Richmond, Minnesota provides access to several established campgrounds with diverse accommodation options. El Rancho Manana Campground and El Rancho Manana Campgrounds & Riding Stable offer tent and RV camping with amenities like electric hookups, water, and shower facilities. Lake Koronis Regional Park, located about 20 miles southwest, extends these options to include cabin camping. St. Cloud Campground & RV Park, situated approximately 15 miles northeast of Richmond, features tent, RV, and cabin sites with full hookups and recreational facilities.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability in central Minnesota, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. "Sites are close together compared to some other Minnesota state parks. Lots of trees. Bathroom is older but decent," notes one visitor about nearby Charles A. Lindbergh State Park. Winter conditions typically close most developed campgrounds, though some state parks offer year-round access. Cell service varies throughout the region, with several reviews mentioning limited connectivity, particularly in more remote areas. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly.
Campers consistently rate waterfront locations among the most desirable in the area. According to one visitor, "Lakefront sites are available. Picnic table and fire ring provided at each site. In town campground so it can be a little noisy at times." Several campgrounds provide boat access, with fishing opportunities on nearby lakes and rivers. The region features a mix of wooded sites offering shade and privacy, as well as more open areas suitable for larger groups. Wildlife viewing opportunities include birds and small mammals, with some reviews mentioning encounters with raccoons. Mosquitoes and ticks can be prevalent during summer months, particularly in wooded areas, so appropriate repellent is recommended. Proximity to trails, including the Lake Wobegon Trail, provides additional recreational opportunities for hikers and cyclists.
"You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails. The sites are very close together not much privacy."
"This is a small campground in the middle of Minnesota that plays host to the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association' two annual festivals."
$20 - $70 / night
"Sites a a nice distance apart, lots of trees. Nice playground with swings, close to a larger park near the lake."
"We stumbled upon this place just taking back roads and driving around. Nice beach area and Great picnic area!!! Big playground picnic tables scattered everywhere."
$29 / night
"Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food. Love's is open 24 hours and has most things you would need. There is also a Hardee's if you need dinner!"
"Conveniently off highway 23 and I94 so you should be able to get back on the road quickly!"
"Located on long lake on the horseshoe chain if you like to fish!"
$150 / night
"I had been out of town and away from home the previous week, and decided I would stop here on the long drive home in order to break up my trip."
$22 - $80 / night
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
$25 - $35 / night
"Away from the lake is another campground in the oak savanna section of the park, and this campground seems quieter with more spacious sites, although they are more open."
"Sibley State Park isn't the most amazing park in Minnesota, however it's still a very nice little campground!"
$30 / night
"Walking distance to stores water and electricity"
"There was so many goodies and we walked around park. It is right on river nice playground basketball courts walking trails everything you would need. Very nice and well kept!!! :)"
$75 / night
"On the outskirts of St Cloud, this campground was very well maintained and clean."
"No lake but a pool. More like an RV Park although they do have rustic sites."
ScoutGot a nice spot by the water, big parking spot, little below the spot is an opening towards water with a fire pit. 2-3 bars of service but never had an issue. Worked well. Very private. Bugs weren’t bad either
TravelerAbsolutely love this campground. 2nd year for my family. We plan on coming back for many years to come. This place is completely family oriented. Very well maintained. Wonderful staff members. Just overall a wonderful experience each and every time. I highly recommend a visit if you rang to amenity memories that will last a life time.
ScoutI was able to find a campsite not on the road. There was a trail from the parking spot so keep an eye out. Lots of animals saw a turkey and coyote so just be aware. Very pretty and calm. Had to pick up some trash from other campers just a reminder to leave no trace.
TravelerWe stayed here from about 10pm to 6am. There were a ton of people there so it was hard finding somewhere to sleep. Once we did, it was very quiet and we got a good nights rest. There were a couple of cars that passed us in the morning when we left but nothing too crazy. The scenery was very beautiful. This is definitely a great free option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot in the woods to sleep!
TravelerI stayed there with my RV. Most all of the campsites were too small to park it, but I found one at the very end of the park to stay. Although the land itself is beautiful, the locals were reporting me to the DNR officer, who were clearly his friends, and accusing me of things I was not doing. Also, there’s a lot of traffic in and out of there and they fly through there day and night, as well as a lot of gunfire going off a lot of the time. I use T-Mobile service and I was on SOS most of the time. Not very impressed.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
GuideNice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
GuideGot in late on a Sunday night and there was plenty of space. Most sites are right along the gravel road so not super private. Wouldn’t recommend for large trailers/RVs as sites are small. Found a couple sets of deer bones right next to my site, not sure if it’s from hunters dumping their waste or coyotes but keep an eye out either way.
GuideKind of confusing for first time. Was not sure where I could camp. But then found out it's the spots right along road. Beautiful. Some good spots. Ended up in a pull thru around w view.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Richmond, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Richmond, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 96 campgrounds and RV parks near Richmond, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Richmond, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Richmond, MN is El Rancho Manana with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Richmond, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Richmond, MN.
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