Campgrounds near Montevideo, Minnesota occupy the upper Minnesota River Valley, characterized by prairie landscape at approximately 950 feet elevation. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly reaching the upper 80s and cold winters dropping well below freezing. This prairie region features several camping options within a 30-mile radius of Montevideo, with both river access points and lake views available across multiple county and state parks.
What to do
Birdwatching during migrations: Lac qui Parle State Park serves as a major stopover on the Red River/Minnesota River flyway for migrating birds. A visitor noted, "We camped here in July and it was a great experience, but apparently it is spectacular during the spring and fall migration seasons... During migration, the thousands of birds convening on the headwater lakes of these two rivers makes it sound as though the lake itself is speaking up in its own voice" (Janet R.).
River access: Wegdahl Park offers direct water access to the Minnesota River where visitors can cool off. "There is a water access to the mn River. They have cabins that I've never stayed in but look nice," notes one camper (Jamison W.).
Disc golf: Lagoon Park in Montevideo features a disc golf course adjacent to its camping area. The campground is situated with "one half against the highway, the other backed to the disc golf course and swingset" (Leni K.).
Hiking trails: Lac qui Parle County Park offers walking paths with scenic overlooks. "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" (Timothy W.).
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The open prairie settings at upper campgrounds provide excellent night sky viewing. One camper at Lac qui Parle State Park noted, "While the campground lacks privacy, its wide open skies provide wonderful stargazing on clear nights. The openness was also great for watching groups of large birds (geese, turkey vultures, pelicans) wheeling overhead" (Deanna J.).
Clean facilities: Memorial Park in Granite Falls receives praise for its updated amenities. "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" (Bob B.).
Affordable rates: Most campgrounds in the region maintain reasonable pricing. One camper noted about Memorial Park, "The camping fee for RVs is now $20 a night" (Mary L.), making it budget-friendly for travelers.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between sites. Lac qui Parle Upper Campground features "Lots of space between sites. There are not many trees so not much shade. Sites are gravel and relatively level, not much leveling required" (Renee H.).
What you should know
Seasonal mosquito challenges: After hatching periods, mosquitoes can be problematic. One camper reported, "The park and campground are nice, but the mosquitos weren't! Stayed right after a mosquitos hatch sadly" (Tori K.).
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. At Lac qui Parle Upper Campground, "Verizon cell signal is poor" (Renee H.), though another camper noted "We have a 26' travel trailer and got 2 bars of T-Mobile 5G service" (Timothy W.) at Lac qui Parle County Park.
Distance from supplies: Some locations require advance planning. A camper noted Lac qui Parle State Park is "pretty far off the beaten path in terms of access to groceries and supplies, so stock up before arriving and come prepared" (Janet R.).
Reservation requirements: Reservation policies differ between campgrounds. At Memorial Park, "Half of the site require reservations" and "sites one through seven are first come first serve eight through 13 are reservations which you can get online" (Mary L.).
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Several parks feature play equipment for children. Memorial Park offers "a new pavilion and playground with a small Zipline" (Bob B.), making it suitable for families with kids.
Choose sites away from highways: Some campgrounds have sections closer to roads. At Lagoon Park, sites are divided with "one half against the highway, the other backed to the disc golf course and swingset" (Leni K.) – families should request the latter for safety and noise reduction.
Consider water activities: Oraas County Park provides family-friendly settings with "Water and electric hookups at each site. Each site had plenty of space" (Jackie P.), though families should note there are limited designated swimming areas in the region.
Plan for prairie exposure: Many campgrounds lack shade coverage. "The Upper Campground was open and I found a level campsite for the evening. Very few trees" (Han E.), so pack sun protection for children.
Tips from RVers
Cement pad availability: Prairie View RV Park & Campground offers "Very nice pull through cement pads. Easy full hook up's, and quite. Very clean and up to date facilities" (David B.), making setup easier for larger rigs.
Site leveling requirements: Most campgrounds require minimal leveling. Sites at Lac qui Parle Upper Campground are "gravel and relatively level, not much leveling required" (Renee H.).
Varied hookup options: Campgrounds offer different levels of service. Lac qui Parle Upper Campground has a "Variety of sites, from group camping, primitive (no hookups), electric only, full hookups (water, electric, sewer) as well as cabins and tent only areas" (Renee H.).
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds have on-site dump stations. At Lac qui Parle Upper Campground, the "Dump station near entrance" (Renee H.) provides convenience for RVers staying multiple nights.
