Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Mankato, MN is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Mankato campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Mankato, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"Small trails for car/ tent camping. Not trailer friendly. Small vehicles only. At the foot of the road in there a small food/ice cream shop with friendly staff."
"Beautiful location in the woods witha stream next to it. There are a few water pumps and some outhouses. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring. Restaurant onsite is fantastic."
"Even before we arrived, the camp host called me to see if I wanted to pay my bill before we came so I didn't have to bother coming to the office."
"There was a vault toilet near by and full bathrooms a short walk away. The showers by the lake could use some updating but the bathrooms by the bigger loop are very nice and clean."
"Sakatah Lake State Park campground is a lucious, green campground located near Sakatah Lake. There are quite a few sites."
"It was mid April so no water at the sites but had electric in ours. We were able to get potable water at the entrance. And firewood. Had great trails to walk and bike on. Sites are spaced out."
"Some traffic noise during the day. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. The lake is down the road with public access for your boat."
"They had mobile electric fences set up so that goats could graze on the invasive species plants which was pretty cool. I’d like to go back in the summertime and see the giant sand bottom pool full."
"The campsites have no privacy at all unless you go with one of the hike in sites. we stayed at site 91, which you have about a 500 ft walk to get to."
"Plenty for kids to do and the staff was great"
"There was a pretty bad storm that came through and the staff was quick to clean up downed branches and help all the folks who got damage."
"Most others along the river don’t have the view but you can still sleep to the sound of running water (until you wake to the same sound…)."
"BRAND NEW Bathroom/shower building with large ADA showers.
I was there Tuesday through Saturday and I was THE ONLY CAMPER in the whole park Wednesday through Saturday!"
"My only complaint was how close together the walk-in sites were."
"Beautiful forested area just outside Owatonna. Easy drive past beautiful farms to town. Camp host told us mosquitoes were light this year; they seemed plentiful to me!"
ScoutSakatah Lake State Park campground is a lucious, green campground located near Sakatah Lake. There are quite a few sites. Most are private, but they are a bit crammed together in multiple loops so some sites are not so private.
The campground has friendly rangers with great recommendations and is located on a state trail that goes from Mankato to Fairbault. We had a great time from Friday-Sunday hanging out at the campsite, roasting marshmallows, riding bike on the state trail, and hiking around the lake!
Sakatah Lake is quite shallow so late season is at risk of algae bloom - the lake was pea soup green when we got there at the end of August, so go early in the season if you want to get on the water.
LegendWe biked the Sakatah Singing Hills Trail from Faribault, MN to Mankato, MN (39 miles). The whole trail was paved, which was really nice and runs through hardwoods forest. We camped in Sakatah State Park and then explored the City of Mankato. Sakatah Lake is a relatively calm lake and seems like a great place to kayak.
They have 5 bike-in campsites near the trail. Other campsites include drive-in sites, electric sites, group sites, and camper cabins. The campsites are secluded just enough so that one feels like they are camping in the woods by themselves. Unlike a lot of campgrounds, Sakatah State Park has its fire pits above ground. Very nice for keeping warm. Amenities at the campground include showers, flush toilets, vault toilets, dump stations.
GuideWe stayed here while visiting Minneopa state park. The campground was nice. It was mid April so no water at the sites but had electric in ours. We were able to get potable water at the entrance. And firewood. Had great trails to walk and bike on. Sites are spaced out. Our 34’ trailer fit easily. Vault toilets on site. Bathrooms were closed (covid). The loops near the entrance had more shade. Spaces are large and accommodating!
GuideLarge campground with a play park and other sporting area. Lake to swim in - no lifeguard offered. Large sites with water/electric hook up - some full hook sites and big rig friendly. The site we were put in was not set up well for the connections however it was a large site. Very muddy site but they offered to let us use a rug so we didn’t get ours all Muddy.
GuideWe arrived at our campsite (43E) on a Thursday in early June. We first noticed that Flandrau SP was conveniently located close to downtown New Ulm. New Ulm is a lovely town with German heritage, a beautiful downtown and great beer! 5 Stars!!!
Then we got to the campsites and noticed they are very tightly packed in a small area; they are so close together and there isn’t much to block the view or noise from your neighbors. But, it was Thursday and not many people there (yet).
In the morning, we went for a hike on one of the trails, only to get half way around when we discovered it was blocked by an electric fence (no pre-warning); I guess they use goats to control vegetation growth. Sure would have been nice to know it was closed at the trailhead. And, the knats / bugs were terrible! Friday afternoon arrived and so did all of the campers! This is a popular place AND it’s noisy. -2 STARS
Note: T-mobile service is available - 2 bars.
TravelerWe found this place by accident, and were very happy we did. It’s a small family run campground with mostly seasonal campers. Set along the shores of Lake Imogene, which comes out of nowhere surrounded by farm land, and you can’t even see it from the road. Mature shade trees everywhere, Impeccably clean bathrooms, showers, etc. playground, small homemade mini golf course, volleyball, basketball, the works to keep the kids happy and entertained while you relax in a quiet clean setting. We stayed in a bull through site with two other campers, were nice and spaced out and didn’t hear them at all, but we’re told on weekends because of an on-site wedding venue, there are more people and the campsites are full. Mid-week night stats are tops though, and we would absolutely stay here again. The pull through sites have electric, water and sewage at every site.
Everyone we met (owners, staff, other campers) were extremely nice. Good people, great stay.
GuideCamped here during Oktoberfest and had a great time. Cheep can ride into town kept us safe and responsible. They had mobile electric fences set up so that goats could graze on the invasive species plants which was pretty cool. I’d like to go back in the summertime and see the giant sand bottom pool full. Site 80 didn’t have much for privacy but the sites are well spaced out.
ScoutCampsite 37 is right on a bend in the river and has an amazing view! Most others along the river don’t have the view but you can still sleep to the sound of running water (until you wake to the same sound…). Best part: no cell reception there (but there’s an app to help you not get lost that doesn’t require cell reception.
ScoutDecent little dock and shelter house. Dump station. Campfire rings and picnic tables. Bathrooms were decent. Electrical hookup only. Kids screaming and people partying super late.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Mankato, MN is Rapidan Dam Co Park with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 16 glamping camping locations near Mankato, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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