Campers visiting Sandstone, Minnesota have access to several state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 1,050 feet above sea level with the Kettle River cutting through sandstone formations formed nearly 500 million years ago. Summer temperatures range from 55°F to 85°F with mosquito activity peaking in June after spring rains.
What to do
Rock climbing at quarry ruins: Robinson Park Camping offers access to historic sandstone quarry sites. "This campground is really great... From the entrance road, once you see the camping rules sign you will take a right down a dirt road to the individual sites. Otherwise if you keep driving straight past the portage, then you will find the group sites," notes Les R., who appreciated the climbing opportunities including "the state's best 12a/b."
Winter ice climbing: Banning State Park Campground maintains trails accessible year-round. "This is a great place for winter camping! The campsites are large enough (despite the snow) to set up suitable winter tents, and each site has a picnic table and fire pit. In the park, there's a lot of ice climbing and cross country skiing," shares Alexa S.
Hiking historical trails: The Quarry Loop along the Kettle River contains remnants of 130-year-old mining operations. "The hiking here is amazing! The Quarry Loop along the Kettle River has a ton of history, allowing you to explore the remains of the 130+ year old sandstone quarry. Seeing the drill holes in the cliffs was really cool and the remains of the old buildings were a highlight even to our small children," writes Jennifer H.
What campers like
Private campsites with river access: Robinson Park Camping offers secluded spots near the Kettle River. Lindsey H. describes her experience: "I enjoyed this little spot in early April. I wanted to be close to Banning State Park without the reservations. Early spring in Minnesota left us little cover between sites, but we were the only ones there. We camped at spot 4 right along the river."
Fall colors and wildlife viewing: Boulder Campground in St. Croix State Forest provides a rustic experience with wildlife encounters. "We decided to try an extend the camping season by staying here in the first weekend of October, and we were rewarded greatly! The colors were near peak and the water was really high, so there were many kayakers going down the river as we hiked along the parallel trails," shares Bryan S.
Quieter alternatives to busier parks: Willow River in Gen. C.C. Andrews State Forest offers a more peaceful option. "Kind of off the beaten path. You have to take the Willow River exit and go through the town a little bit. There's a small sign next to the Squirrel Cage restaurant and bar. You'll be next to the freeway and you'll hear the noise but it's not that bad. Usually hardly anyone is here," notes Nigel N.
What you should know
Water hookup challenges: Some RV parks have unusual water connection setups. At Banning RV Park and Campground, Sam C. discovered: "Water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots. Our host(s) were prepared with the connectors in hand but seemed a bit surprised that we might need them... Our water source ended up being 75' plus from our RV."
Seasonal insect activity: Mosquitoes can be particularly intense in early summer. One camper at Riverview Campground reported: "We camped with our in laws and 3 kids this past weekend at St. Croix state Park... There were HOARDS OF MOSQUITOS. We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites."
Weather variations: The region experiences rapid temperature fluctuations in spring and fall. At Boulder Campground, Daniel G. found that despite variable conditions, "We had an all around great time. The campsites were all pretty secluded. We got there around 10am on a Friday and there were a couple sites taken but the rest were up for grabs."
Tips for camping with families
Interactive geological activities: Moose Lake State Park Campground offers educational opportunities for children. "This is a beautiful state park. It's quite large and has nice hiking trails. Agates are common in this area. The park office has a wonderful display of agates set up in an interactive gallery," reports Liz H.
Historical exploration for kids: Educational ruins and sites keep children engaged. Jennifer H. found that at Banning State Park, "Seeing the drill holes in the cliffs was really cool and the remains of the old buildings were a highlight even to our small children. Would definitely make a trip back to explore even more!"
Fishing opportunities: Kids enjoy shore fishing at multiple parks. RK M. shares: "The swimming beach is a couple mile drive but the water was nice and cool. There is a playground but we didn't use it. We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection and layout: Old Logging Trail Campground at St. Croix State Park offers varied sites. Ari A. advises: "This park has a ton of camping available, particularly if you don't need electricity and have a smaller rig because then you can get into more of the campground loops... The sites in the Old Logging Campground were close together but many had vegetation between them offering some privacy."
Backing challenges: At Grand Casino RV Resort, Adrian G. warns: "Virtually every site in the park is a blind back in from the driver seat. You're trying to back your trailer into a site on the right side without being able to see anything over there. Additionally, the site number pedestals for each site are right against the corner of the driveway where you have to back around them."
Off-peak value: The best places to camp near Sandstone include options for weekday stays. Scott M. suggests: "Nice little state park close to the cities... Good variety of sites. Lots of birds here... I would recommend coming during the week not the weekend as it is a little slower."
