Oakdale RV camping sites sit within Minnesota's glacial St. Croix River Valley, where elevations range from 700 to 1,100 feet above sea level. The region features over 20 lakes within a 30-minute drive and experiences seasonal temperature swings from below-freezing winters to humid 80°F summer days. Most RV campgrounds near Oakdale remain open from April through October, with a few offering year-round options.
What to do
River recreation: Float down the Rum River at Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River, where tubing and canoeing are popular summer activities. "The river is very clean and sandy bottom," notes camper David G. The park provides rentals and shuttle service for river adventures.
Nature trails: Access paved bike paths directly from Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve which features a 6+ mile biking trail network connecting to additional routes. "There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities," according to ERolf P.
Waterfall hiking: Explore cascading falls at Willow River State Park Campground where multiple trail heads start directly at the campground. "Willow River falls is definitely a beautiful site to see. Definitely a place to camp if you like to be active and explore the trails. Winter, summer or fall!" shares Jessica B.
What campers like
Large, well-spaced sites: Country Camping RV Park earns praise for site dimensions. "Large sites. Great tubing and canoeing," writes Rory T. Another camper notes the "HUGE sites" with room for equipment up to 70 feet in length.
Heated pools and splash pads: Several Oakdale area campgrounds feature water play areas beyond natural swimming. "The campground is nice and clean. Good size spaces. The tubing is a plus... Pool was small but nice. Splash pad was even nice for adults," says David G. about his experience.
Gaming options: Casino-adjacent RV parks provide entertainment beyond standard camping activities. "There is a shuttle to the casino and at 7pm folks seemed to clear out to head over. It was honestly one of the quietest campgrounds we've been to on a Friday night," notes Ashley K. about Tresure Island RV Park.
What you should know
Cell service and internet varies: While most Oakdale area campgrounds have usable connections, signal strength differs by location. "On Verizon I have full bars so we haven't tried the park WiFi but we've been able to use our chrome cast and two iPads off my cell phone with zero issues," reports one camper, while another mentions "wifi only works near office" at Baker Park.
Limited pet-friendly areas at some sites: Casino-adjacent RV parks like Dakotah Meadows RV Park have specific zones for pets. "We have dogs so the fact that it's all asphalt and rock is a bit of a bummer but we are close to the exercise area," notes one RVer who appreciated the designated spaces for animals.
Noise levels fluctuate: Proximity to highways and casinos affects sound. "It was quite and easy to get in and out of," notes Jeff C. about one casino RV park, while others mention occasional highway noise in the evenings at parks closer to main roads.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Family-oriented RV campgrounds near Oakdale often feature play structures. "A ton for the kids to do!" writes Beasty B. about Country Camping on the Rum River with its "great playground and heated pool."
Consider proximity to attractions: Some campgrounds provide convenient access to regional family destinations. Baker Park Campground offers "great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," according to Bryan S.
Kid-friendly water activities: Wildwood RV Park & Campground receives high marks for water recreation options for children. "We went canoeing and kayaking and they provided a shuttle right from their main office," notes Amy F., who adds, "The pool and playground were clean and nice."
Tips from RVers
Site specifications matter: Several Oakdale area RV parks provide concrete pads with full hookups, but dimensions vary. Dakotah Meadows features "large back in site with plenty of room for our two very large dogs," according to Michelle A., though she recommends selecting sites "further from one of the main roads into Mystic Lake Casino."
Satellite considerations: For RVers relying on satellite TV, tree cover affects reception at natural campgrounds while parking-lot style casino RV parks offer clearer signals. "Because it's in a river valley the air tv single is terrible so we are glad to have the chrome cast with us," notes one RVer.
Service stations available: Some RV parks include maintenance amenities. "There is fuel on site as well as RV wash station," writes Beth B., noting these features at Dakotah Meadows RV Park, which also offers 24-hour fuel access via credit card.
