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.

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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

    $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!"

    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

494 Reviews of 123 Stewartville Campgrounds


  • 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

  • Leni K.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Myre State Park Campgrounds

    Big Fun, Even With Closures

    Big Island was nicely wooded, keeping a very cool temperature but with little cover from other campsites. Tent pad and fire pit were well maintained. Restrooms were well cleaned, if not exactly maintained (soap and Toilet paper ran light over the weekend, and spiders hung out after a cleaning). ADA accessible. Even with a few trails closed, plenty of trails to explore around the Big Island campground. Rented a tandem kayak from the ranger station, looked like one of the two kayaks, plenty of canoes for rent. Spotted pelicans, turtles, and birds along the shore. Campground host never came by, but the ranger was spotted twice once to keep hammock straps off a smaller tree. Mosquitos were out in full force during the cooler weather.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit

    Lovely space

    There are a few spaces with views you can hike in to but I opted for a spot next to my car. And ideal spot for a one nighter. I stopped here after a 12 hour drive got set up and even walked the trails for a few miles before bed.

  • J
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Reicks Lake Park

    Didn’t stay the night

    Based on picture, we planed to stay at this campsite. It is right in the side of the highway, so too much noise and traffic for us. The picture this site provides is actually the other side of highway, over a hill, so you can’t see it from campsite. but there’s a view of marshlands. It’s $20, have showers and toilets. There’s a small playground for kids. We came across people That said they camp there all the time and love it.

  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Rochester-Marion KOA

    In transition

    The direct road to the KOA was all jacked up due to a large construction project that closed the whole road. 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.

     This is a small KOA Journey we stayed in 1 night on our way up North. It's an established campground, but well kept. We stayed on the office side of the road. The other side has newer sites & the pool. Our site was a buddy site, which I dislike. It was close to the bathrooms/showers though, which helps out my mobility challenged husband. I can put up with it for 1 night. 

    The bathrooms were clean. The laundry had 2 dryers out of service.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Zumbro Bottoms State Forest

    State Forest Dispersed Camping

    This area is off a low maintenance dirt road. It is best to come in from the south as sometimes the gate on the river bridge to the north is closed.

    There is a parking spot near a known dispersed camping site with easy vehicle access next to it. There are hiking trails that pass by this site.

  • JJ W.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Bluff Valley Campground

    Great site!

    Pretty good site. Cool playground, pool is a little small and no wifi. Phone reception is choppy and worse on the weekends. Many different-sized sites. Right on the river. Great tubing. Weekend activities are very fun and the concerts are always fun, the band rocks.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

    great camping

    Stayed in site 71 for 3 nights. Good level campsite and in walking around all the ones in the electric loop looked pretty level.  

    The shower house is the newer style - individual shower rooms and then a separate mens/women/handicapped bathroom.   Showers were clean.

    Lots of hiking - down to historic village and back is about 4.5 miles round trip.  

    If you get the chance, go do the the 1 hour walking tour of Mystery Cave - well worth the entry fee.  if you go on weekend probably need to make reservations. 

    and finally need to check out Wykoff - and see Ed's Museum.  Usually open on weekends.  We went over during the week and wasn't open but you can get view inside from the street.

    TV was able to pick up about 15 stations - but there is NO CELL SERVICE in the campground - no Verizon, ATT or T-Mobile.   Wifi down at the ranger office.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Worth County Fairgrounds

    Adorable small town, quiet camping

    I really enjoyed my stay here. I had planned for one night but I enjoyed it so much I stayed for 3. The fairgrounds are dead quiet when there is not an event going on. The locals come through on walks because the fairgrounds are so pleasant. There is a nice walking path with gardens and artwork, and a playground as well. 

    There is a very clean bath house that has one shower. There are water hydrants throughout the fairgrounds but none at the camp sites. There is no dump station on the property. The sites are paved and most require some leveling. They are pretty short, my motorhome is 25 feet long and when I parked the back of my rig was over the grass. Some of the other sites might be a little longer.

    There is a cell tower right next to the fairgrounds. I had excellent T-mobile (5G) and Verizon (4G) signal & speeds here.

    There is a train track nearby, I heard trains once or twice a day. I did not hear any horns at night, but some during the day. It was not too loud.

    The downtown part of Northwood is about a 15 minute walk. There you'll find a handful of restaurants and a very nice, very small, coffee shop. There is a grocery store in town, as well as a hardware store and a pharmacy. All within a 10-15 minute walk from the fairgrounds. 

    There is a very nice city park with bike paths, located right on the river, in the Southwest part of town. It's about a 20 minute walk.


Guide to Stewartville

Camping near Stewartville, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds nearby, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Whitewater State Park. One visitor mentioned, "We hiked to Chimney Rock and Inspiration Point and found the trails more challenging than we expected." The park has trails for all skill levels, so there's something for everyone.
  • Fishing: Head to Perrot State Park Campground for some fishing. A reviewer said, "Good trout fishing here, some sites are primitive, some have electric and water." It's a great spot to cast a line and relax by the water.
  • Cave Tours: Check out the cave tours at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park. One camper shared, "Love the cave tours! Some trails in the park are horse trails also, so you may encounter the occasional horseback rider." It’s a unique experience that adds adventure to your trip.

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites at Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "Site 39 was honestly massive and secluded." This makes it a great choice for those looking to escape the crowds.
  • Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. At Frontenac State Park Campground, one reviewer said, "Great showers with DRY AREAS to dress after taking a shower. Bathrooms are VERY CLEAN."
  • Natural Beauty: The scenic views are a big hit. A camper at Great River Bluffs State Park Campground remarked, "Great views on the hiking trails!" The stunning landscapes make for a perfect backdrop to your camping experience.

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in many parks. A visitor at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "No cell/ very patchy cell signal." It’s a good idea to let someone know your plans before heading out.
  • Mosquitoes: Depending on the time of year, mosquitoes can be a nuisance. One camper at Sakatah Lake State Park Campground said, "Not too many mosquitoes or flies for August in Minnesota!" Be sure to bring bug spray just in case.
  • Water Access: Some campgrounds may not have direct water access. A reviewer at Myre-Big Island State Park noted, "No where to swim in the lake." Plan your activities accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby hiking trails and fishing spots. At Whitewater State Park, one family enjoyed, "Lots of birds, butterflies, and squirrels visited our campsite daily." Nature is a great way to keep kids engaged.
  • Amenities: Choose campgrounds with clean facilities. A camper at Frontenac State Park Campground praised, "The new bathhouse is beautiful with separate shower rooms." This can make your stay more comfortable.
  • Plan for Rain: Be prepared for changing weather. A visitor at Perrot State Park Campground mentioned, "Didn’t get to hike, due to heavy rain." Having indoor activities planned can save the day.

Tips from RVers:

  • Site Selection: Look for spacious sites that can accommodate larger RVs. A reviewer at Great River Bluffs State Park Campground noted, "The sites are short and tree branches low." Make sure to check the site dimensions before booking.
  • Dump Stations: Check if the campground has a dump station. One camper at Myre-Big Island State Park mentioned, "The dump station was closed." Knowing this in advance can help you plan your trip better.
  • Electric Hookups: If you need power, confirm that your chosen campground offers electric hookups. A visitor at Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground appreciated the availability of electric sites, saying, "Some have electric and water."

Camping near Stewartville, Minnesota, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful retreat.

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.