Best Tent Camping near Mountain Lake, MN

Recent Tent Reviews in Mountain Lake

224 Reviews of 10 Mountain Lake Campgrounds

• 

  Tori K.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 4, 2024

  Flandrau State Park

  Beach

  Lovely park to camp at! There is a beach for swimming. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Bathroom and showers are in the campground and there is wood available for purchase.

• S

  Scott D.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 30, 2024

  Island Park

  Nice Overnight Stop

  There are 4 camping spots here, all with electric hook-up. Although the website states $10 fee, there is nowhere to pay. In Oct, the bathrooms are closed already. Park is very close the the main road and you will likely hear trains at night. The campsites are right next to a creek with kayak access. It’s a nice place to stop for a night.

• 

  Chloe T.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 3, 2024

  Kilen Woods State Park Campground

  Very Quiet | No On Site Payment Available

  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 and, even if there is staff present, you'll need to pay for your site on the MN State Park reservations system. What's nice is that there is no convenience charge when you are on site. This totally threw us as we are used to pulling up and paying with cash or card to a human. And, they have no wifi. So you'll have to use your phone or, like I did, use your phone as a hotspot to use your laptop/tablet.

  Once that was all finally taken care of, we got to enjoy our spacious site. 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. Each site has a firepit and picnic table. Site 6 has a trail going through it on the edge while Site 7 had a trail on the other side but it was several feet from the actual site. I'm not sure it ever gets busy there, but if it did, you may have people around your site if you choose those edge sites.

  This place was SO quiet! I know that also has to do with the other campers, so thank you to our fellow campers that weekend who kept it quiet. No road noise at all. There are fields nearby, so if it's plowing season I imagine it would be quite noisy and quite dusty.

  At the end of September, along with the heat, there were tons of what we later learned were Asian Lady Beetles, which actually do sting. Surprise! Then when they started slowing down, here came the midges/no-see-ums. So I came away with a lot of stings. Boo! My spouse did not. So I guess they just liked me a lot.

  I would totally recommend Kilen Woods SP! It was a total surprise to use as we were looking for a last minute place to camp, so that was wonderful. If you're driving along I90 in Minnesota or I26 in South Dakota and need an easy overnight, check this place out.

• 

  Chloe T.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 22, 2024

  Land of Memories Campground

  Closed due to flooding

  No indication when it will open, but it looks like the campground is closed because of the June 2024 flooding in the area. Be sure to check the website before going to see if they've reopened.

• 

  Jennifer K.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 15, 2024

  Blue Earth City Campground

  Fantastic overnight

  Just stopped for the night. It's like a fair grounds. Friendly host. Adorable green giant statue.

• e

  ellen

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 11, 2024

  Sandy Point Park

  Beautiful, quiet spot

  We struck out 4times before finding this place and we are so happy that we did! What a great little gem - lakeside, crickets chirping and perfect

• 

  Jim L.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 8, 2024

  Blue Earth City Campground

  Clean And quiet

  Didn’t realize it was on the fairground. Very small. Very clean. Host family was very friendly and helpful. Free firewood was nice. Enjoyed our stay. Great for a one day stop

• T

  Tracy B.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 5, 2024

  Flying Goose Campground & Resort

  Nice campground on nice lake

  Large campground with a play park and other sporting area. Lake to swim in - no lifeguard offered. Large sites with water/electric hook up - some full hook sites and big rig friendly. The site we were put in was not set up well for the connections however it was a large site. Very muddy site but they offered to let us use a rug so we didn’t get ours all Muddy.

• 

  Jenni C.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 15, 2024

  Olson City Park

  Great Spot

  Though we didn’t stay long, this campground was tidy, well marked, and a perfect stop for the night. The campsites were clean, facilities were top notch, and the park and walking path provided a great spot to wear kids out before continuing on.

• J

  Jim C.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 15, 2024

  Sawmill Campground

  Clean and quiet

  Nice sights with full hookups. The sights are gravel but level. Bath houses are nice and well maintained.

• 

  James P.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 9, 2024

  Sunrise Campground — Lake Shetek State Park

  Nice and peaceful

  FHU. Large gravel sites. Good fishing. Stock up on groceries as large grocery stores are approximately 40 minutes away. Vehicle pass required along with paid campsite. Nice staff. Firewood for purchase.

