Camping spots near New London, Minnesota blend woodland and prairie landscapes with seasonal operation from mid-May through September. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 1,100 and 1,400 feet, experiencing temperature swings from 70°F summer days to 40°F nights in early and late season. Winter camping options are limited, with only select cabins available year-round during Minnesota's snow season.
What to do
Hiking Mount Tom: At Sibley State Park, the trail to Mount Tom offers panoramic views of the region. "This park has everything from bike trails, hiking trails, look out tower at the top of Mount Tom, to swimming and fishing. Close to our home so we go often!" explains Colleen D.
Swimming at Lake Andrew: The beach area at Sibley State Park provides family-friendly water access. "The biggest hit for me was the newly remodeled beach area on Lake Andrew. Plenty of space and a nice 'fishing' pier to hang out at. They rent kayaks there too!!" shares Stephanie B.
Exploring New London: The town offers charming shopping and dining options within a short drive. "Short drive in to cute town of New London," notes Sara S., while Andrea S. adds, "Fun little café in New London (Middle Fork) – delicious French toast and friendly service; seemed like a place the locals went!"
What campers like
Lakefront access: Games Lake County Park provides water recreation opportunities just minutes from campsites. "This is a nicely forested family-oriented campground on the shores of Games Lake. Though not quite as nice as the nearby Sibley State Park, it has easy access to it as well as the Glacial Lakes bike trail," explains Janet R.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-serviced amenities. At Green Lake County Park, "the bathroom/showers are clean and they have cleaners go in and clean 3 times a day. YES COODOS FOR THAT!!!" Jessica B. emphasizes.
Wildlife viewing: The diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife. "Lots of hiking and biking trails and you will see many different kinds of birds and wildlife. Lake Andrew is a big and clean lake with a swimming beach, canoe rentals, and a fishing pier," Stephanie H. reports from Sibley State Park.
What you should know
Site orientation issues: Some campgrounds have awkward site layouts. At Lake Koronis Regional Park, "1/3 of their sites are setup backwards and they hope to eventually move the sites around but for now, you 'camp' on the wrong side of your camper," warns Mandy S.
Wind conditions: Lake exposure can create challenging camping conditions. "The strong wind off the lake made fishing from shore nearly impossible. Only one dock was in the water, but the kids loved the beach," notes Dave T. about Oak Ridge Campground.
Limited firewood access: Plan ahead for fire supplies. At Monson Lake State Park, one camper found "the office did not have firewood to purchase. Instead they posted a sign that said we'd have to go to Sibley State Park down the street (about 20 minutes away) and get it there."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Westrich RV Park offers multiple recreation facilities for children. "There is a playground, pool, volleyball area, basketball court, and shower/bath house. The owners are onsite and very friendly people," shares Tori K.
Beach amenities: Swimming areas feature family-friendly facilities. "Swimming was great! Cute little store by the beach. Sites we're pretty close together but it was still an enjoyable time!" Jessica L. explains about Oak Ridge Campground.
Group site options: For larger family gatherings, seek specific campgrounds. "Stayed here with a large group of family and had a site big enough for all of our rigs. We brought our own firepits due to the size of the site we had," Tori K. mentions about Westrich RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Winter cabin options: When temperatures drop, consider Sibley State Park's cabins for cold-weather camping. "What a beautiful park and great camping spaces. We saw the cabins and they looked amazing. The activities around were plentiful such as snow shoes and sled hill and plenty of trails," reports Robert B.
Full hookup availability: Several county parks offer complete utility connections. "Hands down my favorite spot to get away from the hectic week of work, parenting duties, and just all together adulting," Jessica B. shares about Green Lake County Park.
Campsite privacy variations: Site exposure differs significantly between campgrounds. "We had site 18 which was way in the back, nice and private," Amy K. notes about Lake Koronis Regional Park, while others report more open layouts at county parks.
