Montevideo sits at the intersection of the Minnesota and Chippewa Rivers in western Minnesota at an elevation of 960 feet. The surrounding landscape consists of prairie terrain with limited tree coverage, primarily confined to river valleys. Camping in the region offers access to glacial lakes and river systems, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Paddle the rivers and lakes: Lac qui Parle State Park offers water recreation on its namesake lake. As one visitor noted, "The lake is gorgeous" while another mentioned "Boat/canoe launch is in lower campground about 10 minutes from Upper Campground." The park's name comes from French fur traders who observed that migrating birds made it sound like "the lake that speaks."
Explore hiking trails: The area features prairie and woodland trails with varying terrain. At Glacial Lakes State Park, "The High Peak Trail did have some lovely views" according to one camper. Another visitor mentioned "awesome trail with a great view" where prairie meets woodland environments.
Watch for wildlife: The region serves as a critical stopover on bird migration routes. Visitors report seeing "beavers swimming; They were not fearful of campers" at Glacial Lakes, while Lac qui Parle is known for "watching groups of large birds (geese, turkey vultures, pelicans) wheeling overhead."
What campers like
Crystal clear waters: Campers consistently praise the water quality at Outdoors Inn Campground where "The Chippewa river flows next to the camp and the adjoining river bank is woodlands." At Glacial Lakes State Park, campers enjoy "renting stand up paddle boards. The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm."
Prairie landscapes: The unique terrain offers a different camping experience than heavily wooded areas. At Lac qui Parle, "We camped at the upper campground, where the sites were open but nicely spaced from the neighbors. The sites were surrounded by blooming prairie and had an exquisite view over the lake, especially at dawn and sunrise."
Stargazing opportunities: The open prairie settings provide excellent night sky viewing. A camper at Lac qui Parle Upper Campground noted that "its wide open skies provide wonderful stargazing on clear nights."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited operating seasons. Prairie View RV Park & Campground operates "May 4 to Oct 21" while Lac qui Parle runs "mid May to late October." Fall and spring offer special wildlife viewing during migration seasons.
Bug preparation: The region can have significant insect populations, especially near water. A visitor to Oraas County Park noted it was "beautifully maintained and quiet" but others in the region warn that "mosquitos weren't!" At Glacial Lakes, "Site was a bit buggy, but very manageable with bug spray and a Thermacell."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the area. At Lac qui Parle, "Verizon cell signal is poor" while other campgrounds report better coverage. Plan communications accordingly, especially for remote work needs.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Westrich RV Park offers family-friendly amenities including "a playground, pool, volleyball area, basketball court, and shower/bath house." This makes it suitable for families with children who need recreational options.
Camper cabins: For families who don't have camping equipment, several parks offer cabin options. At Glacial Lakes, "We stayed in camper cabins that were really amazing" and another visitor noted they're "clean, well lit, and surrounded by beauty."
Swimming areas: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming spots. One camper mentioned Glacial Lakes has a swimming area, though "Watch out for biting sunnies in the swim area." For better options, "We did go into Starbuck which is 5 miles away. Very impressive beach, groceries and a DQ all an easy drive away."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV campers near Montevideo have varying levels of services. At Prairie View RV Park & Campground, visitors appreciate the "Very nice pull through cement pads. Easy full hook up's, and quite." Another camper noted, "Very clean and up to date facilities."
Site leveling: Most RV sites in the area require minimal adjustment. At Lac qui Parle, "Sites are gravel and relatively level, not much leveling required" and the park offers "Variety of sites, from group camping, primitive (no hookups), electric only, full hookups (water, electric, sewer)."
Shade considerations: The prairie landscape means limited natural shade at many campgrounds. As one RVer at Lac qui Parle noted, "There are not many trees so not much shade." When temperatures climb in summer, position your RV to create shade or bring portable shade structures.
