99% (476) • 12 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Mankato
Prairie Creek Campground
1. Prairie Creek Campground
99%
(855)
42mi from Mankato · 7 sites · Tents
Thank you for a great 2025 Camping Season! This was our best year yet! We hosted more Hipcampers than any year before and are excited to have been honored again with a Best in Minnesota award. Thank you and we look forward to 2026. Booking for 2026 is open.
Pitch your tent at one of our Walk-In forest campsites on 60 acres along Prairie Creek in Rice County, MN. Explore the creeks, trails, forest, our enormous granite "split rock" erratic, 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.
We do not have firewood available at the campground; please plan ahead to bring firewood with you.
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.
Vehicles: Our main parking area by sites 1, 2, & 3 is easily accessible. The road to the secondary parking area beside our hilltop site 4 is up an adventurous gravel road (but is very accessible).
Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing.
This campground is managed by Stephen and Molly on land owned by them and their father Ted. In 1961, Stephen's grandparents 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 30 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.
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
from
$27
/ night
Mn River Valley Sanctuary
2. Mn River Valley Sanctuary
97%
(75)
47mi from Mankato · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
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.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$13
/ night
Walker's Ranch
3. Walker's Ranch
100%
(21)
45mi from Mankato · 1 site · Tent
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!
Pets
Campfires
from
$35
/ night
Minneopa State Park
4. Minneopa State Park
80%
(5)
72 sites · North Mankato, Minnesota
Discover Minneopa State Park's scenic vistas and diverse activities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Flandrau State Park
5. Flandrau State Park
92 sites · New Ulm, Minnesota
Discover Flandrau State Park's natural beauty and outdoor activities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
6. Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
6 sites · Jordan, Minnesota
Discover the natural splendor of Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area.
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
Fort Ridgely State Park
7. Fort Ridgely State Park
100%
(2)
22 sites · Fairfax, Minnesota
Discover Fort Ridgely State Park's rich history and scenic landscapes.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
8. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
83%
(3)
54 sites · Nerstrand, Minnesota
Discover the serene beauty of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
99% (476) • 12 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Mankato
Prairie Creek Campground
1. Prairie Creek Campground
99%
(855)
42mi from Mankato · 7 sites · Tents
Thank you for a great 2025 Camping Season! This was our best year yet! We hosted more Hipcampers than any year before and are excited to have been honored again with a Best in Minnesota award. Thank you and we look forward to 2026. Booking for 2026 is open.
Pitch your tent at one of our Walk-In forest campsites on 60 acres along Prairie Creek in Rice County, MN. Explore the creeks, trails, forest, our enormous granite "split rock" erratic, 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.
We do not have firewood available at the campground; please plan ahead to bring firewood with you.
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.
Vehicles: Our main parking area by sites 1, 2, & 3 is easily accessible. The road to the secondary parking area beside our hilltop site 4 is up an adventurous gravel road (but is very accessible).
Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing.
This campground is managed by Stephen and Molly on land owned by them and their father Ted. In 1961, Stephen's grandparents 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 30 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.
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
from
$27
/ night
Mn River Valley Sanctuary
2. Mn River Valley Sanctuary
97%
(75)
47mi from Mankato · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
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.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$13
/ night
Walker's Ranch
3. Walker's Ranch
100%
(21)
45mi from Mankato · 1 site · Tent
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!
Pets
Campfires
from
$35
/ night
Minneopa State Park
4. Minneopa State Park
80%
(5)
72 sites · North Mankato, Minnesota
Discover Minneopa State Park's scenic vistas and diverse activities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Flandrau State Park
5. Flandrau State Park
92 sites · New Ulm, Minnesota
Discover Flandrau State Park's natural beauty and outdoor activities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
6. Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
6 sites · Jordan, Minnesota
Discover the natural splendor of Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area.
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
Fort Ridgely State Park
7. Fort Ridgely State Park
100%
(2)
22 sites · Fairfax, Minnesota
Discover Fort Ridgely State Park's rich history and scenic landscapes.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
8. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
83%
(3)
54 sites · Nerstrand, Minnesota
Discover the serene beauty of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
B
Ben
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
Great place beautiful if you like camping you will like this area.
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G
Gloria
October 2025
Tent
With pets
The site was beautiful and easy access. We loved our weekend here!
See moreJ
Joni
October 2025
Tent
Stephen was a great host. We made a scheduling error and he worked hard to accommodate us. Peaceful beautiful property, nearby amazing nature parks and quaint town of Northfield. It was just the solitude and time away we needed.
