Camping in Mankato, MN, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

United States
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Minnesota
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Mankato

99% (689 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Mankato

Available this weekend

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Mn River Valley Sanctuary

6 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Franklin, MN

Welcome, we have a small flock of waterfowl and chickens and a herd of goats to interact with, volunteer some time in our organic garden, peer up into endless night skies or use us a s a base camp to go exploring the several county and state parks, Natural and Scientific areas, hiking trails and local communities. We are located about 5 miles from either Franklin or Fairfax and less than 20 minutes to Redwood Falls, Jackpot Junction and New Ulm.

Happy Camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Blue Earth, MN

Learn more about this land:Start your morning with a perfect view of the sunrise (site 2), or a more shaded, sleep-in a bit (site 1) along with your favorite morning beverage. Take a walk on our country road or into town, approximately a mile and a half to restaurants, visitors center at the Jolly Green Giant Statue, hardware stores, Shell gas station & food mart or access to miles of paved trails around the town. Explore and have fun locating the dozens of "Little Sprouts" (baby Green Giants) around town. Very easy entrance and exit to Blue Earth, site is located at the intersection of Interstate 90 & HWY 169.

Prairie Creek Forest Campground

7 sites · Tents60 acres · Nerstrand, MN

Pitch your tent at one of our Walk-in campsites on 60 acres of forest or hilltop prairie along Prairie Creek in Rice County, MN. Explore the creeks, trails, forest, our enormous granite "split rock", a 60 acre county park featuring a waterfall and more trails, including a single track mountain bike course. That's 120 acres of exploring outside your tent; this campground truly offers a large amount of remote forest for recreation right on site. Big Woods State Park is less than 2 miles away. Faribault is 8 miles and Northfield is 9 miles from our driveway; they offer dining, boutiques, and all other amenities. Nerstrand is 4.5 miles east and has a gas station and a fantastic meat market. Numerous Cannon River put-ins are within 10 miles. Vehicles: Our main parking area by sites 1, 2, & 3 is easily accessible. The road to the secondary parking area beside site 4 is up a very steep hill. Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing. Sites are priced for one tent, please let us know if you need to have more than one tent. A map of the land is in the photos and shows locations of sites, parking and more. All Sites are Walk-In! We have a cart you may use to haul gear in. Site 1 is near the creek. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table. Site 2 is in the pines. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 3 is by the creek. Approximately 300 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring, steel grill ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 4 is on the hilltop. Approximately 150 feet from the secondary parking area Steel fire ring with grill grate, stone fire ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. This site has parking very near to the site (when weather permits). This campground is managed by Stephen and Molly on land owned by them and their father Ted. In 1961, Ted's parents bought this farm. Over the years, the arable land has been sold but we retained the wooded area which is crossed twice by a stream. About 20 years ago, a 60 acre county park was created to the south and west. The property is bordered on two sides by this county park. When Ted was in high school, the family sold the dairy cows and started a bare bones horseback riding ranch using trails in these woods as riding trails. We are very excited to host campers as a way to preserve and share this beautiful property.

Daniel's Cabin Retreat

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Waseca, MN

The River Farm once owned by Ulysses S. Grant and purchased from former Speaker of the House Rod Searle who held the Governor's Deer Camp here and congressional parties while in office on a private conservation park nicknamed the Jewel of Waseca County because of it's scenic overlook of the LeSueur River Valley, rolling hillside and diverse topography. Remote valley offers peace and quite with the exception of a few coyotes calls some nights. Your pet dog is allowed at site 1 and please check with us about having a dog at site 3. Thanks

100%

(5)

Stadings Farm & Ranch

5 sites · RVs15 acres · Lake Crystal, MN

Enjoy a peaceful campsite along side a prairie lake in Southern MN, where towering oaks shade and fill the landscape. Walk through the woods and tall prairie grass. Sit by the lake with a campfire as you watch for Bald Eagles and Swans. I have paddle boats and canoe available to explore the lake or bring your kayak or paddle board. My farm is designed for RV's, Campers, any thing that is fairly self contained. Water and electricity are available for an additional $25 per day for both. There is a large...very large garden producing a lot, enjoy fresh lettuce, kale, Cucumbers etc and take some for the road. With a mile of lake shore, you can camp in secluded Grass fields, to Oak Savant's.

