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Recreational Vehicle Camping in Minnesota

RV camping in Minnesota offers great scenery, solitude, and outdoor recreation opportunities for the whole family. From exclusive RV resorts, to basic service public campgrounds, there is something for everyone in Minnesota's RV parks.

Keepers RV Center

Free camping ideas and locations follow Minnesota resources for RV camping.

Minnesota Resources for RV Camping Information

  • Private RV Parks - Research tools for finding the best RV parks and campgrounds in Minnesota.
  • National Park Service - NPS information about National Park Service administered lands in Minnesota. Almost all camping in NPS areas is accessible only by boat, but since so many people in Minnesota have a boat and RV, we've included the links here.
  • US Forest Service - USFS information about free dispersed camping (boondocking) and developed campgrounds in National Forests in Minnesota.
  • US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about COE managed lands and camping in Minnesota. There are several water project camping areas available.
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Minnesota.
  • Current Weather - From the National Weather Service. Don't let bad weather spoil your camping trip.
  • Historical Weather - Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean temperature,GPS location and elevation.
  • RV Dump Stations

RV Camping pages with more information

  • USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.
  • USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.
  • NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.

We recommend the Minnesota Atlas & GazetteerDeLorme Gazetteer to find RV camping locations. This Minnesota topographic atlas offers comprehensive detail including trails, back country roads, lakes and streams, boat ramps, forests, wetlands, campgrounds, public lands, and hunting and fishing locations. Information about family trips, wilderness outing possibilities, and more are included. Put that together with DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and you have a powerful set of research tools to find the best RV camping sites.

Minnesota Free RV Camping

Many towns offer free overnight RV camping and parking in Minnesota. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Police about places to park overnight. The following list is only an example of the free RV camping places available in Minnesota.

 BLUE EARTH BlueEarth Camping Location Map
At fairgrounds, electric, water, and RV dump. I-90 at SH-169, Blue Earth exit, go 0.3 mi to Fairgrounds Rd (Wal-Mart), W past 60' Jolly Green Giant, follow camping signs. 48 hrs free, then donations.
BROWNS VALLEY Browns Valley Camping Location Map
Free city park, 4 graveled sites, electric., water, dump station, rest rooms(may be locked). From Hwy 28 going SE, turn right at Park St. Go past the maintenance garage/ recycling center. Park is on right.
Traverse Co. Park has 3 free sites with electric, unlimited primitive sites, water, boat dock, pit toilets, dump station in town. Take 27 north; at 6-mi marker, turn left into park.
MAHNOMEN Mahnomen Camping Location Map
At the Shooting Star Casino on US-59 there are long pull-thru camp sites with full hookups. There is a charge of $15.98 per day, each adult occupant of the rig is given a coupon good for $10 in the casino.
McINTOSH McIntosh Camping Location Map
The city park, close to the Hwy, has showers and electric. $5/day for electric honor system.
MINNEAPOLIS/BLOOMINGTON Minneapolis Camping Location Map
The Mall of America. Use the parking lot on the north side of the mall. No facilities. Located 1 mile west of International Airport on I-494.
ORTONVILLE Ortonville Camping Location Map
Free city park. From Hwy 7 (Second St.) turn west on Madison Ave. Park is on left before bridge. Some electric sites, water, picnic tables, dump station, grassy un-designated sites, fishing.
ROTHSAY Rothsay Camping Location Map
Off I-94, exit 38. City park with water & electric. Limit 3 days. Stop at I-94 truck stop for directions & check in with local police.
SLEEPY EYE Sleepy Eye Camping Location Map
In southern MN. Half mile N of US-14, W side of SH-4 at Sleepy Eye Lake. Open all year. No time limit. No size limit.
TRUMAN Truman Camping Location Map
Truman is north of I90 on Highway 16. Free parking in city park for 3 days, $3 day next five days, $10/day thereafter. Water and electric hookups, dump at entrance (key at city office). Park is behind high school and next to swimming pool. Library in same building as city office is open weekday afternoons and has one Internet terminal.
ZUMBROTA Zumbrota Camping Location Map
About 20 mi N of Rochester, Covered Bridge Park is on MN-58, 1.1 mi N of US-52. Water & electric (20 amps) for 6 rigs. Plenty of boondocking. Dump station, restrooms, showers, pool. Donation. Clean, maintained.

