Camping areas near Monticello, Minnesota offer access to the Mississippi and Rum rivers with camping seasons that generally run from May through October. The region features a mix of wooded and open sites with terrain that remains relatively flat throughout the camping areas. Water activities dominate the recreational landscape due to the numerous lakes and rivers within a 30-minute drive of the town.
What to do
River tubing on the Rum River: Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River provides organized tubing trips with shuttle service. "Great tubing and canoeing," notes visitor Rory T., while another camper explained the process: "They have a bus that takes you into town float back to the campground, love it."
Swimming at seasonal pools: Several campgrounds maintain heated swimming pools open from late May through early September. At Cokato Lake RV Resort, visitors appreciate the "inground, heated swimming pool" and "lake with beach." The resort also features "mini golf, pickleball, tennis, and an arcade room attached to the office."
Hiking woodland trails: The trail systems at regional parks connect camping areas to natural features. At Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground, campers enjoy "really nice wide trails around the lake" that are "basically designed for cross-country skiing in the winter." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound as one camper noted: "This place had awesome trails and so many deer! It's like they were camping with us."
Fishing local waterways: Access to fishing spots varies by location. Most campgrounds with river or lake frontage offer shore fishing, though some require short walks to reach designated areas. Baker Campground provides "access to Lake Independence" with "great fishing" according to regular visitors.
What campers like
Spacious sites with shade options: Many campgrounds feature larger-than-average sites compared to state parks. At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, campers appreciate the "absolutely beautiful campground with mature trees. Cedars, white oaks, hickory's and more." Some visitors choose specific camping zones for privacy: "We have a pop up so we parked on a grassy spot next to the cabins that backed up to a field. It was nice to be there instead of in the thick of the big camper section."
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower buildings receive consistently positive reviews. At St. Cloud Campground & RV Park, visitors note that "the shower house was clean" and the campground itself is "well maintained." Another camper mentioned that "the facilities including 2 bathroom facilities" were among the highlights of their stay.
Family activities: On-site recreation options keep children entertained. Country Camping RV Park features "a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room" and "HUGE sites" according to one reviewer. Another visitor added that the campground is "great for everyone" and they "would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to having a great time camping."
Convenience to metro areas: The region's proximity to Minneapolis makes it suitable for weekend getaways. One camper called Baker Campground "a gem so very close to the Twin Cities" with "great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby" that kept children "as busy as they wanted to be."
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most rv sites near Monticello, Minnesota close between mid-October and early May due to weather conditions. Opening dates typically range from late April to early May depending on spring conditions. Baker Campground specifies its season as "Apr 30 - Oct 20" while Country Camping RV Park operates from "May 1 - Oct 1."
Variable cell service quality: Connectivity differs significantly by location and carrier. While the existing description notes Verizon coverage, other carriers may have spotty service particularly in river valley locations. Limited WiFi is available at some campgrounds but bandwidth issues occur during peak periods. At St. Cloud Campground, one camper reported it was "the worst wifi of about 15 campgrounds we've been to on our trip this year. They warned us it was slow, but we couldn't even connect to it from our site."
Weekend crowds: Popular campgrounds fill quickly for summer weekends. Reservations should be made 2-3 months in advance for prime summer dates. Some visitors noted that at Country Camping Tent & RV Park, it's "quiet during the week and busy on the weekends."
Limited boondocking options: Traditional dispersed camping is not readily available near Monticello. The closest options require driving approximately 45-60 minutes to state forest lands. Overnight parking at Love's RV Hookup provides a basic alternative with "electric hookups" and is "convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23" for travelers needing a simple overnight spot.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation program scheduling: Some campgrounds offer organized weekend activities for children. At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, families enjoy "pool, pool table, soccer table, mini golf, swing set, clubhouse, 3 wheel bike racing, and water balloons wars." Parents appreciate that "the birds are singing and so are the kids because this place has so much to do for them."
Swimming options beyond pools: Natural swimming areas provide alternatives to campground pools. Baker Campground features "2 swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors." Rental equipment is available as "you can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards" at some locations.
Biking-friendly campgrounds: Paved trails connect camping areas to recreation spots. At Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve, families enjoy "a nice 6+ mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes." Another visitor noted it has "a lot of paved bike trails" making it ideal for family cycling outings.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. At St. Cloud Campground, families appreciate access to "playground, volleyball court, dog walking area, baseball field, a lodge with games and a store." Campsites furthest from these amenities offer more quiet but require longer walks with children.
Tips from RVers
Site surface variations: RV sites near Monticello, Minnesota feature different leveling challenges by campground. At RiversEdge RV Park, campers appreciate the "concrete patios on every lot and crushed granite streets and drives" which make leveling easier. These improved surfaces remain stable during rain events compared to grassy areas at other campgrounds.
Electric service limitations: Power demands during peak summer heat can strain electrical systems. When temperatures exceed 90°F and humidity is high, some campers report voltage drops. One visitor at Country Camping "had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off" but noted it was "very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer sewer hookups at individual sites. St. Cloud Campground provides "big rig access with electric, water, and sewer hookups" while others may only have a central dump station with limited capacity during peak checkout times.
Winter camping options: For cold-weather RVing, choices are extremely limited. Love's RV Hookup remains "still open in the winter" with "convenient location" and basic amenities. One camper noted it serves as "a great option for a stop halfway through a trip" with "clean bathrooms in Love's, Hardee's for food" and fuel available on-site.
