Campground options near St. Joseph, Minnesota range from developed RV parks to rustic cabin experiences. The area features family-friendly destinations like St. Cloud Campground & RV Park and El Rancho Manana Campground, both within a 30-minute drive of St. Joseph. Accommodation types vary widely across the region, with sites supporting tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Lake Maria State Park Campground offers year-round access approximately 25 miles southeast of St. Joseph, while private campgrounds like Creekwood Acres specialize in cabin experiences.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter availability. "This is a nice family campground. It has a 9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop," noted one visitor about St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park. Reservations are typically required at established campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holiday periods. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage may vary at more remote sites. Weather conditions include humid summers and cold winters, with the camping season peaking from June through September. Several campgrounds provide full hookups for RVs, while tent camping areas tend to offer more basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables.
Campers frequently mention the variety of recreational opportunities available at area campgrounds. Water access is highlighted in several reviews, with fishing opportunities at campgrounds on or near lakes. "Located on long lake on the horseshoe chain if you like to fish!" remarked one camper about a seasonal site. Family amenities receive positive mentions, with many campgrounds offering playgrounds, swimming pools, and organized activities. El Rancho Manana stands out for its horseback riding opportunities, while Lake Maria State Park appeals to hikers with its trail system. Reviews indicate that campsites can be closely spaced at some private campgrounds, potentially affecting privacy. Proximity to St. Cloud provides convenient access to urban amenities while still enjoying outdoor recreation, with multiple campgrounds positioned along highway corridors for easy access.
$75 / night
"On the outskirts of St Cloud, this campground was very well maintained and clean."
"No lake but a pool. More like an RV Park although they do have rustic sites."
$29 / night
"Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food. Love's is open 24 hours and has most things you would need. There is also a Hardee's if you need dinner!"
"Conveniently off highway 23 and I94 so you should be able to get back on the road quickly!"
$22 - $80 / night
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
"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. Pool was nice and store too."
"If this place was close to home I’d be here every weekend. Absolute beautiful weather with a nice breeze no mosquitoes not something you get in Florida in July !!"
"This is a well kept and well run campground tucked in between the Mississippi River and the outlet of the Platte River."
"You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails. The sites are very close together not much privacy."
$150 / night
"I had been out of town and away from home the previous week, and decided I would stop here on the long drive home in order to break up my trip."
"This is a small campground in the middle of Minnesota that plays host to the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association' two annual festivals."
"The bicycle campsite is located by the fire pit near the picnic shelter. First come-first serve; Register onsite."
ScoutGot a nice spot by the water, big parking spot, little below the spot is an opening towards water with a fire pit. 2-3 bars of service but never had an issue. Worked well. Very private. Bugs weren’t bad either
TravelerAbsolutely love this campground. 2nd year for my family. We plan on coming back for many years to come. This place is completely family oriented. Very well maintained. Wonderful staff members. Just overall a wonderful experience each and every time. I highly recommend a visit if you rang to amenity memories that will last a life time.
ScoutI was able to find a campsite not on the road. There was a trail from the parking spot so keep an eye out. Lots of animals saw a turkey and coyote so just be aware. Very pretty and calm. Had to pick up some trash from other campers just a reminder to leave no trace.
TravelerWe stayed here from about 10pm to 6am. There were a ton of people there so it was hard finding somewhere to sleep. Once we did, it was very quiet and we got a good nights rest. There were a couple of cars that passed us in the morning when we left but nothing too crazy. The scenery was very beautiful. This is definitely a great free option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot in the woods to sleep!
TravelerI stayed there with my RV. Most all of the campsites were too small to park it, but I found one at the very end of the park to stay. Although the land itself is beautiful, the locals were reporting me to the DNR officer, who were clearly his friends, and accusing me of things I was not doing. Also, there’s a lot of traffic in and out of there and they fly through there day and night, as well as a lot of gunfire going off a lot of the time. I use T-Mobile service and I was on SOS most of the time. Not very impressed.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
GuideNice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
GuideGot in late on a Sunday night and there was plenty of space. Most sites are right along the gravel road so not super private. Wouldn’t recommend for large trailers/RVs as sites are small. Found a couple sets of deer bones right next to my site, not sure if it’s from hunters dumping their waste or coyotes but keep an eye out either way.
