J
Jennifer P.
Traveler
TravelerEverett Park
Quiet and Serene
The spot was stunning, private, and well-maintained. The host was curt and cold. My husband: “What a beautiful spot!” Host: “Yeah. Keep it that way.” So much for hospitality.
Camping near Mountain Lake, MN
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Camping in the Mountain Lake, Minnesota area features several developed public campgrounds, including Island View within the city and Voss Park City Campground in nearby Butterfield. The region includes a mix of county and city-operated sites primarily catering to tent and RV campers, with some offering cabin accommodations. Most established campgrounds provide electric hookups, picnic tables, and access to drinking water, with many situated around small lakes or waterways typical of southern Minnesota's landscape.
Seasonal operation affects most campgrounds, with many facilities closing between late September and early May due to Minnesota's harsh winters. Full-service amenities like showers and flush toilets are available at larger sites such as Kilen Woods State Park and Cedar Hanson County Park, while smaller areas may offer more basic facilities. Reservations are recommended during summer months, particularly for weekend camping, though some locations like Island Park in Windom operate on a first-come basis. Road access is generally good throughout the area with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads. One camper noted, "Since we can camp we don't have to have power and water so Brian let us park and shower for 10.00. RV's pay 22.00 for hookup and power a night."
Several campgrounds in the area feature waterfront locations that receive positive reviews from visitors. Island View Campground provides access to a 5-mile trail around Mountain Lake with additional recreation at nearby Lawcon Park. Voss Park City Campground attracts families with its lake access and park amenities. Cedar Hanson County Park offers both drive-in and walk-in camping options with sites overlooking the water. According to one visitor, "Large grassy sites with big trees overlooking lake. Bathroom with showers. Can hear train whistle but no cars." Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere at most sites, though occasional farm odors or distant train sounds may be noticeable at certain locations. Sands Country Cove Campground stands out for family amenities including playground, mini golf, and ice cream service in addition to typical camping facilities.
Best Campgrounds near Mountain Lake (88)
1. Voss Park City Campground
"Nice path around lake for a walk, jog, or bike. Has Showers. pets welcome."
"Kids love the park and lake!"
2. Island View
"Frisbee Golf, playground, and a 5mile trail around lake. As good as you get for a Municipal Campground."
3. Island Park
"Arrived a bit before dark and decided to sleep in my car rather than my tent just due to the timing and being tucked away by the river by myself."
"Very quiet, right on the river. there's a kayak and canoe launch rights next to it."
4. Kilen Woods State Park Campground
"Found this site by luck just searching on the Minnesota DNR site! Lots of RV sites but there are 4 walk in sites down a small trail, very private and away from everyone else."
"It was HOT, but there is a tree in the center of Site 7 that offered shade and lots of bushes and trees around that offer shade. We just had to keep moving to get it."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability5. Cedar Hanson Co Park
"This camp ground is surrounded by farm land including our own. The only down side is the lake is shallow so fishing is best early early camping season."
"Large grassy sites with big trees overlooking lake. Bathroom with showers. Can hear train whistle but no cars."
6. Sands Country Cove Campground
"You drive through farm fields to get there and we were surprised when we arrived at how nice it was. It was just as described."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability7. Jackson KOA
8. Everett Park
"Right by a lake. The staff is attentive, kind and welcoming. Have not been able to have a greater look of the surroundings because just staying for a night and leaving early morning."
"Beautiful spot, close to the lake. Water fill station, 30A power, washroom & shower if needed. Great price $25 per night (20 if tenting)."
from $15 - $20 / night
Check Availability9. Weber’s Campground
from $20 / night
10. Sandy Point Park
"What a great little gem - lakeside, crickets chirping and perfect"
"Views of the lake through the trees at the back of the campsite. Clean bathrooms and showers. Water and electricity."
Drive Time
- 52 min from Mankato, MN
- 1 hr 28 min from Sioux Falls, SD
- 2 hrs from Minneapolis, MN
- 2 hrs 21 min from St. Cloud, MN
Recent Camping Photos near Mountain Lake, MN
40 Photos of 88 Mountain Lake Campgrounds
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Recent Reviews near Mountain Lake, MN
258 Reviews of 88 Mountain Lake Campgrounds
- CColin
GuideSailors and Soldiers Memorial Park Campground
Quiet city park with a stream
Empty when I arrived. Clean spacious sites.
