Map showing campground location near Lanesboro, Minnesota

Camper submitted image from The Old Barn Resort

The Old Barn Resort

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Reservations are available at The Old Barn Resort, which runs from April 1 through October 31 and accommodates RVs up to 60 feet with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer. Sites are large enough that even during busy holiday weekends, campers report not feeling crowded despite a full campground. Cell service runs weak in this part of Preston, so plan accordingly if you rely on a signal.

The Root River is the main draw. Tubing runs roughly an hour end to end, with entry and exit points on opposite sides of the property. The Root River State Trail also passes directly alongside the campground, giving cyclists and runners immediate access without loading up a vehicle. On-site amenities include a covered pool (minimum depth 4'6", so less suited to very young children), a restaurant and bar inside the historic barn, a golf course, and playgrounds. One consistent note from reviewers: barn swallows nest heavily on the barn exterior and will swoop close to people passing by.

Shower facilities are coin-operated at 25 cents per seven minutes. Water temperature has been an issue in at least one shower house, with reviewers reporting one side running ice cold and the other scalding, with no way to adjust either. The grounds themselves get high marks for cleanliness. WiFi and a dump station are also available on site. Lee G. puts it simply: "the highlight is the location on the Root River." Campers wanting a quieter, more rustic stay nearby can consider Isinours Campsites to the west, or browse campgrounds around Lanesboro for additional options in the area.

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Map & DirectionsThe Old Barn Resort is located in Minnesota near Lanesboro

RV Park

Directions

From the North - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota: US Highway 52 South, through Rochester to Fountain (30 miles south of Rochester). Turn left on County Road 8, four miles (toward Lanesboro). Turn right on County Road 17 (look for blue shoulder sign 'The Old Barn Resort'), two miles down into our valley. At the bottom of the big hill, just before the curve, turn left on Heron Road by a hobby farm (look for another blue shoulder sign). We are 3/4 of a mile down the road on the left.

Address

24461 Heron Rd
Preston, MN 55965

Coordinates

43.71101874 N
92.03290797 W

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Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 8/7/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/7/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 8/7/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/7/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins
Tent Cabin
Yurts

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

35 min from Rochester, MN
1 hr 2 min from La Crosse, WI
1 hr 44 min from Waterloo, IA
2 hrs 1 min from Eau Claire, WI

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Reviews10 Camper Reviews - The Old Barn Resort

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

5.0

out of 5

10 Reviews

Visitors repeatedly highlighted the spacious sites, extensive amenities including pool and restaurant, and family-friendly activities along the Root River bike trail. Minor concerns involved shower temperature issues, but most found the experience well-rounded and accommodating.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Tracy B.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 27, 2022

Very friendly and loaded with activities

Great experience- the sites were a perfect size, not over crowded. Easy to get in and out of. Nice pool and shed area. The restaurant had good food and nice atmosphere. Lots of people there but overall didn’t seems crowded and you couldn’t hear other people. Nice chance to tune down the river. Only complaint - the coin operated shower in the women’s shower house was ice cold and couldn’t be adjusted and the men’s shower house in same building was scolding hot and couldn’t be adjusted.

SiteM04

Month of VisitJune

jeremiah B.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 21, 2022

Super great campground

Nothing but good things here , if your a bike riding family , there are a lot of trails! If you want to float the river they got it ! If you just want to lay by the pool , you can do it ! If you don’t want to cook they got you covered in their restaurant! If your a golf person, guess what they got their own course ! The bathrooms were nice , coin operated showered , .25 cents gets you 7 minutes , the sites were big and not a problem to get in to ! Fire rings with grates at the sites ! The only draw back and it depends on they type of person was the phone service was not great but…. It didn’t bother me!

Sitem4

Month of VisitJune

(6) View All

Cindy B.

Ranger

Reviewed Feb. 9, 2022

Super great campground in a beautiful area

This campground was really good. It was located right on the Root River Trail System which we liked for biking and running. It has an indoor/outdoor heated pool, a big barn with a restaurant and bar, and clean restroom and shower facilities. The sites weren't huge but they had full hook-ups. The campground is near Lanesboro which is a really cute little town. Beautiful part of Minnesota.

Month of VisitSeptember

(6) View All

Jason S.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 17, 2021

Great family campground

We visited the resort over a long weekend and had an absolute blast. It really is a treat that the Root River Bike Trail System runs right along the campground. We spent most of our time exploring the trail, visiting Lanesboro and Whalen.

SiteM22

Month of VisitJuly

Cindy G.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 28, 2021

What a gem!

