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The Minnesota River Valley near Skyline offers a range of camping experiences within a landscape of rolling farmland, wooded river bluffs, and prairie remnants. State parks and county facilities provide the primary camping options, with Minneopa State Park's Red Fox Campground standing out for its unique bison viewing opportunities and waterfall access. Sakatah Lake State Park, about 30 minutes east, features wooded sites popular with Twin Cities residents seeking quick weekend getaways. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of hookups and amenities. Several facilities like Land of Memories Campground and Sawmill Campground provide full-service sites with electric, water, and sewer connections for larger rigs.
Camping in this region typically operates from April through October, with some facilities like Bray County Park remaining open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holiday periods when sites fill quickly. Weather considerations include potential flooding in spring and mosquito activity during summer months. As one camper noted about Red Fox Campground, "The view was absolutely beautiful over the hills, with the forest giving us cover from the bright sun rays in the morning. Slight warning though - the railroad is right behind most of the sites and we did hear a couple trains go by." Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though coverage may be spotty in some river valley locations.
Many campgrounds in the region feature distinctive natural attractions that enhance the camping experience. Minneopa State Park offers a drive-through bison range and accessible waterfall viewing. According to one visitor, "The buffalo are close to the campground and the other half of the state park is about half a mile away. That section has more trails and a large waterfall you can walk down to." Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with some sites affected by nearby highways or railroad tracks. Campers seeking more solitude might prefer the cart-in sites at parks like Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, described by one visitor as "larger and more private than most state parks, especially so close to the cities."
"The other direction is the BISON DRIVE. Yes, you can actually drive amongst bison if the road is open."
"We arrived there around sundown, and set up camp in the spot we reserved. The view was absolutely beautiful over the hills, with the forest giving us cover from the bright sun rays in the a.m."
from $24 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful location in the woods witha stream next to it. There are a few water pumps and some outhouses. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring. Restaurant onsite is fantastic."
"Has a awesome family owned drive thru fast food shop at the entrance. The river is perfect for paddle boarding."
"The park here has a Frisbee golf course as well as soccer fields and a trail system that wraps the campground and park."
from $27 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Very nice little quiet campground on the outside edge of Mankato. Very nice people and easy to work with. Not really up do date with technology for booking and such but over all great place."
"Great golf course right next to it. Nice large sites and great price. 27.00 for pull through and full hook-up. We have always had friendly people staying next to us."
"Located in a county park grounds, Shady Oaks is a quiet, no frills RV park. Sites have electric and water. The spaces are nicely spread out, not to crammed in together. A river runs by one side."
"Well tended county campground surrounded by many good fishing lakes. Good spacing between sites , gravel pads, nice and clean shower house. Not much shade. Both paved and grass trails. Not very busy."
"The lake is down the road with public access for your boat."
"Sites in the back loop away from the lake are big, but not much for shade yet. Sites by the lake looked nice. Beach is nice and clean."
"There was a vault toilet near by and full bathrooms a short walk away. The showers by the lake could use some updating but the bathrooms by the bigger loop are very nice and clean."
"Great park if you’re not looking to drive too far to enjoy a bit of nature. Wonderful hiking paths and biking paths. Our site was nice a secluded and right next to the trail heads."
"Sites are wooded and shady but some are close to neighboring sites. Not too many mosquitos or flies for August in Minnesota! Sakatah Singing Hills paved trail runs through the park. "
from $24 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Campsites were close together but that is to be expected at some state parks with drive-ins."
"There were nice walking/hiking trails. If you are there in the summer there is a sand bottom pool that looked nice. Bathrooms and showers were nice and clean."
from $22 - $85 / night
Check Availability
ScoutNice quiet campground. It's a very basic KOA. Not a whole lot of amenities. Large playground is quite good for children. Our site is right across from the campground.
Campsite is in the middle of nature. Lots of trees cover. Not much of a breeze but well protected.
Water is clean, electrical boxes are in good condition.
ScoutWe booked site 31 which is directly in the middle of seasonal campers. Not very many people around. Bathrooms are definitely old but clean. I would not waste the extra 10 dollars on a lakeside site (trees blocking view)
ScoutMy two boys and I camped here for one night on a weekday in late August. It was a great place to relax and spend time together. We chose the cart in campsite and we had the area all to ourselves. The vault toilets near the campsite were clean, and the main bathrooms and showers in the main campground were also very nice and clean. We enjoyed a great hike around the park and had a successful birding outing. The trails closer to the water had more mosquitoes, although their numbers decreased the closer we got to our campsite. From our campsite, we saw five new bird species without even having to get out of our chairs. All in all, I would definitely come back.
ScoutAs a newer resident on Roberds Lake I decided to walk my son in his stroller down to the resort. It looked like a tropical paradise. The water is treated, there were tons of kids splashing around, his age.. It was the hottest day this year so far. It was packed! Lots of welcoming smiles on the beach...I saw the sign saying "Public Not Allowed." I was like aw that's disappointing ,and I understand completeley, why they do this. I have worked in the food and bev/entertainment industry for all of my life. Im 44...
I went into the little eatery to ask permission from what appeared to be the owner or manager. I asked her and she replied with " NO!" in the rudest way you could say it, and pointed her finger at the door....I mean, come on. Im my opinion, I think she could have handled it a little more professionally and suggest somewhere else, offer a cup of ice water, anything kind....no. All she was, was straight up cruel and I had to rush the first 2 blocks before I lost it. My son, didn't make a peep..anyways. . .I dont like saying negative things about people but in the case, I cant hold back. If you cant be kind and hospitable to EVERYONE that walks in that door, find a new profession like a prison guard or something....
