Camden State Park features two distinct campground settings in southwestern Minnesota. The upper campground occupies prairie terrain while the lower one runs alongside the Redwood River. Campsites in the lower area provide access to a swimming pond and playground, though privacy can be limited. The park offers both electric and non-electric sites with varying seasonal availability.
What to do
Hiking trails with water features: The Redwood River flows through Camden State Park Campground, creating opportunities for riverside exploration and rock play. "Our boys played on the rocks and had a great time," notes Makayla B., who also mentioned biking the Bluebird and Dakota Valley trails through prairie and wooded areas.
Wildlife observation year-round: Watch for native species at Oak Woods Campground in Lake Shetek State Park. Seasonal transitions bring different viewing opportunities. "We heard coyotes the first night. There is an observation deck with a viewing telescope at Eastlick Marsh, which is where we saw the nesting swan and a beaver dam," reports Deanna J.
Animal interactions: Visit Alexander Ramsey Park to see the small zoo area featuring native and farm animals. "Great family place with all of the animals they have to feed including buffalo, goats, elk, geese, and prairie dogs!" shares Chris L. The animals are kept in designated areas around the park grounds.
What campers like
Peaceful lakeside views: The bluff sites at Lac qui Parle County Park offer panoramic views of the water. "The lack of mature trees on the upper campground bluffs is a plus. A gentle breeze keeps the bugs down and allows for nice views," notes Timothy W., who camped with a 26-foot travel trailer.
Freshly renovated facilities: Memorial Park in Granite Falls maintains updated bathroom and shower facilities. "The campground is shady, quiet, and clean. The bathroom is remodeled and was very clean. There is a new pavilion and playground with a small Zipline," says Bob B. Sites 1-7 operate on a first-come basis while sites 8-13 require reservations.
Space for group gatherings: Several campgrounds accommodate family reunions and larger gatherings with communal spaces. "My family does a annual family reunion camping once a year! We stayed here and it was beautiful! Perfect for all the kids off all ages, adults, grandparents," reports Anne G. about her experience at Camden State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal lake conditions: Water levels fluctuate throughout the year, affecting beach and shoreline access. "There is a 'beach' located near the Oak Wood campground however it was underwater, people still enjoyed swimming as it was shallow and warm in June," explains Joanna B. at Oak Woods Campground.
Train noise considerations: The lower campground at Camden State Park sits near active train tracks. "There are nearby train tracks and trains ran by several times a day, though luckily they don't blow the horn so we didn't notice them much," shares Makayla B.
Site selection matters: Research specific site characteristics before booking, especially for yurt camping near Minneota, Minnesota. "Site 7 is lakeside, but the steep embankment makes it feel a little farther away," notes ERolf P. about cart-in sites at Lake Shetek State Park. Norwegian Creek County Park visitor Lisa mentioned, "Spots are very close together. Luckily several people cancelled for the weekend and we were allowed to pick any spot."
Tips for camping with families
Accessibility options: Alexander Ramsey Municipal Park offers paved paths connecting to Redwood Falls. "Nice paved paths to Redwood Falls... Cute swing bridge along the way though," mentions PJ F., though noting pedestrian access requires sharing the bridge with vehicle traffic.
Swimming alternatives: The swimming pond at Camden State Park provides a controlled environment for children. "Pretty spacious separated by lots trees, good place for camping with kids as well, has a swimming pond and beach. Clean restrooms," notes Anup S.
Winter yurt camping: For cold-weather family adventures, consider yurt camping in Minneota, Minnesota area state parks. "We stayed in a Camper Cabin in this park in the wintertime. It was a great experience for our kids and a fun winter camping experience for mom and dad. The camper cabin was nice and warm and we even cooked our dinner over a fire at night," shares Jen A. about Lake Shetek State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Norwegian Creek County Park provides electric and water hookups at lakeside sites. "Electric and water hookups. Spots are very close together," mentions Lisa, who appreciated the shower houses despite the site proximity.
Site leveling: Pay attention to site grading information when selecting spots. "Our site, 30, sloped away from the parking pad. You wouldn't be able to set up chairs under your awning at this site and the picnic table sat in a low spot that got muddy after 2 straight days of rain," warns Makayla B. about Camden State Park's lower campground.
Cell service coverage: Signal strength varies significantly between campgrounds in the region. Timothy W. reports "2 bars of T-Mobile 5G service" at Lac qui Parle County Park, while others note limited or no service at other parks. Verizon users may experience signal gaps in Camden State Park's lower campground.
