Best Campgrounds near Spring Valley, MN

Southeast Minnesota offers several campgrounds near Spring Valley, with options ranging from developed sites to rustic accommodations. Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground provides tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options in a wooded setting along the Root River. Just a few miles away, Maple Springs Campground offers similar accommodations with electric hookups and water access. Hidden Bluffs Resort and The Old Barn Resort round out the camping landscape in this region, both offering cabin options alongside traditional campsites approximately 15-20 miles from Spring Valley.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. The Old Barn Resort typically operates from April 1 to October 31, while Maple Springs Campground welcomes visitors from mid-April to mid-October. Weather conditions can affect camping experiences, particularly in spring when rainfall may increase moisture levels at some sites. Cell service varies throughout the region, with some areas having limited connectivity. As one visitor noted about Forestville, "It was very dewy and wet, not because it rained or anything but because the vegetation is very thick."

Campers consistently praise the natural setting and amenities available at campgrounds in the Spring Valley area. The Root River provides recreational opportunities at several sites, with fishing being particularly popular. "There is a winery (Four Daughter) not far away that's more than worth stopping at," mentioned one camper about activities near Forestville Mystery Cave State Park. Hiking trails are abundant throughout the region, with many campgrounds offering direct trail access. Mystery Cave tours are a highlight for many visitors, with guided explorations of the underground formations available for an additional fee. Shower facilities, picnic tables, and fire rings are standard at most developed campgrounds, though amenities vary between primitive and improved sites.

Best Camping Sites Near Spring Valley, Minnesota (130)

    1. Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Preston, MN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 352-5111

    $35 / night

    "There are so many activities to do both within the park and surrounding areas, but my most favorite thing to do was walk the endless miles of hiking trails."

    "On top of that it has this awesome living history 1800's village managed by the Minnesota Historical Society."

    2. Maple Springs Campground

    11 Reviews
    Preston, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 352-2056

    $35 / night

    "Beautiful spaces of various size, a river runs next to it and they have duck races."

    "Had a river to walk along and playground and animals for kids to enjoy. Staff were really nice and helpful."

    3. Hidden Bluffs Resort

    3 Reviews
    Spring Valley, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 498-5881

    $65 - $999 / night

    "However, when checking in at night at staying in the "upper campground", be aware that there is another road the is very steep right next to where you go for the upper campground."

    "2 trails and babbling brooke were peaceful. They had kid and adult activities scheduled for Friday and Saturday which was a cool surprise when we checked in!"

    4. Lake Louise State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Le Roy, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 724-2107

    "You can go fishing at the pond without having to purchase a Minnesota Fishing License!"

    "Our group of 12 stayed at one of the two group sites at Lake Louise State Park. Our site holds up to 30 and the neighboring site holds up to 50."

    5. The Old Barn Resort

    10 Reviews
    Lanesboro, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 467-2512

    "It was located right on the Root River Trail System which we liked for biking and running."

    "Beware, the office and bar/restaurant are located inside the barn. I say beware because there are barn swallows that nest on the outside of the barn. TONS of barn swallows."

    6. Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    51 Reviews
    Elba, MN
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 932-3007

    "Whitewater is by far one of the top state parks in Minnesota. Their camping facilities are clean with running water and free showers. The campsites are quite spacious but not too wooded."

    "Easy access to hiking trails. My site was close in distance to adjacent ones, but was on the edge by the creek, so it was pretty quiet."

    7. Schmidt Farm by Forestville

    2 Reviews
    Preston, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 273-6278

    $35 / night

    "If you're looking for a simpler camping experience focused on getting away from everything and solitude, then this is the place for you.   "

    "This location offers the opportunity to explore both private trails and less traveled areas of Forestville State Park. Secluded campsites so you are not camping side by side with others."

    8. Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging

    16 Reviews
    Lanesboro, MN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 467-2598

    $30 - $46 / night

    "Stopped here on the way up to Minnesota and our campsite was gorgeous! Everyone was very friendly and the sites were very clean. We stayed right on the water."

    "They have several on the rivers edge which are by far the best! The campground rents out tubes as well as provides a shuttle to the starting point and you float down to the campground."

    9. Deer Creek Speedway

    1 Review
    Spring Valley, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 754-6107

    10. Rochester-Marion KOA

    5 Reviews
    Marion, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 288-0785

    "We got back on the Interstate & got off on exit 224. Took Co Rd 7 to HWY 52. This is a lot easier than the directions the KOA gave."

    "It has convenient access to the freeway and the city of Rochester. Bathrooms are cleaned frequently and we'll stocked."