Last minute call and they had opening for us. Great camp site, wonderful bar and food. There is also an outdoor bar area w yummy slushy drinks and games. The pool was fun. We will be back.

SiteF4

Month of VisitJuly

Brett M.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2020

Great hidden gem

Out in the middle of bluff country. This nice campground plays to the active bodied person well. From golf to tubing to an indoor swimming pool and restaurant. This place has a lot to offer.

Joe W.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 13, 2020

Nice, quiet campground

Our site was very large, which was nice as it gave us more than enough room to set up our tent, leaving space between us and the neighboring sites.

For the families - there’s a couple small playgrounds on site, which is a good opportunity for the littles to burn some energy. There’s also a nice covered pool, but we didn’t use it because the most shallow point was 4’6”, which is great for bigger kids, but with little ones, it’s a bit more difficult. There’s a river that offers tubing. Again, our kids are a bit too little for that, but we went down to the water to check it out, and it was beautiful, quiet, and not real deep. Perfect for a relaxing float.

Beware, the office and bar/restaurant are located inside the barn. I say beware because there are barn swallows that nest on the outside of the barn. TONS of barn swallows. They’re mostly harmless, but they do swoop down and get pretty close, so you need to watch out a little bit.

All in all, it’s a pretty great place to camp. Beautiful, quiet (people seem to mostly respect the idea of “quiet time”), spacious, and relaxing. Also, it doesn’t hurt that you’re away from the bright lights of the city, so star gazing is amazing!

Lee G.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 12, 2020

Best camping trip EVER!!!!

So say my two 8 year old boys, I happen to agree.

This campsite is HUGE, we were there on a busy 4th July and the campsite was full. But you never felt crowded. Of course with Covid19 not everything was open.

But the highlight is the location on the Root River. Tubing the river is the highlight here. You drop in one side of the campsite and an hour later pull out on the other side, So much fun.

They have a great restaurant and outside bar, pool, baseball and a playground.

We had a blast and would highly recommend.

Ashley C.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2020

Unique and pristine camping

Bathrooms and site is pristine, perfect layout w nearby root river and full of things to do...What a wonderful and unique spot. Took my son and his buddy, but would be great for a group to pair campsites too!!

Sheena B.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 9, 2020

Great location and beautiful campground

Always an annual family favorite. Covered swimming pool, golf course, right on the bike trail, near Root River, and great restaurant. Grounds are very clean and pretty area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about the Old Barn Resort campground?

The Old Barn Resort is a highly-rated family destination offering numerous amenities and activities. The campground features spacious sites that provide ample room without feeling crowded, even during peak seasons. Highlights include an indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool, an on-site restaurant and bar with good food, clean bathroom and shower facilities, and a location directly on the Root River. Activities include tubing down the river, access to the Root River Bike Trail System, golfing, and playgrounds for children. The grounds are well-maintained and pristine, making it a perfect spot for families and active visitors.

Where can I find photos of the Old Barn Resort campground?

Photos of The Old Barn Resort can be found on their official website, which showcases the campground's amenities including the swimming pool, golf course, campsites, and surrounding landscape. You can also find visual content on popular camping platforms like The Dyrt, which features user-submitted photos of the campsites, facilities, and recreational areas. Social media platforms often contain recent images that give a good sense of the current condition of the campground and its amenities.

How do I make camping reservations at the Old Barn Resort?

To make reservations at The Old Barn Resort, you can call their reservation line directly. The campground accommodates last-minute bookings when space is available, but advance reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons and weekends. You may also be able to book through their official website if they offer online reservation services. Have your preferred dates, group size, and any special requirements (such as full hookups for an RV) ready when you contact them.

Is the Old Barn Resort located near Lanesboro, MN?

Yes, The Old Barn Resort is located near Lanesboro, Minnesota. The campground sits in Minnesota's scenic bluff country with direct access to the Root River Bike Trail System, which connects to Lanesboro. Campers frequently mention biking to Lanesboro as one of the popular activities during their stay. The resort's strategic location also allows easy visits to nearby towns like Whalen along the trail system, making it an excellent base for exploring the area's attractions and natural beauty.

What are the prices for camping at the Old Barn Resort?

The Old Barn Resort offers various camping options with different price points. Full hookup sites are available for RVs, though specific rates aren't detailed in the available information. Pricing likely varies by season, with potential premium rates during holidays and peak summer weekends. For the most accurate and current pricing information, contact the resort directly before planning your visit. The value seems to be good considering the numerous amenities included with your stay.

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