Randolph, Minnesota offers several tent camping options within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 920 feet elevation in the Cannon River watershed, characterized by rolling farmland and scattered woodlands. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with summer averages around 83°F, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground features several well-maintained trails leading to scenic spots. "We went there last July just go hiking for the dat. The trails were great and at the end of the trails there were beautiful falls. The falls weren't huge but there were pretty. A lot of things to photograph," notes Halie B.
Beach access: Afton State Park Campground offers swimming opportunities during summer months. "Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk," explains reviewer Alison.
Winter activities: Some parks remain open year-round for winter recreation. A visitor at William O'Brien State Park reports, "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. As you can imagine, this meant snow was everywhere in the heart of winter in Minnesota. We decided to take a night trek through the park."
What campers like
Site spacing and privacy: At William O'Brien State Park Campground, campers appreciate the Savanna campground section. "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites. I wouldn't want to stay here when the loop is fully reserved," notes Dani K., highlighting the importance of timing your visit.
Riverside camping: Cannon River Wilderness Area offers free primitive camping with river access. "For free the area is awesome right by the river. We found a site tucked away from people which is what we like. We set up hammocks right next to the river," shares Nick G.
Clean facilities: Many campers mention facility maintenance as a factor in their experience. At William O'Brien, a camper observed, "The pit toilets were cleaned and stocked with TP and sanitizer. The shower house needs some paint, but had been cleaned."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Check for construction and seasonal closures before visiting. "The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids," reports a visitor to William O'Brien.
Water availability: Water access points may be limited or non-functional during certain periods. "This may be an ongoing issue but none of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center before trekking around the park's beautiful hiking trails!" warns Warren H.
Site conditions: For the best tent camping near Randolph, Minnesota, consider how weather affects camping surfaces. At Nerstrand Big Woods, one camper noted, "Sites were great but a little wet. Some of the south trails are closed because its too wet."
Tips for camping with families
Camper cabins: For families not ready for tent camping, Roberds Lake Resort and Campground offers alternatives. "The sunsets were spectacular at the private beach, boat rental availability for a whole day, flexible and friendly," shares Jaime N., highlighting amenities that appeal to families.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy animal sightings. A visitor to Afton State Park recalls, "We went to Afton for a day trip filled with hiking, picnicking and scoping out future camping sites. Then I saw the snake. I literally grabbed my husband to hold him back from stepping on it."
Noise levels: Consider campground density when camping with children. At William O'Brien, a reviewer observed, "We had a battle with mosquitoes. We went through a lot of bug spray and coils. Deer flies were thick around the water filling station."
Tips from RVers
Backing challenges: Some campsites present difficulties for trailers and RVs. At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, a camper reported, "There's some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back."
Dump stations: Nerstrand Big Woods provides sanitary dump facilities. "Sites are good and some can handle bigger RV's. Some Electric sites. Nice dump station," notes Tim B., offering practical information for RV campers seeking tent camping options near Randolph.
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible. There's WiFi at the office, which is just a short hike from the campground," explains a visitor to Nerstrand Big Woods, providing essential information for those needing to stay connected.
