Camping options near Stewartville, Minnesota offer convenient access to southeastern Minnesota's bluff country and river valleys with elevations ranging from 950 to 1,300 feet. The area receives approximately 32 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush landscapes throughout the camping season. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with limited winter camping available at select state parks.
What to do
Trout fishing access: Crystal Springs RV Resort includes a pond suitable for fishing and water activities. A recent visitor noted, "There is a large pond on the property that is perfect for fishing, kayaking, and other water sports, and there is a walking path that circles the pond."
Hiking trail exploration: Whitewater State Park offers well-maintained trails with varying difficulty levels. One hiker shared, "I hiked up Chimney Rock and then looped back to tackle part of the Dakota trail! The hiking paths were well taken care of. There were plenty of places to stop and rest if you need to."
Root River activities: Maple Springs Campground provides access to the Root River. A camper explained, "We floated down the Root River for about 3 hours and had a great time. The campground had everything we needed including a great little trout stream on the edge of the property."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Rochester-Marion KOA maintains high cleanliness standards. A visitor remarked, "The bathrooms and showers were very clean. It was extremely quiet. The kids enjoyed the pool. It was perfect for our one night's stay."
Peaceful environments: Peterson City RV Park offers tranquility along the Root River Trail. According to one camper, "The RV sites have electricity, water, and sewer, and they are level—we were only staying one night and didn't even need to unhook our pickup."
Community atmosphere: Crystal Springs RV Resort cultivates a welcoming environment. A reviewer mentioned, "This family-owned campground prides itself on cleanliness; there is an owner on-site around the clock to ensure it stays in top condition."
What you should know
Cell service variation: Nelson's Landing RV Park offers limited connectivity. One camper stated, "There is WiFi there, but little to no phone service unless you have a cell booster."
Seasonal operation: Most rv sites near Stewartville, Minnesota operate on limited schedules. Crystal Springs RV Resort runs from "May 1 to October 31," while Maple Springs Campground operates from "mid April to mid October."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Whitewater State Park, a camper advised, "As with State Parks in MN, it's best to make the reservation online, especially with office staff being spotty these days."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Whitewater State Park provides water recreation for children. A visitor reported, "We stayed here over Memorial weekend and had a blast--there were so many fun things to do! We hiked, took trout fishing lesson, sat at the beach and had relaxing evenings by the fire."
Playground access: Maple Springs Campground offers family-friendly activities. One reviewer shared, "The campground had everything we needed including a hayride, movie for the family in the old red barn, and a church service in that same barn on Sunday."
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Crystal Springs RV Resort welcomes families despite its adult focus. A camper noted, "Very quiet, nice sites. Everyone was very friendly easy to work with. It's meant for adults no park for kids. But everyone was good with our kiddos playing outside."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Hidden Meadows RV Park offers helpful facilities for medical visitors. A camper advised, "This is very convenient if you have Mayo Clinic appointments. The campground was nice with grassy sites along with electric and water hook ups, there was a dump station also."
Leveling considerations: RV sites near Stewartville require varying degrees of leveling. At Nelson's Landing RV Park, a camper mentioned, "Sites are gravel and pretty level. Only a little leveling was needed. Staff/owners were friendly and helpful."
Utility placement: Hidden Meadows RV Park has some layout challenges. A reviewer cautioned, "Oddly spaced power hook up with sewer and water placements. Overall not a horrible experience but not a great one."
