Nerstrand

A quick snapshot my awesome friend, Kyle took of me admiring the scenery and waterfall. 

Willow River Campground

Willow River State Park

Find & reserve the best beach, lake, and river, stream, or creek campsites near Nerstrand, Minnesota. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.

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Waterfall in the adjacent park is a 500 foot walk down the trail.

Prairie Creek Campground

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.

The Split Rock!  This enormous feature is a granite glacial erratic.  It was deposited here as the Wisconsin Glaciation receded approximately 18,000 years ago.  
Its natural split is wide enough to walk through and the view from the top is excellent!

The terrain is mostly deciduous forest.  A creek meanders through the main camping area.

Showers

Trash

Harbor Bar

Located at Harbor Bar across from Red Wing MN. said to be on one of the prettiest spots on the Mississippi river. Fish from shore in one of the best fisheries in the country. Full restaurant & bar with live music on weekends.
Learn more about this land:
Pitch your tent along the banks of the mighty Mississippi river. bar, restaurant, outdoor music festivals, fishing. View pretty Red Wing from across the river. Located on one of the prettiest spots on the Mississippi river.

Cozy Lakeside Cottage Guestroom

Spend some cozy downtime enjoying a fire and the peacefulness of a 4 acre lake property.
You and your guest (or small-very small) group will be the only ones around as we don't rent to more than one booking at a time.
Paddle on the paddleboard for free or rent the kayak for only $10 a day and explore the lake while getting some exercise.
Take a hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed- all for less than a hotel room in the concrete jungle!

**We do require a photo of a valid government ID from all members of your party.
This is due within 24 hours of booking, or immediately after booking if it's a same day booking.
Although we would love to share our property with you, note this is for liability purposes and is non-negotiable.
When booking, please acknowledge that you have read this requirement and plan on complying with it. If not received within the specified time frame, your booking will be cancelled.
Please text photos of these ID's to the number provided after booking.
Thank you for being understanding.
 

Learn more about this land:

Cozy lakeside cottage that sleeps two, with level lawn space nearby that will fit two additional tents in your group.  Dedicated private space is in lower level backyard with best view and access to dock*, lake and wildlife wetlands with boardwalk.  You'll see the setting sun from the end of the dock and have a paver patio firepit with plenty of seating all to yourselves.  Private 3/4 bath and comfortable TV room is 60 steps away in the house, and we are also offering a shared laundry for an additional charge.  Mystic Lake Casino, Canterbury Downs, and many other area lakes besides the 600 acre all sports lake that the property is located on are in the immediate area.  For location purposes, we are located 3.5 miles S of the Prior Lake, MN McDonald's. 

The basic price of $80 per night includes up to two campers inside or outside of the  cottage,  but up to two additional campers and tents are able to added to the reservation for $20 per person/ per night.  A limit of two persons inside of the cottage and four persons total are allowed per reservation.  Please note that all persons on the reservation must submit a copy of their valid picture government ID to the host (via text) prior to arrival (but after booking), and sign a property liability waiver and upon check in.   The host will discuss the procedure with you as HC supports pictures via real phone numbers accessed only after booking.  Please ask prior to booking if you have any questions about this- this is a requirement of our short term rental insurance, and part of our self check in procedure. 

We are a 100% smoke and pet (all animals) free property.  We also do not allow any events, parties or children. The minimum age of campers allowed to book here is 23 and if you are bringing your children with you, they must be 18 plus and also must sign all waivers and provide their ID's.  

This is a great place for a small, quiet gathering of your group with a private, clean bathroom and a lakefront location on a small acreage.  However, it is for quiet getaways only, and is an owner occupied and monitored property.  

If you have any questions regarding this listing, feel free to message the host before booking.  

* The dock is removed towards the end of September every year. The lake can still be accessed until the end of October, there will just be no dock.

3/4 Bathroom is for your exclusive and private use.  Bathroom is detached from the unit and is located in the house 60 steps away.  

field view campsite

Learn more about this land:

You"ll camp right next to the  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.

If you’re lucky you may even see the Northern Lights- photo taken at campsite location 

Camp Crimson Turtle

Established by naturalists in the 1920's this parcel features a waterfront cabin (currently being restored), a two acre spring fed pond that is stocked with fish, a small stream and great privacy. We have had this as our family paradise and now we are sharing it with you!

We now offer a bohemian wagon if you would prefer to get up off the ground!  Available at site 1. 

Learn more about this land:

8 acres of wooded privacy. Spring fed 2 acre pond, fishing, swimming, boating.  Clothing optional if total site is rented. Extremely private.  Electric available upon request for site number 2, other sites are quite far from electric hook up.  New toilet facilities available!!  We now have a flush toilet and exterior shower available for use onsite.

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