• H

  Heather N.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 31, 2024

  Red Fox Campground — Minneopa State Park

  Close sites

  Most of the sites are roomy enough but not a lot of privacy. Short walk to water/bathrooms.

• T

  Tom

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 30, 2024

  Fort Ridgely State Park Campground

  July and Beautiful! Gem of a Park!

  This is now my favorite MN State Park. Campground is VERY WELL MAINTAINED. BRAND NEW Bathroom/shower building with large ADA showers.

  I was there Tuesday through Saturday and I was THE ONLY CAMPER in the whole park Wednesday through Saturday!

  Drinking water is very good and many fountains and hydrants are located all throughout the park, even way out on the trails there are water fountains.

  Large stone pavilion for groups picnics.

  In JULY The Prairie Trails are stunning with all the wild flowers in full bloom. Many trails and nice overlooks too. I walked and hiked the trail over and over because of the beautiful flowers and trails.

  The MN State Historical Society could do a much better job at EDUCATING what really happened at the Fort and why. The signage is in need of repair and restoration. Make sure to read up about the fort before arriving so that you can appreciate the importance of the site you’re camping on.

  The horse campground is also very well maintained and has nice shower/bathroom building. No flys and people have been great at cleaning up manure and putting it in the compost pile.

  The creek through the campground is beautiful and the sound of water over the rock is great for sleeping. The creek is cool temperature even in July but kids have fun swimming and splashing. There are marked areas for crossing the creek which make great wading areas too.

• 

  Megan R.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 30, 2024

  Plum Creek Park Campground

  Hidden Gem

  This is the definition of a hidden gem. The park is well maintained with friendly staff. There are nice trails around the lake and more in the lower unit. There is disc golf and kayak rentals and a small store where you can buy ice, firewood, souvenirs, and an ice cream treat. 

  For extra peace and quiet, get the tent only (non electric) sites across the lake! There are a variety of sites if you want to “rough it” or not. Bathrooms are clean. 

  You can tell the workers here care about the park and your experience. I found 0 trash on the trails, and I usually come out with a handful.

  It fills up on weekends with “seasonals” but all the sites have trees and nice shade that gives you a sense of privacy. Theres a tent site close to the playground and bathrooms perfect if you have kids.

• 

  Kent F.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 11, 2024

  Rapidan Dam Co Park

  Closed due to flooding

  Closed

• 

  Katie C.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 11, 2024

  Red Fox Campground — Minneopa State Park

  Great choice for a weekend trip

  We stayed at A24 and A26. Overall, nice spots and were easy to find, and an easy walk to the bathrooms (which were standard but good). Theres a “little library” by them too with a small picnic table for kids. Your sites all face each other completely so don’t expect any privacy (it’s a campground so not that you should expect that usually).

  Like others said, A24 is huge and has a beautiful tree in the middle, but it currently has a blue stripe around it which might mean it’s getting chopped or is sick?? (Photo attached) I think you’d lose a lot of your tree cover if they take it down.

  Tons of mosquitoes like at many parks this year.

• B

  Beverly M.

  Guide

  

  May. 30, 2024

  Flying Goose Campground & Resort

  Just beautiful

  Very quiet and clean, goid WiFi. Gary was very helpful. This campground is just beautiful. There is a lake you can fish,swim,rent kayaks and canoe. Laundry and showers.

• c

  clair W.

  Scout

  

  May. 29, 2024

  Everett Park

  Beautiful, peaceful, not too far out of the way.

  It was serene and beautiful. The sunset over the water was absolutely amazing. Breathtaking scenery. There is a shower and toilets. And 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. I would stay here again!

• 

  Anne C.

  Traveler

  

  May. 24, 2024

  Flandrau State Park

  Sweet little state park near historic river town

  If you are a little more flexible and have the capacity to do so, definitely consider the rustic campground rather than the semi-modern one. There aren't very many sites, the sites are very large, and the setting is lovely. There are vault toilets here, along with campfire pits and picnic tables, so if you need fresh water or want to shower, you can walk 7 or 8 minutes or drive over to the other campground for those.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  May. 21, 2024

  Marble Beach State Rec Area

  Van camping here was just okay

  Camped in Site #59 on Oct. 6-7, 2023. Our site had a fire ring, table, as well as electric & water. Spirit Lake is behind the site, although there was no lake access from there. Nice hearing the water lapping on shore. Registering for a site was a little confusing. There was a friendly host in the campground. Our site sloped down toward the lake; had to use our traction boards to level the van as best we can. No privacy between sites. The 6 room restroom/shower was clean. Overall, the campground was large and well maintained. It had an RV park feel to it, which is not our preferred type of camping. I believe folks in larger rigs will be comfortable here.

