Best Campgrounds near Stewartville, MN

Stewartville, Minnesota and the surrounding area feature a range of established campgrounds including Rochester-Marion KOA, Chester Woods Park, and Whitewater State Park. Most locations offer both tent and RV camping with electric hookups, while several sites also provide cabin accommodations. Located in southeastern Minnesota's bluff country, these campgrounds typically include amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails. Many sites are nestled along rivers or near lakes, providing opportunities for water recreation including fishing, swimming, and paddling.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from spring through fall, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Rochester-Marion KOA operates from mid-March through October, while Autumn Woods RV Park is available from February to mid-October. Winter camping options are limited to a few locations like Whitewater State Park, which offers year-round access. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when campgrounds frequently reach capacity. The region experiences typical Midwest seasonal variations with hot, humid summers and cold winters. "The campground is nested along the Root River and has a nice little beach to visit. Everything was very clean! I enjoyed how peaceful this area was and how much space each site has," noted one visitor about Cushon's Peak Campground.

Campers consistently praise the natural beauty of southeastern Minnesota's bluff country and river valleys. Whitewater State Park receives particularly high ratings for its scenic limestone bluffs and quality hiking trails. Several visitors mentioned the unique landscape features of the area, including the Root River State Trail which offers excellent biking access from multiple campgrounds. Family-friendly amenities and clean facilities are commonly highlighted in reviews. While many campgrounds offer shaded sites, some visitors note that privacy between sites can be limited. According to one review, "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." Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, eagles, and various bird species, adding to the camping experience throughout the region.

Best Camping Sites Near Stewartville, Minnesota (123)

    1. Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    50 Reviews
    Elba, MN
    26 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."

    2. Autumn Woods RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Stewartville, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 990-2983

    3. Rochester-Marion KOA

    5 Reviews
    Marion, MN
    9 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."

    4. Chester Woods Park

    6 Reviews
    Eyota, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 285-7050

    "It has a campground and man-made lake (created when Bear Creek was dammed for a flood control project) with hiking trails, a horse trail, picnic shelters, a beach, and a playground."

    "Has many walking trails that you can take your dog on and just a couple that you can’t."

    5. Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

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

    $35 / night

    "Mystery Cave State Park is surrounded in in a lush green forest with huge oak and maple trees that hang over the road like a huge living canopy."

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

    6. Bluff Hollow on Root River

    1 Review
    Marion, MN
    6 miles

    $35 - $45 / night

    "There were 2 options for camping - the upper site and lower near the river. We opted to camp and hang out down by the river."

    7. Maple Springs Campground

    11 Reviews
    Preston, MN
    20 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."

    8. Hidden Bluffs Resort

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

    $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!"

    9. Oxbow County Park

    6 Reviews
    Byron, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 775-2451

    $25 - $30 / night

    "There is an awesome park near the sites for children."

    "The zoo is amazing, the campground is well cared and a ton of hiking trails!!"

    10. Chester Woods Patk

    1 Review
    Marion, MN
    12 miles

    "Shade on most, stick to the outsides of camp for better shade."

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Recent Reviews near Stewartville, MN

502 Reviews of 123 Stewartville Campgrounds


  • Sarah D.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Secluded Site and Great Views Close to the Twin Cities

    We did a one night camping trip for my birthday at Cart-In Site 1 the second to last weekend of September.

    We loved the hiking at Frontenac State Park - walking along the lake and then walking along the bluffs at sunset was magical! Fantastic views. I imagine if we had gone two weeks later, we would have had a fantastic display of fall color. We went a little too early to catch the changing leaves.

    We loved how easy Frontenac was for a casual weekend getaway. It was an easy, scenic one hour drive from St. Paul that was very enjoyable. The park was also nice with great bathrooms at the main campsite, nice trails, and they even had board games to check out at the front office for a rainy day- a great idea!

    We stayed at Cart-In Site 1. I would rate the site itself a 3. It was very secluded and spacious, which was fantastic! We could not see any other campsites from our site, which was fantastic. We only occasionally saw some hikers on a nearby trail. We could hear some other noisy campers, but it wasn't too much of a disturbance. Very wooded, nice, spacious site. There is not water at the Cart-In parking lot, so be aware that you will have to fill up prior to parking and heading to your site (easiest place to do so is the main office/ visitor center).

