Camping options near Richmond, Minnesota range from rustic backcountry sites to fully-serviced RV resorts. The area sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation in central Minnesota's glacial moraine landscape, characterized by rolling hills, hardwood forests, and numerous lakes. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with high humidity, while winter camping faces temperatures that can drop well below zero.
What to do
Prairie hiking: 5+ miles of trails at Glacial Lakes State Park Campground provide scenic views through native grasslands. "The High Peak Trail did have some lovely views though," notes one visitor who hiked during hot weather. The park features a mix of woods and prairie terrain with clearly defined routes for day hikes.
Paddleboarding on clear lakes: Several parks offer equipment rental for water activities. "Our favorite part of this trip was renting stand up paddle boards. The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm," reports a Glacial Lakes visitor who enjoyed perfect conditions for paddling.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings provide optimal viewing times at Crow Hassan Park Reserve. "Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails," mentions one visitor who regularly walks the dog park circle along the Crow River. Bring binoculars for better viewing of local bird species.
What campers like
Secluded backpacking sites: Lake Maria State Park Campground offers hike-in camping options for those seeking privacy. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes," explains a visitor who particularly recommends sites 1, 2, and 3 for their seclusion.
Proximity to Twin Cities: Some campers appreciate the reasonable driving distance from urban areas. As one visitor to Glacial Lakes noted, "It's nice trip that's only two hours from the Twin Cities. We enjoyed the prairie views and the lake."
Waterfront locations: Many campsites provide direct water access. At Lake Ripley County Park Campground, "Most of the sites here are lakefront. They have you park your vehicle behind a row of bushes to help keep the view clear for everybody," notes a visitor who appreciated the thoughtful layout.
What you should know
Bug preparation essential: Insects can be overwhelming during summer months. One Lake Maria visitor warns: "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." Pack permethrin-treated clothing and quality repellent, especially for wooded areas.
Seasonal variations in amenities: Water systems may be shut off during colder months. Many facilities have reduced services outside peak season (May-September).
Site types and terrain: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground offers modern facilities with full hookups. "The bathrooms were extremely modern and clean. There were some really nice wide trails around the lake," comments a traveler who appreciated the well-maintained infrastructure.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Multiple campgrounds feature child-friendly recreation. At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, "This a nice family campground. It has a 9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop. They also offer a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade."
Consider camper cabins for beginners: Several parks offer cabin options as alternatives to tenting for families new to 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," notes a Lake Maria visitor.
Pack extra entertainment: Rainy days can limit outdoor activities, so bring games and books. Some campgrounds have limited cell service for device-based entertainment.
Tips from RVers
Limited pull-through availability: A J Acres Campground has few options for larger rigs. "Limited availability to sewer hookups, only about 5 true pull thrus, taken by seasonal," warns one RVer. Call ahead to confirm site dimensions before booking.
Tree navigation challenges: Many campgrounds have mature trees that complicate parking. "Navigating around trees was not so fun with our 5th wheel. We got the slideouts to fit in between the trees," notes another A J Acres visitor who struggled with site layout.
Water and dump station locations: Some parks have inconvenient utility arrangements. One camper observed at Glacial Lakes that "the water fill and dump stations are on the opposite side of most campers which was the only downside. There was not water supply at the dump station to rinse out the tank."
