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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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)."
Tips from RVers
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."
