The best beach camping near Cochrane

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In Cochrane, you’ll find over 1,000 beach camping options, many within earshot of the Mississippi’s wide bends or tucked behind bluffs. Average nights run about $32, but you can snag a spot for as little as $20 if you’re quick. Campfires are welcome, and you’ll usually have toilets and showers nearby—essentials after a day spent hiking, fishing, or braving snow sports when winter hits. Locals head to Bluff Hollow Camp on the Root River (244 reviews) for riverside quiet, Shady Rest Acres (225 reviews) for open skies, and The English Pale Campground (21+) (68 reviews) for adults-only peace. You’ll find sandy stretches, wooded patches, and plenty of room to roam—just pack for the weather and stake your claim early.

95% (649)

Top-rated campgrounds

Shady Rest Acres

1. Shady Rest Acres

100%
(316)
46mi from Cochrane · 4 sites · Tents, Lodging · Brownsville, MN
Once the site of the historic V.J. Fetzner Brewery from the late 19th Century. The land is now used as a hobby farm, honey bee sanctuary and nursery to a unique tree species normally not found in Southeastern Minnesota. Remnants of the brewery are still visible. Foundation walls outline the massive structure of the brewery. Nestled in the center of the foundation is the entrance to the sixty-seven foot deep cave that once held barrels of beer and can be accessed by canoe only. Hops have been located on the property and are believed to be ancestors of those raised to make the beer once stored in the cave. The pond that provides access to the cave was dug out in the early 1990's to create a fish out for the Spring Falls Trout Farm that used to exist across the highway. Some of the original brood stock still exist and continue to naturally stock the pond. It is not uncommon to see fish that are five to ten pounds in size. We do not allow fishing from our pond. The residents house is built to scale to the original brew master's house. While the house is only twenty-four years old it looks as though you have taken a step back in time. The name Shady Rest was given to the house by the Brew Master's wife. We thought it was appropriate to keep the name alive. Shady Rest Acres is comprised of twenty-three acres of beautiful woodlands and pasture that are protected forever in the Minnesota Land Trust. The pasture is home to Scottish Highlander cows, two miniature donkeys, five sheep, four goats, honey bees and a flock of chickens. Scottish Highlanders were selected for both their grazing and browsing abilities. They are very docile and make excellent pasture mates to the smaller species sharing the pasture. The cows are excellent forest managers. They clear out invasive species such as Honey Suckle, Buckthorn, and Barberry which can often be difficult to manage. A guided tour with the host can be taken to meet the pasture animals. The forest is comprised of many tree species. Some are unique in that they normally do not grow in this region of Minnesota. The yellow birch is a species normally found in Northern Minnesota. It's bark is golden in color and glistens when the sun hits it just right. We have a cluster of several yellow birch including one that is so big that the bark no longer looks golden but instead is grey and very rough. Years ago the largest of these trees made excellent wood for turning bowls. Blue Beech (musclewood) can also be found on the property. As the name indicates the bark is shaped like muscles. Songbirds and some other species will use different parts of the tree as a food source. Towering white pines also speckle the landscape. Mother pine requires at least two humans arm lengths to encircle the whole tree. She is a favorite resting spot for the barred owl. There is oak, elm, maple, ceders, poplars and numerous other species. Honey bees are an integral part of the landscape. We partnered with a friend and started raising honey bees two years ago in order to do our part to keep pollinators thriving. Their hives are located in the pasture where it has the perfect amount of early morning sun to get them moving and afternoon shade to balance out the summer heat. It is not uncommon to see them pollinating garden plants, trees and wild flowers around the property. One of their favorite feeding spots is the acre and a half prairie which offers a range of plants including big blue stem, wild indigo and baby blue stem, to name a few. Not only are honey bees essential to the food chain but they also provide a very enriching experience when they are observed moving about their hives. There is nothing more relaxing and fascinating than watching these amazing creatures.
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$40
 / night
Sand beach looking to the west.