• 

  Tori K.

  Legend

  

  Mar. 31, 2024

  Red Fox Campground — Minneopa State Park

  Favorite site

  This park has one of my favorite sites. The site for your tent is up a short walkway from where you park your car. My dog loves the bison drive! Firepit and picnic table provided. wood is available for purchase at the office. Shower and bathroom facility was clean and close to this campsite. Be sure to visit the waterfall in the other section of the park nearby! Will be returning this summer! Please note, raccoons are in the area, so please be kind to mother nature and keep your food and trash secure!!

• S

  Skip H.

  Ranger

  

  Mar. 27, 2024

  Land of Memories Campground

  Large park and campground with much to do!

  The park here has a Frisbee golf course as well as soccer fields and a trail system that wraps the campground and park. In the campground, the spots are plentiful, especially if you winter camp like I do. There are accommodations for any size camper, including pull through locations for big rigs. This campground offers electric and non electric sites. The spots with the most privacy are here by the river. Other spots inside the park are more exposed. If you kayak, there's also a boat ramp! I'd recommend that anyone looking to visit minneopa come here if you have a large rig. The logistics are far easier here, and you're still close to the bison.

• S

  Skip H.

  Ranger

  

  Mar. 27, 2024

  Red Fox Campground — Minneopa State Park

  Nice location for camping and viewing the bison

  Nice spot. Quiet during the off-season. The spots are plentiful here given its the off-season, but keep in mind, if you come, the only camping spots available are the ones that have power. The "A" section is closed down, but once the season gets going again, it will open. Camping is nice here. My preference is the "A" leg of the campground as it is more wooded and you're buffered better against other campers. The "B" leg isn't quite as private. Pick the perimeter spots if you don't want a neighbor right on top of you. These spots end in even numbers. The inner camp spots are odd numbers, and they've expanded the amount of spots, so there isn't much privacy. Once the foliage grows in, it might be "ok," but looking at it now during the winter season, there isn't any privacy at all. In the park there are bathrooms and a dump station. Parking over at the trail system, there are also pit toilets and community grills, and picnic tables. It's mostly quiet here with a slight bit of road noise. It's nothing bad, though. Anything from tents to cars to fifth wheels can camp here. Any larger fifth wheel, I believe, would be better suited to the "b" leg for camping. There is power there and spots large enough to accommodate your rig. If you're coming to see the bison, keep in mind that the bison drive is closed Wednesdays! Have fun!

• 

  Matthew H.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 13, 2024

  Kilen Woods State Park Campground

  Great Campground! Conveniently located!

  Great Campground. The park Ranger on Duty was very helpful. Campsites were generous in space. Well kept. Fire Ring and picnic table on site were kept up well. Trails and scenery through the back hills are well kept and maintained.

• S

  Skip H.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 17, 2024

  Rapidan Dam Co Park

  Super spot!

  This is a great spot with numerous sites along the river. Small trails for car/ tent camping. Not trailer friendly. Small vehicles only. At the foot of the road in there a small food/ice cream shop with friendly staff.

• 

  Lana G.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 9, 2023

  Mack Lake County Park

  great for river view

  small hidden gem right on the river. sights are gravel and mostly level. had a popup camper. wouldn't want to sleep on the ground in a tent. clean porta potty in the camp area. county parks manager is friendly and knowledgeable if you need to call during business hours. plenty of wood to forage (allowed) also some nice wood at registration station for a donation. fort ridgley close by if you want to do a bit of sight seeing.  i would always prefer a county park over state park. there is water available, didn't look for it or need it. no electric. also a picnic shelter with vault toilets. too far from camp area to be of benefit for campers, the porta potty is good enough.

• L

  Lisa K.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 8, 2023

  Rapidan Dam Co Park

  Hidden Gem

  This camp ground is great. Beautiful location in the woods witha stream next to it. There are a few water pumps and some outhouses. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring. Restaurant onsite is fantastic.