More Free RV Camping Ideas

Here's a list of places to consider when looking for a free overnight RV camping or parking location in Minnesota. We always recommend asking for overnight RV parking permission when looking for a free spot to spend the night. The smaller your RV, the better chances you will have finding places to stay if you choose not to ask permission. If you don't ask permission, you end up "sneaking" into places and hoping nobody bothers you or issues you a trespassing ticket before you move on.

Be smart and Be Safe...Ask Permission!
  • Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
  • Walmart - Not all stores allow overnight RV parking in Minnesota due to city ordinances. Check store for policy.
  • Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
  • Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
  • Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
  • Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
  • Fairgrounds - State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
  • Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
  • Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
  • Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
  • Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission
  • RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
  • Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
  • Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
  • Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
  • Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
  • Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
  • Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
  • Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.
As you can see, there are a lot of free RV camping and parking possibilities in Minnesota. If you are not asking permission, it's best to keep a very low profile. If your RV has slide outs, jacks and TV antennas, don't use them so as not to draw attention to yourself. Consider your surroundings carefully and if you feel uncomfortable with the area, move somewhere else.

Minnesota Public Campgrounds

Public lands offer great RV camping in Minnesota. State, Federal, and private campgrounds have basic service campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, to full hookup RV resorts. Use the links to the public lands websites above for specific information about camping and public lands access.

BRAINERD Brainerd Camping Location Map
Electric RV camping sites are available at the USACE (US Army Corp of Engineers) Gull Lake Recreation Area.

The Crow Wing State Park offers 12 electric campsites of 59 total. Historic area with fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing and many more recreation opportunities. A personal favorite because family members helped preserve the Crow Wing area.
CALEDONIA Caledonia camping Location Map
Fishing, hiking, and the "Big Spring" make Beaver Creek Valley State Park a great RV camping destination. 42 campsites, 16 with electricity.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS International Falls Camping Location Map
The Voyageurs National Park offers primitive camping. RV camping is permitted outside the park, and since many folks with RV's living in Minnesota have a boat or canoe, we've included the link here.
JASPER Jasper Camping Location Map
Water based recreation and 28 campsites are available at Split Rock Creek State Park. The largest lake in southeastern Minnesota offers boating, fishing, water skiing, and more.
LAKE BRONSON Lake Bronson Camping Location Map
Swimming, fishing, boating, great RV camping, and more await you at Lake Bronson State Park. Experience forest and prairie at this popular park. Hiking and biking are popular activities.
STARBUCK Starbuck Camping Location Map
The Glacial Lakes State Park offers great scenery, and is a wonderful RV camping destination. 39 campsites, 14 with electricity are available.
VIRGINIA Virginia Camping Location Map
The USDA Superior National Forest has many developed campgrounds suitable for RV camping. These are rustic campsites so be ready to pack your trash out with you.
WALKER Walker Camping Location Map
The USDA Mable Lake Campground is located 26 miles east of Walker on Highway 200. Mable Lake is a secluded campground with a beautiful, sandy beach. There are 22 campsites available.
WASHKISH Washkish Camping Location Map
The largest peat bog in the lower 48 states is located at Big Bog State Park. 26 of 30 campsites have electricity at this interesting state park.
WIRT Wirt Camping Location Map
The USDA Chippewa National Forest offers RV camping at Norma Lake Campground. 14 campsites with a boat ramp and fish cleaning station.
Public lands offer great RV camping in Minnesota. State, Federal, and private campgrounds have basic service campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, to full hookup RV resorts. Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is available in Minnesota State and National Forests. Use the links to the public lands websites above for specific information about camping and public lands access. Research and explore, and you should have no trouble finding the best campsites.
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