Camping sites near Richmond, Minnesota include rustic tent areas and full-service campgrounds within 20 miles. Located at the northern edge of the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes, Richmond sits at approximately 1,080 feet elevation in central Minnesota. Summer temperatures typically reach 80°F with overnight lows around 55-60°F, while winter camping opportunities are limited due to temperatures frequently dropping below freezing.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: El Rancho Manana Campgrounds & Riding Stable offers guided trail rides through wooded areas. "Had a great time camping here. There is horse riding, a beach and when we went there was live music. Also there are playgrounds for the kids," shares Eric N.
Fishing opportunities: The Horseshoe Chain of Lakes provides fishing access for various species. Cozy Corners sits on Long Lake, part of this chain. "This place was great! There is a park, baseball field, lodge, fish cleaning building, indoor pool, bathhouses, and laundry center. Located on long lake on the horseshoe chain if you like to fish!" notes Tori K.
Fall colors viewing: The changing leaves create scenic opportunities from late September through mid-October. "We came for the fall colors!! They were beautiful! Canoed all day out on the lake!" reports Anne G. about her experience at Lake Koronis Regional Park.
What campers like
Weekend activities and events: El Rancho Manana Campground schedules various weekend activities throughout the camping season. "Every weekend have something different going on to do," reports Andy R. Music festivals are particularly popular, with Jesse H. noting, "Can't wait to stay during one of the music events."
Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas for summer recreation. "Great staff, plenty for kids and family to do," mentions Trevor O. about Lake Koronis Regional Park, while another camper described El Rancho Manana as having "a swimming beach that is ok."
Winter camping options: While most campgrounds close for winter, Love's RV Hookup remains accessible year-round. "Still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food," shares Tori K.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. "The sites are very close together not much privacy," notes Courtney C. about El Rancho Manana Campground. At Sauk River City Park, "the grassy sites had recently been mowed, but were very muddy and right on top of each other," according to Kara B.
Noise levels: In-town campgrounds can experience more activity. Shell L. mentions Sauk River City Park allowed them to "fell asleep quickly with the sound of the creek next to our site," while Courtney C. warns, "if you like quiet nights I would not recommend it. It does get loud into the night" at El Rancho Manana.
Site orientation issues: Some campgrounds have unusual site configurations. At Lake Koronis Regional Park, Mandy S. found "1/3 of their sites are setup backwards and they hope to eventually move the sites around but for now, you 'camp' on the wrong side of your camper."
Tips for camping with families
Indoor facilities for rainy days: Lake Maria State Park Campground offers camper cabins as alternatives to tent camping. "Appreciated the camper cabin and the clean sites. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves. Good trails and a fun experience," shares Brian K.
Playground access: Most family-oriented campgrounds include playground equipment. At Sauk River City Park, Anne G. notes there's "something for everyone to do, big playground, walks by the river, nice stone fire pit!"
Bug protection essential: Summer months bring insects, particularly in wooded areas. Steph H. shares about Lake Maria State Park: "When we pulled up to the parking lot we knew we were in trouble. The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Tips from RVers
Overnight stopover convenience: Love's RV Hookup-Rockville MN 842 offers basic services for travelers. "I love that Love's has RV spots that are big rig friendly! These are a great option for a stop halfway through a trip. You have clean bathrooms in Love's, Hardee's for food, Love's for snacks and drinks," explains Tori K.
Variable site quality: Amenities and site conditions can differ greatly even within the same campground. At St. Cloud Campground & RV Park, Amanda S. observed, "the sites were pretty large, much larger than data KOA, but not so big or private as some campgrounds we've been to."
Connectivity limitations: Wifi and cell service can be unreliable. "It was the worst wifi of about 15 campgrounds we've been to on our trip this year. They warned us it was slow, but we couldn't even connect to it from our site," reports Tina about St. Cloud Campground & RV Park.
