Glacial Lakes State Park Campground and Lac qui Parle County Park provide glamping accommodations with outdoor experiences near Montevideo, Minnesota. Glacial Lakes State Park houses canvas yurt structures with comfortable sleeping arrangements amid prairie landscapes, while Lac qui Parle County Park features yurt-style accommodations on the bluffs overlooking the lake. "We had a lovely weekend overlooking Lac Qui Parle from our campsite. 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," shared one visitor. Both locations offer electric hookups, toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Memorial Park and Alexander Ramsey Park also provide glamping-style accommodations with more developed amenities including showers and drinking water.
Crystal-clear water activities complement the eco-friendly glamping experience at these locations. Glacial Lakes State Park maintains glass-like calm waters perfect for stand-up paddleboarding rentals. The park features hiking trails across rolling prairie with exceptional views from the High Peak Trail. One camper noted, "Our favorite part of this trip was renting stand up paddle boards. The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm." Lac qui Parle County offers wildlife viewing opportunities with its lakeside location. The parks operate seasonally, with Glacial Lakes open year-round while others like Games Lake County Park operate from May through September. Reservations are recommended for glamping accommodations, especially during peak summer months. Nearby attractions include the small zoo at Alexander Ramsey Park featuring bison and other wildlife, plus access to the Glacial Lakes bike trail.
$15 - $22 / night
"The bathroom is remodeled and was very clean. There is a new pavilion and playground with a small Zipline. The last 2 sites around the corner are very priivate."
"Clean facility- large pads- electric & water. Across from river- 3 minutes from town but you’d never know it. One pull thru. Great fall visit."
$22 - $150 / night
"The trails in the park have nice rolling hills and offer a unique type of beauty. The campground is small, but offers some electric sites as well as some primitive sites."
"Oak ridge is perfect for larger rigs (<35 feet - anything bigger there are only 2 spots that will fit) (no electric or water). Clean vault toilets. Lots for kids to do."
$24 - $75 / night
"Nice, secluded and wooded sites."
"Great hiking and biking trails, swimming pond and right on the redwood river. The Camden Regional trail is 14 miles of paved trails between Camden State Park and Marshall, MN."
$25 / night
"Great people and walking trails are some of the best around deer you can walk right up to and the water fall is beautiful."
"Lots of nice trails to walk. Small zoo that is well kept. Had a nice shady site."
"Just got back from a weekend at Games Lake County Park and honestly, it exceeded expectations!"
"No waterfront sites but the lake is still close by! There is a nearby boat launch with parking. As well as a playground and beach area with a slide."
"On the shores of Big Stone Lake. A nice beach and a boat landing. There are normally no open sites, we are told, as they are all rented for the season."
ScoutThe 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. The last 2 sites around the corner are very priivate. The Grinder is recommended for an excellent breakfast sandwich and roomy feminine place to hang out in bad weather
LegendThe trails in the park have nice rolling hills and offer a unique type of beauty. The campground is small, but offers some electric sites as well as some primitive sites. I do believe there were 2 or 3 cabins that I saw. Unsure if there is a group camp with this campground being so small as it is. Firewood is available at the check in/office building. There is a bathroom/shower building in the loop with the electric sites. The electric loop and primitive loops both have vault toilets. Each loop also has a few water stations to fill containers with potable water and each loop has a dumpster for disposing of waste. Not sure if there is a dump station for RVs as I typically use a tent when camping. Nice state park in Rural central Minnesota
GuideWe tent camped in the non electric sites in the Lower Campground. They were shady thank goodness, but not very flat or large. Your tent will be on rocks, not grass.
When we were visiting, the shower house was closed due to Covid, so no review of that. The vault toilet was stocked with TP and fairly clean. The portapotty was near full and smelled awful. Didn’t look like it had been emptied all summer! Gross.