12 top campgrounds near Mankato

99%

(701)

Prairie Creek Forest Campground

7 sites · Tents60 acres · Nerstrand, MN

Pitch your tent at one of our Walk-in campsites on 60 acres of forest or hilltop prairie along Prairie Creek in Rice County, MN. Explore the creeks, trails, forest, our enormous granite "split rock", a 60 acre county park featuring a waterfall and more trails, including a single track mountain bike course. That's 120 acres of exploring outside your tent; this campground truly offers a large amount of remote forest for recreation right on site. Big Woods State Park is less than 2 miles away. Faribault is 8 miles and Northfield is 9 miles from our driveway; they offer dining, boutiques, and all other amenities. Nerstrand is 4.5 miles east and has a gas station and a fantastic meat market. Numerous Cannon River put-ins are within 10 miles. Vehicles: Our main parking area by sites 1, 2, & 3 is easily accessible. The road to the secondary parking area beside site 4 is up a very steep hill. Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing. Sites are priced for one tent, please let us know if you need to have more than one tent. A map of the land is in the photos and shows locations of sites, parking and more. All Sites are Walk-In! We have a cart you may use to haul gear in. Site 1 is near the creek. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table. Site 2 is in the pines. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 3 is by the creek. Approximately 300 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring, steel grill ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 4 is on the hilltop. Approximately 150 feet from the secondary parking area Steel fire ring with grill grate, stone fire ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. This site has parking very near to the site (when weather permits). This campground is managed by Stephen and Molly on land owned by them and their father Ted. In 1961, Ted's parents bought this farm. Over the years, the arable land has been sold but we retained the wooded area which is crossed twice by a stream. About 20 years ago, a 60 acre county park was created to the south and west. The property is bordered on two sides by this county park. When Ted was in high school, the family sold the dairy cows and started a bare bones horseback riding ranch using trails in these woods as riding trails. We are very excited to host campers as a way to preserve and share this beautiful property.

Mn River Valley Sanctuary

6 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Franklin, MN

Welcome, we have a small flock of waterfowl and chickens and a herd of goats to interact with, volunteer some time in our organic garden, peer up into endless night skies or use us a s a base camp to go exploring the several county and state parks, Natural and Scientific areas, hiking trails and local communities. We are located about 5 miles from either Franklin or Fairfax and less than 20 minutes to Redwood Falls, Jackpot Junction and New Ulm.

Happy Camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Blue Earth, MN

Learn more about this land:Start your morning with a perfect view of the sunrise (site 2), or a more shaded, sleep-in a bit (site 1) along with your favorite morning beverage. Take a walk on our country road or into town, approximately a mile and a half to restaurants, visitors center at the Jolly Green Giant Statue, hardware stores, Shell gas station & food mart or access to miles of paved trails around the town. Explore and have fun locating the dozens of "Little Sprouts" (baby Green Giants) around town. Very easy entrance and exit to Blue Earth, site is located at the intersection of Interstate 90 & HWY 169.

Daniel's Cabin Retreat

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Waseca, MN

The River Farm once owned by Ulysses S. Grant and purchased from former Speaker of the House Rod Searle who held the Governor's Deer Camp here and congressional parties while in office on a private conservation park nicknamed the Jewel of Waseca County because of it's scenic overlook of the LeSueur River Valley, rolling hillside and diverse topography. Remote valley offers peace and quite with the exception of a few coyotes calls some nights. Your pet dog is allowed at site 1 and please check with us about having a dog at site 3. Thanks

90%

(43)

Champion Valley

4 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Lakeville, MN

Champion Valley is a 150-acre outdoor adventure park in Lakeville, MN featuring ax-throwing, airsoft, paintball, escape rooms & archery tag. We are located 5 minutes off of Interstate 35W. It is situated on 150 acres of beautiful hills and waterways covered with thousands of trees.

98%

(21)

RadRo Farms at Hippie House

2 sites · RVsLakeville, MN

10 acre parcel with a 70’s split level house built by a former state representative. The land used to be a farm but is now mostly tall grasses and goldenrod. We have a large vegetable and berry garden and a large native flower garden. We have a chicken house and blankets of fireflies in the summer and beautiful sunsets that face the campsite. Sometimes it’s really quiet and sometimes you can hear the highway noise.

