Camping near Saint Cloud occurs on gently rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 1,020 to 1,100 feet above sea level. The area's humid continental climate brings warm summers with occasional thunderstorms and cold winters, making May through September prime camping months. Most campgrounds in the region are situated along the Mississippi River or near one of the 100+ lakes within 30 miles.
What to do
Horseback riding excursions: El Rancho Manana Campground offers on-site trail rides through wooded areas and open fields. "On site horseback riding was great," notes Jesse H., who stayed during COVID restrictions when certain amenities were unavailable.
Swimming at managed beaches: Two Rivers Campground provides multiple water recreation options beyond natural waterways. "They have a lazy river, a splash pool for little ones, and another pool for all ages. The campground also features a beautiful beach area on the river that's perfect for swimming," shares Preston R.
Canoe camping: Mississippi River County Park offers water-accessible camping for paddlers traveling the river. "The canoe campsite is accessible from the river. Camping is allowed for those traveling by canoe and limited to one night of camping with no overnight vehicle," according to Tori K., who describes it as a "quiet small park."
What campers like
Shaded sites: At Lake Maria State Park Campground, campers appreciate the natural forest setting. Tori K. explains the appeal: "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites."
Privacy between sites: Ann Lake Campground in Minnesota Sand Dunes State Forest offers well-spaced sites. "Sites are large with varying degrees of privacy. Well spaced out, just some have less undergrowth," notes Kari P., though she cautions about poison ivy in some areas.
Year-round access: Winter camping options exist near Saint Cloud. Tori K. discovered that Love's RV Hookup remains "still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food."
What you should know
Cell service variations: Coverage can be spotty depending on location. At Ann Lake Campground, Andy L. reports: "2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites."
Seasonal bug issues: Summer brings mosquitoes and flies to many campgrounds. Steph H. warns 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."
Site selection matters: At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, Teresa O. recommends: "We have a pop up so we parked on a grassy spot next to the cabins that backed up to a field. It was nice to be there instead of in the thick of the big camper section."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park offers multiple activities for children. "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," notes S L.
Consider campground noise levels: Different campgrounds have different atmospheres. At El Rancho Manana, Courtney C. cautions: "We stayed here last year and it was fun although if you like quiet nights I would not recommend it. It does get loud into the night."
Check pet policies at dog-friendly campgrounds near Saint Cloud: Most allow pets but have specific rules. At St. Cloud Campground & RV Park, Elizabeth W. describes it as a "Family friendly place with great amenities!" including a designated "dog walking area" among its features.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: At Benton Beach Campground, recent changes have affected site dimensions. Tori K. notes: "This is a nice campground with beautiful tall pine trees....but the sites are wayyyyy too close together. Apparently they used to have less sites but recently redid things to squeeze more in."
Overnight convenience stops: For travelers needing a quick overnight with hookups, Love's RV Hookup offers basic amenities. Lex G. explains: "If you're just passing through especially in the off-season, this is an extremely convenient location. Propane run out in the middle of the night? They got you. Need more beer? They got you. 10/10 if you just need a place to sleep."
Consider campground access roads: Some locations have challenging approaches for larger rigs. At Ann Lake Campground, Andy L. cautions: "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides."
