RV campsites around Sandstone, Minnesota range from state park alternatives to casino-adjacent luxury options. The area sits within the St. Croix River Valley at approximately 1,060 feet elevation, creating a landscape of rolling hills and mixed pine-hardwood forests. Spring and fall can bring significant temperature fluctuations, with overnight lows dropping below freezing even when daytime temperatures reach the 70s.
What to do
Explore Kettle River paddling routes: Banning State Park provides access to the Kettle River with options for whitewater paddling and rockclimbing. Banning RV Park and Campground offers proximity to these activities. "We discovered this campground while researching the area, it is fairly new and not only not reviewed on the Dyrt but not listed on it yet either. If you are planning to explore the Kettle River and Banning State Park nearby, this is a good alternative to camping within the State Park itself," notes reviewer Janet R.
Winter ice fishing: For cold weather RV camping near Sandstone, Minnesota, Hidden Bay RV Resort offers winter access for ice houses. "I'm talking winter camping on the lake on the Ice in an 'Ice Castle' catching walleye. Had a great time fishing in the camper (Ice Castle) well plowed roads, nice showers. Lots of other ice fisherman in January and February," reports Michael V.
Swimming and boating: Several campgrounds provide water recreation options. "They have golf, a pool, lake nearby, and seasonal camping," Dan B. wrote about Pokegama Lake RV Park and Golf Course. Oak Lake Campground offers lake access with boat rentals and a swimming beach, though one camper mentioned, "Spots were right by the lake and the lake was awesome."
What campers like
Spacious dog recreation areas: Beyond standard pet-friendly policies, some campgrounds provide extensive pet amenities. "The campground itself was very clean and well landscaped and maintained," wrote Janet R. about Banning RV Park and Campground, adding "in addition to playgrounds for children in different places around the campground, there was a huge dog walking and play area that was grassy and beautifully clean—and, of special interest, included a complete 'dog playground' with all the standards elements of a dog agility course!"
Golf course convenience: Minnesota National RV Park caters to golfing enthusiasts with direct access to the adjacent course. "The 27-hole golf course was in good shape and fun to play," notes MickandKarla W. Another reviewer mentioned, "This is a relatively new (2016?) campground built right next to the Minnesota National Golf Course clubhouse, and in the corner surrounded by Savannah holes 8 and 9. It's literally inside the golf course."
Well-maintained facilities: Several campers highlight the upkeep of grounds and facilities. One camper at Grand Casino RV Resort stated, "Best maintained RV resort ever! Adjacent to a large casino with hotels and restaurants. Less than two miles from I35." They were particularly impressed with maintenance response: "Best thing is that when we arrived at our spot, there was a tree that needed trimming. I mentioned it to an employee going by on a golf cart. He called someone. He said someone was on their way to take care of it right now."
What you should know
Water hookup challenges: Several RV parks in the area have unusual water connection setups. At Banning RV Park, one camper reported, "Found the sewer in the tall grass and electric, but the water supply was nowhere to be seen. We were quick to learn that water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots." They added, "Ours source ended up being 75' plus from our RV. Thankfully I just happened to be carrying the extra hose."
Site layout considerations: When camping at RV parks near Sandstone, Minnesota, be prepared for challenging site configurations. At Grand Casino RV Resort, a reviewer noted, "Back-in site was 90 degrees to the road - if the bathhouse parking lot wasn't across from it, wouldn't have been able to swing in on a 24' travel trailer."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from May through October, with limited winter options. Red Fox Campground and RV Park offers a central location for year-round exploration: "Close to grocery store and parks. We hit Robinson Park and Bannon State Park," reports one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Banning RV Park provides family-friendly amenities beyond basic camping. "We were located near the campground pavilion, which included picnic tables, family bathrooms with showers, playground, activity center with craft classes etc, and laundry room," notes one visitor.
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities for children. At Grand Casino RV Resort, one camper reported, "The pool had a perfect temperature and nice lounging area."
ATV-friendly campgrounds: Oak Lake Campground & RV Sales provides family recreation with "boat rental and a swimming beach" according to Courtney C., who added "Playground for the kids was decent. The beach was ok." Another option is Red Fox Campground, where a camper was "apprehensive after I found out that this was a big ATV campground. But was pleasantly surprised that everyone was very respectful and it was very quiet."
Tips from RVers
Bring extra hose length: Multiple campgrounds require longer-than-standard hookup equipment. One RVer at Banning RV Park reported needing over 75 feet of water hose, while another at Minnesota National RV Park noted, "The utilities are in the back of pad in this CG, so you may need 20+ feet of electric, sewer, or water cord/hose depending on your rig's configuration."
Consider arrival timing: Some campgrounds have limited visibility after dark. At Banning RV Park, one camper noted, "Campground was very dark in the area of campsites which made setting up a bit difficult." Consider timing arrival during daylight hours.
Expect varied site conditions: Site quality and levelness vary significantly between and within campgrounds. At Minnesota National RV Park, a camper reported, "Gravel pads, some a bit out of level. All 50 amp water and sewer." Another visitor to Banning RV Park found "Our sites were grass that was a little long and rutted from what seemed from previous tenants. This made getting leveling a little difficult."
