106 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State parks and forests surrounding St. Cloud, Minnesota provide a diverse range of camping experiences within an hour's drive of the city. Lake Maria State Park in Monticello offers year-round camping with walk-in sites and cabins in a wooded setting, while St. Cloud Campground & RV Park and St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park provide developed options with full hookups closer to town. The Sand Dunes State Forest near Big Lake features more rustic camping at Ann Lake Campground, with both drive-in and walk-in sites available from May through November. Several smaller county and municipal campgrounds complement these larger facilities, creating a network of options ranging from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks with 50-amp electrical service.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter camping available at select locations. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends, particularly for waterfront sites. As one camper noted, "The sites were pretty large, much larger than at a KOA, but not so big or private as some campgrounds we've been to." Cell service varies significantly across the area, with better coverage at developed campgrounds near town and spotty reception in state forests. Summer brings mosquitoes and ticks, especially in wooded areas, while poison ivy is prevalent in Sand Dunes State Forest. Winter camping requires four-wheel drive vehicles in some locations, as forest roads receive minimal maintenance during snow season.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for many campers visiting the St. Cloud area. Several reviewers highlighted fishing opportunities on local lakes and rivers, with one noting "large wooded lots, most facing the river or wildlife pond" at RiversEdge RV Park. Privacy levels vary considerably between campgrounds, with state forest sites generally offering more seclusion than municipal or private facilities. Fall camping receives particular praise from visitors, especially at Lake Maria State Park where "the middle of October was prime color season" according to one reviewer. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, with birds, deer, and occasionally wolves reported by campers in the more remote areas.
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
from $22 - $80 / night
Check Availability"On the outskirts of St Cloud, this campground was very well maintained and clean."
"No lake but a pool. More like an RV Park although they do have rustic sites."
from $75 / night
Check Availability"We have a pop up so we parked on a grassy spot next to the cabins that backed up to a field. It was nice to be there instead of in the thick of the big camper section. Pool was nice and store too."
"If this place was close to home I’d be here every weekend. Absolute beautiful weather with a nice breeze no mosquitoes not something you get in Florida in July !!"
"Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food. Love's is open 24 hours and has most things you would need. There is also a Hardee's if you need dinner!"
"Conveniently off highway 23 and I94 so you should be able to get back on the road quickly!"
from $29 / night
Check Availability"Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."
"Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy"
from $50 / night
Check Availability"For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn’t expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly."
"I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock."
"This is a well kept and well run campground tucked in between the Mississippi River and the outlet of the Platte River."
"Lots of walking trails , well groomed. Camping spots were large and specious."
"There is also a fishing pier and boat launch available, great lake for water ski and other water sports. Fishing is mostly pan but you can catch large bass and northern on this lake."
"I had been out of town and away from home the previous week, and decided I would stop here on the long drive home in order to break up my trip."
from $150 / night
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ScoutMe and my nephew came to camp at Bertram Park in Monticello and the boss came up to him and was being an ass telling him that he can’t ride his dirtbike that has the battery in it and he said it in a mean way and he said if he catches him again, he will kick us out of the park. I don’t recommend coming here. The bus could’ve been a lot nicer about it.
ScoutGreat place if you have tents but no rv or pull behind parking
ScoutLarge sites. NO sewer hookups but there is a dump station.
RangerGps puts the site smack in the middle of a soybean? field. The Dyrt needs to get with it on it's Minnesota sites. Phft.
GuideI had a very...interesting experience at the camper cabins this week! I stayed at the cabin #3 this week, Monday through Thursday (3 nights). Monday and Tuesday were awesome. I was the only one there on the whole side of the road, and it was soooo peaceful.
Early Wednesday morning (around 3am)is where things stopped being peaceful. A really bad storm developed (that I had no idea was coming). It was probably the worst storm I had ever experienced in my life. Five trees fell in the yard, one small one hitting the cabin. One tree even fell a couple of feet behind my car, blocking me in. After taking a short walk when the sun came up, I realized the damage was everywhere in the park. I was seeing downed trees all over every single trial and road. I emailed the park office which opened at 8 that I was trapped, and they cleared all the trees from the office to where I was (almost three miles away) and was getting me out by 9:30. I was so impressed with how fast they worked. Amazing job! They offered to give me a refund if I wanted to go home early (I didn't, because I was still really enjoying my time there). I will definitely be back!
Without the whole storm fiasco, here are some pros and cons:
Pro *the cabins are gorgeous and cozy. *they have electric and heat (a gas burning stove heats the cabin, how cute!) *there's a screened in porch allowing you to enjoy the weather without bugs. *the vault toilet is really close, but there is also flush toilets with a shower in the campground, which is like a five minute walk, or a very short drive. *the mattresses on the bunk beds appear to be newer than some cabins I stayed in, that being said, a foam mattress topper isn't a bad idea if you struggle to sleep *the trails are gorgeous. The cabins aren't far from the lake either. There's a visitor center that's currently closed for renovations (2026) but I think will be open next year. There's a short interpretive trail behind it too. *there's a fire ring and picnic table outside.
Cons (there aren't many!) *I think being separated from the main campground is both a pro and a con, depending on your personality. If you like solitude then it's perfect. If you enjoy being where everyone else is, then it's a con.