GuideWell tended county campground surrounded by many good fishing lakes. Good spacing between sites , gravel pads, nice and clean shower house. Not much shade. Both paved and grass trails. Not very busy.
GuideWe stayed 1 night and the host was Amazing! Our site had everything included. Site was easy to back into and the location is just an hour from Mall of America
GuideAmazing staff who were super nice and helpful. Great clean bathrooms and camp sites. We liked the trails and ability to access the lake. Super cheap and easy to rent kayaks.
GuideI have gone to this campground a few times and we love it. It’s beautiful and peaceful, secluded lots. Very overlooked this is a gem.
ScoutThis place is a gem…immaculately maintained and tucked into a county fairground in rural Small-town Minnesota. Host Jim is friendly, hard-working and helpful. I’ll be back , God willin’. Earl
The Minnesota River Valley near Skyline sits at approximately 980 feet elevation with terrain shaped by ancient glacial activity. Camping options range from primitive sites along riverbanks to full-service campgrounds with modern amenities. Winter camping opportunities exist at several locations where summer crowds thin out and wildlife viewing improves.
Buffalo viewing: Drive through the bison range at Minneopa State Park's Red Fox Campground. One visitor notes, "Great little park bathrooms are very clean! They are just long drop toilets though... Have to pay for a separate vehicle pass but that gets you access to the bison refuge and the water fall."
River activities: Explore the Minnesota River from the boat launch at Rapidan Dam Co Park. According to a camper, "The river is perfect for paddle boarding." Several sites have trails that lead directly to river access points for fishing, kayaking, or wildlife observation.
Cycling: Ride the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail which connects to many campgrounds in the area. One reviewer at Sakatah Lake State Park Campground wrote, "The campground has friendly rangers with great recommendations and is located on a state trail that goes from Mankato to Fairbault. We had a great time from Friday-Sunday hanging out at the campsite, roasting marshmallows, riding bike on the state trail, and hiking around the lake!"
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the layout at Sakatah Lake State Park Campground, where "Most sites are private, but they are a bit crammed together in multiple loops so some sites are not so private." Another camper mentioned, "Our site was a perfect tent-in site (site 15), as it was far enough away from the highway and other sites, so noise was minimal."
Nature sounds: The bird and wildlife watching opportunities stand out at many campgrounds. One camper at Sakatah Lake was "amazed with all the sounds of birds in this park. I heard Everything from Eagles, Canadian Geese and Swans to Woodpeckers and multiple song birds. I wish I could distinguish between them. Also the frogs and toads were adding their voices too."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain clean facilities. A visitor to Lake Washington County Park reported, "Bathrooms and showers were very clean." Similarly, a camper at Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail Parking noted, "Bathrooms were clean and the showers were nice."
Reservation challenges: Some campgrounds have limited online reservation systems. At Rapidan Dam Co Park, "Cycling into sites can be difficult because some have lots of sand on the path." Another camper at Red Fox Campground mentioned, "Tried to book online as there is no in person drop box. Can only pay online. I found the site to not be very mobile friendly. Kept kicking us out of selected field."
Site proximity: The distance between campsites varies significantly. One camper at Minneopa observed, "camp sites are very close together. Hiking circles around a buffalo enclosure, you have to drive to a different area of the park to experience the waterfalls."
Seasonal considerations: Insect activity and lake conditions vary dramatically by season. A camper at Sakatah Singing Hills noted, "One of the park staff said it's best to go before June or after July due to the mosquitos." At Sakatah Lake, a visitor warned, "Sakatah Lake is quite shallow so late season is at risk of algae bloom - the lake was pea soup green when we got there at the end of August, so go early in the season if you want to get on the water."
Playground access: Land of Memories Campground offers "a Frisbee golf course as well as soccer fields and a trail system that wraps the campground and park." Lake Washington County Park also has a "playground for the kids" making it suitable for families with young children.
Water activities: While not all lakes are suitable for swimming, they offer other recreation. At Sakatah Lake State Park, one visitor warns, "The drinking water had consumption warnings, the modern restrooms were closed, and the lake isn't swimmable. Otherwise there was some great hiking."
Security considerations: Some campgrounds offer added security. The Riverside Park and Municipal Campground is "behind the police station so at least I felt safe. No water hookups, electric only. Park and kids fishing pond there. In town so most everything you need is in walking distance."
Site accessibility: Sawmill Campground offers "very nice little quiet campground on the outside edge of Mankato. Very nice people and easy to work with. Not really up to date with technology for booking and such but over all great place. Large sites and very reasonably priced for a full hook up site."
Size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. At Sakatah Lake State Park, an RVer warned, "Very nice park if your RV is not too big. I put our 38 foot 5th wheel in a site but you better be on your game here. Lots of shade and big trees."
Hookup options: Full-service sites are available at select locations. Shady Oaks Campground is "a quiet, no frills RV park. Sites have electric and water. The spaces are nicely spread out, not too crammed in together. A river runs by one side. Nothing very exciting, but a good place to spend a quiet night."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Skyline, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Skyline, MN is Red Fox Campground — Minneopa State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 34 reviews.
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