The lake was really high when we visited, which led to a useless campground fishing pier and a boat dock that you had to swim to to use. There was no beach, but there may have been if the water level was normal. Watch out for biting sunnies in the swim area and enormous snapping turtles stealing the fish off your hook at the fishing pier near the swim area.
We did go into Starbuck which is 5 miles away. Very impressive beach, groceries and a DQ all an easy drive away.
GuideGreat family campground. Lots of shade cover. Oak ridge is perfect for larger rigs (<35 feet - anything bigger there are only 2 spots that will fit) (no electric or water). Clean vault toilets. Lots for kids to do. Canoeing, fishing, paddle boards. Great hiking trails. Loop for kids to bike on easily. Easy to get to.
For those using the dump station it’s on a hill and tougher for bigger rigs to use. No flushing station. But water throughout park. Firewood at the station. Small number of electric sites in the first campground but sites are closed together and less privacy/shade. Bathhouse is in first campground.
TravelerWe booked our stay at the Lower Campground on a whim as it was one of the only campsites available in MN on a two week notice during Covid. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise! The park is perfect for a short weekend trip. Campground was well maintained with easy access to the hiking trails and a nice view of the lake. There was enough exploring to fill a day or two. The sites are close side-to-side, but trees line the outside sites and there is good back-to-back space between the inner sites. Not all sites have hammock trees though. We got very lucky with the August weather as the bugs were completely manageable both at the campground and on the hikes. The Lower Campground is the only one with electric sites, but the Oak Ridge had nice shade and space. Preferred sites in Lower Campground would be 7 for non-electric for privacy and lake views, and 14e, 16e, and 18e for electric. Bathrooms were not open for use when we came. Also, the water fill and dump stations are on the opposite side of most campers which was the only downside. There was not water supply at the dump station to rinse out the tank. But overall, it’s nice trip that’s only two hours from the Twin Cities. We enjoyed the prairie views and the lake. Will be back!
GuideThere are two campgrounds in this park - the upper one is on the prairie while the lower one is situated among trees along the river. We stayed in the lower campground in site 30. The lower campground is close to the playground and swimming pond but it rained the whole time we camped so we didn't use either.
Sites in the lower campground are fairly close together and we didn't have cell service (Verizon), which wasn't a big deal.
I brought my fat bike and bike the Bluebird and Dakota Valley trails. Both are mowed paths that go through prairie and wooded areas. The actual mountain bike trail was disappointing, it was overgrown, narrow, and hugged a high ridge.
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. There is a river that runs behind the sites in this loop. Our boys played on the rocks and had a great time.
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.
ScoutJust got back from a weekend at Games Lake County Park and honestly, it exceeded expectations! Before heading out, I actually asked ChatGPT for camping suggestions in Minnesota, and this spot came up—and wow, it did not disappoint. Super clean facilities, friendly staff, and plenty of space for both tents and RVs. The kids loved the beach area and playground, and we spent most of our time fishing and boating on the lake—it’s such a peaceful spot. Definitely a great find for families or anyone looking to relax in nature. Big thanks to ChatGPT for pointing me in the right direction!
ScoutNo shade or shelter is provided. Right next to water but it will clog up your water filter if you're using one. We saw beavers swimming; They were not fearful of campers. Due to the grass, there were many ticks, pets should be treated for ticks ahead of time. We didn't stay overnight due to the amount of then. Parking was easy, hike in was very easy and clearly defined. It's a good spot for camping in the fall or spring.
Possibly bring your own shade. Note that you CANNOT hammock camp at Kettle Lake. Firewood will also be slightly harder to find here due to lack of trees. It would be smart to carry your own in (if possible).
