Camping near Mankato with hiking

Enjoy winter wildlife from snow-packed trails or misty waterfalls when summer camping near Mankato.

98% (546 reviews)

United States
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Minnesota
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Mankato

98% (546 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Mankato

Community favorites near Mankato

Public campgrounds near Mankato

100%

(2)

Minneopa State Park Group Campground

4 sites In Minneopa State Park

100%

(1)

Sakatah Lake State Park Campground

69 sites · RVs, Tents In Sakatah Lake State Park

100%

(2)

Fort Ridgely Campground

22 sites · RVs, Tents In Fort Ridgely State Park

100%

(2)

Rice Lake Campground

50 sites · RVs, Tents In Rice Lake State Park

Flandrau Campground

92 sites · RVs, Tents In Flandrau State Park

Equestrian Campground

6 sites In Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area

If you venture off the beaten path , you may end up here , with views of the breathtaking waterfall . You can get close enough to touch it , if you wish .

67%

(3)

Red Fox Campground

68 sites · RVs, Tents In Minneopa State Park

Nerstrand Big Woods Campground

54 sites · RVs, Tents In Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Stories from the community

Weekend Trip to Mn River Valley Sanctuary

Beautiful place to camp! Edwin was very kind and welcoming! We were the only ones there for the weekend which was very nice! A lot of flat, open, but shaded spaces for tents. Perfect for hammocking as well! We bought a fire bundle prior to getting there via Hipcamp but didn’t end up using due to fire warning conditions and Edwin was kind enough to refund it. Only thing is there were no picnic tables so bring your own camp table! Had a great weekend in Franklin! Thanks Edwin!

1 night at Happy Camping

Chelsey was a great host. Very helpful. I had a short one-night stay passing through town. It was nice to avoid the busy campgrounds. Very reasonably priced and a pleasant stay.

2 nights at field view campsite

I had a great stay. Very peaceful and quiet. The sunsets are gorgeous! Easy to access, too.

3 nights at Champion Valley

I almost don’t want to write this review, but Matt and Champion Valley deserve it. I worried that I will encourage too many people to start using this site and it will be all booked up and I won’t be able to come back. This site is amazing! The description is very accurate. What I didn’t have an appreciation for was just how isolated and private this site really is. You have the place to yourself! The only “neighbors” are the incredible birds and wildlife to enjoy. The location is spacious. Be ready to switch into 4 wheel drive to get into the site, path in can be muddy and slippery. There is a great spot for a tent pad, commode, or hammock tucked into a stand of trees. On weekends, you can expect to awake to what the location is known for a paintball establishment. The pop of paintballs is all part of the experience. I rate the site a 101 out of 100, 11 out of 10, or 6 out of 5 stars.

Weekend Trip to Prairie Creek Campground

Awesome campsite! Very spacious, felt private. Hearing the creek throughout the stay was so peaceful. The host was great, stopped in to greet us and let us know where everything was. Would definitely recommend, and would definitely stay again :) Thanks!

Weekend Trip to field view campsite

Nice easy place to spend the night! I parked at the very end of the access lane and it was quiet and private.

3 nights at Champion Valley

Beautiful spots at Gus’s Grove and turtle point! If you have a trailer getting into or out of the spots will be challenging on slick days but worth it 👍

2 nights at Prairie Creek Campground

Clean, quiet, peaceful. Stephen great explaining the area and what to see.

Weekend Trip to Prairie Creek Campground

A gorgeous quiet and private site right on the creek. Loved having access to hiking trails right on the property. Can’t wait to return again soon!

1 night at Prairie Creek Campground

Stephen is very friendly. Directions were clear. Well maintained area

2 nights at field view campsite

So incredibly peaceful! As a solo female traveller, I felt really safe which is always a win. First time using this app, definitely going to be using it again!

1 night at Champion Valley

This site was ideal for a quick mindfulness stay. I heard a number of coyotes in the evening. As well as watching a couple of beavers work tirelessly on a huge oak tree. Fascinating rodents. I heard them around 2 in the morning. Quietly got out of my tent and crawled to the edge of a pond and there they were. I’ll be going back and I will recommend this site to my friends and family. And having free firewood to gather was an added bonus. Thanks Matt!

1 night at field view campsite

I’ve stayed here multiple times! I love this spot for its stargazing, beautiful sunsets, and privacy. You can’t see the house from the spot so you don’t feel looked in on-except by the cute goats in the pasture next to the site! They were adorable and stared longingly at me and my pup in the morning. I’m looking forward to staying here again!

Weekend Trip to Prairie Creek Campground

You're not gonna wanna miss this absurdly authentic tent camping gem. 1,2,3 babbling brook sites, site 4 WAY up the hill for Sublime Sunsets, total privacy. Stephen & his Dad are hard-working, caring PEOPLE who have worked this family land camp for > 6 yrs.

3 top campgrounds near Mankato with hiking

99%

(772)

Prairie Creek Campground

7 sites · Tents60 acres · Nerstrand, MN

Hello 2025, Camping Season is Here! 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 waterfalls and trails, including a single track mountain bike trail. 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 steep gravel road (but it is accessible). We do not have firewood available at the campground; please plan ahead to bring firewood with you. Sites are priced for one tent, please let us know if you need to have more than one tent. Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing. 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. 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. In addition to farming they also operated a trail riding stable here. Over the years, the arable land has been sold, but we retained the wooded areas which are twice crossed by creeks. About 25 years ago, a 60 acre county park bordering the south and west sides of our land was created. We are very excited to host campers as a way to preserve and share this beautiful property.

89%

(52)

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.

97%

(75)

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.

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

Jordan, Minnesota

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Nerstrand, Minnesota

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Mankato with hiking guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping in the United States! If you're looking for a camping experience near Mankato, Minnesota, with a focus on hiking, we've got you covered. With over 237 options available, you're sure to find the perfect campsite that suits your needs. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just starting out, our top campsites have got great reviews. Check out Prairie Creek Forest Campground (202 reviews), Bluff Hollow Camp on the Root River (157 reviews), and Daniel's Cabin Retreat (108 reviews) for some highly recommended options. Plus, with popular amenities like trash disposal, potable water, and pet-friendly spaces, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. And if you're looking to do more than just hike, our popular activities include wind sports, off-roading (OHV), and surfing. So, lace up those hiking boots and get ready for an unforgettable camping adventure in Mankato, Minnesota!