RV camping near Plainview, Minnesota offers access to recreational areas spread across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. This rural region sits 1,150 feet above sea level on the edge of the Driftless Area, characterized by rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and river valleys. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October, with winter temperatures rarely suitable for camping outside February-October.
What to do
Trout fishing access: Whitewater State Park, located 22 miles from Plainview, offers trout fishing lessons and multiple riverside spots for anglers. "We hiked, took trout fishing lesson, sat at the beach and had relaxing evenings by the fire," notes one visitor at Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park.
Biking on paved trails: Peterson City RV Park sits directly on the Root River Trail, a paved path offering shaded riding. "The campground is on the Root River bike trail which is beautiful, shaded, and paved," reports a camper who visited Peterson City RV Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds in the area provide chances to observe local wildlife. "We saw deer by the primitive camp areas and had nightly campfires in our fire ring," mentions a camper at Hidden Meadows RV Park.
Historical exploration: Small towns throughout the region preserve their history with local displays. "It was great fun for me to take a morning and/or evening walk around Peterson, a lovely quintessential midwest town, with a feed mill, some lodging, a small cafe, Legion bar, etc. Some closures due to covid, like the historical society. Lots of signage around town about history," shares a visitor at Peterson City RV Park.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Modern bathrooms receive praise at several campgrounds. "The best part was the bathroom/shower house! There were 3-4 private shower/toilet/sink rooms with full locking doors. Everything is brand new and pristinely clean: white subway tile, white walls, white fixtures," reports a camper at Nelson's Landing RV Park.
Medical appointment convenience: Multiple campgrounds cater to Mayo Clinic patients. "This is very convenient if you have Mayo Clinic appointments. The campground was nice with grassy sites along with electric and water hook ups, there was a dump station also," notes a visitor at Hidden Meadows RV Park.
Spacious site layouts: Some parks offer more room between sites than others. "The sites are very long and could accommodate even large-size Class A rigs. The 'driveways' are a mix of grass and gravel and were not very well defined," explains a reviewer at Nelson's Landing.
Minimal mosquitoes: Whitewater State Park receives praise for its low insect activity. "Great campground! Awesome hiking, nice swimming beach. Big nature store with lots of great stuff. Lots of spots for great fishing. Best part: very few mosquitoes!"
What you should know
Train noise affects some parks: Railroad tracks run near several campgrounds in the region. "We heard two around 10 pm and either there were no more until the next morning, or we mercifully slept through them!" mentions a camper at Nelson's Landing about trains along the Mississippi.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location and provider. "If you have Verizon don't count on service. Antenna strength is weak," warns a reviewer at Hidden Meadows.
Limited weekend facilities: Some campground amenities close on weekends. "Stayed here during COVID and was very pleased to find everything so clean; I even felt comfortable enough to use the shower. Easy online check-in," reports a visitor at Autumn Woods RV Park.
Site leveling requirements: Ground conditions vary between campgrounds. "Sites are gravel and pretty level. Only a little leveling was needed," notes a camper at Nelson's Landing.
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Not all parks offer play equipment for children. "If you're bringing the kids there is literally nothing to do there. They do have a play-set but that's where it ends," cautions a camper about Hidden Meadows.
Swimming options: Whitewater State Park provides a beach area suitable for families. "We hiked, took trout fishing lesson, sat at the beach and had relaxing evenings by the fire," shares a visitor.
Open recreation space: Some parks provide large areas for outdoor games. "The park includes a nice playground, horse shoes, a shelter, and HUGE open spaces for your badminton, croquet, or other games," mentions a camper at Tresure Island RV Park.
Off-site entertainment: Consider nearby attractions when selecting a campground. "We are here for a show at the casino and thought it would be fun to bring the camper down and glamp for the weekend," explains a visitor at Treasure Island.
Tips from RVers
Site hookup placement: Check hookup configurations before arrival. "Also oddly spaced power hook up with sewer and water placements," warns a camper at Hidden Meadows.
Pull-through availability: Several parks offer easy-access sites for larger vehicles. "Easy pull-through and back-in sites. We easily backed in to our site," shares an RVer at Nelson's Landing.
Parking pad conditions: Surface quality varies between parks. "The parking pads are very unlevel," notes a reviewer at Hidden Meadows.
Shuttle services: Some casino-adjacent RV parks offer transportation. "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," reports a camper at Treasure Island.