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R
Rachel
October 2025
Tent
Place was beautiful. Site was private and the stars were beautiful. Stephen is as friendly and accommodating. Weather didn't cooperate, so I look forward to coming back and exploring the area more
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K
Kay
October 2025
Tent
Stephen’s place is beautiful! Trails right from the campsites into Caron park which has a lovely little waterfall. I hope to go back and see it in the spring. Historic towns, biking trails, and state parks close by. Campsites were great, outhouse was clean and convenient. We stayed in site 2. Loved it!
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Jonathan
October 2025
Tent
With kids
Great campsite! Site 3 was beautiful right by the creek. Easy walk from parking lot with large cart to help. Definitely recommend!
See moreK
Kassi
October 2025
Tent
With pets
What can I say that hasn't been said already in all their glowing reviews? It's wonderful and you should definitely camp here.
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R
Ricky
October 2025
Tent
With kids
Very peaceful and quaint. My daughter and I had our first camping trip together and it was a great time. Instructions were perfect, I didn’t have any questions.
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J
Joanna
October 2025
Tent
I spent 2 beautiful nights here. Stephen is very helpful in making sure any questions are answered and making sure you’re settled in. The sites are private feeling and next to Caron Park. I got a couple hikes in and just enjoyed the peaceful nature sounds. It was my first time camping by myself and I really found out how wonderful it is to disconnect from social media. I will definitely be back.
See moreC
Chris
October 2025
Tent
This was our second time at this site. The privacy is great. Being right on the creek is something you don't get at most places. The trails connecting to the campground are fun to walk and explore. You have waterfalls, the split rock and many other things to see. Our dog loves it here as well. We'll definitely be back next year.
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P
Phuong
September 2025
Tent
The place was amazing! Site 4 was very secluded and was very nice during the fall. Plenty of space to tent. Will definitely be back soon! Thank you for the amazing location.
See moreT
Ted
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Site 3 was wonderful and immersed in nature. Caretakers were wonderful and accommodating! Everything was accessible and larger towns were 15 minutes away or less. Highly would recommend!!
See moreB
Brent
September 2025
Tent
We chose this spot for our first time camping together, and it was a great pick. We really enjoyed the short hiking area right next to the campsite, with a very cool little waterfall!
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C
Caitlin
September 2025
Tent
Beautiful, private property with access to trail to waterfall. The hosts were so nice and welcoming. I loved hearing all the animals at night.
See moreN
Nicole
September 2025
Tent
I stayed at campsite #3 and absolutely loved it! The creek provided such relaxing white noise and was so peaceful. The site is pretty decently sized and felt very private. The grounds were kept really nicely and loved that we were able to cut through the owners yard to get to the waterfall and split rock. Definitely make sure to take a picture of the trails on the shed before going though! I checked out all the sites when I was there and I think they are all pretty great, but #3 was the best in my opinion, because of the creek.
It’s not far from town if you want to go out and explore or get supplies. I’d definitely recommend booking here!
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D
David
September 2025
Tent
Great little campsite nested in a lovely homestead property! Beautiful little waterfall. Went here to soak in some silence and definitely could. Very little traffic noise if any at all. Had some neighbors but still felt very private and tucked away in the trees. Trails were easy to follow and were very beautiful. A big thanks to the hosts!
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E
Emily
September 2025
Tent
This was our third time at this site and we keep coming back because it’s one of our favorites!
See moreE
Ellen
September 2025
Tent
With pets
We had a lovely weekend at site 1 despite some rain. Hosts were friendly and helpful but not overbearing. They have taken a lot of care to create this small camp ground with all the amenities you need. Loved being able to have our well behaved dogs off leash instead of having to constantly untangle their tie outs. Sadly due to the rain we didn't get a chance to hike on the property but we will certainly be coming back! We live in the Twin Cities so it was a quick drive for us but still felt very secluded. Instructions were clear and easy to follow. No cell phone service (my personal favourite).
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Yana
September 2025
Tent
With pets
We had a very nice time at this campsite! It is such a hidden gem. The dogs loved running around and sniffing all the trees. The waterfall was super gorgeous and Kona loved swimming in it to fetch sticks! The outhouse was very clean and taken care of with a handy hand washing station as well. The site was well taken care of, lots of room for a tent, chairs, canopy, and hammocks! The woods made it nice and cool on a hot summer day. Highly recommend. Stephen was very responsive and so accommodating, such a nice guy too!
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Aaron
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
We've camped here multiple times and love it. With an hour drive from the city to a nice secluded retreat on a creek, it makes for a perfect quick getaway, even for 1 night!
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