RV parks near Melrose, Minnesota offer camping options in central Minnesota's agricultural heartland. The area sits at 1,204 feet above sea level with mostly level terrain punctuated by smaller lakes and wooded areas. Summer temperatures typically range from 60°F-85°F with moderate rainfall making for comfortable camping conditions from May through September.
What to do
Visit Long Prairie: Camp S'more Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring Long Prairie. "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! Also, they're gathering a list of local attractions so guests have a list of things to do in the area," notes one camper at Camp S'more Campground.
Winter sports: While most parks close for winter, some remain open. "Stayed here kind of last minute on my way home and wanted electric hook ups. Still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food," reports a guest at Love's RV Hookup.
Visit Andes RV Park: For multi-season activities, this park offers varied recreation. "The park offers a fantastic range of activities, including golf cart rentals, volleyball, horseshoes, disc golf, pickle ball, etc…and in winter, cross-country skiing and tubing—there's something for everyone!"
What campers like
Spacious lots: Campers appreciate generously sized sites at several Melrose area RV parks. "We stayed here with a large group of family and had a site big enough for all of our rigs. We brought our own firepits due to the size of the site we had. I cannot remember if any are provided. There were some walking paths right behind our site, which was great for those of us with dogs!" shares a visitor at Westrich RV Park.
Well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds around Melrose prioritize cleanliness. "The campground was nice, but there were a few things that could be done to make it better. We were in a pull through at the north end of the campground and the site itself was nice and had decent spacing between sites... The laundry was clean, but the machines were pretty old," notes a camper from St. Cloud Campground & RV Park.
Recreational amenities: Pools and activities enhance camping experiences. "This a nice family campground. It has a 9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop. They also offer a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade. Verizon cell coverage is good here and OTA TV has a few channels," reports a visitor to St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park.
What you should know
Winter availability: Most RV parks near Melrose operate seasonally, but alternatives exist. "Made last minute reservation through website?? Pick your own site. No sign of bathhouse. Good hookups though. Crop dusters zoom off from nearby airport. Over air TV has 60+ channels including cable channels," notes a camper at Lakes Area Motel and RV Park, which remains open year-round.
Shooting range proximity: Some campgrounds have unique features. "Stayed here for one night...All lots, (lots of lots), were level and had water & electric. Super easy check in... Would definitely stay again.. It is an active gun range so if shooting bothers you, may not be your place," warns a camper about Alexandria Shooting Park.
Insects in summer: Bug protection is essential. "If coming in summer make sure to bring plenty of bug spray!!!" cautions a camper at Andes RV Park, reflecting Minnesota's notorious mosquito season from June through August.
Tips for camping with families
Check pool availability: Family-friendly amenities vary by season and campground. "We stayed here Memorial Day weekend and it was their first weekend open. The sites are very large and it is nicely wooded. They have a few areas where the sites are more in the open but not many. The owners are very nice and were great to work with. They even delivered firewood to our site. The pool wasn't ready yet but it is very large," notes a visitor at Hardy's Lake in the Woods RV Resort.
Consider seasonal ownership: Several RV parks offer longer-stay options. "Just stayed for the weekend and we had a wonderful time. Shaded lot, much quieter than other sites I've been too. Many lots seem to be seasonal owners, but all were very well kept. Would definitely return in the future and even consider a seasonal spot some day," shares one camper about St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park.
Local attractions: Drive-in theaters provide family entertainment. "The owners were very personable and helpful. Nice grassy sites beautiful trees. Full hookups, Very clean restrooms and shower. (ADA accessible) A nice quiet campground. We'll be back! 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," notes a Camp S'more visitor.
Tips from RVers
Check lot construction: Surface types matter for different RV types. "We stopped here for one night. But the campground was nice and the staff was very friendly," says a visitor to St. Cloud Campground & RV Park, while another notes, "Nice, new rv park. Not far off I 94. Spent 1 night, but slept well due to no noise. Golf cart rentals, and trails from the park."
Highway proximity: Several RV parks near Melrose provide convenient overnight stops. "I love that Love's has RV spots that are big rig friendly! These are a great option for a stop halfway through a trip. You have clean bathrooms in Love's, Hardee's for food, Love's for snacks and drinks, and gas is right there so you can fill up before you head out on for the rest of your travels!"
Check power options: Verify electrical service meets your needs. "Good overnight stay. We could not log in to WiFi or access Tv and for us that wasn't a big issue. But the office did say when the park is full that can sometimes be an issue for WiFi. The site was level and easy to get into to."