Several campgrounds near Shorewood, Minnesota offer primitive tent camping spots along with developed RV sites. The region sits at approximately 945 feet above sea level within the Twin Cities metropolitan area, experiencing warm summers and cold winters with occasional thunderstorms during camping season. Most campgrounds in this area close between late October and early May due to Minnesota's harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Riverside recreation: Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River provides tubing opportunities directly from the campground. "Love this place. Close to the Twin Cities, right on the Rum River. Great tent sites right on the river. Tubing! They have a bus that takes you into town float back to the campground, love it," notes one visitor.
Water activities: Baker Campground offers canoe and paddleboard rentals during summer months. A camper mentions, "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)."
Family entertainment: St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park includes mini-golf, shuffleboard, and a salt water pool for campers. According to one reviewer, "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."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide adequately sized sites for comfort. A camper at Baker Campground remarks, "The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great. With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Clean facilities: The regional parks maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. At Cokato Lake RV Resort, one visitor points out, "Inground, heated swimming pool; mini golf; pickleball; tennis; arcade room attached to the office. Ice cream shop has 8 flavors of hand-dipped yum!"
Proximity to cities: Campsites offer convenient access to urban attractions. As noted about Town & Country Campground, "We're in town to catch a twins game and see the mall of America and this was a campground not too far from both. It's an easy on and off the interstate, super close to a gas station and RV wash bay."
What you should know
Variable cost structures: RV sites near Shorewood, Minnesota range significantly in price. One camper at Codgers Cover RV Resort notes that it's "Expensive and Crowded, $70 minimum" while others reported lower rates at state parks.
Site privacy concerns: Some campgrounds offer limited separation between sites. A visitor to Town & Country observed, "You are basically drove insane from the constant gawking eyes of judge mental neighbors. Campsites aren't even spaced out to where you have ANY privacy. The campsites are on top of one another. You are less than ten feet from your neighbors."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October with varying amenities. Baker Campground runs from "Apr 30 - Oct 20" according to their seasonal information, while Country Camping RV Park operates "May 1 - Oct 1."
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Country Camping Tent & RV Park offers diverse activities for children. "We've stayed at Country Camping for years! Great variety of things to do for everyone. Group sites, tent sites, covered wagon sites! Floating on the Rum River, swimming pool with splash pad, little camp store, Golf cart rentals! Our grandkids love it too!"
Kid-friendly sites: Select campgrounds with playground access and recreational facilities. A visitor to St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park shared, "Absolutely beautiful campground with mature trees. Cedars, white oaks, hickory's and more. 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."
Fire pit placement: Consider site layout when traveling with children. One camper at Baker Park noted about site C14: "The only reason this isn't a full 5-star banger is the fire ring placement. That thing is doing its own thing like 30 feet from the tent pad—felt like I needed a shuttle to roast a marshmallow."
Tips from RVers
Site surface quality: RV campsites near Shorewood feature various parking pad materials. At Dakotah Meadows RV Park, one RVer notes, "We enjoy this park a lot. We stay here 2-3 times per summer. Shuttle takes you to casino, but sometime we don't even go there and just enjoy the area. Good things are level cement parking area and grassy spots."
Hookup availability: Electric service amperage varies between campgrounds. A visitor to Dakotah Meadows mentioned, "About 100 sites that's big draw is the Mystic Lake tribal Casino. Sites are two pull-thru's to each site. Your door is opposite of your site mate and you each have your own power pedestal w/water. Sites are 60+ feet, concrete and level."
Transit connections: Some RV parks offer transportation to nearby attractions. As described at Dakotah Meadows, "The Casino operates a round trip Shuttle that picks you up and drops you at your site," making it convenient for RVers wanting to enjoy local entertainment without moving their rigs.