Stadings Farm & Ranch

5 sites · RVs15 acres · Lake Crystal, MN

Enjoy a peaceful campsite along side a prairie lake in Southern MN, where towering oaks shade and fill the landscape. Walk through the woods and tall prairie grass. Sit by the lake with a campfire as you watch for Bald Eagles and Swans. I have paddle boats and canoe available to explore the lake or bring your kayak or paddle board. My farm is designed for RV's, Campers, any thing that is fairly self contained. Water and electricity are available for an additional $25 per day for both. There is a large...very large garden producing a lot, enjoy fresh lettuce, kale, Cucumbers etc and take some for the road. With a mile of lake shore, you can camp in secluded Grass fields, to Oak Savant's.

field view campsite

3 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Northfield, MN

Learn more about this land:You"ll camp right next to the Horse pasture and on our field drive with wonderful views and sunsets. The field is surrounded on three sides by Rice County Wilderness Park so it is very private and quiet.

100%

(7)

Private entrance Apple Orchard

1 site · RV3 acres · Shakopee, MN

Learn more about this land:Private entrance and parking for campers on the back sections of our 3.5 acre property. Grassy area near woods and amongst our apple trees. Fire pit for your use. Great location, just a mile off the freeway. Within walking distance to Bar & Grill and bowling alley. Within 10 minutes to all the local attractions, including: Valley Fair, Renaissance Festival, Mystic Lake Casino, Wilds Golf course, Stonebrooke Golf course, Canterbury Park, Lake O'dowd, Prior Lake, downtown Shakopee, downtown Chaska, downtown Jordan, as well as many shops, bars and restaurants.

100%

(8)

Brookside Meadows

3 sites · Tents35 acres · Nerstrand, MN

Tired of the traffic? Can't stand all the continuous noise from the craziness of the cities? Do we have a place for you less than an hour away from the twin cities or Rochester! It is a 35 acres site with walking trails (3 miles). This property has a creek flowing through the property. It is the middle of nowhere. We are on a gravel road with very little traffic. We have 3 spots for tents and 1 for RV/campers. Each has a stone fire-ring & picnic table/wood table. We would love to have you out here. Restore & renew at what we consider to be our own retreat-like oasis. Pets are welcome and children will love playing by the brook and walking the trails. Check in after 3 (no entrance after sunset), Check Out at Noon Pack in Pack out- no littering please We are Rustic so no public restrooms/showers No smoking 2 vehicles max unless prior approval with management Pets OK- on leash in public areas/trails, off leash at campsite OK ***No entrance to grounds after sunset Onsite: Firewood available ($5 a bundle cash preferred or Venmo) Dennison (2 miles): Gas station & Fireside restaurant (check out their ribs, wings & waffle fries!) Nerstrand (2 miles): Gas station & Boots & Lu restaurant (breakfast on weekends) ***Nerstrand Big Woods Park! Walk to their waterfalls- Northfield (8 miles): Breweries, grocery, and antiquing Can't wait to meet you!

100%

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Walker's Ranch

1 site · Tent9 acres · Lakeville, MN

Learn more about this land: Come stay and make memories on the Walker ranch, you can't beat the scenery and location. Explore the Walker trail that leads to the creek and lounge in the woods in the hammock. Possibilities are endless!

100%

(5)

Marks the Spot

6 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Amboy, MN

We live on a 10 acre property with many mature trees and a walking path cut through the middle. We do not have any farm animals but there are some in area so the normal farm smells blow through on occasion. We have a 7 hole disc golf course on the property. We have six 30 amp/110 electric hook ups and 2 water hook ups. There is plenty of room to play yard games. The historic Dodd Ford bridge just 3 miles away. The small town of Amboy is just 4 miles away. There is a Casey's gas station in town and a couple different dining options.