    I also slept poorly because of a nearby train that kept going past and honking at least until midnight. So if you're a light sleeper, be aware of persistent train noise at these sites!

    Overall good site and an easy, fun, and relaxing weekend getaway from the twin cities.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Great hiking trails NICE Bathrooms

    The campground is well maintained, all of the sites are clean and laid out nicely. Some sites are kinda close but there is brush growing between sites.

    There are a LOT of NICE TRAILS at this park. Many nice prairie trails and some fun trails in the bluffs along the Mississippi River too. One trail down along the River can be challenging because of MANY STAIRS.

    Large drive in picnic areas away from the campground that many people drive in to us and had a nice overlook on the Mississippi River. There are 2 nice overlooks that are great to walk to in the dark and watch the calmness and peaceful nature of the river and forest.

    The men’s bathroom and showers are GREAT! There is also very nice large full handicap bathrooms. The SHOWER WATER IS VERY HOT so be careful!

    Dump station is sloped so it makes it easy to drive in either direction to help dump waste water easily. Also fresh water at the dumping station.

    Always Plenty of firewood in the shed next to the office.

  • Maria D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Cleanest Campground Bathrooms Ever!

    Frontenac State Park had some of the nicest campground bathrooms and showers I’ve ever seen—clean, and modern. The ranger station was small and charming, stocked with board games to rent, and it’s clear the staff cares about creating a positive camping experience. I also loved the little free library outside the bathrooms.

    The downsides are that the campsites run small, usually only fitting two tents at most, and there aren’t many trees for hammocking. It’s also a popular park, so it can get pretty loud at times.

    Favorite sites: 37 – Shady and on the edge with just one neighbor (though the main road is on the other side). Decent privacy and potential for hammocking.

    21 – Nice views, but likely best for just one tent/car.

    22 – Very private, though the ground looked a little uneven.

    Other solid tent sites: 36, 25, 48, 49, 51. Site 57 also looked spacious with no neighbors, but it does border the visitor parking lot.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Crystal Springs RV Resort

    Has a resort feel to it

    Spent one night passing through Ellendale Minnesota. Our reservation paperwork was waiting for us at the gatehouse with directions to our back-in site 11. A close walk to the laundry, showers and restroom pavilion was terrific. I can’t remember but I believe this was the best campground for low road noise of our entire trip!

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Zumbrota Covered Bridge Park

    Scenic

    Pros: great paved walking and bike trail; leads to state bike trail; MN only covered bridge; huge park playground; disc golf course; along branch of the river; easy walk into town; friendly camp host; very quiet Cons: few site pads, you just drive onto grass where you see electric/water posts and fire ring; restroom with 1 toilet and 1 shower were dirty (husband said it looks like it hadn’t been cleaned in a month) I concur on woman’s as well but there was toilet paper (happy) but no hand soap or paper towels; garbage in women’s shower

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Haycreek Valley Campground

    Beautiful surroundings

    Red Wing, Minn might be the prettiest small town in the US. Rolling hills, greenery, the Mississippi River, and genuinely nice people in a small city with lots of attractions.

    The campground is about a 10 minute ride from the city center. The amenities are sparse and aged, but the sites are level, plentiful, and reasonably priced.

    Be aware however…..The Dyrt is wrong. There are no sewer hookups at this campground. They have a dump station and will pump for a fee.

    There is a perfectly average pub on site. The food is okay, the price is reasonable.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Lake Hendricks Co Park

    Paved sites, simple Accomodations

    A good place for a place to stop next to a lake. Good hookups and picnic tables


Guide to Stewartville

Southeastern Minnesota offers campers a variety of terrains from limestone bluffs to river valleys, with elevations ranging from 1,100 to 1,300 feet. The region typically receives 30-35 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush vegetation and numerous spring-fed streams. Campsite availability near Stewartville, Minnesota increases during weekdays, with most locations experiencing 30-50% lower occupancy compared to weekends.

