The Mississippi River valley near Red Wing, Minnesota features wooded bluffs rising 300-500 feet above the water, creating distinctive camping environments. Seasonal variations affect camping conditions dramatically, with summer temperatures averaging 80°F while winter camping options remain limited. Campgrounds in this region range from rustic riverside spots to full-service RV parks near attractions.
What to do
Hiking near riverfront bluffs: Frontenac State Park Campground offers exceptional hiking trails along Mississippi River bluffs. "Beautiful river hikes. The highlight of our scout trip was hiking along the river bluffs," notes Heidi K. The park features both Upper and Lower Bluff trails with varying difficulty levels.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Lake Byllesby Regional Park provides excellent wildlife viewing along its shoreline. "We had fun going on a short hike and finding wild blackberries to eat," shares Angela L. The park's location on the water makes it ideal for spotting water birds and other local wildlife.
Winter activities: Winter camping options include Frontenac State Park and Town & Country Campground. "This RV park is clean, friendly, and convenient to the cities," explains David E. about Town & Country, which remains open year-round with appropriate hookups for cold-weather camping.
What campers like
Spacious RV sites: Nelson's Landing RV Park across the Wisconsin border offers generous site dimensions. "Sites tend to be very long and could accommodate even large-size Class A rigs," notes Lee D. The park features "easy pull-through and back-in sites" with "brand new fire rings/pits," according to Jill K.
Clean bathroom facilities: Many campers praise the bathroom facilities in the area. "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," remarks Jill K. about Nelson's Landing.
Local attractions: Dakotah Meadows RV Park provides convenient access to attractions. "Shuttle takes you to casino, but sometime we don't even go there and just enjoy the area," says Lisa D. The location also serves as a good base for exploring Minneapolis attractions, with sites featuring "level cement parking pads with full hookups."
What you should know
Seasonal algae issues: Several lakes in the region develop algae during summer months. "The lake had a blue green algae problem," reports Kerstin W. about Lake Byllesby. Another camper notes, "The only thing disappointing is the lake becomes green with algae as the summer goes on."
Train noise considerations: Hidden Meadows RV Park and other riverside campgrounds experience train noise. "As with many RV parks they have railroad tracks nearby with trains come through several times a day/night," explains Sam C. This is common throughout the Mississippi River valley.
Reservation requirements: Demand for campsites exceeds supply during peak season. "The campground gets booked up fast, so book early!" advises Tonya B. This is especially true for lakefront sites and holiday weekends, with many campers booking months in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Town & Country Campground offers family amenities despite compact spacing. "The kids enjoyed the compact playground and pool," notes Jennifer H. Several campgrounds in the area provide similar recreational facilities for children.
Interactive nature activities: Lake Byllesby provides family-friendly outdoor activities. "This is a great family campground! Camping spots are rather close, but we have two little ones so they made friends quick with other children," shares Angela L.
Educational opportunities: Frontenac State Park offers nature programs for children. "Can also take part in birding walks," mentions Tegan C. The park's diverse ecosystem makes it ideal for introducing children to wildlife identification and nature education.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When choosing RV sites near Red Wing, consider privacy needs. "We were thankful no one was placed near our campsite to give us more room," shares Jaime P. about Hidden Meadows RV Park, noting that "permanent campsites are practically on top of one another."
Hookup configurations: RV campers should check specific hookup arrangements. "Oddly spaced power hook up with sewer and water placements," reports Jaime P. This is common at several area campgrounds, requiring longer hoses or creative positioning.
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds require leveling equipment. "Sites are gravel and pretty level. Only a little leveling was needed," notes Sam C. about Nelson's Landing. Bringing appropriate leveling blocks is recommended for most RV camping near Red Wing.
