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Best Campgrounds near Rochester, MN

496 Reviews

Rochester, Minnesota and the surrounding area feature a mix of established campgrounds and outdoor recreation areas offering diverse camping experiences. Minneiska Campground at Whitewater State Park, located about 25 miles east of Rochester, provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations in a scenic river valley setting. Chester Woods Park in Eyota offers similar mixed-use facilities just 10 miles east of the city. Several private campgrounds like Rochester-Marion KOA and Autumn Woods RV Park provide convenient options within city limits, catering primarily to RV travelers while still accommodating tent campers.

Camping seasons vary significantly throughout the region, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. State parks like Whitewater maintain year-round availability, though winter camping requires proper preparation for cold conditions. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods. The terrain ranges from river valleys with limestone bluffs to wooded areas with moderate hiking trails. Electrical hookups are common at established sites, though primitive camping options exist at some parks. A visitor noted, "Chester Woods is a county park just east of Rochester, MN. It has a campground and man-made lake with hiking trails, a horse trail, picnic shelters, a beach, and a playground."

Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty of southeastern Minnesota's bluff country as a major draw. Whitewater State Park receives particularly high ratings for its scenic limestone bluffs and hiking opportunities. One camper described it as "by far one of the top state parks in Minnesota" with "clean facilities" and "spacious" campsites. Water access represents another valued feature, with fishing opportunities in local lakes and the Root River. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of Rochester-area campgrounds for Mayo Clinic patients and visitors. Noise levels vary considerably between locations, with some campgrounds like Tilly's American Travelers RV Resort experiencing road noise, while others offer more secluded experiences. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, eagles, and various bird species, particularly in the more natural settings away from the city.

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Best Camping Sites Near Rochester, Minnesota (124)

    1. Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    50 Reviews
    Elba, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 932-3007

    "Whitewater is by far one of the top state parks in Minnesota. Their camping facilities are clean with running water and free showers. The campsites are quite spacious but not too wooded."

    "Easy access to hiking trails. My site was close in distance to adjacent ones, but was on the edge by the creek, so it was pretty quiet."

    2. Chester Woods Park

    6 Reviews
    Eyota, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 285-7050

    "Chester Woods is a county park just east of Rochester, MN."

    "Has many walking trails that you can take your dog on and just a couple that you can’t."

    3. Rochester-Marion KOA

    5 Reviews
    Marion, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 288-0785

    "It has convenient access to the freeway and the city of Rochester.

    Bathrooms are cleaned frequently and we'll stocked."

    "We got back on the Interstate & got off on exit 224. Took Co Rd 7 to HWY 52. This is a lot easier than the directions the KOA gave.

     "

    4. Autumn Woods RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Stewartville, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 990-2983

    5. Oxbow County Park

    6 Reviews
    Byron, MN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 775-2451

    $25 - $30 / night

    "There is an awesome park near the sites for children."

    "The zoo is amazing, the campground is well cared and a ton of hiking trails!!"

    6. Hidden Meadows RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Pine Island, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 356-8594

    $38 - $45 / night

    "The lower area of this park is so nice and right near a river. The owners are really nice, bathrooms/showers clean and everybody is friendly."

    "Portable toilets spaced around and a centralized bath house by the office. There are seasonal guests and everyone was friendly."

    7. Carley State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Plainview, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 932-3007

    "Carley State Park is easy to overlook in favor of nearby Whitewater State Park. Whitewater has an actual visitor center, the dramatic scenery, the flush toilets, and spacious/level sites."

    "Site #2 is further down a path with 4 picnic tables and room for 4-5 tents. The site is right at the park border, with farm land/prairie just on the other Side of the trees."

    8. Bluff Hollow on Root River

    1 Review
    Marion, MN
    8 miles

    $35 - $45 / night

    "There were 2 options for camping - the upper site and lower near the river. We opted to camp and hang out down by the river."

    9. Chester Woods Patk

    1 Review
    Marion, MN
    8 miles

    "Shade on most, stick to the outsides of camp for better shade."

    10. Tilly's American Travelers RV Resort

    1 Review
    Pine Island, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 367-2499

    "It's a nice stop if you need close to Rochester. Not badly priced. Grill and Bar on site with good food. The store, bath, and laundry are still closed due to Covid."

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Recent Camping Photos near Rochester, MN

156 Photos of 124 Rochester Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Rochester, MN

496 Reviews of 124 Rochester Campgrounds

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Crystal Springs RV Resort

    Has a resort feel to it

    Spent one night passing through Ellendale Minnesota. Our reservation paperwork was waiting for us at the gatehouse with directions to our back-in site 11. A close walk to the laundry, showers and restroom pavilion was terrific. I can’t remember but I believe this was the best campground for low road noise of our entire trip!

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Zumbrota Covered Bridge Park

    Scenic

    Pros: great paved walking and bike trail; leads to state bike trail; MN only covered bridge; huge park playground; disc golf course; along branch of the river; easy walk into town; friendly camp host; very quiet Cons: few site pads, you just drive onto grass where you see electric/water posts and fire ring; restroom with 1 toilet and 1 shower were dirty (husband said it looks like it hadn’t been cleaned in a month) I concur on woman’s as well but there was toilet paper (happy) but no hand soap or paper towels; garbage in women’s shower

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Haycreek Valley Campground

    Beautiful surroundings

    Red Wing, Minn might be the prettiest small town in the US. Rolling hills, greenery, the Mississippi River, and genuinely nice people in a small city with lots of attractions.

