Camping Near Cottonwood, MN, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2025

In the heart of Minnesota, Cottonwood is a hidden gem for every type of camping enthusiast. At Lac qui Parle State Park, birdwatchers and nature lovers can find solace in the serene environment while hiking trails, boating on the lake, or fishing for walleye and northern pike. Find a waterfront RV campsite with electric hookups that accommodates motorhomes up to 60 feet, or choose a cabin rental on-site with heat and wheelchair accessibility, available from April through October. Then head to Camden State Park—home to the Dakota Valley Trail and Brawner Lake. The park’s well-equipped cabin and tent campsites are set amid lush forests and rolling hills, complete with picnic areas and playgrounds for a family-friendly retreat. Summer campers can head about 45 minutes south of Cottonwood to set up camp lakeside at Lake Shetek State Park. After a day of boating and exploring historical sites like the Shetek Monument, stay at a Lake Shetek cabin or tent campsite, all equipped with flush toilets and showers.

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Top-rated campgrounds

In the heart of Minnesota, Cottonwood is a hidden gem for every type of camping enthusiast. At Lac qui Parle State Park, birdwatchers and nature lovers can find solace in the serene environment while hiking trails, boating on the lake, or fishing for walleye and northern pike. Find a waterfront RV campsite with electric hookups that accommodates motorhomes up to 60 feet, or choose a cabin rental on-site with heat and wheelchair accessibility, available from April through October. Then head to Camden State Park—home to the Dakota Valley Trail and Brawner Lake. The park’s well-equipped cabin and tent campsites are set amid lush forests and rolling hills, complete with picnic areas and playgrounds for a family-friendly retreat. Summer campers can head about 45 minutes south of Cottonwood to set up camp lakeside at Lake Shetek State Park. After a day of boating and exploring historical sites like the Shetek Monument, stay at a Lake Shetek cabin or tent campsite, all equipped with flush toilets and showers.

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Top-rated campgrounds

1. Moon valley camping

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22mi from Cottonwood · 1 site · Lodging · Montevideo, MN

Hi, located in the heart of the Minnesota river valley. This wooden tent offers a unique camping retreat. Seclusion, privacy and river front access within walking distance of boat landing and in town amenities like gas stations and the like.

2. Mn River Valley Sanctuary

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43mi from Cottonwood · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · 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.

3. The Auntie's Grove at Moonstone

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25mi from Cottonwood · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Montevideo, MN

Moonstone Farm is a perennial polyculture (no annual crops, lots of diversity) on the bluffland of the Upper Minnesota River Valley. A family-based farm specializing in grass-fed organic beef production, we also maintain a vineyard, an edible forest, occasional farmstore, farmstay guest cottage and a full-shade camping area, the Auntie's Grove within walking distance of our pond, little beach, water points and restrooms.

4. Pleasant Valley

40mi from Cottonwood · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Gary, SD

Pleasant Valley is located Eastern Dakotas and is a beautiful oak savannah nestled in a valley with Cobb Creek running through the property. Guests have commented on it being one of the most scenic places in this prairie region. Nature trails abound along with wildlife and many different types of plants and birds. Tent site and RV site with electrical, water and sewer. Also have cabins just a few few from the babbling creek. Full bathroom with shower located on site.

5. Camping on private lake

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48mi from Cottonwood · 10 sites · Tents · Westbrook, MN

This property has 4 camp spots. Sites 1 and 4 have a boat landing. All sites have shades trees that can hold hammocks. All sites are right next to the lake. Site 3 has a dock that all can use. There is excellent swimming with a sandy bottom at the south end of the lake. The lake is stocked with perch in 2024 but has walleye, northern, bass as well. It is also close to many lakes that are good for fishing. I have a 14' fishing boat with trolling motor, a paddle boat, 2 kayaks, and canoe for campers to use for free. Firewood is available for $5/day. There is some hiking on the property and much near by. Biking is also good with small lakes nearby to visit. The camping here is very peaceful with wonderful views and the wildlife is awesome! 120 volt power is at all sites and 220 can reach sites 2 and 3. There is warm showers and flushing toilets. Also all sites are drive through on hard ground grass. Grates are provided for cooking over the fire. There is Wi-Fi internet that reaches sites 1-3

6. Prairie Grace Stays

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49mi from Cottonwood · 1 site · Tent, RV · Correll, MN

This secluded acreage offers a tranquil escape, tucked away in a serene grove of mature trees, surrounded by expansive prairie fields. A winding creek meanders through the property, adding to the peaceful, natural setting. The land is teeming with wildlife, creating a perfect retreat for nature lovers. Conveniently located just off the Minnsota Highway 7, the property offers easy access while maintaining its sense of privacy. It’s also in close proximity to fishing at numberous lakes and rivers and hunting spots for water fowl, pheasants and deer, making it an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts seeking both seclusion and adventure. The area around Appleton, MN, is known for its hunting and wildlife, particularly waterfowl, but also deer. The Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located near Appleton, is a popular spot for observing migrating flocks of geese and ducks, and it also supports a deer population.

