K
Kelly 
Guide
GuideSioux Falls KOA
Very noisy
Lots of noise since it’s off the highway. Has running water and bathrooms at least.
Glamping near Pipestone, MN
12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Blue Mounds State Park Campground houses several distinctive glamping options within its natural prairie landscape, including yurts that provide a unique camping experience with modern comforts. Located near Luverne, Minnesota, approximately 35 miles from Pipestone, this year-round destination features comfortable glamping accommodations that blend outdoor immersion with essential amenities. Camden State Park Campground also offers glamping opportunities with yurt rentals that include proper beds, electricity, and climate control options to ensure comfort regardless of season. Both parks maintain clean facilities with modern bathrooms and hot showers, creating a luxurious outdoor experience without sacrificing convenience. One visitor noted, "Beautiful campground! The showers were the cleanest I have ever seen. Hot water and flushing toilets were nice."
The natural surroundings enhance the glamping experience with diverse activities available directly from canvas accommodations. Guests can observe the protected bison herd at Blue Mounds, explore quartzite cliff formations, or hike the 5-mile loop trail system through pristine prairie landscapes. The paved bike paths provide easy exploration opportunities for families, while the dark night skies offer exceptional stargazing experiences. A recent visitor highlighted, "We went on a couple trails and just enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and we lucked out because the buffalo were close to the ranger station." Both parks offer reliable cell service and even WiFi in some areas, allowing guests to stay connected while enjoying their safari tent or yurt accommodations. Proximity to Pipestone National Monument provides additional cultural exploration opportunities, with Luverne offering convenient shopping and dining options just minutes away.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Pipestone (12)
1. Blue Mounds State Park Campground
"The bathroom facility at the drive-in campground is much nicer than the one for the tipis and cart-in sites."
"Amazing remnant of Minnesota prairie set among the farm country."
from $24 - $50 / night
Check Availability2. Palisades State Park Campground
"Some have electric hook up, others are just for tent camping. All of them provide a picnic table and a fire pit. They also have little log cabins. We stayed at campsite 6 which was a very good spot."
"The campsite was easy to find and close to the town of Garretson. There was a small grocery store there."
3. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
"Just another overnight stop on my drive to Iowa. I spent the night in a non-electric tent site so I can't really comment on the other parts of the campground."
"They sell campfire wood for 6$ a bundle on site so we had some great campfires going. They have nice long paved trails for walking and biking."
4. Sioux Falls KOA
"There’s a fair size staff working; you could see 3-5 people at any given time. Good selection in store open 8am to 9pm in July. Nice size pool and laundry room."
"Easily accessible from the highway. Felt clean and secure. Staff was friendly. We arrived on a Saturday, and there was a food truck at one of the sites!"
5. River of the Double Bend Campground
6. Norwegian Creek Co Park
"Electric and water hookups. Spots are very close together. Luckily several people cancelled for the weekend and we were allowed to pick any spot. Shower houses are nice."
"So beautiful to wake up to the sunrise on the lake. Perfect stop in our way .. great location for kids - there are 2 parks and little “beaches” with sand to play next to the lake"
7. Magnolia City Campground
"I did notice that the power boxes are set up is only few spots with multiple power boxes on the post. So you could need a power cord extention. If all spots by the power boxes are taken up."
"The electrical and water are a little spaced out. We took the end spot and count quite reach our two water hoses. There two long-term campers who were hooked up to the water spigot closest to us."
8. Oak Woods Campground — Lake Shetek State Park
"We spent three nights at the Oak Woods campground at Lake Shetek State Park in May 2022."
"Tons of walking trails and pet friendly!! You’ll see lots of birds and deer... Second time here and love it!!"
from $24 - $85 / night
Check Availability9. Camden State Park Campground
"Camp site was easy to access and close to the restrooms/showers. The camp sites along the river have little trails that go down to the water, beautiful river bottom scenery a few yards away."
"Nice, secluded and wooded sites."
from $24 - $75 / night
Check Availability10. Tower Campground
"Only premium spots have campfire rings. Bathrooms and laundry are nicely maintained. It’s hit or miss if the main office is open but the staff is amazing and friendly."
"Clean showers and laundry room. We stayed on the west side. It’s literally in town but very easy on and off interstate. The airport is close by which made it neat to watch."