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Recent Reviews near Spring Valley, MN

468 Reviews of 130 Spring Valley Campgrounds


  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2025

    Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    Newer campground at gorgeous Whitewater State Park

    This campground is on the opposite side of the road as the park office… but on the same side as the beach. Nice new shower building and nice roads. Some sites are a bit on the smaller side, but there are some drive through sites as well. There are also group sites and cabins.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2025

    Cedar Hill Campground — Whitewater State Park

    Traditional Camping at a Beautiful State Park

    Whitewater SP is a great place to spend time. This campground is the older one on the same side as the store/office. They have a beautiful new shower building.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2025

    North Campground — Merrick State Park

    Nice sites at a WI State Park on the River

    Nice large sites in a single loop. This is one of 3 campgrounds in this State park. There are a few river side sites in the loop and mature trees are within the loop. The shower building is in this loop although it’s closed over winter. Vault toilets still available.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2025

    South Campground — Merrick State Park

    Nice River campground

    This campground offers many nice sites. Some are more off by themselves and some are right next to each other. There is drive in, cart in, and pull in sites. There is nice ground for renting as well. Many of the sites are on the river. Nice state park! Open year round.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2025

    Island Campground — Merrick State Park

    Nice large “hike-in” sites on the river

    These sites are in 1 of 3 campgrounds in the State Park. They are technically “hike-in” or “cart-in” but have a very short hike to get to. They are large and have a fire ring and picnic table at each of the on the water sites. Very nice in my opinion!

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2025

    Pool 4, Riecks Lake Park

    Small area along the river near the road

    Just for clarification, the map coordinates are about 2 miles off here. The address brings you to the lock and dam and while there appears to be a 10 hour parking sign, it is just the parking lot. About 2.1 miles north on the road is the small campground and park. This is seasonal camping closed over winter. The campground and the road is on a narrow piece of land between the Mississippi and a ponds/backwaters that has an impressive amount of waterfowl present.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 9, 2025

    Adolph Munson Park

    Small park

    Unsure about this one. It is a small triangle of grassy land in between gravel roads and fields. It looks to be the remains of an old town by the sign present. I suppose one could set-up a tent here, but there was no signage stating that. I drove by in October and there was a roped off area right off the gravel for an “entrance” but it looks like a couple cars could park partially on the side of the road to use the picnic area and grounds.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 9, 2025

    Saude Rec Area

    Unsure of this one

    The directions took me to a green area, but there was also a building/shed on the property and the only road off the main gravel road was a driveway… so I’m not sure. I took a photo of where I took the photos from the road. Maybe you need to park and hike in, but not accessible for a vehicle?

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 9, 2025

    Vernon Springs Turkey River County Park

    Nice new campground with great local activities

    This campground is a county campground that looks pretty new or recently upgraded. It is on the outskirts of town by a mile or two. There is nice walking and biking trails on the property and the river is close by. A nature center is on the property. There is a boat launch available near for putting your yak or canoe in. This is seasonally open.


Guide to Spring Valley

Spring Valley, Minnesota is surrounded by a diverse range of campground options in southeastern Minnesota's bluff country. Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground and Maple Springs Campground provide several accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. The Old Barn Resort offers additional options with tent camping, RV sites, cabins, and even glamping and yurt accommodations approximately 15 miles northeast of Spring Valley. Most developed campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water.

Camping seasons vary significantly across the region, with some facilities like Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground operating year-round while others such as Maple Springs Campground operate from mid-April to mid-October. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. The area features numerous hiking trails, trout streams for fishing, and cave exploration opportunities. Cell service can be limited in this rural region, particularly in the valley areas where campgrounds are situated. As one camper noted, "There was no AT&T cell coverage" at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park.

Campers consistently praise the natural beauty and activities available near Spring Valley campgrounds. Several visitors highlight the peace and quiet of the area, particularly during weekdays. Forestville Mystery Cave State Park receives high ratings for its cave tours and hiking trails, while Maple Springs Campground is frequently complimented for its maintenance and riverside location. A visitor remarked that Maple Springs is a "quiet and mosquito free campground on the root river in beautiful SE MN." The region's campgrounds benefit from proximity to natural features like trout streams, hiking trails, and the Root River, which offers recreational opportunities including fishing and limited tubing. Facilities range from basic tent sites with vault toilets to fully developed RV parks with electrical hookups, showers, and sanitary dump stations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Spring Valley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Spring Valley, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 130 campgrounds and RV parks near Spring Valley, MN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Spring Valley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Spring Valley, MN is Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spring Valley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Spring Valley, MN.