Campgrounds near Zimmerman, Minnesota offer overnight stays along the Rum River with sandy bottoms and forested settings. The area sits at roughly 950 feet elevation with humid summer conditions from June through August when temperatures average 75-85°F during the day. Several camping options remain open from May through October, providing access to waterways and wooded areas within an hour's drive of Minneapolis.
What to do
River activities: The Rum River at Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River provides clean water with a sandy bottom. "Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," notes a camper, making it ideal for water recreation during summer months.
Mini golf and games: Family entertainment options include mini-golf courses and game rooms at several parks. One visitor to St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park mentioned, "It has a 9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop. They also offer a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade."
Swimming and splash pads: Most campgrounds in the area offer swimming facilities beyond the rivers. Country Camping features "a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room," according to a recent visitor, providing alternatives when river conditions aren't ideal.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention site size as a positive feature of rv sites near Zimmerman, Minnesota. At Country Camping RV Park, visitors appreciate the "large wooded lots" with one reviewer noting they "stayed at Country Camping for years! Great variety of things to do for everyone. Group sites, tent sites, covered wagon sites!"
Shade coverage: Mature trees provide welcome relief during summer heat. A camper at Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground reported, "This place had awesome trails and so many deer! It's like they were camping with us," highlighting the wooded nature of many campgrounds in the region.
Accommodating facilities: Beyond basic amenities, guests value campgrounds with extra considerations. "Clean bathrooms with hot water, clean laundry room" was highlighted by a visitor at St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, though others noted bathroom limitations for certain camper types.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the Zimmerman area operate on a seasonal schedule. St. Cloud Campground & RV Park runs from May 1 to October 10, while St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park operates from May 3 to October 13, requiring advance planning for shoulder-season visits.
Varied bathroom policies: Some facilities have specific bathroom use guidelines. A visitor at St. Cloud Campground & RV Park mentioned, "The campground was nice, but there were a few things that could be done to make it better... It was the worst wifi of about 15 campgrounds we've been to on our trip this year."
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting means frequent wildlife sightings. A visitor at Bertram Chain of Lakes noted, "There were some really nice wide trails around the lake. I think those were basically designed for cross-country skiing in the winter."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. A visitor at Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River shared, "I stayed here 3 weeks ago with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart 10-10 would most defiantly go again! A ton for the kids to do!"
Entertainment options: Look for parks with multiple recreation choices for different ages. According to a visitor at Cokato Lake RV Resort, the "Inground, heated swimming pool; mini golf; pickleball; tennis; arcade room attached to the office. Ice cream shop has 8 flavors of hand-dipped yum!" provides entertainment beyond water activities.
Quiet zones: Consider campground layout when traveling with children. Many parks have separated tent and RV areas that affect noise levels. At Boulder Woods RV Park, "The park is well maintained with power and water at all sites. There is a view of Ann Lake, however, the RV park is not on the banks of the lake."
Tips from RVers
Off-season options: For camping near Zimmerman during shoulder seasons, Love's RV Hookup remains open year-round. "Still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food," notes a recent visitor seeking electric hookups during off-peak times.
Wifi performance: Internet connectivity varies significantly between parks. A visitor at St. Cloud Campground & RV Park noted, "They warned us it was slow, but we couldn't even connect to it from our site," suggesting bringing mobile hotspots for reliable connectivity.
Utility reliability: During peak summer heat, electrical systems at some campgrounds may be stressed. At Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River, one visitor mentioned, "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off then it was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max," indicating the potential need for power management strategies during high-demand periods.