Drive Time
- 43 min from Sioux Falls, SD
- 1 hr 51 min from Sioux City, IA
- 2 hrs 9 min from Mankato, MN
- 2 hrs 48 min from St. Cloud, MN
Recent Glamping Photos near Pipestone, MN
9 Photos of 12 Pipestone Campgrounds
Glamping Reviews near Pipestone, MN
209 Reviews of 12 Pipestone Campgrounds
- Carolyn M.Guide
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Ok place to spend the night, but could have been better
I spent the night here and had to pay the entrance fee to the park as well as the camping fee for my tentsite. They had only a few tentsites available amid all the RV sites, but they were right on the edge of the playground, so the families had to walk right through my campsite to get to the play area. Not too big a deal as no one wanted to use the play area at night while I was sleeping, but still. I also looked over at the power lines. There was a flush toilet facility close by but there was a very bright light on all night. Good for families needing to navigate in the dark but not wonderful if you like sleeping in darkness. And though I was told that quiet hours began at 10PM, the site next to me was quite loud through the trees until at least midnight so the quiet hours are not enforced. Meh. I don't think I'll be going back.
Katrin M.
LegendPalisades State Park Campground
A very nice getaway!
We camped here over the weekend with our dogs. The campground is within 10 miles off of I90.
The park is not very big so there are not many campsites. Some have electric hook up, others are just for tent camping. All of them provide a picnic table and a fire pit. They also have little log cabins. We stayed at campsite 6 which was a very good spot. Some of the other sites seemed very close together without much privacy or shade.
The park staff (rangers, camp host and volunteers) was extremely friendly. They always made sure that we had everything we needed. The rangers also offer different programs on the weekend like learning about geocaching or how to make campfire desserts.
There is one bathhouse for the entire campground. It seemed a little old but got cleaned daily. There are also several vault toilets around the area. From the campground you have access to the water. There are also several short hiking trails from where you can see the rock formations.
It was just a very short ride to the Devils Gulch (Jesse James historical site) or Split Rock Park. There is also a Dollar General close by. We would definitely recommend the campground.
- LLisa
TravelerNorwegian Creek Co Park
Nice spots by the lake
Electric and water hookups. Spots are very close together. Luckily several people cancelled for the weekend and we were allowed to pick any spot. Shower houses are nice. I'd stay again, although a lady in town said the hole in the mound county park nearby is much quieter. The ice cream man made a loop through the grounds.
- Krista T.Legend
Blue Mounds State Park Campground
Unexpectedly amazing
Last August we headed to Blue Mounds to investigate out the SW corner of our state for the first time. We swung through New Ulm on the way there to check out the Schell's brewing company and we also stopped at Laura Ingalls Wilder's Plum Creek to break up the drive from the twin cities. The drive itself got pretty boring on the last half- lots of flat fields and cows. As you get closer to Luverne things start to become more interesting and the town of Luverne itself was an unexpected delight.
Yes, the water currently has e.coli in it. There is a huge alert on the park's page explaining how you can go about accessing water and showers nearby. The $17 rate is the discounted price to reflect the e. coli discount. The main campground is pretty open, some sites have shade, it is a prairie after all. The cart-in campsite offers much more privacy with the grove of trees there. The bathroom facility at the drive-in campground is much nicer than the one for the tipis and cart-in sites.
We spent one night in the tipi (cool experience for $30-$35 a night) and two nights at a cart-in site w-09. Some of the paths to the cart-in sites are not flat and rather long, but ours wasn't bad at all. I would definitely consider staying at that campsite again. I don't think I would necessarily stay in a tipi again unless I could book it on short notice if I knew that the weather was going to be dry and cool. The day before we got there it had rained quit a bit and when we arrived it was HOT. This meant that we got to enjoy our tipi experience with the aroma of hot wet tipi. The tipi floor is a platform made out of manufactured deck boards that keep you off the ground. The tipi itself isn't nearly as critter-proof as a tent. We wound up packing up our belongings and putting them in our car between leaving the tipi and moving into our campsite since we wanted to go check out the local area before we could check into our next site and somehow a garter snake got transported out of the tipi in our belongings and into our car- awesome haha.
The park was flooded a few years back which washed out a quite a bit- the lake that used to be there is now gone and just overgrown with plants. Most of the park is dedicated to the bison, so hiking opportunities are kind of limited. There are a ton of bison, but you either get to see them or you don't unless you go on one of their bison tours. They were present by the fence twice while we were there. There is pretty much a large trail loop with another large loop that swings off of that. Bring a wide-brimmed hat and tons of sun screen, not much tree cover on the trails. The one visitor center located in the southern portion of the park appeared to be permanently closed.
