RV sites near Marion, Minnesota provide access to the surrounding southeastern Minnesota landscape with bluffs, valleys, and rolling farmland. Most camping options sit between 1,000-1,200 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Cell service varies throughout the region with Verizon offering the most reliable coverage at campgrounds outside major towns.
What to do
Hiking trails: Whitewater State Park offers extensive hiking with minimal mosquitoes due to constantly moving water. "We hiked up Chimney Rock and then looped back to tackle part of the Dakota trail! The hiking paths were well taken care of. There were plenty of places to stop and rest if you need to," notes one visitor to Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Many campsites provide access to local streams and ponds for fishing. At Maple Springs Campground, "there is a small trout stream on the edge of the property," and one camper mentioned they enjoyed "fly fishing" during their stay at the campground, which is near Forestville State Park.
Root River activities: The Root River provides water recreation options from several campgrounds. A visitor at Maple Springs Campground shared, "We floated down the root river for about 3 hours and had a great time." The river offers gentle currents suitable for kayaking and tubing during summer months.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high in visitor satisfaction. A recent guest at Crystal Springs RV Resort noted, "They have onsite restrooms and laundry facilities that are kept sparkling clean." Many campgrounds maintain regular cleaning schedules for bathhouses.
Quiet atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peaceful settings. "It was extremely quiet," reported one visitor about Rochester-Marion KOA. Another camper at Hidden Meadows RV Park mentioned seeing "deer by the primitive camp areas" during their stay.
Convenient Mayo Clinic access: Several campgrounds serve as bases for Mayo Clinic patients. A reviewer at Hidden Meadows RV Park commented, "This is very convenient if you have Mayo Clinic appointments," noting the campground was "nice with grassy sites along with electric and water hook ups."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds feature more private sites than others. A visitor to Nelson's Landing RV Park observed, "There are approximately 90 sites laid out in typical RV park fashion with the sites close together and no physical privacy between sites."
Seasonal operation: Most RV parks in the area close during winter. Crystal Springs RV Resort operates from "May 1 to October 31," while Autumn Woods RV Park runs "Feb 15 to Oct 15," providing one of the earliest opening dates in the region.
Campfire restrictions: Not all campgrounds permit fires at individual sites. A visitor to Autumn Woods RV Park pointed out, "The only down fall in the park is they don't allow campfires at the sites. There is a community campfire that can be used."
Train noise: Railroad tracks run near several campgrounds. At Nelson's Landing RV Park, a camper reported, "We heard two [trains] around 10 pm and either there were no more until the next morning, or we mercifully slept through them!"
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Some campgrounds offer more for children than others. A reviewer at Hidden Meadows RV Park cautioned, "If you're bringing the kids there is literally nothing to do there. They do have a play-set but that's where it ends."
Swimming access: Several parks feature water access for cooling off during summer months. Rochester-Marion KOA received praise when "the kids enjoyed the pool," though one camper noted it was "too chilly for me but my kids still gave it a shot!"
Special events: Some campgrounds host family activities throughout the season. A visitor to Maple Springs Campground mentioned enjoying "a hayride, movie for the family in the old red barn" during their stay, providing entertainment beyond the regular camping experience.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for variable site conditions. A camper at Autumn Woods RV Park mentioned, "Sites are gravel and pretty level. Only a little leveling was needed."
Hookup placement: Pay attention to utility locations when booking. One RVer at Hidden Meadows RV Park mentioned, "Oddly spaced power hook up with sewer and water placements," while another at Nelson's Landing noted, "Sites tend to be very long and could accommodate even large-size Class A rigs."
Arrival timing: Several campgrounds have self-check-in procedures after office hours. A visitor to Nelson's Landing RV Park explained, "Our reservation paperwork was waiting for us at the gatehouse with directions to our back-in site," though they noted site numbers were "posted at the back end of the sites, necessitating a sleuthing operation with my flashlight."
