Best Campgrounds near Welch, MN

I have long overlooked William O’Brien because I thought you had to drive a long way to get away. I was wrong! We planned this weekend with friends to camp in our matching teardrop trailers. We have never really camped with friends before, so the point was to just go, not to really travel far. We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths. There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling -so many shades of green! This was the first really nice spring weather, and the Savanna Campground was quite full. Several people seemed to be there in groups, but we had no issues with noise. The pit toilets were cleaned and stocked with TP and sanitizer. The shower house needs some paint, but had been cleaned.

The river side of the park had been closed for months for construction, but had just opened two days before our stay. The Riverside campground appeared quite full, too.

All in all, I would visit again. There were lots of people, but it was easy to take a walk and get some space and some nature.

We have stayed here for business.

Dakotah Meadows is one of the nicer parks in the Twin Cities area.  Grounds are mostly well groomed and the roads are maintained. There is some pride reflected in the ownership.

We last stayed in side 25, a back in up on the hill.  We have also stayed in the pull through sites, but not really a fan of those.  Still, I would choose this park over others in the area for the access to 494 and 35W.

Dakotah's website has an incomplete campsite map showing only the lower sites between the pond and road.  What the map doesn't show is the three rows of pull-through and additional 10 back-in sites at the top of the hill.

We had a reservation on the North Shore, but switched it to Whitewater when we saw the ice and snowstorms in the forecast.

Our site was large and easy to back into, all sites have a picnic table and fire ring. We had no cell service at our site, but 2 bars plus WIFI outside the visitor center. A water spigot was there, too, since the water and bathhouse are off/closed for the winter season. Firewood is available for $8 per bundle, you can pay by QR code if you have enough service. Or you can grab 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. It started drizzling, so we didn’t sit out by an evening fire. We think our bundle was oak. In any case, it was good, dry hardwood. It exceeded our first disappointing impression.

We had great weather our first day and saw few other people on the trails. It got colder and rainy and most of the campers left.

Overall, this was a great spot to get away into the fresh air. We’ll be back another time for fishing.

My husband had a fall break at the beginning of October, and we were looking for beautiful fall colors a short drive from the twin cities for a one night camping trip. We wanted a quiet, secluded campsite, but one we wouldn't have to backpack into. Several people recommended Whitewater State park for fall colors close to the twin cities, and I cannot thank all the people who recommended it enough!

We stayed in a cart in campsite and it was perfect. The sites were quiet, woodsy and secluded... We could see site 4 from our site, but all we could hear was the stream. Our campsite was perfect in October, with sun and golden leaves and the sound of the water. We were in site 3, which was very spacious. If we came again just the two of us, we would book site 4 because it was the most private and right next to the water, although the area to pitch a tent was small, so if we came with a larger group we would book site 2 (right on the water and very spacious). The cart in sites felt woodsy and secluded, but it was a fairly short walk back to the parking lot, bathrooms, and water. For those that want to take a shower, you could drive up to one of the electric campgrounds at the park and use the very clean, nice bath houses. I love backpacking, but my husband had never been, so carting in was a good first camping trip for us as a couple.

The hiking at Whitewater State Park is great. We did the 4 mile loop and it was perfect for us- a beautiful and challenging hike that wasn't too punishing. There were lots of scenic views, and a good variety of terrain to keep it interesting. Fantastic for fall colors.

This was the perfect trip for a relaxing, beautiful 24-hour getaway in the woods. We may make it an annual tradition!