RangerI had a love/hate with this campground. They have a great website with pics & details of each . It was super easy to use & reservations were a breeze. The site looked absolutely nothing like the pics ! They also mention water but this site had none. We found that out AFTER booking. But whatever, we had electricity & a full water tank. No sewer either. Price was reasonable. Well cared for site. Roomy. Clean picnic table. Fire ring, no grill grate. Garbage in the pit though, people suck. Not much for privacy between sites. We had site 28, it wasn’t bad . Much better than most ! We were kind of up on a hill above a very overpopulated part of the campground. We scoped our site 30 & would probably dig that if we were to return. We lucked out & had quiet neighbors next to us. Everyone else was out of control noisy. I won’t judge too harshly based of Labor Day weekend, but the crowd here lacked any common courtesy this time around. It was a bummer. Nice paved paths to Redwood Falls. Not much to see once you get there. Too many people. The river was nice but had murky grey water that had a very odd smell. The dogs couldn’t enjoy it. There was a bridge you cross to get to the paths but nowhere designated for pedestrians so you contend with cars. Cute swing bridge along the way though. There was a “zoo” - enclosures containing birds, bison, prairie dogs, goats etc. Maybe it would’ve been ok had parents not stood idly by whilst their children threw apples, over hand, at the poor animals & laughed. It all seemed far too stressful for these poor creatures. There was no one to be found in regards to any keeper. It was all pretty disturbing. People at the campground set off fireworks all day & night causing the peacocks to scream out. Yes you can hear it at the sites. I get this was a municipal park. And actually it was quite nice when everyone left and we were literally the only ones for 2 days. Camping in southwest MN was a new experience. I’d venture to say it would be nice to camp during a weekday. Be warned- there is NOTHING to do & the flies ( non biting houseflies) were abundant!! We had to buy fly strips!! All in all, we’d go back if we were just looking for a quick, closer getaway.
Montevideo's camping region sits in southwestern Minnesota's prairie landscape, where rolling grasslands meet river valleys at around 1,000 feet elevation. The area experiences distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters, making late spring through early fall the prime camping season. Glamping options in the region have expanded beyond traditional canvas structures to include various accommodation types at multiple parks.
Hiking at Camden State Park: The park offers both wooded and prairie trails for various skill levels. "Great trout stream, swimming, tubing, camping, horse trails, hiking... my kids loved it," reports one visitor to Camden State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Alexander Ramsey Park features a small zoo with native and farm animals. "Small zoo that is well kept. Had a nice shady site," notes a camper at Alexander Ramsey Park. The park houses bison, prairie dogs, goats and other animals in maintained enclosures.
Water activities: Clear lakes provide swimming and paddling opportunities. "The lake water was glass like calm," reports a visitor about the paddleboarding opportunities, while another mentions that sites in the lower campground at Camden "is close to the playground and swimming pond."
Private sites with views: The upper campground at Lac qui Parle offers panoramic vistas. "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," shares one camper at Lac qui Parle County Park.
Clean facilities: Many parks maintain their restrooms and shower buildings well. "The bathroom is remodeled and was very clean. There is a new pavilion and playground with a small Zipline," notes a visitor to Memorial Park in Granite Falls.
Fishing opportunities: Several parks offer access to stocked lakes. "Basically it is part of the 'Norway chain of lakes,' which total 2,800 acres, and provides an excellent fish population," mentions a reviewer about Games Lake County Park, which also features a boat launch with parking.
Site characteristics vary significantly: Some sites lack shade while others are heavily wooded. "Sites in the lower campground are fairly close together and we didn't have cell service (Verizon)," notes one Camden State Park camper, while another mentions "Our site was a bit buggy, but very manageable with bug spray and a Thermacell."
Water levels affect facilities: Lake levels can impact accessibility. "The lake was really high when we visited, which led to a useless campground fishing pier and a boat dock that you had to swim to to use," reports a visitor to Glacial Lakes State Park Campground.
Seasonal availability: Not all parks operate year-round. Games Lake County Park is open "May to September 30," while other parks like Alexander Ramsey operate "mid May to mid October," limiting fall and winter glamping options in Montevideo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Montevideo, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Montevideo, MN is Memorial Park with a 3.7-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Montevideo, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 glamping camping locations near Montevideo, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
