Camping opportunities near Royalton, Minnesota provide access to the state's central waterways including the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The sandy soil throughout the region creates well-draining campsites that recover quickly after rainfall. Temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during summer months, with cooler 50-65°F conditions in spring and fall camping seasons.
What to do
Paddling adventures: Two Rivers Campground offers direct river access for canoeists and kayakers. "The campground is very small, minimal vegetation between sites. It was buggy, but manageable. Clean facilities, easy to navigate," notes one camper at Charles A. Lindbergh State Park.
Historic site exploration: The Lindbergh family homestead sits within park boundaries, providing historical context to your camping experience. "The land encompassed by the park is historic for 2 reasons: Zebulon Pike spent the winter here with a search party who were going up river to search for the source of the Mississippi River, and probably camped right at the very campsite here on the shores of Pike Creek; and a century later it was the homestead of the Lindbergh family and where aviator Charles grew up," explains a reviewer at Lindbergh State Park.
Cycling opportunities: Several campgrounds connect to extensive trail systems. The Holdingford City Park on the Lake Wobegon Trail is "adjacent to an official trailhead of the SooLine spur of the Lake Woebegone Bike Trail, and as such is an awesome place to overnight if on a multi day bike or hike trek on the trail!" One camper also mentions that "One of the most beautiful covered bridges in Minnesota is also on the bike path over the river adjacent to the campground."
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention clean amenities at campgrounds in the region. At St. Cloud Campground & RV Park, a visitor notes, "This campground was very well maintained and clean. They have a pool, lodge, bath house and laundry facilities, the sites were pretty large, much larger than data KOA."
River recreation: Water activities rank high among camper favorites. "Two Rivers Campground is the perfect spot for a fun and relaxing getaway. They have a lazy river, a splash pool for little ones, and another pool for all ages," explains one camper. Another adds, "Great river sites, friendly staff, 15 minutes to grocery store. Spacious and spread out, with sun and shade."
Secluded sites: Campers appreciate the privacy available at certain locations. At Crow Wing State Park Campground, one visitor mentions, "The campground was overall pretty quiet, and my site was wooded so that I normally could not see other campers from my site, which was great!" Another camper adds that "There is an old town site with informational plaques along the way that depict what life was like here in the 1890s."
What you should know
Bugs can be intense: Mosquitoes are a common complaint, particularly in wooded areas. One camper at Birch Lake advises, "If you visit in the summertime, expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly!"
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. A reviewer at St. Cloud Campground noted, "The campground was nice, but there were a few things that could be done to make it better. We were in a pull through at the north end of the campground and the site itself was nice and had decent spacing between sites, but I noticed some of the other sites were quite close."
Water quality concerns: Some campers report issues with drinking water. At Pierz Park, one visitor warns, "The water is in me/my dogs opinion not for drinking."
Limited facilities at rustic sites: State forest campgrounds offer fewer amenities. "No hook ups and no dump station. Sites are spaced far enough apart to give you some privacy," a Birch Lake camper notes.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas for children. At Cedar Lake Memorial Park, a visitor comments, "This campsite has been up and running for quite some time! It isn't just a campground either! You can have events or family get togethers here, or just go for the day and hang out on the well maintained beach! With a playground for the kids, BBQS, and picnic tables it's the perfect spot to hang with the family!"
Activity variety: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "Kids will love the giant inflatable bouncy house, mini golf, and the many activities offered," says a camper at Two Rivers Campground.
Weekday camping: For a quieter experience with children, consider non-peak times. "We stayed at the campground during the week, it was so relaxing and not a lot of campers out felt like we had the park to ourselves," reports a Cedar Lake Memorial Park visitor.
Tips for RVers
Site selection matters: Choose sites based on your specific needs. "We were in a pull through at the north end of the campground and the site itself was nice and had decent spacing between sites," notes a St. Cloud Campground visitor.
Hookup availability: Full hookups aren't available at all campgrounds. At Pierz Park, a camper explains, "Some sites have 50 amp, most just 30 amp or less. Water hookups at most. No full hookups or dump site."
Access considerations: Some rural campgrounds have limited services. "No internet, medium phone signal. The campsites are too small and too crowded," reports a visitor to Pierz Park, adding, "The sites aren't paved or even gravel, you park on the grass."
