Tent camping near Mankato, Minnesota offers sites in hardwood forests, along riverbanks, and in prairie landscapes. Most campgrounds in the region remain open seasonally from April through October, with closures during winter months. Several locations experience periodic flooding that can affect site availability, particularly at riverfront campgrounds following heavy rainfall.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, trails lead to scenic water features. "The hike to the hidden falls did not disappoint," notes Deb M., who also mentions the park's convenient location "so close to the Twin Cities that it's very convenient for a weekend."
Paddleboarding: Water activities are popular at Rapidan Dam Co Park with accessible river access. "The river is perfect for paddle boarding," reports Nick G. in his review of this secluded camping area.
Cross-country skiing: Winter recreation options extend beyond the camping season at select parks. According to Tim B., "This park is great for hiking and winter snowshoeing and cross country skiing" when reviewing the trails at Cannon River Wilderness Area.
What campers like
Tree coverage: Many campers appreciate the privacy offered by wooded sites in the area. At Cannon River Wilderness Area, campers can "set up hammocks right next to the river" as Nick G. discovered during his stay.
Sunset views: Scenic water views rank highly among camper reviews for certain locations. Jaime N. reports that "The sunsets were spectacular at the private beach" at Roberds Lake Resort and Campground, which also offers boat rentals for full-day use.
Fall foliage: Autumn camping provides exceptional natural displays in the Mankato region. Tim B. recommends Nerstrand Big Woods as "a great campground for Fall camping. The colors are amazing," making it ideal for weekend getaways during peak color season.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Campground availability varies throughout the year with most sites closed during winter months. One reviewer noted that Nerstrand was "Closed all 2020 camping season for Covid," highlighting how closures can occur unexpectedly.
Flooding issues: Water levels affect campground accessibility, particularly at riverside locations. Kent F. reported in July 2024 that Rapidan Dam was "Closed due to flooding," a common occurrence at riverside campgrounds following heavy rainfall periods.
Variable site quality: Campsite conditions can differ significantly within the same campground. One reviewer described Rapidan Dam Co Park as "Sketchy" and mentioned "We did not spend the night even though there were plenty of openings," suggesting pre-arrival site inspection may be worthwhile.
Tips for camping with families
Restaurant access: On-site or nearby food options simplify family camping meals. Skip H. notes that at Rapidan Dam, "At the foot of the road in there a small food/ice cream shop with friendly staff," providing convenient dining options without leaving the camping area.
Bathroom facilities: Modern restrooms make family camping more comfortable at select locations. Hannah Y. found that at Nerstrand, "The bathrooms and showers were clean and well lit," an important consideration for camping with children.
Site spacing: Consider how close neighboring campsites are when planning family trips. Erik R. cautions that at certain state parks, "the campground sites are really close together and you have very little privacy," which may affect family camping experiences.
Tips from RVers
Vehicle size restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs or trailers. According to Lisa K., Rapidan Dam "is great" but offers limited access: "Not trailer friendly. Small vehicles only."
Backing challenges: Some sites present difficulty for RV positioning. Deb M. notes at Nerstrand Big Woods that "there's some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back."
Connectivity concerns: Cell service varies significantly between camping locations. One RVer reports "cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible" at Nerstrand, though "There's WiFi at the office, which is just a short hike from the campground," providing options for those needing to stay connected.