What to do

Hiking and cave exploration: Mystery Cave at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park features a 12-13 mile underground system with unique formations. "I spent a day here hiking and had a blast! I hiked up Chimney Rock and then looped back to tackle part of the Dakota trail! The hiking paths were well taken care of," notes Sarah C. Tours cost $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 5-12.

Trout fishing: Access spring-fed streams at several parks including Maple Springs Campground. "The campground had everything we needed including a great little trout stream on the edge of the property," mentions Todd W. Fishing licenses required and available online from Minnesota DNR.

Wildlife viewing: Oxbow County Park offers both camping and animal encounters. "The zoo is just 500 yards away, but you would never know it is there. It's a donation only entry, so you pay what you can for the zoo," explains Lindsay K. The park features rescued animals including a bison herd, elk, and deer with multiple well-maintained trails.

What campers like

Minimal insects: Several campsites report lower mosquito populations than typical Minnesota locations. "We were surprised that there were minimal mosquitoes at Whitewater. We have always enjoyed hiking here too," shares Amber Z. The cold, constantly moving water in many areas helps reduce bug populations during summer months.

Swimming opportunities: Chester Woods Park provides water recreation with beach access. "The campground is very clean and nice. The beach was great and clean. Fishing was great. Would definitely come back," reports Erik O. The park also features a dog swim beach for pet owners.

Seasonal events: Campgrounds in the area often host activities during peak season. "They had a very nice pot luck lunch and pork chops on a stick, all free and great food," notes Andy C. about Memorial Day weekend at Maple Springs Campground. Many locations also offer hayrides, outdoor movies, and organized recreation on weekends.

What you should know

Off-grid communication: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region. "There is NO CELL SERVICE in the campground - no Verizon, ATT or T-Mobile. Wifi down at the ranger office," reports Jim C. about Forestville Mystery Cave State Park. Some campgrounds offer WiFi near main buildings but coverage is limited in camping areas.

Seasonal water access: Winter camping requires additional planning. "This time of year, water is not on in the campground, but there is a spigot right across the road at the visitor center that is on (easy 2 min walk)," notes Amy G. Most campgrounds shut off water systems from October through April.

Reservation requirements: Sites fill quickly during summer months. "We had a reservation on the North Shore, but switched it to Whitewater when we saw the ice and snowstorms in the forecast," mentions Karla J.B. Book at least 3-4 weeks in advance for weekend stays during peak season.

Tips for camping with families

Educational opportunities: Rochester-Marion KOA provides a convenient base for exploring regional attractions. "The staff were very friendly on arrival. Allowed us to pick a preferred spot which is nice. They had a small pool that was too chilly for me but my kids still gave it a shot," reports Lo H. The location allows easy access to Rochester's educational venues.

Winter accessibility: Some campgrounds maintain winter operations with limited amenities. "We visited in winter (February) and while there was snow on the ground, the spaces were kept plowed with easy access to the electric boxes," explains Amy G. Winter rates often lower by 20-30% compared to summer pricing.

Safety considerations: Water features require supervision. "We had so much fun playing on the river and exploring the park! Everything is right there and the river is so pretty! Despite the rain we had a great time," shares Kate H. Most parks provide life jackets for loan during summer months.

Tips from RVers

Hookup variations: Autumn Woods RV Park provides full-service sites for larger rigs. "Very clean, quite and friendly helpful people. Easy in and out, that's important to me because we have a large trailer," explains Mark M. The park remains open from February 15 to October 15, making it one of the earliest opening campgrounds in the region.

Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations require planning. "We grabbed a bundle of wood and pay in person at the other end of the park - a small shop is there near picnic areas and trailheads. The wood was small pieces of mill offcuts, but it burned better that we expected, enough to warm up and to cook," notes Karla J.B. Overnight temperatures can drop below 50°F even during summer months.

Medical access: Several campgrounds provide convenient locations for those visiting medical facilities. "Nice rv park with flexible departure times for Mayo Clinic appointments," mentions Brad W. This flexibility allows medical visitors to extend stays without penalties if appointments run longer than expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Stewartville, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Stewartville, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 123 campgrounds and RV parks near Stewartville, MN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Stewartville, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Stewartville, MN is Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 50 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Stewartville, MN?

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