Tina P.TravelerBeaver Falls County Park
Peaceful + Secluded
My family and I have camped at beaver a few times now and have made some really great memories there! We recently went and stayed at campsite 20 (our favorite creekside spot). The kids and dog did lots of swimming and floating in the creek. We also did a handful of different hiking trails and each one gave us a different beautiful and experience. The paths are not super well marked in all places, but you can find your way through. The campsite was clean, pre ready to go with fire wood and had an extremely clean out house. The campsite had a nice fire/cook ring, a garbage can, and a nice picnic table. There’s even a bungee in the tree for extra hanging/storage. REALLY great stay! And the forest/creek/hillside vibes are awesome here! The kids had a blast and we’ll definitely be going back!
Amanda S.
ScoutPlum Creek Park Campground
Although We didn't find any of the free campsites here, we love the one we ended up at. #2. The stars to ight are just incredible. place is well kept. we shall return.
LOVE IT! we will be back. secluded. quiet. water access. potable water. rocks to throw for my kid. the stars! oh my lanta! immaculate.
Deb M.
RangerFlandrau State Park Campground
Below average State Park
Pros - convenient location in New Ulm, but feels remote. Nice swimming pond in the summer. Cons - the campground (especially the inner loops) is crowded, with sites almost on top of each other. The bathrooms and showers work, but are sadly in need of repairs. (Water was lukewarm at best, some stalls did not have benches, etc.) The whole campground looked like it needs some TLC, not the standard we’re used to for State Parks in MN.
- RReed E.Guide
Prairie Campground — Lake Shetek State Park
Grassy drive-in camping spots
By myself in Prairie campground tonight. Grass and trees overhead make it cool, but can block satellite connectivity. Good nearby hiking trails. Fresh water tap and restroom. Each site has fire enclosure and picnic table.
- TTomRanger
Flandrau State Park Campground
Beautiful campground
We camped in the non electric area. All of the sites are easy to back into and fairly flat. Some sites could use more gravel and become very muddy after a hard rain. All sites are good sized, most have vegetation between them for a feeling of more privacy. Sites on outer ring has shaded sites, some sites in the inner ring don’t have much shade.
Has a GREAT swimming pool, sand bottom and maintained.
Bathrooms (men’s) was wall maintained and clean. Showers were also clean, one has a missing bench to sit on. Vault toilets are very clean and had been pumped out recently.
Trails are nice, have some nice views of the park. Some beautiful spring woodland flowers are blooming at the end of May this year.
One trail goes past the Scheels Brewery, second oldest brewery in the country. They give tours and have a gift shop.
The river was flowing fast, had more rain so the level also went up fast. Would be good for an experienced kayaking.
Electric sites are very open and not much privacy, fairly level.
The park also has cabins to rent that were all being used. There is also a STONE CCC cabin that can be rented and looked from the outside to be well maintained and a new roof on it.
Baby turtles were hatching, watch out to not step on them as they slowly make their way to water!
The campground is down in a valley so can get stuffy but usually has a breeze flowing through the campground.
Evan G.ScoutShady Oaks Campground
Best getaway ever, was going to pass through but stayed a month!
I loved it here, i was planning to pass through and go to another park but when i got to the other park it was full of people and not very peaceful. So they were nice enough to let me come back to the spot I was in and i stayed for the month there instead. Really good kind people work there and anything that comes up is usually handled right away. Its a hidden Gem a lot of people dont seem to know about so it doesn't get jam packed.
- ssonia M.Scout
Olson City Park
State park MN
Nice area close to shops. Laundry room Locked maybe due to early in season. Bathrooms clean. Showers push button mist was cold. Reasonable price <$40
Guide to Mountain Lake
Camping sites near Mountain Lake, Minnesota provide access to southern Minnesota's prairie landscape. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 1,300-1,500 feet with hot summers reaching 85°F and winter temperatures well below freezing. Campgrounds typically open from April through October, with sites at county parks often more secluded than municipal options.
What to do
Hiking trails: Mountain Lake's Island View offers a 5-mile trail circling the lake with additional recreation options. As visitor Daniel N. notes, you can enjoy "Frisbee Golf, playground, and a 5-mile trail around lake. As good as you get for a Municipal Campground."