    The campground is about a 10 minute ride from the city center. The amenities are sparse and aged, but the sites are level, plentiful, and reasonably priced.

    Be aware however…..The Dyrt is wrong. There are no sewer hookups at this campground. They have a dump station and will pump for a fee.

    There is a perfectly average pub on site. The food is okay, the price is reasonable.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Lake Hendricks Co Park

    Paved sites, simple Accomodations

    A good place for a place to stop next to a lake. Good hookups and picnic tables

  • Leni K.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Myre State Park Campgrounds

    Big Fun, Even With Closures

    Big Island was nicely wooded, keeping a very cool temperature but with little cover from other campsites. Tent pad and fire pit were well maintained. Restrooms were well cleaned, if not exactly maintained (soap and Toilet paper ran light over the weekend, and spiders hung out after a cleaning). ADA accessible. Even with a few trails closed, plenty of trails to explore around the Big Island campground. Rented a tandem kayak from the ranger station, looked like one of the two kayaks, plenty of canoes for rent. Spotted pelicans, turtles, and birds along the shore. Campground host never came by, but the ranger was spotted twice once to keep hammock straps off a smaller tree. Mosquitos were out in full force during the cooler weather.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit

    Lovely space

    There are a few spaces with views you can hike in to but I opted for a spot next to my car. And ideal spot for a one nighter. I stopped here after a 12 hour drive got set up and even walked the trails for a few miles before bed.

  • J
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Reicks Lake Park

    Didn’t stay the night

    Based on picture, we planed to stay at this campsite. It is right in the side of the highway, so too much noise and traffic for us. The picture this site provides is actually the other side of highway, over a hill, so you can’t see it from campsite. but there’s a view of marshlands. It’s $20, have showers and toilets. There’s a small playground for kids. We came across people That said they camp there all the time and love it.

  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Rochester-Marion KOA

    In transition

    The direct road to the KOA was all jacked up due to a large construction project that closed the whole road. We got back on the Interstate & got off on exit 224. Took Co Rd 7 to HWY 52. This is a lot easier than the directions the KOA gave.

     This is a small KOA Journey we stayed in 1 night on our way up North. It's an established campground, but well kept. We stayed on the office side of the road. The other side has newer sites & the pool. Our site was a buddy site, which I dislike. It was close to the bathrooms/showers though, which helps out my mobility challenged husband. I can put up with it for 1 night. 

    The bathrooms were clean. The laundry had 2 dryers out of service.

Guide to Rochester

Camping near Rochester, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and family-friendly environments. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking Trails: Many campgrounds, like Whitewater State Park, have extensive hiking trails. One visitor mentioned, "We hiked to Chimney Rock and Inspiration Point and found the trails more challenging than we expected from their descriptions."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Afton State Park enjoyed the local wildlife. A reviewer noted, "Lots of birds, butterflies, and squirrels visited our campsite daily."
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Beaver Creek Valley State Park is known for its trout fishing. One camper said, "Good trout fishing here, some sites are primitive, some have electric and water."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Afton State Park. One review highlighted, "Our site was mighty large and for the most part secluded from those near and on the path."
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A camper at Frontenac State Park mentioned, "Bathrooms are VERY CLEAN. Trails are well maintained."
  • Scenic Views: Campgrounds like Great River Bluffs State Park offer stunning views. A visitor shared, "The elevation you get up on the bluffs gives you great views of the river and foliage."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have spotty cell service. A camper at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park noted, "No cell/ very patchy cell signal and could only get WiFi signal when standing next to Ranger station."
  • No Alcohol Allowed: Some parks, like Afton State Park, do not allow alcohol. A reviewer mentioned, "Not overly crowded, clean showers and family friendly."
  • Seasonal Availability: Check the season for each campground. For example, Sakatah Lake State Park is open from April to October.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Parks: Parks like Whitewater State Park are known for being family-friendly. A camper said, "Beautiful lookouts on trails, quiet camp sites, and very nice amenities."
  • Plan for Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby activities. One family at Afton State Park enjoyed the swimming beach, stating, "Swimming beach about half a mile from campground."
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring along items for comfort, like hammocks or extra blankets. A visitor at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park mentioned, "The outer non-electric sites... are much nicer."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Frontenac State Park noted, "Plenty of space to park a 21 ft trailer."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups, like Perrot State Park. One camper said, "Camping spots are large and private, the bathroom facilities and showers are clean."
  • Dump Stations: Ensure there’s a dump station nearby. A visitor at Beaver Creek Valley State Park mentioned, "A bit of a tight turn to get to the dump station."

Camping around Rochester, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With beautiful parks and plenty of activities, it’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Rochester, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Rochester, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 124 campgrounds and RV parks near Rochester, MN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Rochester, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rochester, MN is Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 50 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rochester, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Rochester, MN.

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