7. Painted Prairie Vineyard

37mi from Cottonwood · 2 sites · Lodging · Currie, MN

Nestled in the rolling prairies of southwest Minnesota, Painted Prairie offers a serene escape surrounded by scenic farmland and vineyard views. Just minutes from Lake Shetek State Park and the historic home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the property is ideally located for exploring natural beauty, history, and charming local attractions. Guests can enjoy peaceful strolls through the vines, romantic sunsets, and easy access to nearby state parks, shopping, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Whether you're seeking a quiet retreat or a destination filled with discovery, Painted Prairie is a place worth visiting.

Camper favorites near Cottonwood

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Pleasant Valley

40mi from Cottonwood · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Gary, SD

Pleasant Valley is located Eastern Dakotas and is a beautiful oak savannah nestled in a valley with Cobb Creek running through the property. Guests have commented on it being one of the most scenic places in this prairie region. Nature trails abound along with wildlife and many different types of plants and birds. Tent site and RV site with electrical, water and sewer. Also have cabins just a few few from the babbling creek. Full bathroom with shower located on site.

Camping on private lake

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48mi from Cottonwood · 10 sites · Tents · Westbrook, MN

This property has 4 camp spots. Sites 1 and 4 have a boat landing. All sites have shades trees that can hold hammocks. All sites are right next to the lake. Site 3 has a dock that all can use. There is excellent swimming with a sandy bottom at the south end of the lake. The lake is stocked with perch in 2024 but has walleye, northern, bass as well. It is also close to many lakes that are good for fishing. I have a 14' fishing boat with trolling motor, a paddle boat, 2 kayaks, and canoe for campers to use for free. Firewood is available for $5/day. There is some hiking on the property and much near by. Biking is also good with small lakes nearby to visit. The camping here is very peaceful with wonderful views and the wildlife is awesome! 120 volt power is at all sites and 220 can reach sites 2 and 3. There is warm showers and flushing toilets. Also all sites are drive through on hard ground grass. Grates are provided for cooking over the fire. There is Wi-Fi internet that reaches sites 1-3

Prairie Grace Stays

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49mi from Cottonwood · 1 site · Tent, RV · Correll, MN

This secluded acreage offers a tranquil escape, tucked away in a serene grove of mature trees, surrounded by expansive prairie fields. A winding creek meanders through the property, adding to the peaceful, natural setting. The land is teeming with wildlife, creating a perfect retreat for nature lovers. Conveniently located just off the Minnsota Highway 7, the property offers easy access while maintaining its sense of privacy. It’s also in close proximity to fishing at numberous lakes and rivers and hunting spots for water fowl, pheasants and deer, making it an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts seeking both seclusion and adventure. The area around Appleton, MN, is known for its hunting and wildlife, particularly waterfowl, but also deer. The Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located near Appleton, is a popular spot for observing migrating flocks of geese and ducks, and it also supports a deer population.

Painted Prairie Vineyard

37mi from Cottonwood · 2 sites · Lodging · Currie, MN

Nestled in the rolling prairies of southwest Minnesota, Painted Prairie offers a serene escape surrounded by scenic farmland and vineyard views. Just minutes from Lake Shetek State Park and the historic home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the property is ideally located for exploring natural beauty, history, and charming local attractions. Guests can enjoy peaceful strolls through the vines, romantic sunsets, and easy access to nearby state parks, shopping, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Whether you're seeking a quiet retreat or a destination filled with discovery, Painted Prairie is a place worth visiting.

Public campgrounds near Cottonwood

Horserider Campground

13mi from Cottonwood · 33 sites · in Upper Sioux Agency State Park

We stayed here Halloween weekend along the river . The sites were not private but we had the entire campground to ourselves .

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Riverside Campground

14mi from Cottonwood · 6 sites · in Upper Sioux Agency State Park

Yellow Medicine River Campground

14mi from Cottonwood · 34 sites · Tents, RVs · in Upper Sioux Agency State Park

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Camden Lower Campground

21mi from Cottonwood · 46 sites · Tents, RVs · in Camden State Park

Camden Equestrian Campground

22mi from Cottonwood · 12 sites · in Camden State Park

One of my favorite parts of car camping is leaving the dehydrated food at home and grabbing the cast iron out of trunk . After no luck catching trout , we indulged in steak while camping in Camden .

