Glacial Lakes State Park lies 30 miles southwest of Spicer, Minnesota, amid rolling prairie hills formed by retreating glaciers. The area features numerous kettle lakes with depths reaching 30-40 feet, creating exceptional water clarity for paddling. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with humidity levels increasing mosquito activity from June through August.
What to do
Prairie hiking trails: Explore the rolling terrain at Alexander Ramsey Park where numerous trails follow the river and pass several waterfalls. "Lots of nice trails to walk. Small zoo that is well kept. Had a nice shady site," shares Josh B.
Wildlife viewing: Visit Alexander Ramsey Park to observe various animals including buffalo, goats, elk and prairie dogs. As Chris L. notes, it's a "great family place with all of the animals they have to feed including buffalo, goats, elk, geese, and prairie dogs!"
Paddleboarding on clear waters: Rent boats, kayaks, and paddleboards at A J Acres Campground for a small fee. The beach area offers swimming, though one camper advises caution: "The only problem is that boaters and kayaks are in the same general area so you have to be careful so you don't get hit."
What campers like
Shaded lakefront sites: Lake Ripley County Park Campground offers sites with unobstructed lake views. "Most of the sites here are lakefront. They have you park your vehicle behind a row of bushes to help keep the view clear for everybody," explains Tori K.
Backpacking options: Lake Maria State Park provides secluded hike-in sites at varying distances from parking areas. One camper recommends: "I really enjoy sites 1, 2, and 3 as they are a little more secluded from other sites, however 1 is fairly close to the county road so you will hear some vehicle noise overnight."
Clean facilities: Memorial Park in Granite Falls maintains well-kept shower facilities. A visitor confirmed: "The campground is shady, quiet, and clean. The bathroom is remodeled and was very clean."
What you should know
Site reservations: At Games Lake County Park, weekly rentals are standard and sites fill quickly during summer weekends. Janet R. explains: "This is a nicely forested family-oriented campground on the shores of Games Lake... rates for tent camping or various levels of RV camping are very reasonable but only offered for weekly rentals."
Bug intensity: Mosquitoes can be overwhelming during summer months. One Lake Maria visitor shared: "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Water levels: Water conditions at area lakes can vary significantly. At Glacial Lakes, a visitor noted: "The lake was really high when we visited, which led to a useless campground fishing pier and a boat dock that you had to swim to to use."
Tips for camping with families
Zoo visits: Memorial Park offers nearby wildlife viewing areas perfect for children. "It's a lovely campground sites... big mature trees close to the river nice spaces clean," mentions Mary L.
Recreation amenities: Cokato Lake RV Resort provides numerous family activities in one location. "Inground, heated swimming pool; mini golf; pickleball; tennis; arcade room attached to the office. Ice cream shop has 8 flavors of hand-dipped yum!" reports Rachel H.
Hike-in camping preparation: When glamping with children at Lake Maria State Park, pack strategically for the walk to your site. A camper advises: "We prepared the kiddos for a quick grab and run... Our campsite was about a mile from the car so we started at a quick walk onto the trail."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Glacial Lakes State Park Campground, RV campers should target specific sites for the best experience. "Preferred sites in Lower Campground would be 7 for non-electric for privacy and lake views, and 14e, 16e, and 18e for electric," recommends Amanda M.
Dump station access: Some area campgrounds have limited dump station facilities. At Glacial Lakes, one RVer noted: "The water fill and dump stations are on the opposite side of most campers which was the only downside. There was not water supply at the dump station to rinse out the tank."
Tree clearance: A J Acres Campground requires careful maneuvering for larger RVs. "Navigating around trees was not so fun with our 5th wheel. We got the slideouts to fit in between the trees," reports Nettie W.