Luverne was cool. There are tons of historic houses and next time I'm out there I'll spend some time driving through neighborhoods to check them out. There is a basic grocery store off of Main Street for anything that you may need to pick up. I kind of wish that we had gone out to eat in town more because of how great the food was. Sterling's was delicious and much more upscale than anything I expected to find out there, the local Buffalo Sweat beer was great enough that I tried to find it at the local liquor store before I left. Showers are available at the Luverne aquatic center for free.
Overall I really enjoyed my experience and I look forward to my next trip out there, whenever that may be. If you are coming from the Twin Cities make sure to hit up Schells and Laura Ingalls Wilder's Plum Creek homestead like I mentioned above. Nearby side trips are Pipestone, Touch the Sky prairie, and Jeffers Petroglyphs
- rrobert
ScoutTower Campground
Friendly but noisy
Very friendly and accommodating staff. This park is open year round and well set up for cold weather, the water spigot is heated so if you invest in a heated water line and have an insulated camper you should be good for the cold. Many units were tucked in for winter with skirting and large external propane tanks. The negatives are noise and lights. Highway noise was very very loud. Easy to see outside but not a lot of camp feel. Bright light through skylites while sleeping. Didn’t use bathrooms or showers so no comment on facilities.
- LLisa D.Traveler
Blue Mounds State Park Campground
No water and biting flies
This campground is still charging $17 for a camp site, $7 transaction fee and $7/day entrance fee despite the fact they have no running water. The toilets still flush. In the morning our car filled up with flies that bit us for hours before we were able to eliminate all of them. It is a 5 mile drive back to Luverne if you need supplies, and I was unable to locate a grocery store.
Two good things; they have a Free Little Library and at night the lawn was covered with fireflies
The campground was so miserable that the campground host had abandoned their trailer and was never present. We did have several locals drive through the campground to spy on us, presumably to see who was stupid enough to camp there. You are entirely responsible for knowing what site you reserved because there was no attempt to label reserves sites.
There is no privacy between sites. This is just a big lawn with driveways, picnic tables and fire pits. The landscaping is nicely done with blackberries popping out of some hedges and providing eye-level interest at the base of trees.
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Tara S.LegendBlue Mounds State Park Campground
Quiet little oasis in the middle of the Minnesota prairie
This was a drive-by site for us and not a destination, so our review is based on only one night. We found the park to be very quiet and only had a few camping neighbors during our stay. It seems like it might be a destination for retired RVers, as everyone seemed to know each other well, which was fun.
Highlights include nice, easy trails through the prairie, lots of wildflowers, and a herd of bison. We only saw the bison from a distance, but apparently, there are tours. We experienced lots of bugs in early July - biting flies and mosquitoes, and there was a constant humming noise from a nearby farm that really detracted from our experience.
Otherwise, the campground was really peaceful and the bathhouse was clean. We arrived around 4:30 pm and the office was closed. We didn't see a single park employee or campground host during our visit.
We checked out the tipis, which looked really fun, but with all the flies, we opted for setting up our tents to keep them out. We'd totally stay here again, but we probably wouldn't go out of the way to visit.
Jay P.ScoutTower Campground
Nice Campground
The campsites are asphalt paved. You have a nice little green grass area with picnic table. Only premium spots have campfire rings. Bathrooms and laundry are nicely maintained. It’s hit or miss if the main office is open but the staff is amazing and friendly. You get a lot of road noise and the airport is close by so you get plane noise from time to time. The campground is close to many attractions and eateries. They mow once a week and the power, water and septic is very close to your campsite which is nice. We stayed at site 219 which had a nice large tree for shade. Over all it’s 4/5 stars for us. We stayed here for 2.5 weeks.
Guide to Pipestone
Glamping options near Pipestone, Minnesota provide access to the unique prairie and quartzite landscape of southwestern Minnesota. This region sits at approximately 1,700 feet above sea level and experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 80°F and winters dropping below freezing. Campgrounds in the area offer varying levels of protection from prairie winds that can sweep across the relatively flat terrain.
What to do
Observe bison herds: At Blue Mounds State Park Campground, visitors can view the protected bison herd from designated viewing areas. "Park features natural prairie and a buffalo herd. Bison tours are available. Plenty of hiking trails and some cliff climbing," shares Bruce P.
