Minnesota RV Camping And Campgrounds

RV Camping and Campgrounds In Minnesota

Minnesota has an abundance of RV camping sites located along beautiful lakes and in deep forest locations. From the shores of Lake Superior, to deep woods remote campsites, you should have no trouble finding a great RV camping location just right for you and your family. Below are links to official federal, state, and community public RV camping information, private RV parks, official state tourism information, and free camping locations in Minnesota.

Private RV Parks and Campgrounds

• Private RV Parks - Research tool for finding private RV parks and campgrounds in Minnesota.

Federal RV Camping

• National Park Service - NPS information about National Park administered lands in Minnesota. These lakshore areas make great RV camping destinations.
• US Forest Service (USFS) - There are two national forests in Minnesota.
  • Hiawatha National Forest - Northeastern Minnesota with free and fee developed campgrounds, as well as dispersed camping (boondocking) opportunities.
  • Chippewa National Forest - Located in north central Minnesota, this forest offers fee and free developed campgrounds, and dispersed camping opportunities.
• US Army Corp of Engineers - USACE/COE information about COE managed lands and RV camping.. There are ten campground locations listed in Minnesota.
• US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Minnesota. Information provided to help locate areas you may be more interested in visiting, but be aware that most NWR's do not allow camping.

State RV Camping

• State Parks - Minnesota official state interactive map locater for state parks and recreation areas.
• State Forests - Official state interactive map locater of state forests. State forests offer both free dispersed camping, and nominal fee developed campgrounds.


• Forest Camping FAQ - Information about Minnesota campsite types and regulations.


• Official State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in Minnesota. Includes RV camping suggestions.

RV Camping Reservations

• Camping Reservations - Pick your campsite in advance and have it waiting for you when you arrive.

Minnesota RV Dump Stations

• RVDumps.com - Places to dump in Minnesota.
• Sanidumps.com - Minnesota RV dumps listed by town.

Minnesota Free RV Camping

Minnesota has seemingly unlimited free public camping opportunities. Minnesota state and national forests allow free dispersed camping, and the US Forest Service has free developed campground locations. Many towns have free RV camping locations as well. The following are only a few examples of the many free RV camping locations available in Minnesota.

SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST
Superior Rustic Campgrounds - This link takes you to the official map and camping information page for rustic US Forest Service campgrounds. 17 campgrounds listed. Not suitable for large RVs.

BLUE EARTH
Located at the fairgrounds, electric, water, and RV dump. I-90 at SH-169, Blue Earth exit, go 0.3 mi to Fairgrounds Rd (Wal-Mart), West past 60' Jolly Green Giant, follow camping signs. 48 hrs free camping, then donation.

BROWNS VALLEY
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
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
The city park is located close to the Hwy and offers showers and electric. $5/day for electric honor system.

MINNEAPOLIS/BLOOMINGTON
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
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
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
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 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
About 20 miles north of Rochester, Covered Bridge Park is on MN-58, 1.1 mile north of US-52. Water and electric (20 amps) for 6 rigs. Plenty of dry RV camping. Dump station, restrooms, showers, pool. Donation. Clean, maintained.

Minnesota Public Campgrounds

Public lands offer great RV camping opportunities in Minnesota. State, Federal, and community campgrounds have basic service campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, to full hookup RV resorts. The following are just a sample of the great public RV camping locations available in Minnesota.

BRAINERD

• Electric RV camping sites are available at the USACE (US Army Corp of Engineers) Gull Lake Recreation Area.
• 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
Fishing, hiking, and the "Big Spring" make Beaver Creek Valley State Park a great RV camping destination. 42 campsites, 16 with electricity.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
Voyageurs National Park offers primitive boat only 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
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
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
Glacial Lakes State Park offers great scenery, and is a wonderful RV camping destination. 39 campsites, 14 with electricity are available.

WALKER
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
The largest peat bog in the lower 48 states is located at Big Bog Campground. 26 of 30 campsites have electricity at this interesting state park.

WIRT
The USDA Chippewa National Forest offers RV camping at Norma Lake Campground. 14 campsites with a boat ramp and fish cleaning station.

• RV Camping Home
• RV Rentals
• RV Parks
• RV Products
• Articles
• Boondocking
• RV and Camping Tips
• RV Clubs
• FAQ

 

Federal Public Land
RV Camping 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.

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.

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.

BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Located throughout the western USA, BLM managed lands offer great camping locations. Developed campgrounds, and almost unlimited dispersed camping opportunites await you.

Free Overnight Parking 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.