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Camden Upper Campground

22mi from Cottonwood · 35 sites · Tents, RVs · in Camden State Park

Lac Qui Parle Lower Campground

30mi from Cottonwood · 26 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lac Qui Parle State Park

Lac Qui Parle Upper Campground

32mi from Cottonwood · 43 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lac Qui Parle State Park

The rocky sandbar leads you to Loon Island. Watch for deer !

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Prairie Campground

35mi from Cottonwood · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Shetek State Park

If you love a good rocky beach in Minnesota , Lake Shetek State Park is the place to go .

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Sunrise Campground

35mi from Cottonwood · 32 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Shetek State Park

We stayed here over Halloween weekend and had the whole campground to ourselves . While other Minnesotan's were preparing for hibernation , we were building tarp cities in the parks 😂

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Oak Woods Campground

35mi from Cottonwood · 43 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Shetek State Park

Lake Cochrane Campground

40mi from Cottonwood · 31 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Cochrane Recreation Area

Stories from the community

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Ashlyn

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Auntie's Grove at Moonstone

Lovely hosts! This was my first camping experience and they made me feel incredibly welcome - thanks guys for the experience & sharing your space!

Spring view of the creek by the campsite

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Brian

October 2025

30 ft toy hauler

With pets

Weekend Trip to Prairie Grace Stays

Exactly as described and what we were looking for!

Natasha

October 2025

Tent

2 nights at The Auntie's Grove at Moonstone

Awesome little pull in campsite. Audrey was very nice and helpful! Beautiful land/space she has created. Especially the beach just a short walk from the 2 sites. My dog absolutely loved his time there!

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Christina

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camping on private lake

We really enjoyed our stay — the campsite was peaceful and right by the water with everything we needed (kayaks/canoe/boat available). The host was very caring, friendly, and welcoming, even giving us fresh farm eggs, which was such a nice touch. The spot felt private and relaxing. The amenities are excellent: power at all sites, warm showers, flushing toilets, and well-maintained grounds. Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short because of the high winds, but we’d love to come back when the weather is calmer!

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Emily

October 2025

20 ft pop-up camper

With kids

2 nights at Mn River Valley Sanctuary

My littles loved it here! Plenty of room to roam, their animals were friendly but not too friendly, and lots to explore. We’ll definitely be back.

Charles

October 2025

21 ft campervan

1 night at Mn River Valley Sanctuary

Nice quiet experience and enjoyed all the animals.

M

M.M.

September 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Camping on private lake

A Little Slice of Heaven – Peaceful Lakefront Camping with an Amazing Host This place went above and beyond my expectations! I stayed for 2 nights and had an unforgettable experience. Jim is by far one of the most gracious, friendly, and welcoming hosts I’ve ever met. From the moment I arrived, he greeted me, showed me around, and made sure I had everything I needed. He even brought firewood right to my site and surprised me with a dozen fresh farm eggs—talk about hospitality! His land is a true hidden gem. The quiet lake is perfect for paddling or fishing, with a trolling motor boat, canoe, and kayaks available for guests. My campsite had electric hookups, a firepit, patio table with chairs, plus a mini fridge—a thoughtful touch that made camping feel effortless. There’s also access to a shower, flushing toilet, and outdoor bathroom, so comfort is never sacrificed. I loved that my two dogs could run around freely and enjoy the space—it was as much their vacation as mine! Nights were the highlight: no city light pollution, just millions of stars sparkling in the sky. Absolutely breathtaking. This place is serene, clean, and peaceful, with everything you need for a relaxing escape. I’ll definitely be back. Huge thanks to Jim for sharing his beautiful property and making my trip so memorable. This one’s a 5⭐️+ stay all the way!

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Keo

September 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Camping on private lake

Highly recommend! Such a great little spot. We stayed at Site 4, which was spacious and set a bit farther from the others—perfect for us with two dogs and a toddler. The site came with a fire pit, table, chairs, and even a hammock. We loved the lake view and really appreciated the access to kayaks, a canoe, and a boat with a trolling motor. You can hear some traffic but that's to be expected due to it's location but it didn’t take away from how enjoyable the stay was. We didn’t get to use everything this place offers, but that just means we’ll be back again. The host was very friendly and welcoming, showed us where everything was, and made sure we were comfortable settling in. We came in from Sioux Falls, and it was absolutely worth the drive and the money.