Under $50

100%

(252)

Daniel's Cabin Retreat

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Waseca, MN

The River Farm once owned by Ulysses S. Grant and purchased from former Speaker of the House Rod Searle who held the Governor's Deer Camp here and congressional parties while in office on a private conservation park nicknamed the Jewel of Waseca County because of it's scenic overlook of the LeSueur River Valley, rolling hillside and diverse topography. Remote valley offers peace and quite with the exception of a few coyotes calls some nights. Your pet dog is allowed at site 1 and please check with us about having a dog at site 3. Thanks

Mn River Valley Sanctuary

6 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Franklin, MN

Welcome, we have a small flock of waterfowl and chickens and a herd of goats to interact with, volunteer some time in our organic garden, peer up into endless night skies or use us a s a base camp to go exploring the several county and state parks, Natural and Scientific areas, hiking trails and local communities. We are located about 5 miles from either Franklin or Fairfax and less than 20 minutes to Redwood Falls, Jackpot Junction and New Ulm.

Happy Camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Blue Earth, MN

Learn more about this land:Start your morning with a perfect view of the sunrise (site 2), or a more shaded, sleep-in a bit (site 1) along with your favorite morning beverage. Take a walk on our country road or into town, approximately a mile and a half to restaurants, visitors center at the Jolly Green Giant Statue, hardware stores, Shell gas station & food mart or access to miles of paved trails around the town. Explore and have fun locating the dozens of "Little Sprouts" (baby Green Giants) around town. Very easy entrance and exit to Blue Earth, site is located at the intersection of Interstate 90 & HWY 169.

Champion Valley

4 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Lakeville, MN

Champion Valley is a 150-acre outdoor adventure park in Lakeville, MN featuring ax-throwing, airsoft, paintball, escape rooms & archery tag. We are located 5 minutes off of Interstate 35W. It is situated on 150 acres of beautiful hills and waterways covered with thousands of trees.

Prairie Creek Forest Campground

7 sites · Tents60 acres · Nerstrand, MN

Pitch your tent at one of our Walk-in campsites on 60 acres of forest or hilltop prairie along Prairie Creek in Rice County, MN. Explore the creeks, trails, forest, our enormous granite "split rock", a 60 acre county park featuring a waterfall and more trails, including a single track mountain bike course. That's 120 acres of exploring outside your tent; this campground truly offers a large amount of remote forest for recreation right on site. Big Woods State Park is less than 2 miles away. Faribault is 8 miles and Northfield is 9 miles from our driveway; they offer dining, boutiques, and all other amenities. Nerstrand is 4.5 miles east and has a gas station and a fantastic meat market. Numerous Cannon River put-ins are within 10 miles. Vehicles: Our main parking area by sites 1, 2, & 3 is easily accessible. The road to the secondary parking area beside site 4 is up a very steep hill. Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing. Sites are priced for one tent, please let us know if you need to have more than one tent. A map of the land is in the photos and shows locations of sites, parking and more. All Sites are Walk-In! We have a cart you may use to haul gear in. Site 1 is near the creek. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table. Site 2 is in the pines. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 3 is by the creek. Approximately 300 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring, steel grill ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 4 is on the hilltop. Approximately 150 feet from the secondary parking area Steel fire ring with grill grate, stone fire ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. This site has parking very near to the site (when weather permits). This campground is managed by Stephen and Molly on land owned by them and their father Ted. In 1961, Ted's parents bought this farm. Over the years, the arable land has been sold but we retained the wooded area which is crossed twice by a stream. About 20 years ago, a 60 acre county park was created to the south and west. The property is bordered on two sides by this county park. When Ted was in high school, the family sold the dairy cows and started a bare bones horseback riding ranch using trails in these woods as riding trails. We are very excited to host campers as a way to preserve and share this beautiful property.

Dog-friendly getaways

100%

(57)

Happy Camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Blue Earth, MN

Learn more about this land:Start your morning with a perfect view of the sunrise (site 2), or a more shaded, sleep-in a bit (site 1) along with your favorite morning beverage. Take a walk on our country road or into town, approximately a mile and a half to restaurants, visitors center at the Jolly Green Giant Statue, hardware stores, Shell gas station & food mart or access to miles of paved trails around the town. Explore and have fun locating the dozens of "Little Sprouts" (baby Green Giants) around town. Very easy entrance and exit to Blue Earth, site is located at the intersection of Interstate 90 & HWY 169.

