The southeastern Minnesota region surrounding Plainview sits at elevations ranging from 650 to 1,300 feet above sea level with limestone bluffs carved by ancient glacial rivers. River valleys wind through hardwood forests, creating protected camping areas with minimal wind exposure. Winter glamping in Plainview, Minnesota continues year-round in some locations, with heated structures maintaining comfortable interior temperatures even when exterior temperatures drop below freezing.
What to do
River activities: Root River offers excellent tubing experiences near The Old Barn Resort. "Tubing the river is the highlight here. You drop in one side of the campsite and an hour later pull out on the other side. So much fun," notes one visitor. The resort provides equipment rentals and transportation to starting points.
Hiking trails: Chimney Rock trail at Whitewater State Park provides challenging elevation gains and scenic overlooks. "I hiked up Chimney Rock and then looped back to tackle part of the Dakota trail! The hiking paths were well taken care of. There were plenty of places to stop and rest if you need to," explains a day visitor. Most trails remain accessible year-round with proper footwear.
Cave tours: Mystery Cave near Forestville Mystery Cave State Park offers underground exploration. "We took the scenic tour, and our guide Kip was fantastic! He let everyone ask all the questions they wanted to, and didn't rush us at all! The rate is $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for kids 5-12, and kids under 5 go for free," shares a camper. Tours run hourly during summer months.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Kruger Campground offers well-spaced sites with natural buffers. "Sites are very private. Has beautiful trails. Next to the river great for exploring and fishing," notes one reviewer. The campground maintains its natural setting with minimal development.
Clean facilities: Sanitary conditions receive consistent positive mentions. "The campground is very clean and nice. The bathrooms and showers were pristine clean and close and easy to walk to. The beach was great and clean," reports a camper at Chester Woods Park. Many locations update bathroom facilities seasonally.
Winter access: Cold weather camping options exist at several locations. "We stayed in winter (February) and while there was snow on the ground, the spaces were kept plowed with easy access to the electric boxes. We were in a teardrop trailer. Plenty of space for the car and the teardrop in space #202," explains a winter visitor to Whitewater State Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many glamping locations have minimal connectivity. "There is NO CELL SERVICE in the campground - no Verizon, ATT or T-Mobile. Wifi down at the ranger office," reports a camper at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park. Some sites offer WiFi hotspots at central locations.
Reservation requirements: Peak season bookings fill quickly. "It's best to make the reservation online, especially with office staff being spotty these days. Price is $35 for the space/night with electric, and this time of year, there are no other options besides electric spaces," shares a winter visitor.
Noise considerations: Train tracks run near some locations. "Trains come by every 15-30 minutes just feet away from camp site," notes a visitor to Stockholm Park Campground. Sites further from transportation corridors provide quieter experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Some locations offer swimming areas. "We had so much fun playing on the river and exploring the park! Everything is right there and the river is so pretty! Despite the rain we had a great time," shares a visitor to Whitewater State Park. Not all water areas have designated swimming zones.
Nature programs: Educational activities occur regularly. "We hiked, took trout fishing lessons, sat at the beach and had relaxing evenings by the fire," mentions a holiday weekend visitor. Most programs run May through September.
Playground availability: Recreation areas for children exist at several campgrounds. "For the families - there's a couple small playgrounds on site, which is a good opportunity for the littles to burn some energy," notes a visitor to The Old Barn Resort. Most playgrounds accommodate children ages 4-12.
Tips from RVers
Electric-only hookups: Many campgrounds offer limited services. "Nice park for everyone's type from tents, cabins and all size RV's. Electric only at the camp sites but have water and dump station on site," notes a visitor to Rice Lake State Park. Water fill stations typically operate from mid-April through mid-October.
Site selection: Choosing appropriate spots matters for larger vehicles. "Sites were nice along the edge of the campground... Super easy to social distance here," reports a visitor about winter camping. Advanced reservations allow for selecting sites that accommodate specific RV dimensions.
Winter RV considerations: Cold weather camping requires preparation. "We were in a teardrop trailer. Plenty of space for the car and the teardrop in space #202, but all spaces that were plowed had plenty of room to pull in. Some were even 'pull through' which would be extra nice if you wanted it (either big rig type RV or pull behind)," explains a winter visitor to Whitewater State Park.
