Camping options around St. Joseph, Minnesota range from secluded backpacking sites to full-service RV parks, spanning elevations between 1,050 and 1,150 feet. The area's glacial terrain creates a landscape of rolling hills, lakes, and hardwood forests where summer temperatures typically reach 80°F with higher humidity levels. Most campgrounds in the region operate from April through October, with limited winter camping options.
What to do
Backpacking adventures: Lake Maria State Park offers multiple backpacking sites with varying distances from parking areas. "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," notes Tori K. about Lake Maria State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: The Mississippi River access at Crow Wing State Park provides excellent fishing spots. "Great access for canoeing and kayaking the Mississippi water trail. If you start at Kiwanis Park in Brainerd- you can make it to crow wing in four hours leisurely, or three fairly easily," says HollyRose M. about Crow Wing State Park Campground.
Winter exploration: For yurt camping near St. Joseph, Minnesota during colder months, Baker Park Reserve maintains seasonal availability. "The campground is a little quieter than your typical campground. You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards, and many people bring their own boats," mentions Jennifer H.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate secluded spots at Lake Maria. "Only about a mile from the parking lot. 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," says Lydia N.
Family-friendly amenities: St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park offers numerous activities for families. "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," shares S L.
Hiking trail access: Many campgrounds connect directly to trail systems. "Appreciated the camper cabin and the clean sites. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves. Good trails and a fun experience," notes Brian K. about Lake Maria State Park.
What you should know
Bug preparation: Insects can be intense during summer months. "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon. We prepared the kiddos for a quick grab and run and jumped out of the car. Our campsite was about a mile from the car so we started at a quick walk onto the trail. First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos," warns Steph H.
Hike-in logistics: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground requires planning for backpacking sites. "I was traveling Eastward through the upper Midwest and had a really hard time in this area finding a place to camp. I ended up paying a fair amount of money for a full hookup site. The bathrooms were extremely modern and clean," shares David T.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have questionable drinking water. "The water is in me/my dogs opinion not for drinking," notes Gregory J. about Pierz Park. Consider bringing your own drinking water or filtration system.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas. "There is a nice community center too. The campground is owned by Kandiyohi County, and rates for tent camping or various levels of RV camping are very reasonable but only offered for weekly rentals," explains Janet R. about Games Lake County Park.
Swimming options: Several parks feature beaches for families. "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. We stayed here to visit the nearby quarry park and that was a blast!" shares Teresa O.
Year-round yurt camping: For families seeking St. Joseph area yurt camping experiences in winter, plan ahead. "We spent two nights in the campground. It was fairly busy, but we still felt secluded despite a full campground. There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities (which were very nice)," explains ERolf P.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose wisely at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve. "The sites a Baker Park Reserve are larger than average. This is a big campground with a lot of paved bike trails and a nice lake a short walk away," shares Melissa H.
Hookup availability: Full service sites are limited at some parks. "Nice looking place. We ended up staying in the parking lot near campgrounds. We set up reservation and showed up that morning to find the place full," explains Jamison W. about Lake Ripley County Park.
Power options: Confirm electricity needs before booking. "Some sites have 50 amp, most just 30 amp or less. Water hookups at most. No full hookups or dump site," notes Gregory J. Many campgrounds around St. Joseph have limited electrical options for larger RVs.