GuideKind of confusing for first time. Was not sure where I could camp. But then found out it's the spots right along road. Beautiful. Some good spots. Ended up in a pull thru around w view.
Camping near St. Joseph, Minnesota includes options for water-based recreation with several campgrounds situated along lakes and rivers. The region experiences average summer temperatures of 75-85°F during peak camping months, with potential for afternoon thunderstorms from June through August. The terrain varies from pine forests to open prairie lands with elevations ranging from 1,050 to 1,100 feet above sea level.
Horseback riding at El Rancho Manana: The 1,300-acre property offers guided trail rides through woods and prairie. "Every weekend have something different going on to do," notes camper Andy R. about the El Rancho Manana activities calendar.
Swimming at multiple beach locations: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas with varying amenities. A visitor to Two Rivers Campground shared, "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."
Winter camping opportunities: Lake Maria State Park remains open year-round for cold-weather enthusiasts. "I would like to come back to this park in late fall and try out a camper cabin. There are three of them all on lakes," writes reviewer Steph H., highlighting potential off-season options.
Privacy levels at wilderness sites: Backpacking campsites at Lake Maria State Park Campground provide secluded experiences. "This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness," reports Lydia N.
Well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness ranks high in visitor satisfaction. "This campground is well maintained. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The shower house was clean. We enjoyed our stay here and will return," says Jody M. about St. Cloud Campground.
Convenient highway access: For travelers passing through, Love's RV Hookup offers accessibility. "Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food. Love's is open 24 hours and has most things you would need," notes Tori K.
Seasonal bug activity can be intense: Mosquitos and black flies peak during summer months. Brian C. shares about Lake Maria: "When I went, the black flies were vicious, so be careful," while another camper adds, "First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Varying site privacy levels: Site layout differs significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to El Rancho Manana Campgrounds & Riding Stable notes, "When we get there and I check in, we are put in a completely different area!! This area was just a big ole square chunk of field."
Wi-Fi reliability concerns: Internet access varies widely. "It was the worst wifi of about 15 campgrounds we've been to on our trip this year. They warned us it was slow, but we couldn't even connect to it from our site," reports Tina from St. Cloud Campground.
Different noise levels: Some campgrounds maintain quiet hours while others have a livelier atmosphere. A camper at El Rancho Manana warns, "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."
Playground and activity options: St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park provides multiple recreation options. "Absolutely beautiful campground with mature trees. The birds are singing and so are the kids because this place has so much to do for them. Pool, pool table, soccer table, mini golf, swing set, clubhouse, 3 wheel bike racing, and water balloons wars," Aaron L. enthusiastically shares.
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Some sites at Lake Maria provide an introduction to backpacking without difficult treks. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes," notes reviewer Tori K.
Bathroom access considerations: Facilities may have usage restrictions. A visitor to St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park mentions, "Restrooms and laundry available on site. Although from a sign posted, they wanted the restrooms to be used by those in pop-ups or tent camping only (just an fyi)."
Overnight highway stops: Convenient options exist for through travelers. "I love that Love's has RV spots that are big rig friendly! These are a great option for a stop halfway through a trip," writes Tori K., noting the convenience for those traveling along I-94.
Site spacing observations: Benton Beach Campground has undergone recent changes affecting campsite density. "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," reports a recent visitor.
Electrical hookup variations: Check specific site amenities before booking. A St. Cloud Campground visitor shares, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near St. Joseph, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, St. Joseph, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near St. Joseph, MN and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near St. Joseph, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. Joseph, MN is St. Cloud Campground & RV Park with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near St. Joseph, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near St. Joseph, MN.
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