Jason A.
Scout
ScoutBeebe Lake Regional Park Group Camp
No rv camping
Great place if you have tents but no rv or pull behind parking
Camping near St. Joseph, MN
108 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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.
Best Campgrounds near St. Joseph (108)
1. St. Cloud Campground & RV Park
"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."
from $75 / night
Check Availability2. Love's RV Hookup-Rockville MN 842
"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!"
from $29 / night
Check Availability3. Lake Maria State Park Campground
"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."
from $22 - $80 / night
Check Availability4. St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park
"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 !!"
5. El Rancho Manana
"You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails. The sites are very close together not much privacy."
6. Two Rivers Campground
"This is a well kept and well run campground tucked in between the Mississippi River and the outlet of the Platte River."
7. Creekwood Acres
"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."
from $150 / night
Check Availability8. El Rancho Manana Campgrounds & Riding Stable
"This is a small campground in the middle of Minnesota that plays host to the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association' two annual festivals."
10. Mississippi River County Park
"The bicycle campsite is located by the fire pit near the picnic shelter. First come-first serve; Register onsite."
Drive Time
- 7 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 1 hr 1 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 1 hr 58 min from Mankato, MN
- 2 hrs 24 min from Duluth, MN
Recent Camping Photos near St. Joseph, MN
102 Photos of 108 St. Joseph Campgrounds
Janet R.
Creekwood Acres
S L.
St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park
Tori K.
Benton Beach Campground
kirsten
Two Rivers Campground
Bill K.
Olsons Campground
Tori K.
Lake Maria State Park Campground
Amy K.
Lake Koronis Regional Park
Joel L.
Birch Lakes State Forest Campground
Janet R.
Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Campground
Caleb T.
Ann Lake Campground — Sand Dunes State Forest
Anne G.
Pierz Park
Jorge G.
Cokato Lake RV Resort
Recent Reviews near St. Joseph, MN
386 Reviews of 108 St. Joseph Campgrounds
- P
Pat Z.ScoutBaker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
Baker Park Reserve
Large sites. NO sewer hookups but there is a dump station.
- GGlen B.
RangerReddington Pass Dispersed
Goose chase
Gps puts the site smack in the middle of a soybean? field. The Dyrt needs to get with it on it's Minnesota sites. Phft.
- Crystal R.
GuideCamper Cabins — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Beautiful cabins, excellent staff!
I had a very...interesting experience at the camper cabins this week! I stayed at the cabin #3 this week, Monday through Thursday (3 nights). Monday and Tuesday were awesome. I was the only one there on the whole side of the road, and it was soooo peaceful.
Early Wednesday morning (around 3am)is where things stopped being peaceful. A really bad storm developed (that I had no idea was coming). It was probably the worst storm I had ever experienced in my life. Five trees fell in the yard, one small one hitting the cabin. One tree even fell a couple of feet behind my car, blocking me in. After taking a short walk when the sun came up, I realized the damage was everywhere in the park. I was seeing downed trees all over every single trial and road. I emailed the park office which opened at 8 that I was trapped, and they cleared all the trees from the office to where I was (almost three miles away) and was getting me out by 9:30. I was so impressed with how fast they worked. Amazing job! They offered to give me a refund if I wanted to go home early (I didn't, because I was still really enjoying my time there). I will definitely be back!
Without the whole storm fiasco, here are some pros and cons:
Pro *the cabins are gorgeous and cozy. *they have electric and heat (a gas burning stove heats the cabin, how cute!) *there's a screened in porch allowing you to enjoy the weather without bugs. *the vault toilet is really close, but there is also flush toilets with a shower in the campground, which is like a five minute walk, or a very short drive. *the mattresses on the bunk beds appear to be newer than some cabins I stayed in, that being said, a foam mattress topper isn't a bad idea if you struggle to sleep *the trails are gorgeous. The cabins aren't far from the lake either. There's a visitor center that's currently closed for renovations (2026) but I think will be open next year. There's a short interpretive trail behind it too. *there's a fire ring and picnic table outside.
Cons (there aren't many!) *I think being separated from the main campground is both a pro and a con, depending on your personality. If you like solitude then it's perfect. If you enjoy being where everyone else is, then it's a con.
- the cabins are kinda close together, but there's trees and shrubs between (although several fewer than there were earlier this week 😭) so it does kinda feel private. But the noise can travel (there were people two cabins down my first night and I did hear them just a little bit).
- there's not much cell service. I heard Verizon does best. I had t mobile and depending on where I was standing I either got zero bars or occasionally up to 2bars (usually I didn't really get much though). That's kinda annoying especially during situations like the storm that happened (thankfully I was not harmed, my car wasn't harmed, and the cabin didn't get damaged from the tiny tree that fell right on it).
- SScott S.
TravelerEl Rancho Manana
Run down with buildings in disrepair.
Just spent 4 nights here with our popup and disappointed in how poor the place has been kept up. Only one shower worked out of 3 in the mens and womens bathroom and the light was out in the one that did work. Hardly any water came out as well. Same for the hand washing sinks in the mens, only one had water coming out. The laundry building mens bathroom had a faucet the wasn't even attached to the counter top so I had to hold it down to move the lever to turn the water on. The gravel roads have a lot of washed out areas so ruts and potholes everywhere. Definately not worth the price and won't be staying here again. The only two positives that I can say is that the staff is freindly and the lake is very clear for June compared to other lakes in MN. Caught quite a few nice sunfish off the dock and even a few sm bass. The old west show area does look nice but nothing went on there the weekend we were at the campground.
Jeremiah B.ScoutSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Great Spot
Got 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
- SShanae O.Traveler
Two Rivers Campground
Amazing
Absolutely 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 want to make memories that will last a life time.
Larisa M.ScoutSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Peaceful
I 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.
Nika S.TravelerSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Very popular but good
We 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!
Guide to St. Joseph
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near St. Joseph, MN?
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?
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?
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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