive sites are down a small dirt road away from the main RV camping area and are nicely wooded," shares Stacy S.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds near Lakeland operate with limited schedules. Country Camping RV Park runs from May 1 through October 1, while Treasure Island RV Park maintains operations from April 1 to October 31, with few winter camping options available.
Site surfaces vary: Site conditions differ significantly between campgrounds. Some RV parks feature paved surfaces, while others provide natural settings. "The sites are paved and have well-maintained grass," notes Chris F. about Dakotah Meadows RV Park.
Cell service quality: Connectivity varies throughout the region. At Wildwood RV Park & Campground, one camper noted, "Sadly I needed 4 hours of internet and my cellular data here was spotty. I spent this time right outside the office."
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "We were here for a night to see a concert at the amphitheater and everyone was super friendly. It was easy to check in, and we were able to do laundry and shower which was great," reports Jennifer H. about Treasure Island RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Families appreciate waterfront access at certain campgrounds. "We've stayed at Country Camping for years! Great variety of things to do for everyone. Group sites, tent sites, covered wagon sites! Floating on the Rum River, swimming pool with splash pad, little camp store, Golf cart rentals! Our grandkids love it too!" shares Carol H.
Playground facilities: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features extensive play areas. "There are a bunch of things to do including hiking, horseback riding, swimming in their filtered pond, boating and an insane playground," notes Steph H. The park prohibits pets and alcohol, making it suitable for family-focused outings.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities with varying features. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," Timothy S. mentions about Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
Activity planning: Family-oriented campgrounds often provide scheduled programming. Tina H. notes that at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, "on Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch. Very organized and clean facilities."
Tips from RVers
Level site availability: RV campers near Lakeland prioritize site levelness. At Dakotah Meadows RV Park, Jim M. notes, "This is a really nice campground with cement parking pads with full hookups. The grass around the lots is very green, lush and well maintained."
Hookup quality: Infrastructure reliability varies between campgrounds. Jeff C. observed at Treasure Island RV Park, "The sites are level, the park was clean, and the utilities were in good working order."
Shuttle services: Casino-adjacent parks often provide transportation amenities. "The Casino operates a round trip Shuttle that picks you up and drops you at your site," notes James and Susan K. about Dakotah Meadows RV Park.
RV size accommodation: Many campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "We have also stayed in the pull through sites, but not really a fan of those. Still, I would choose this park over others in the area for the access to 494 and 35W," explains Tom D. regarding site selection at Dakotah Meadows.