S

Shirlee

September 2025

30 ft Class C

With kids

1 night at Mn River Valley Sanctuary

Awesome stop over and sweet host! We really loved the farm, the animals and the vibe. Great place if looking for a convenient stop for the night..

P

Pin-Kuan

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camping on private lake

I had my best camping experience here. I also went kayaking and fishing. The host is friendly and helpful.

M

MICHAEL

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camping on private lake

Highly recommend! Plenty of options for traversing the lake, have to say that's the first time I've heard cows while being out on a lake. Farmland nearby, nice and quiet and great for stargazing. Jim is an awesome host and very accommodating; mosquitoes can be a bid bad in early September.

Keith

September 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Camping on private lake

Great little private place to stay. Very quiet, beautiful lakeside sites that are pretty nice and big. Would definitely recomend.

S

Sue

September 2025

With pets

1 night at The Auntie's Grove at Moonstone

We couldn't find a single thing to complain about during our stay at Audrey and Richard's farm. This was easily one of the most comfortable, well-organized, and spotless places we visited on our entire cross-country journey from Boston to Seattle. Beyond the beautiful property itself, we were delighted by our conversations with both hosts. They're genuinely fascinating and inquisitive people – the kind you could happily chat with for hours! Their thoughtfulness extended right to our departure, when they sent us off with fresh fruit for the road – such a sweet and generous touch. One night wasn't enough time to fully enjoy such a wonderful place, and we're already planning our return visit.

Erica

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camping on private lake

This was an awesome campsite. The view was great, right by the lake. It was a cold weekend so we didn’t get to enjoy the water, but it seems clean and I want to go back there in the summer. We had a lot of space. Jim was very friendly and helpful, since we were the only ones there, we were able to switch site, and Jim provided a little space heater for us and it helped a lot overnight since it got pretty cold. We were there on the opening day for bird hunting, and we woke up on Sat and Sun morning with gun shots, not super fun since we don’t like hunting and my dog gets scared of the noise, but besides that, it is an awesome place and I plan on going back. 10/10 recommend it.

Logan

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camping on private lake

Jim was awesome host! Awesome property! Nice lake with kayaks and boats for use. Had a great weekend and will definitely return one day.

Site 1 - ABSOLUTELY perfect for a group 👌

C

Chandra

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camping on private lake

Hands down one of the BEST little hidden gems of a camping spot that we have ever come across! Jim is an incredible host and provides boats and kayaks for his guests to enjoy on the private lake, the sites are absolutely beautiful and offer the perfect secluded get away for couples, families and large groups. The lake is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for fishing/swimming/cruising in the fishing boat or paddling out and enjoying the sun and each campsite is right on the water with its own private access points. Jim really did create a perfect little slice of narures heaven for people to enjoy here! We LOVED our time here and will be making this a yearly spot for our group!!

Pache

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camping on private lake

My friends and I absolutely loved staying at this campsite! Jim is an awesome guy! He welcomed us in, gave us a quick tour of where everything was, and even gifted us some of the eggs from his chickens :) He’s super thoughtful and has pretty much everything you’d need. He has a table, a grill-top for the campfire, chairs/seats, and even a hammock set up in the trees! I also love that he had kayaks/canoes available to use for free as well. My friends and I definitely enjoyed our time on the lake paddling in those! Of course, his dog Rocky, just the sweetest girl! We definitely recommend this place and we ourselves would come here again! Thanks Jim!

M

Michelle

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Auntie's Grove at Moonstone

This was one of the best camping experiences we have ever had. From booking, arriving, & to leaving the Moon Stone Farm, Audrey’s communication was amazing. She made our camping experience so easy! We accidentally forgot to pack butter and sugar, she kindly invited us to her summer kitchen and provided us with everything we needed for our stay. She also gave us fresh herbs and peppers for our supper that night. She would check up from time to time to see if we needed anything. When we where here we rented bikes and enjoyed a nice canoeing experience at her little beach on her land. This place gives such a beautiful zen and peaceful vibe. We would 100% percent visit this place over and over again.

J

Josephine

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mn River Valley Sanctuary

Edwin and his dogs, Sugar and Mulberry, were very welcoming and kind. Lots of goats, geese, chickens and ducks rambling around too! 🐐🪿🐓🦆🌞 The wide open sky and sunset were beautiful across the rolling fields. And there were also Fireflies! ✨ A simple and easy environment to rest and relax.

T

Toby

August 2025

Tent

1 night at The Auntie's Grove at Moonstone

Really nice farm, with cows a vineyard and small lake and warm welcome from the host.