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Best Campgrounds near Waseca, MN

371 Reviews

Campgrounds near Waseca, Minnesota feature a mix of state parks, county parks, and private facilities for tent, RV, and cabin camping. Sakatah Lake State Park Campground, about 25 miles northwest of Waseca, provides access to a lake and hiking trails, with options for tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin accommodations. Kieslers Clear Lake Campground directly in Waseca offers developed campsites with full hookups for RVs and tent areas. The region includes several mixed-use campgrounds like Kamp Dels in nearby Waterville that accommodate various camping styles including cabins, while state parks such as Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, approximately 30 miles northeast, maintain more nature-focused camping areas.

The camping season in this part of southern Minnesota typically runs April through October, with many campgrounds closing during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended at state parks and popular private campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Most developed campgrounds in the area offer drinking water, showers, and electric hookups, though specific amenities vary by location. A recent review noted, "Sakatah Lake State Park is a beautiful, small state park less than an hour south of Twin Cities. Sites are wooded and shady but some are close to neighboring sites." Weather considerations include hot, humid summers with occasional thunderstorms and spring conditions that can result in muddy sites and flooding at some campgrounds, particularly those near lakes and rivers.

Campers frequently mention the region's proximity to lakes and rivers as a primary attraction. River View Campground in Owatonna, about 15 miles east of Waseca, provides access to water recreation, while Nerstrand Big Woods State Park receives consistent praise for its hiking trails and Hidden Falls. One camper described it as "nestled just outside Faribault MN. The town has a great downtown area on the river with places to eat and little shops." Some visitors note that many campgrounds in the area feature relatively open sites with limited privacy between campers. Railroad noise affects some campgrounds, including the Red Fox Campground at Minneopa State Park. The Minnesota River Valley provides scenic backdrops for several camping areas, and wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, birds, and at Minneopa State Park, a bison herd that can be viewed from designated areas.

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Best Camping Sites Near Waseca, Minnesota (78)

    1. Sakatah Lake State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Waterville, MN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 362-4438

    "Great park if you’re not looking to drive too far to enjoy a bit of nature. Wonderful hiking paths and biking paths.

    Our site was nice a secluded and right next to the trail heads."

    "Sites are wooded and shady but some are close to neighboring sites. Not too many mosquitos or flies for August in Minnesota! Sakatah Singing Hills paved trail runs through the park. "

    2. Kamp Dels

    12 Reviews
    Waterville, MN
    10 miles
    Website

    "We reserved a spot right next to the pool area. It was a tight fit to back the camper it, but I was able to do it. They have cement pads for a patio area and a fire ring."

    "The one drawback, in my opinion, is that the lake it is right next to doesn’t have a beach for swimming. That was a little disappointing for me."

    3. Kieslers Clear Lake Campground

    3 Reviews
    Waseca, MN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (507) 835-3179

    4. River View Campground

    7 Reviews
    Owatonna, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 451-8050

    "Outside of this the children spent most of the weekend in the pool!"

    "Neighbors decided movie night was important with surround sound but over all I would stay here again.

    Lots of seasonal golf cart traffic and kids on bikes."

    5. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Nerstrand, MN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 333-4840

    "This is a Nice campground middle of Minnesota. Surprising place in the middle of farm country. Very nice campground and lots of walking trails. Great for leaf peeping."

    "To be on the safe side, incase we had issues, we decided to stay close to home so we decided to hit up a new park, Nerstrand Big Woods State Park just outside Northfield, Minnesota."

    6. Hope Oak Knoll Camp Ground

    4 Reviews
    Owatonna, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 451-2998

    "Close to interstate but very peaceful. Owner saw us to our site and lined us up for hookups, saw a lot of families and couples enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings. Good Sam discount."

    "Fair price of $26 right next to the restroom and showers which are very clean!! One other camper will be joining us back here."

    7. Red Fox Campground — Minneopa State Park

    33 Reviews
    Skyline, MN
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 386-3910

    $24 - $34 / night

    "The other direction is the BISON DRIVE. Yes, you can actually drive amongst bison if the road is open."

