Camping near New London, Minnesota offers seasonal recreation opportunities in the glacial moraine terrain of Kandiyohi County. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 1,100-1,300 feet above sea level with numerous kettle lakes formed by retreating glaciers. Winter temperatures can drop below -20°F, while summer camping season typically runs May through September when average highs reach 80-85°F.
What to do
Hiking Mount Tom: Sibley State Park's signature trail leads to an observation tower with county-wide views. "We thoroughly enjoyed the hiking trails here. Plenty of space to socially distance," notes a visitor to the Equestrian Campground at Sibley State Park, adding that "the biggest hit for me was the newly remodeled beach area on Lake Andrew."
Swimming beaches: Multiple county parks offer designated swimming areas with varying amenities. At Lake Koronis Regional Park, campers appreciate the "Nice playground with swings, close to a larger park near the lake," though some note that "many of the sites are facing the wrong way…including ours."
Fishing opportunities: The lakes surrounding New London support diverse fish populations. Games Lake County Park sits on what one reviewer calls "part of the 'Norway chain of lakes,' which total 2,800 acres, and provides an excellent fish population."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathhouse conditions frequently receive positive mentions. At Green Lake County Park, campers appreciate that "the bathroom/showers are clean and they have cleaners go in and clean 3 times a day. YES COODOS FOR THAT!!!"
Family-friendly atmosphere: Most parks maintain quiet, respectful environments. A visitor to Games Lake County Park described it as "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."
Local attractions: The small towns around New London offer additional services. Oak Ridge Campground visitors mention that "Short drive in to cute town of New London" and recommend "the hike to mount Tom to check out that view!"
What you should know
Campsite orientation issues: Several campgrounds have site layout challenges. At Lake Koronis Regional Park, one camper reported being "Pretty disappointed to arrive and be in a backwards site," explaining that "the firepit is on the backend of the camper instead of the front."
Limited amenities at smaller parks: State parks vary in service levels. At Monson Lake State Park, campers discovered "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)."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate May through September. Games Lake County Park is described as having "tent, RV, and cabin options" that are available during their seasonal operation from "May to September 30."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities for children. One camper at Westrich RV Park mentioned "There is a playground, pool, volleyball area, basketball court, and shower/bath house" making it suitable for family activities.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several parks offer chances to see local animals. At Oak Ridge Campground, campers report wildlife sightings: "We were woken up at 230am by howling coyotes and heard some large critter movement shortly after that."
Pet friendly options: Many campgrounds welcome dogs with reasonable restrictions. At Kandiyohi County Park 2, visitors appreciate that it's "nicely located near the lake with a nice little beach to spend time at. Dog friendly was a huge plus!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your site carefully based on your needs. At Games Lake County Park, groups appreciate that they "had a site big enough for all of our rigs. We brought our own firepits due to the size of the site we had."
Hookup availability: Check which utilities are available before booking. Kandiyohi County Park 2 offers some sites with "electric hookups" and "water hookups" but doesn't provide sewer connections at individual sites, though there is a "sanitary dump" facility.
Parking considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access. At Monson Lake State Park, an RVer warned that "There were no signs pointing to where the campground was. Kind of frustrating when towing a large camper (don't want to make a wrong turn). I had to drive around a bit until I found it."
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