Best Campgrounds near Nelson, WI

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Nelson, WI has a lot to offer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Nelson, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Nelson, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Nelson, Wisconsin (121)

    1. Frontenac State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Frontenac, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 345-3401

    "to drive through the same area."

    "Quiet, pretty hiking trails, nice people, close to home but tucked away enough to be away from everything"

    2. Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    50 Reviews
    Elba, MN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 932-3007

    "Easy access to hiking trails. My site was close in distance to adjacent ones, but was on the edge by the creek, so it was pretty quiet."

    "Keep watch on the ground to not accidentally step on a snake. They do have Timber Rattlesnake but they are so rare I didn't see one."

    3. Nelson's Landing RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Nelson, WI
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 951-2842

    $10 - $40 / night

    "There was a large open grassy area behind us that our two dogs enjoyed. Brand new fire rings/pits. Beautiful view of the bluffs. Walking distance to several restaurants."

    "Walking distance to local restaurants and shops. Just pay online. No worries about checking in."

    4. Kruger Campground and Management Unit

    4 Reviews
    Kellogg, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 345-3401

    $14 / night

    "Nice and tucked away. Sites are very private. Has beautiful trails. Next to the river great for exploring and fishing."

    "Lovely walking trails. Near Lake Pepin. One negative was orange/rusty water from hand pump well. $14 a night!!! We plan to camp there again."

    5. Big River Resort

    2 Reviews
    Nelson, WI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 565-9932

    $68 / night

    "Short drive to Stockholm and Pepin Wisconsin."

    6. Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground

    7 Reviews
    Lake City, MN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 345-3855

    $22 - $132 / night

    "It is only 1 1/2 hours away from the TwinCities which makes it an ideal getaway. The campsites are wooded and have enough distance between them that noise is minimal."

    "The lake view was spectacular and the park manager, Joanne was so humble! Joanne lives on the grounds so it made for easy access to any answers we needed while camping."

    7. Kruger Unit - RJD Memorial Hardwood State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Kellogg, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 299-3000

    $17 - $50 / night

    "Hiking trails and the Zumbro river are available for outdoor adventures. Primitive camp ground. Pit toilets and a well, though we brought our own water supply."

    8. Reicks Lake Park

    2 Reviews
    Alma, WI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 685-3330

    $20 / night

    "Rieck’s Lake is located 3 miles northwest of Alma, Wisconsin. For $15 a night you will enjoy paved camping pad, fire pit, picnic table, coin-operated shower, and restroom."

    9. Holden Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Pepin, WI
    13 miles

    "Updated in 2025 with a new shower/restroom facility, fire rings, paved drive, and playground equipment. There are 20 sites, most of them will need some leveling for rvs."

    10. Stockholm Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Stockholm, WI
    13 miles
    Website

    "The town of Stockholm is an easy walk with restaurants, baker, gift shops, and art gallery.

    The campground is first come, first serve."

    "Right on Lake Pepin"

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Recent Reviews near Nelson, WI

505 Reviews of 121 Nelson Campgrounds


  • Maria D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Cleanest Campground Bathrooms Ever!

    Frontenac State Park had some of the nicest campground bathrooms and showers I’ve ever seen—clean, and modern. The ranger station was small and charming, stocked with board games to rent, and it’s clear the staff cares about creating a positive camping experience. I also loved the little free library outside the bathrooms.

    The downsides are that the campsites run small, usually only fitting two tents at most, and there aren’t many trees for hammocking. It’s also a popular park, so it can get pretty loud at times.

    Favorite sites: 37 – Shady and on the edge with just one neighbor (though the main road is on the other side). Decent privacy and potential for hammocking.

    21 – Nice views, but likely best for just one tent/car.

    22 – Very private, though the ground looked a little uneven.

    Other solid tent sites: 36, 25, 48, 49, 51. Site 57 also looked spacious with no neighbors, but it does border the visitor parking lot.

  • L
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Holden Park Campground

    Fall Ride in Ocotber

    Our group has been camping at the Holden County Park for 4 years now, this will be our 5th year.

     We are so happy that the shower/restrooms are finally done, its a great plus and we feel that more people will camp there now. 

    We love how quiet it is when we return from our daily rides, its like its our own place as there aren't many if any at all other campers there. This year may be different and if it is we won't mind at all, hopefully they don't either as we do stay up late by the fire but aren't wild crazy loud.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Zumbrota Covered Bridge Park

    Scenic

    Pros: great paved walking and bike trail; leads to state bike trail; MN only covered bridge; huge park playground; disc golf course; along branch of the river; easy walk into town; friendly camp host; very quiet Cons: few site pads, you just drive onto grass where you see electric/water posts and fire ring; restroom with 1 toilet and 1 shower were dirty (husband said it looks like it hadn’t been cleaned in a month) I concur on woman’s as well but there was toilet paper (happy) but no hand soap or paper towels; garbage in women’s shower

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Haycreek Valley Campground

    Beautiful surroundings

    Red Wing, Minn might be the prettiest small town in the US. Rolling hills, greenery, the Mississippi River, and genuinely nice people in a small city with lots of attractions.

