Best Campgrounds near St. Cloud, MN
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.