    "We arrived there around sundown, and set up camp in the spot we reserved. The view was absolutely beautiful over the hills, with the forest giving us cover from the bright sun rays in the a.m."

    8. Bray County Park

    5 Reviews
    Mankato, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 243-3885

    "Sites in the back loop away from the lake are big, but not much for shade yet. Sites by the lake looked nice. Beach is nice and clean."

    "There was a vault toilet near by and full bathrooms a short walk away. The showers by the lake could use some updating but the bathrooms by the bigger loop are very nice and clean."

    9. Rice Lake Campground — Rice Lake State Park

    13 Reviews
    Owatonna, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 455-5871

    "My only complaint was how close together the walk-in sites were."

    "Beautiful forested area just outside Owatonna. Easy drive past beautiful farms to town. Camp host told us mosquitoes were light this year; they seemed plentiful to me!"

    10. Crystal Springs RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Hayward, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 398-3297

    "Our check-in package was ready when we arrived at the little self-registration building at the entrance."

    "But everyone was good with our kiddos playing outside. Very well maintained just a great park overall! Would stay again if in the area."

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Recent Camping Photos near Waseca, MN

80 Photos of 78 Waseca Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Waseca, MN

371 Reviews of 78 Waseca Campgrounds

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Sakatah Lake State Park Campground

    It was perfect. There wasn’t a lot of people there. The lots are pretty nice and secluded.

    I love the location and how quiet it is and secluded each spot is

  • 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.

  • Lance L.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Acres Campground

    Cozy Lakeside Sitr

    Great pricing and friendly staff. Nice beach. A few spots are pull through which is nice for larger RVs and travel trailers.

  • Deb M.
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Lake Byllesby Regional Park

    Great park

    Lakeside sites are close together, with W/E hookups, but they’re right in the lake with a wonderful view. The facilities are very clean and well-kept. Cannon Falls is a nice town to explore, and it’s close to home and work. Cell service was good also.

  • 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.

  • Elizabeth N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Land of Memories Campground

    Camp manager rude with no cause

    I was campground shopping here, driving to see rates and what it looked like, stopped for my wife to use the port-a-potty and the camp manager drives up rude as can be and starts scolding me for parking in a parking space while I wait for my wife. No need for the attitude or the campsite now.

  • Deb M.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground

    Typical State Park

    This park has a nice, small campground. The sites have quite a few trees separating them, but most of the sites on the C loop back up almost into the sites on the right side of the B loop. (so we basically had the back our neighbor’s trailer hanging almost into our site. Also, there’s some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back. On the flip side, the bathroom/shower building was new and clean, the camp host was friendly and helpful, and the hike to the hidden falls did not disappoint. It’s so close to the Twin Cities that it’s very convenient for a weekend, or maybe a commute-to-work midweek getaway. And, through no fault of the park, cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible. There’s WiFi at the office, which is just a short hike from the campground.

Guide to Waseca

Camping near Waseca, Minnesota spans beyond state parks to include county facilities and private grounds across Blue Earth, Rice, and Steele counties. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October with closures during winter when temperatures drop below freezing and snow accumulates. Sites within 30 miles of Waseca range from heavily wooded to open areas with varying levels of privacy between campers.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Rice Lake State Park Campground offers excellent bird watching with diverse species including owls and sandhill cranes. A camper noted, "We heard Barred Owls and Sandhill Cranes. The cranes flew over making strange LOUD calls. Cool."

Biking excursions: Sakatah Lake State Park Campground connects to the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail that runs from Mankato to Faribault. "We had a great time from Friday-Sunday hanging out at the campsite, roasting marshmallows, riding bike on the state trail, and hiking around the lake!" shares one reviewer.

Waterfall exploration: The waterfall at Minneopa State Park is easily accessible even for those with mobility limitations. "The waterfall part is a nice waterfall. The parking lot is right by the waterfall, so it is very accessible for people who are unable to hike to a lot of waterfalls," explains a visitor.