TravelerJust spent 4 nights here with our popup and disappointed in how poor the place has been kept up. Only one shower worked out of 3 in the mens and womens bathroom and the light was out in the one that did work. Hardly any water came out as well. Same for the hand washing sinks in the mens, only one had water coming out. The laundry building mens bathroom had a faucet the wasn't even attached to the counter top so I had to hold it down to move the lever to turn the water on. The gravel roads have a lot of washed out areas so ruts and potholes everywhere. Definately not worth the price and won't be staying here again. The only two positives that I can say is that the staff is freindly and the lake is very clear for June compared to other lakes in MN. Caught quite a few nice sunfish off the dock and even a few sm bass. The old west show area does look nice but nothing went on there the weekend we were at the campground.
ScoutGot a nice spot by the water, big parking spot, little below the spot is an opening towards water with a fire pit. 2-3 bars of service but never had an issue. Worked well. Very private. Bugs weren’t bad either
TravelerAbsolutely love this campground. 2nd year for my family. We plan on coming back for many years to come. This place is completely family oriented. Very well maintained. Wonderful staff members. Just overall a wonderful experience each and every time. I highly recommend a visit if you want to make memories that will last a life time.
ScoutI was able to find a campsite not on the road. There was a trail from the parking spot so keep an eye out. Lots of animals saw a turkey and coyote so just be aware. Very pretty and calm. Had to pick up some trash from other campers just a reminder to leave no trace.
The St. Cloud area provides accessible camping options along the Mississippi River watershed, with most sites situated between 1,000-1,100 feet elevation. Winter camping requires specialized gear as temperatures can drop below -20°F, while summer highs typically reach 80-85°F with high humidity. Several campgrounds feature walk-in sites requiring hikes from parking areas to campsites.
Lake access fishing: Ann Lake Campground offers fishing opportunities with multiple access points. As one camper noted, "The trails are a lot of fun... lots to see. The outhouses are kept up well and pump water road side."
Mushroom spotting: Lake Maria State Park features diverse fungi varieties during summer months. "We were all entertained by the plethora of mushroom varieties that surrounded the camp," reports one visitor who stayed despite challenging bug conditions.
River tubing: Two Rivers Campground provides river tubing on the Mississippi. "Tubing down the river is a MUST! Lots of fun. There's mini golf, a decent arcade, a camp store," shares one camper who rated the experience highly.
Winter camping: Lake Maria State Park stays open year-round with more solitude during cold months. A reviewer who visited in November noted: "Despite all my problems, it was a great experience. Just being out in the woods in November usually meant there wasn't any people around so we were able to enjoy the outdoors."
Private backcountry sites: Site B6 at Lake Maria offers seclusion with natural amenities. According to one visitor: "This hike-in site is about a half-mile walk from the parking area, and the journey in is half the magic: winding wooded trails, wildflowers, and glimpses of the lake through the trees."
Wildlife viewing: Ann Lake Campground provides opportunities to see local fauna. One regular visitor reports: "Very beautiful and lots of deer on the trails."
Off-peak camping: Many campers prefer spring and fall visits to avoid crowds. "I visit here often, great walking trails and wildlife," mentions a Lake Maria State Park regular who gives the park five stars.
Beach access: Schroeder County Park features shoreline swimming. "The beach front is long and beautiful, lots of room to roam," notes one visitor who gave the park four stars.
Poison ivy prevalence: Sand Dunes State Forest has significant poison ivy issues. "Be aware that the undergrowth is at least 25% poison ivy. Sites are large so they are clear. If you're susceptible, not for you," warns one recent visitor.
Walk-in distance considerations: Lake Maria sites require carrying all gear from parking areas. A camper advises: "If you're new to hiking, I suggest doing some research if you're going to attempt stuff like this... Carrying firewood, food, water, gear, on a hilly trail through the woods can become real tough real fast."
Bug seasonality: Summer brings intense insect activity at wooded sites. "First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos. Walking along the kids all looked like Pig-Pen from Peanuts," describes a family who visited during peak bug season.
Site maintenance varies: Some Ann Lake campsites need attention after busy weekends. "We arrived after sundown and in the morning, we realized we wouldn't have picked the site if we would have seen all the problems with it. Broken glass under picnic table, grill on fire pit was broken."
Pack protection: Insect defense is crucial during summer months. A parent recommends: "Luckily at our actual campsite the bugs weren't quite as horrendous so we were able to get out a bit after applying a few more layers of repellant."
Consider cabin options: St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park offers family-friendly cabin accommodations. "Just stayed for the weekend and we had a wonderful time. Shaded lot, much quieter than other sites I've been too," reports a visitor who appreciated the amenities.
Pool access: Many families appreciate swimming options at private campgrounds. "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," notes a St. Cloud-Clearwater visitor.
Age-appropriate activities: Some sites offer better options for specific age groups. "On the outskirts of St Cloud, this campground was very well maintained and clean. They have a pool, lodge, bath house and laundry facilities," shares a camper who found the facilities suitable for children.
Overhead clearance: St. Cloud Campground & RV Park provides better access for larger rigs. "They have a pool, lodge, bath house and laundry facilities, the sites were pretty large, much larger than at a KOA," mentions one RVer.
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds offer more separation between units. "We were in a pull through at the north end of the campground and the site itself was nice and had decent spacing between sites, but I noticed some of the other sites were quite close."
Internet connectivity: Wifi quality varies significantly between campgrounds. According to one RVer: "Campground is very nice, with shade and open areas. Hosts are friendly and helpful. Sites are well maintained as are the showers and restrooms... We were unable to even get a signal!"
Tree navigation challenges: Maneuvering through wooded campgrounds requires care. "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking," notes a camper at Ann Lake who recommends caution with larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near St. Cloud, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, St. Cloud, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 106 campgrounds and RV parks near St. Cloud, MN and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near St. Cloud, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. Cloud, MN is Lake Maria State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near St. Cloud, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near St. Cloud, MN.
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