The Melrose area sits at the junction of prairie and northern hardwood forest ecosystems in central Minnesota. Located at around 1,250 feet elevation, the landscape features a mix of rolling hills, wetlands, and glacial lakes. Summer daytime temperatures often reach the mid-80s with cooler evenings in the 60s, while spring and fall camping seasons bring more variable conditions with temperatures ranging from 40-70°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Sinclair Lewis City Campground offers excellent access to fishing with both boat launch and shore fishing available. "The campground has a fish cleaning house, lake access with boat ramp and docks," notes Tori K. in a recent review.
Beach activities: Many campgrounds in the area feature swimming beaches with additional water recreation. Lake Carlos State Park provides a sandy shore for both swimming and boating. According to Michele, "You can apparently drive your boat right into a sandy shore and dock it. They also have a swimming beach."
Biking trails: Several campgrounds connect to regional biking networks. Oak Ridge Campground at Sibley State Park connects to multiple trail systems. As Stephanie H. mentions, "There are a lot of hiking and biking trails and you will see many different kinds of birds and wildlife."
Winter activities: While most campgrounds operate seasonally, some offer winter recreation. Tori K. explains her Lake Carlos State Park winter experience: "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."
What campers like
Lakefront camping spots: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites available at several campgrounds. Gary M. says about Sinclair Lewis City Campground, "Check-in was easy over the phone. It is a nice park in a quaint little town," highlighting the convenient urban-adjacent location.
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers as a highlight. At Sauk River City Park, Brad J. notes, "Shower and bathroom facilities are brand new. Power at each site."
Family-friendly amenities: The best places to camp near Melrose, Minnesota feature playgrounds and recreational facilities. Ashley A. reports that Sinclair Lewis City Campground has "a boat launch, playground, splash pad, fish cleaning station, beach, bathrooms and showers."
Small town atmosphere: Campers enjoy the proximity to charming small towns. Janet R. describes visiting Sinclair Lewis as a chance to enjoy "a close walk to Main Street for unique shops and cafes" while still having "fishing at your doorstep."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the Melrose area operate from May through mid-October. Brandon S. cautions about Sauk River City Park: "The linked website says this is a year-round park. Called to make sure payment could be done after 5, which is when I found out that it's in fact not open year round."
Reservation recommendations: Birch Lake State Forest operates differently than many parks, with self-registration available. Dan R. explains, "Registration is easy & self service. They have envelopes at the entrance you just fill out, so you can use any payment method including card if you're comfortable with that."
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts differ significantly regarding privacy between sites. At Birch Lake, Elisha C. shares, "We really enjoyed staying in the walk-in camp site. It gave us a lot of privacy for our dogs."
Bugs and weather considerations: Insect activity peaks in early summer. Wendy I. observed at Birch Lake: "The lake sounded busy, but there were lots of spots available... Many connect with pathways if you're in a group."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Camp S'more, Tori K. notes, "The owners are very friendly and attentive to the people staying there! The new owners have been working on making additions to the grounds to make your experience here better!"
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas for safer water recreation. At Cedar Lake Memorial Park, JoAnn E. reports, "We stayed at the campground during the week, it was so relaxing and not a lot of campers out felt like we had the park to ourselves. Had a nice park area with playground, clear lake swimming area."
Entertainment amenities: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation beyond camping. Charlie S. shares about Camp S'more: "And it's less than 1/8 mile from the Long Drive in. A great family experience and one of the few left in the state."
Midweek advantages: For a quieter family camping experience, consider avoiding weekends. JoAnn E. found Cedar Lake Memorial Park ideal during weekdays, noting it was "so relaxing and not a lot of campers out felt like we had the park to ourselves."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Games Lake County Park offers multiple hookup options for RVs. Janet R. explains the park "has easy access to [Sibley State Park] as well as the Glacial Lakes bike trail, plus is set on a nice lake with fishing, boating, and swimming available."
Site length considerations: Some campgrounds accommodate larger RVs better than others. At Sinclair Lewis City Campground, Kristen I. shares, "Our site was a pull through grass site with water and electric. Bonus- it had a view of the lake! Our site was level and the length was long enough for us to stay hooked up for an early departure."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds in the area have sanitary dump facilities. Mike K. cautions about Birch Lake State Forest, "No hook ups and no dump station. Sites are spaced far enough apart to give you some privacy."
Seasonal rental options: Several campgrounds around Melrose offer longer-term options for RVers. Janet R. notes that at Camp S'more, "There are weekly, monthly and seasonal site rentals with RV hookups, plus they do have a fully furnished on-site RV available to rent for those who don't have their own."
