Camping options near Redwood Falls, Minnesota sit at roughly 1,000 feet above sea level in southwestern Minnesota's prairie region. This area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer highs averaging in the 80s F and winter temperatures regularly dipping below freezing. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited water access during shoulder seasons when overnight temperatures approach freezing.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at animal exhibits: Alexander Ramsey Park features a small zoo with various animals including buffalo, goats, elk and prairie dogs. "Great family place with all of the animals they have to feed including buffalo, goats, elk, geese, and prairie dogs!" notes a camper at Alexander Ramsey Park.
Creek exploration: Many sites offer creek access for wading, fishing and water play. At Fort Ridgely State Park, "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," according to a visitor at Fort Ridgely State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds connect to walking paths of varying difficulty. "Lots of nice trails to walk. Small zoo that is well kept. Had a nice shady site," reports one camper about Alexander Ramsey Park. At Fort Ridgely, the "Prairie Trails are stunning with all the wild flowers in full bloom" during summer months.
Historical exploration: The region contains significant historical sites. Fort Ridgely preserves the history of the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862. "The historical fort site has lots of great information and signage around the excavations. There is a fee to enter the museum," reports a camper.
What campers like
River access: Mack Lake County Park offers river frontage that campers appreciate. "Small hidden gem right on the river. Sights are gravel and mostly level," according to a review of Mack Lake County Park. "Plenty of wood to forage (allowed) also some nice wood at registration station for a donation."
Quiet camping spots: Many campgrounds provide secluded options away from busier areas. "Off the beaten path..so lots of peace & quiet to enjoy..beautiful rustic camping spots throughout the park," notes a visitor to Beaver Falls County Park.
Well-maintained facilities: Most campgrounds receive regular maintenance. Fort Ridgely visitors note the campground is "VERY WELL MAINTAINED" with a "BRAND NEW Bathroom/shower building with large ADA showers." Birch Coulee County Park gets similar praise as a "well kept park."
Reasonably priced sites: Many campgrounds offer affordable rates. One Alexander Ramsey visitor mentioned, "Price was reasonable. Well cared for site. Roomy. Clean picnic table. Fire ring, no grill grate."
What you should know
Variable amenities between parks: Each campground offers different facilities. For example, at Fort Ridgely, "Unlike other state park campgrounds I have been to, this one does not have a bathroom/shower house. No flush toilets here. But the vault toilets were cleaned daily."
Seasonal flooding impacts: Spring flooding can affect campsite conditions. At Fort Ridgely, "It's obvious that the park had some heavy flooding earlier in the year. A lot of the waterfront sites became sandy."
Horse camping available: Several parks cater to equestrian campers. At Skalbekken County Park, visitors note there are "lots of horse trails. Very clean and well kept. Water. No elec. Hookups but nice and and quiet."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. Fort Ridgely has "no cell phone reception at the campground but there is service around the historical site."
Tips for camping with families
Creek play areas: Creek access provides natural entertainment for children. At Beaver Falls County Park, there's "fun fishing for kids" with sites where you can "camp right next to the creek."
Animal interactions: Children enjoy the animal exhibits at Alexander Ramsey Park, though parental supervision is important. One visitor cautioned about visiting during busy times: "It would've been ok had parents not stood idly by whilst their children threw apples, over hand, at the poor animals & laughed."
Educational opportunities: Birch Coulee County Park sits on a historical site. A visitor described it as a "beautiful and near jackpot casino" and "a very special place" with historical significance that can provide learning opportunities.
Insect preparation: Bring bug spray, especially during summer months. One Alexander Ramsey visitor warned that "the flies (non biting houseflies) were abundant!! We had to buy fly strips!!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate big RVs. "The sites are close together and not very many mature trees between sites," notes one Fort Ridgely camper. At Beaver Falls County Park, there's "not much room for bigger rigs to get around but doable if dry."
Electric hookups vary: Check specific campgrounds for electrical service. At Memorial Park in Olivia, sites include electric hookups with "clean, level camping with a view of the giant corn statue."
Casino camping options: RVers have the option to stay at Jackpot Junction Casino Campground, though some find the value questionable. One visitor noted: "I decided to boondock in the general parking lot, couldn't see paying $40+ for one night of hookups. No showers, bathrooms etc. so not for me."
Dump stations not universal: Not all campgrounds provide dump stations. Fort Ridgely State Park does offer a sanitary dump station, while many county parks do not.