    The campground is about a 10 minute ride from the city center. The amenities are sparse and aged, but the sites are level, plentiful, and reasonably priced.

    Be aware however…..The Dyrt is wrong. There are no sewer hookups at this campground. They have a dump station and will pump for a fee.

    There is a perfectly average pub on site. The food is okay, the price is reasonable.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit

    Lovely space

    There are a few spaces with views you can hike in to but I opted for a spot next to my car. And ideal spot for a one nighter. I stopped here after a 12 hour drive got set up and even walked the trails for a few miles before bed.

  • J
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Reicks Lake Park

    Didn’t stay the night

    Based on picture, we planed to stay at this campsite. It is right in the side of the highway, so too much noise and traffic for us. The picture this site provides is actually the other side of highway, over a hill, so you can’t see it from campsite. but there’s a view of marshlands. It’s $20, have showers and toilets. There’s a small playground for kids. We came across people That said they camp there all the time and love it.

  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Rochester-Marion KOA

    In transition

    The direct road to the KOA was all jacked up due to a large construction project that closed the whole road. We got back on the Interstate & got off on exit 224. Took Co Rd 7 to HWY 52. This is a lot easier than the directions the KOA gave.

     This is a small KOA Journey we stayed in 1 night on our way up North. It's an established campground, but well kept. We stayed on the office side of the road. The other side has newer sites & the pool. Our site was a buddy site, which I dislike. It was close to the bathrooms/showers though, which helps out my mobility challenged husband. I can put up with it for 1 night. 

    The bathrooms were clean. The laundry had 2 dryers out of service.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Zumbro Bottoms State Forest

    State Forest Dispersed Camping

    This area is off a low maintenance dirt road. It is best to come in from the south as sometimes the gate on the river bridge to the north is closed.

    There is a parking spot near a known dispersed camping site with easy vehicle access next to it. There are hiking trails that pass by this site.


Guide to Nelson

Camping near Nelson, Wisconsin, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities that make it a great getaway. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking Trails: Explore the many hiking trails in the area. Campers at Whitewater State Park enjoyed the trails, with one reviewer noting, "We hiked to Chimney Rock and Inspiration Point and found the trails more challenging than we expected."
  • Bird Watching: The region is rich in wildlife. One visitor at Merrick State Park mentioned, "Eagles! and this is a migratory route for thousands of birds."
  • Water Activities: Enjoy the Mississippi River for kayaking or fishing. A camper at Prairie Island City Campground said, "We had one of the primitive sites on the river front, and it was huge!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at Frontenac State Park Campground stated, "Bathrooms are VERY CLEAN."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites at Highland Ridge, with one visitor noting, "Site Privacy: GOOD - not a fence forest, but tremendous spacing makes up for it."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families. A camper at Haycreek Valley Campground mentioned, "Friendly campers and staff."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. A visitor at Whitewater State Park noted, "Spotty cell service."
  • No Firewood Available: Some campgrounds, like Carley State Park, do not provide firewood, so plan ahead.
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Prairie Island City Campground mentioned, "It’s very crowded and there were what seemed to be a lot of seasonal pass type campers set up."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A reviewer at Highland Ridge said, "Great playground and hiking area."
  • Plan Activities: Bring games and outdoor activities. A camper at Prairie Island City Campground recommended, "Highly recommend site 152 if you have some camping games you like to play."
  • Check for Events: Many campgrounds host events. A visitor at Haycreek Valley Campground mentioned, "Activities and a BAR/Restaurant."

Tips from RVers:

  • Site Selection: Choose sites carefully, as some may be tricky to back into. A reviewer at Highland Ridge noted, "Some sites are difficult to back into if you have a large rig."
  • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at Frontenac State Park Campground mentioned, "There are limited electric sites."
  • Plan for Noise: Be aware of potential noise from nearby roads or other campers. A visitor at Merrick State Park said, "The trains do go by quite a bit, but it really hasn’t bothered us."

Camping near Nelson, Wisconsin, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot or a lively campground, you’ll find plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Nelson, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Nelson, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 121 campgrounds and RV parks near Nelson, WI and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Nelson, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Nelson, WI is Frontenac State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 30 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Nelson, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Nelson, WI.