Searching for the best camping near North Mankato, MN? North Mankato is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near North Mankato and user-submitted reviews.
$24 - $34 / night
"The other direction is the BISON DRIVE. Yes, you can actually drive amongst bison if the road is open."
"We arrived there around sundown, and set up camp in the spot we reserved. The view was absolutely beautiful over the hills, with the forest giving us cover from the bright sun rays in the a.m."
"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."
"Has a awesome family owned drive thru fast food shop at the entrance. The river is perfect for paddle boarding."
$27 - $43 / night
"The park here has a Frisbee golf course as well as soccer fields and a trail system that wraps the campground and park."
"Very nice little quiet campground on the outside edge of Mankato. Very nice people and easy to work with. Not really up do date with technology for booking and such but over all great place."
"Great golf course right next to it. Nice large sites and great price. 27.00 for pull through and full hook-up. We have always had friendly people staying next to us."
"Sites in the back loop away from the lake are big, but not much for shade yet. Sites by the lake looked nice. Beach is nice and clean."
"There was a vault toilet near by and full bathrooms a short walk away. The showers by the lake could use some updating but the bathrooms by the bigger loop are very nice and clean."
"The lake is down the road with public access for your boat."
"Located in a county park grounds, Shady Oaks is a quiet, no frills RV park. Sites have electric and water. The spaces are nicely spread out, not to crammed in together. A river runs by one side."
"Great park if you’re not looking to drive too far to enjoy a bit of nature. Wonderful hiking paths and biking paths.
Our site was nice a secluded and right next to the trail heads."
"Sites are wooded and shady but some are close to neighboring sites. Not too many mosquitos or flies for August in Minnesota! Sakatah Singing Hills paved trail runs through the park. "
"Boat access is 1 mi on the Minnesota River."
"The owners were very accommodating with our changing situation during the weekend we stayed."
GuideGreat little park bathrooms are very clean! They are just long drop toilets though. Tried to book online as there is no in person drop box. Can only pay online. I found the site to not be very mobile friendly. Kept kicking us out of selected field. Had to call to pay for the site. They were very friendly over the phone, though there was a pretty long wait time.
Have to pay for a separate vehicle pass but that gets you access to the bison refuge and the water fall.
Was a great .6 mile hike from the campground down to the river with a great sunset view over the water.
RangerLoved this place. Very private. Gorgeous setting. You can hear the paintball games taking place, but it isn’t a bother. Fire ring with firewood supplied and picnic table are the site amenities. There is a bathroom, but it is a 10 minute walk, so plan to be self-sufficient in that regard. Friendly host.
RangerBooked two sites to camp with friends, they had an RV and given the storms we had, that would have been better than our tent. Played Boy Scout for the weekend and rigged a solid site for my family of 4. Even got to go canoeing on the river!
TravelerSo keep in mind this is not a year-round spot even on the offseasons you're not allowed to stay there. They don't open up until May
ScoutOne of the few camps open in Mn past Oct 1st. Owners and host were very friendly and accomodating. They visited each camper to say hey and small talk. Will definately revisit
TravelerNice little Campground right in the middle of the town plenty of spots for campers and Tents no pull through sights power yes water and sewer no but they do have a dump station.
RangerWe have stayed here for business.
Dakotah Meadows is one of the nicer parks in the Twin Cities area. Grounds are mostly well groomed and the roads are maintained. There is some pride reflected in the ownership.
We last stayed in side 25, a back in up on the hill. We have also stayed in the pull through sites, but not really a fan of those. Still, I would choose this park over others in the area for the access to 494 and 35W.
Dakotah's website has an incomplete campsite map showing only the lower sites between the pond and road. What the map doesn't show is the three rows of pull-through and additional 10 back-in sites at the top of the hill.
RangerAs with most State Parks, the campground sites are really close together and you have very little privacy. The hikes were beautiful and the variety of old growth trees was spectacular.
RangerMy journey to visit all 64 MN State Parks lead me through Minneopa State Park. Stayed in February and was surprised that we had so many neighbors. Campsites are not very private. I could hear all my neighbors voices. The cool thing about the park is the walk and/or drive through the Bison sanctuary. The ranger was on a power trip, so That turned me off. Still, made the most of it and nights under the stars are always a good time.
Camping near North Mankato, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.
Camping near North Mankato, Minnesota, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or an adventure-filled getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near North Mankato, MN is Red Fox Campground — Minneopa State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 31 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near North Mankato, MN that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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