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.
$22 - $80 / night
"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."
$75 / night
"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."
"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 !!"
$29 / night
"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!"
$50 / night
"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"
"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."
$150 / night
"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."
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 rang to amenity 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.
TravelerWe stayed here from about 10pm to 6am. There were a ton of people there so it was hard finding somewhere to sleep. Once we did, it was very quiet and we got a good nights rest. There were a couple of cars that passed us in the morning when we left but nothing too crazy. The scenery was very beautiful. This is definitely a great free option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot in the woods to sleep!
TravelerI stayed there with my RV. Most all of the campsites were too small to park it, but I found one at the very end of the park to stay. Although the land itself is beautiful, the locals were reporting me to the DNR officer, who were clearly his friends, and accusing me of things I was not doing. Also, there’s a lot of traffic in and out of there and they fly through there day and night, as well as a lot of gunfire going off a lot of the time. I use T-Mobile service and I was on SOS most of the time. Not very impressed.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
GuideNice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
GuideGot in late on a Sunday night and there was plenty of space. Most sites are right along the gravel road so not super private. Wouldn’t recommend for large trailers/RVs as sites are small. Found a couple sets of deer bones right next to my site, not sure if it’s from hunters dumping their waste or coyotes but keep an eye out either way.
GuideKind of confusing for first time. Was not sure where I could camp. But then found out it's the spots right along road. Beautiful. Some good spots. Ended up in a pull thru around w view.
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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