Paddling opportunities: Sands Country Cove Campground provides lakefront access for water activities. Sarah N. describes it as a "Peaceful lakefront property with a playground, mini golf, and ice cream for kids (and parents). You drive through farm fields to get there and we were surprised when we arrived at how nice it was."
Wildlife viewing: Kilen Woods State Park Campground offers prairie, river and oak savanna habitats. According to Meg W., "Park is quiet, clean and very easy to hike. Entire park can easily be hiked in a day, with prairie, river and oak savanna views."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Cedar Hanson Co Park features spacious campsites with natural separation. Mindy B. mentions, "Large grassy sites with big trees overlooking lake. Bathroom with showers. Can hear train whistle but no cars."
Clean facilities: Island Park maintains well-kept grounds near water access. Scott D. reports, "There are 4 camping spots here, all with electric hook-up. Although the website states $10 fee, there is nowhere to pay. The campsites are right next to a creek with kayak access."
Quiet atmosphere: Sandy Point Park provides peaceful lakeside camping. Michael S. shares, "We were the only ones here on a weekday besides the host. Views of the lake through the trees at the back of the campsite. Clean bathrooms and showers. Water and electricity."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds close from late September through April. At Kilen Woods State Park Campground, off-season visitors note limited staff presence. Chloe T. advises, "First thing to know is that you cannot pay for anything there directly... no cash, no checks, no credit cards, no tap, nothing. You need to use the Yodel app to purchase firewood."
Environmental factors: Farm odors and train noise affect some sites. At Cedar Hanson Co Park, Mindy B. notes, "Wind sometimes brings farm odors into area so sites at the end of the road may be better if you don't need elect."
Payment systems: Everett Park charges different rates based on amenities. According to clair W., "It costs $20 for a tent sight, $25 for a power hookup sight. We'll worth the stop, I almost didn't want to leave."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Voss Park City Campground offers family recreation options. Cory S. mentions, "Park is privately owned and operated but shares a park with the city. Big events during holidays. Kids love the park and lake!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Sands Country Cove Campground, Sarah N. appreciated the "playground, mini golf, and ice cream for kids (and parents)."
Walk-in sites for adventure: Kilen Woods offers walk-in sites for families seeking more seclusion. Alyssa D. recommends, "Lots of RV sites but there are 4 walk in sites down a small trail, very private and away from everyone else. We chose site 4 and we definitely made the right decision!!"
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Most campgrounds offer electric-only sites with water fill stations. At Voss Park City Campground, Jennifer B. notes it "Has electric and water hook ups. Tent spots available. Nice path around lake for a walk, jog, or bike. Has Showers. Pets welcome."
Big rig access: Jackson KOA accommodates larger RVs with full hookups. Gregory L. reports, "Our site was level, easy to get into, and had a nice tree providing some shade. Water pressure was good, no issues with electric."
Dumping facilities: Check for on-site dump stations before arrival. At Jackson KOA, Gregory L. appreciated that "they had a good sewer hose at the dump station for guests to use so they didn't have to dig theirs out. That is the kind of thought the owners put into the experience at their park."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mountain Lake campground located?
Where is Mountain Lake campground located?
Mountain Lake campground is located in southern Minnesota, approximately 15 miles north of the Iowa border. The area is part of Minnesota's scenic lake country, with several state parks and recreational areas nearby. While exploring this region, campers can visit Kilen Woods State Park Campground, which offers beautiful hiking trails with scenic vistas and private walk-in sites that provide a secluded camping experience. The Mountain Lake area serves as a good base for exploring southwestern Minnesota's natural attractions.
What amenities are available at Sands Country Cove near Mountain Lake?
What amenities are available at Sands Country Cove near Mountain Lake?
Sands Country Cove Campground near Mountain Lake offers a variety of amenities for campers. The campground features drive-in access with reservable sites, making it convenient to plan your stay in advance. Basic facilities include water access and toilet facilities. For those seeking additional recreational options nearby, Sunrise Campground — Lake Shetek State Park is within driving distance and offers beautiful lake settings, large well-maintained walking trails, and easy access to fishing, kayaking and canoeing opportunities.
Which is the most popular campground near Mountain Lake, MN?
Which is the most popular campground near Mountain Lake, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mountain Lake, MN is Voss Park City Campground with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
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