Daniel's Cabin Retreat

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Waseca, MN

The River Farm once owned by Ulysses S. Grant and purchased from former Speaker of the House Rod Searle who held the Governor's Deer Camp here and congressional parties while in office on a private conservation park nicknamed the Jewel of Waseca County because of it's scenic overlook of the LeSueur River Valley, rolling hillside and diverse topography. Remote valley offers peace and quite with the exception of a few coyotes calls some nights. Your pet dog is allowed at site 1 and please check with us about having a dog at site 3. Thanks

Prairie Creek Forest Campground

7 sites · Tents60 acres · Nerstrand, MN

Pitch your tent at one of our Walk-in campsites on 60 acres of forest or hilltop prairie along Prairie Creek in Rice County, MN. Explore the creeks, trails, forest, our enormous granite "split rock", a 60 acre county park featuring a waterfall and more trails, including a single track mountain bike course. That's 120 acres of exploring outside your tent; this campground truly offers a large amount of remote forest for recreation right on site. Big Woods State Park is less than 2 miles away. Faribault is 8 miles and Northfield is 9 miles from our driveway; they offer dining, boutiques, and all other amenities. Nerstrand is 4.5 miles east and has a gas station and a fantastic meat market. Numerous Cannon River put-ins are within 10 miles. Vehicles: Our main parking area by sites 1, 2, & 3 is easily accessible. The road to the secondary parking area beside site 4 is up a very steep hill. Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing. Sites are priced for one tent, please let us know if you need to have more than one tent. A map of the land is in the photos and shows locations of sites, parking and more. All Sites are Walk-In! We have a cart you may use to haul gear in. Site 1 is near the creek. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table. Site 2 is in the pines. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 3 is by the creek. Approximately 300 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring, steel grill ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 4 is on the hilltop. Approximately 150 feet from the secondary parking area Steel fire ring with grill grate, stone fire ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. This site has parking very near to the site (when weather permits). This campground is managed by Stephen and Molly on land owned by them and their father Ted. In 1961, Ted's parents bought this farm. Over the years, the arable land has been sold but we retained the wooded area which is crossed twice by a stream. About 20 years ago, a 60 acre county park was created to the south and west. The property is bordered on two sides by this county park. When Ted was in high school, the family sold the dairy cows and started a bare bones horseback riding ranch using trails in these woods as riding trails. We are very excited to host campers as a way to preserve and share this beautiful property.

Mn River Valley Sanctuary

6 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Franklin, MN

Welcome, we have a small flock of waterfowl and chickens and a herd of goats to interact with, volunteer some time in our organic garden, peer up into endless night skies or use us a s a base camp to go exploring the several county and state parks, Natural and Scientific areas, hiking trails and local communities. We are located about 5 miles from either Franklin or Fairfax and less than 20 minutes to Redwood Falls, Jackpot Junction and New Ulm.

Champion Valley

4 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Lakeville, MN

Champion Valley is a 150-acre outdoor adventure park in Lakeville, MN featuring ax-throwing, airsoft, paintball, escape rooms & archery tag. We are located 5 minutes off of Interstate 35W. It is situated on 150 acres of beautiful hills and waterways covered with thousands of trees.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

80%

(5)

Minneopa State Park

North Mankato, Minnesota

100%

(1)

Sakatah Lake State Park

Waterville, Minnesota

100%

(2)

Fort Ridgely State Park

Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area

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Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Nerstrand, Minnesota

Camping near Mankato guide

Overview

Roughly 1.5 hours from the hustle and bustle of Minneapolis, Mankato lets campers get a change of pace from city life. RV and tent sites are numerous at local Mankato campgrounds, which also typically feature restrooms, non-potable drinking water, individual fire rings, and picnic tables. Many Mankato campers spend their time exploring the sights at Minneopa State Park, just 10 minutes from town. Take a bike ride on the Red Jacket Trail, visit the historical Seppman Mill, and watch in awe as Minneopa Falls tumbles into a 40-foot gorge. The winter season brings tons of snow for cross-country ski trails, which circle the wild bison range—keep an eye out! Then stay the night at the park’s pet-friendly campground for tents and RVs. It has amenities like electric hookups, drinking water taps, water-fill stations for motorhomes, and a seasonal dump station. A rustic cabin rental is also on-site and available year-round—it shares the campground’s amenities.