Best Campgrounds near Saint Cloud, MN
Saint Cloud, Minnesota offers a variety of camping environments ranging from developed RV parks to primitive sites in nearby state forests. Established campgrounds in the area include St. Cloud Campground & RV Park, which accommodates tents, RVs, and cabin campers within city limits, and St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park located about 10 miles south in Clearwater. Lake Maria State Park, approximately 25 miles southeast of Saint Cloud, provides a more natural setting with cabins and tent sites accessible via hike-in trails. The region includes a mix of county, state, and private campgrounds catering to different camping preferences and requirements.
Most campgrounds near Saint Cloud operate seasonally from May through October, with limited options available year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended for developed campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holiday periods. "I've been camping here since I was a little kid. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love. Show up early on weekends if you want one of the better spots," notes one visitor about Ann Lake Campground in Sand Dunes State Forest. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage at developed campgrounds closer to Saint Cloud and potentially weak or non-existent service in more remote areas like state forests.
The camping experience varies significantly between the developed and primitive options. State park campgrounds like Lake Maria offer more privacy between sites and natural settings with hiking trails and water access. As one camper described, "This state park uniquely showcases an ecologic transition zone between hardwood forest, savannah, and prairie." Many developed campgrounds provide amenities such as showers, flush toilets, and electric hookups, with some offering waterfront sites on lakes and rivers. Several campgrounds maintain clean facilities, with St. Cloud Campground being described as "very well maintained and clean" with amenities including a pool, lodge, bath house and laundry facilities. Campers should be aware of poison ivy in natural areas, particularly in Sand Dunes State Forest where it's reportedly abundant along trails and at campsites.