What campers like

Private sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded camping spots at Sakatah Lake State Park. One camper shared, "It was perfect. There wasn't a lot of people there. The lots are pretty nice and secluded."

Clean facilities: Kieslers Clear Lake Campground maintains exceptionally clean grounds and facilities. A visitor observed, "This was the cleanest campground I've ever been to. Well maintained and clean. There was a pretty bad storm that came through and the staff was quick to clean up downed branches and help all the folks who got damage."

Family-focused amenities: Kamp Dels offers numerous activities for families. A camper reported, "This is such a great campground for families! So many activities including a water recreation area, petting zoo, shuffleboard, mini golf, pool, toddler water park, multiple playgrounds, basketball and more."

What you should know

Mosquito preparation: Insect repellent is essential, particularly after rainfall. A visitor to Minneopa State Park noted, "I would be prepared with lots of bug spray and a screenhouse if you are camping here in the worst of mosquito season, there was quite a bit of standing water and swampy pond nearby."

Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation routes. At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, "The sites have quite a few trees separating them, but most of the sites on the C loop back up almost into the sites on the right side of the B loop."

Water conditions: Not all lakes in the area are suitable for swimming. A Rice Lake State Park visitor mentioned, "There is also no place to swim at this lake which is a bit disappointing, but it is a very beautiful lake with lots of wildlife!"

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: River View Campground offers numerous activities for younger campers. "This is a great site for kids. They have a lot of great amenities for kid's entertainment. A lot of families camped here," reports one visitor.

Teen engagement: Some campgrounds organize social activities for older children. A River View camper shared, "Lots of activities for kids and teens. Teen social on Fridays to help them meet friends. Nice pool."

Water fun options: Several campgrounds feature swimming pools when natural swimming isn't available. At Kamp Dels, "The pool is where most people enjoy their time," notes a visitor, making it a good alternative to lake swimming.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Choose sites with ample space for larger rigs at Sakatah Lake State Park. A camper advised, "Very nice park if your RV is not too big. I put our 38 foot 5th wheel in a site but you better be on your game here. Lots of shade and big trees."

Hookup availability: Crystal Springs RV Resort offers well-placed full hookups. A visitor reported, "The utilities are in the middle of the site and worked well with water pressure near 45 psi. The sites are decently spaced for this type of CG."

Level sites: Several campgrounds provide level pads for easier setup. At Bray County Park, "The pads in this part of the campground are nearly level, so we hardly had to level our pop-up camper."

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does camping cost in Waseca campgrounds?

Camping costs near Waseca vary by campground type and amenities. At Sakatah Lake State Park Campground, expect to pay around $20-25 per night for standard sites, with electric sites costing more. State parks in Minnesota typically require a vehicle permit ($7 daily or $35 annual). For a more budget-friendly option, Cannon River Wilderness Area offers free primitive camping. At state parks like Myre-Big Island, costs run about $34/night for electric sites plus the state park pass fee of $8/day. Prices may vary seasonally and some campgrounds offer discounts for extended stays or off-peak camping.

What campgrounds are available in Waseca, Minnesota?

While Waseca itself has limited camping options, the surrounding area offers several excellent campgrounds within a short drive. Kieslers Clear Lake Campground is located right near Waseca and provides drive-in access with water and toilet facilities. Another nearby option is Rice Lake Campground — Rice Lake State Park, offering beautiful lakeside camping. Other campgrounds within easy driving distance include Sakatah Lake State Park, Cannon River Wilderness Area, and Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, all providing unique natural settings and various amenities for different camping preferences.

Are there RV camping facilities near Waseca, MN?

Yes, the Waseca area has several RV-friendly campgrounds. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground accommodates RVs up to 30 feet and offers electric hookups at select sites. Lake Byllesby Regional Park features paved RV pads with proximity to a lake and excellent bike paths. For larger rigs, consider Hope Oak Knoll Camp Ground near Owatonna or Crystal Springs RV Resort near Ellendale, both offering full hookups and being big-rig friendly. Most RV sites in the region require reservations, especially during peak summer months, and typically offer amenities like water access, restrooms, and dump stations.

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