Rock climbing opportunities: Several parks in the area offer rock climbing on quartzite formations. "Would love to come back and do some rock climbing here now that I learned there are spots!" notes Tori K. about Blue Mounds State Park.
Prairie hiking trails: The open grasslands provide distinctive hiking experiences with seasonal wildflowers. "Love the hiking and lack of bugs compared to most Minnesota parks. Great prairie views and it's always great to see Bison," reports Sydney J.
Fishing in local waters: Regional parks offer fishing opportunities in lakes and streams. At Oak Woods Campground, campers can enjoy lakeside activities. "The park is lovely. We saw and heard many birds including songbirds, woodpeckers, geese, turkeys, pelicans, turkey vultures, and a nesting swan," explains Deanna J.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and shower buildings. "Bathrooms are nice and clean. There's a little free library near the restroom," mentions Tori K. about Blue Mounds State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The prairie ecosystem supports diverse wildlife. "We saw and heard many birds including songbirds, woodpeckers, geese, turkeys, pelicans, turkey vultures, and a nesting swan. We saw deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and a mink. We heard coyotes the first night," shares Deanna J. about Oak Woods.
Swimming areas: Several parks feature designated swimming areas for summer recreation. At Camden State Park Campground, visitors can cool off during warm months. "Pretty spacious separated by lots trees, good place for camping with kids as well. Has a swimming pond and beach. Clean restrooms," notes Anup S.
Diverse camping options: From RV sites to yurts and glamping accommodations, the area offers various lodging choices. "Very quiet even on holidays, sites are in the woods so all sites have shade. All types of camping is available, tent, RVs trailers, 5th wheels, Class A, etc," explains Bruce P.
What you should know
Seasonal water issues: Some parks have experienced water quality concerns. "Love the hiking and lack of bugs compared to most Minnesota parks. Great prairie views and it's always great to see Bison. Didn't love the lack of potable water," notes Sydney J. about Blue Mounds.
Weather preparedness: The open prairie landscapes offer limited natural shelter from storms and winds. "Honestly, a severe storm and leaky tent ruined the night. But the grounds and park are beautiful!" shares Kara B.
Highway noise: Campgrounds closer to major roads may experience traffic sounds. At Tower Campground near Sioux Falls, "My site backed up to the highway and was very loud. Actually, the whole campground is kind of highway loud. But, if you need a place to stay overnight, it's nice," explains Tracey S.
Site selection matters: The layout of campsites varies significantly by campground. "Sites in the lower campground are fairly close together and we didn't have cell service (Verizon), which wasn't a big deal," explains Makayla B. about Camden State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: At some campgrounds, you can request sites near play areas. At Big Sioux Recreation Area, one camper noted: "They had only a few tentsites available amid all the RV sites, but they were right on the edge of the playground, so the families had to walk right through my campsite to get to the play area."
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming ponds ideal for children. "We have stayed here many times. Nice quiet state campground. Our site was nice, level, spacious, and had plenty of grass coverage. Bike trails are awesome," shares Heidi M. about Big Sioux.
Wildlife spotting activities: Create wildlife checklists for kids to mark birds and animals they observe. "The park is lovely. We saw and heard many birds including songbirds, woodpeckers, geese, turkeys, pelicans, turkey vultures, and a nesting swan," mentions Deanna J.
Glamping for beginners: Families new to camping might appreciate glamping close to Pipestone, Minnesota. "We stayed in the TeePee and it was definitely an experience our family will cherish forever. Awesome staff as well," shares Alison R. about their stay at Sioux Falls KOA.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: At some campgrounds, power connections may require extension cords. At Magnolia City Campground, "The power boxes are set up is only few spots with multiple power boxes on the post. So you could need a power cord extension. If all spots by the power boxes are taken up," reports Jesse H.
Leveling considerations: Check site descriptions for level ground information. "Sites are clean and manicured and pretty level. Would definitely stay here again," notes Jennifer K. about Blue Mounds State Park.
Year-round availability: Some campgrounds remain open through winter months. "Very friendly people all around. Very quiet and beautiful campground. Well minus the semitrucks going down the road here and there," comments Jennifer K.
Dump station access: Note the location of dump stations, as some parks have unusual layouts. "Layout for getting water and dump station is a little odd as you have to drive through the campground to get to it rather than it being on your way out," explains Tori K.
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Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Pipestone, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Pipestone, MN is Blue Mounds State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 53 reviews.
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What is the best site to find glamping camping near Pipestone, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 glamping camping locations near Pipestone, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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