3. The English Pale Campground (21+)

97%
(101)
42mi from Cochrane · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Melrose, WI
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION: The river edge erosion wall construction is complete. The area is being prepared to have additional river sites added sometime in 2026 depending on vegetation growth. The entire Beach (R3 & R4) will be closed to Campers starting October 1. This is due to hunting season starting. Campsites in the main campground will be still available, but guests are not allowed on the lower 40. Contact Cal or check our Facebook page and web site for more information. The campground and rental house will open about May 15, each year. The English Pale Campground is located along the Black River in Jackson County, 1 mile west of the Village of Melrose. The entire property only allows guests and occupants who are 21 or older. Sites/house can be booked 6 months in advance. The main campground is 70 feet above the river. We have 5 rustic (no hook-ups) RV/Travel Trailer/Tent sites, a fully furnished “Manor” House, a travel trailer as well as 2 rustic beach sites that are located along the river. The property is a total of 70 acres, which includes the 4+ acre beach, a mile of river front and trails through the woods that connect them all. The English Pale opened in 2021 and is a developing property. In late summer of 2025 an erosion wall was built along the Black River. This included clearing of a section of the forest, building a gravel access road and an riprap river wall to prevent further erosion. Since 2016 over 60 feet of the riverbank has washed away. Our property offers a reasonable expectation of privacy and we do not offer day passes as our target guests are campers. We are an adult only property, but not a nudist campground, as that is not our central theme. We do not prohibit our guests from nudity for the purpose of sunbathing on the beach, campsites or sundeck, but nudity is not allowed in general common areas. Part of our nature is allowing discreet nudity for tanning purposes. While we target couples for time together, singles and groups are welcome. This is NOT a party campground, our goal is to let you connect with nature. More campground information can be found on our main web page or on Facebook at The English Pale Campground and Resort. The entire property can be rented by contacting us directly by phone or email.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Hok-Si-La Municipal Park

7. Hok-Si-La Municipal Park

28mi from Cochrane · 4 sites · Lake City, MN
Hok-Si-La Park stands out as a remarkable 252-acre municipally owned park on the scenic Minnesota side of Lake Pepin, offering breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding bluffs. This park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, providing a perfect blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Visitors can immerse themselves in the joys of tent camping, launch their boats from the public ramp, or unwind on the sandy beach. A mile-long stretch of Mississippi River shoreline invites exploration, while the interpretive center offers educational insights into the local ecosystem. Families can enjoy the playground, engage in volleyball or basketball games, and savor picnics in picturesque settings, including a charming chapel. Open from mid-April to mid-October, the park features various facilities, including a dining hall and screened shelters, making it an ideal venue for gatherings such as family reunions, birthday celebrations, and corporate picnics. Throughout the year, Hok-Si-La Park remains accessible for hiking, bird watching, and leisurely beach strolls. In winter, visitors can take advantage of groomed cross-country ski trails, ensuring that this park is a year-round destination for outdoor fun and relaxation.

In Cochrane, you’ll find over 1,000 beach camping options, many within earshot of the Mississippi’s wide bends or tucked behind bluffs. Average nights run about $32, but you can snag a spot for as little as $20 if you’re quick. Campfires are welcome, and you’ll usually have toilets and showers nearby—essentials after a day spent hiking, fishing, or braving snow sports when winter hits. Locals head to Bluff Hollow Camp on the Root River (244 reviews) for riverside quiet, Shady Rest Acres (225 reviews) for open skies, and The English Pale Campground (21+) (68 reviews) for adults-only peace. You’ll find sandy stretches, wooded patches, and plenty of room to roam—just pack for the weather and stake your claim early.

95% (649)

Top-rated campgrounds

Shady Rest Acres

1. Shady Rest Acres

100%
(316)
46mi from Cochrane · 4 sites · Tents, Lodging · Brownsville, MN
Once the site of the historic V.J. Fetzner Brewery from the late 19th Century. The land is now used as a hobby farm, honey bee sanctuary and nursery to a unique tree species normally not found in Southeastern Minnesota. Remnants of the brewery are still visible. Foundation walls outline the massive structure of the brewery. Nestled in the center of the foundation is the entrance to the sixty-seven foot deep cave that once held barrels of beer and can be accessed by canoe only. Hops have been located on the property and are believed to be ancestors of those raised to make the beer once stored in the cave. The pond that provides access to the cave was dug out in the early 1990's to create a fish out for the Spring Falls Trout Farm that used to exist across the highway. Some of the original brood stock still exist and continue to naturally stock the pond. It is not uncommon to see fish that are five to ten pounds in size. We do not allow fishing from our pond. The residents house is built to scale to the original brew master's house. While the house is only twenty-four years old it looks as though you have taken a step back in time. The name Shady Rest was given to the house by the Brew Master's wife. We thought it was appropriate to keep the name alive. Shady Rest Acres is comprised of twenty-three acres of beautiful woodlands and pasture that are protected forever in the Minnesota Land Trust. The pasture is home to Scottish Highlander cows, two miniature donkeys, five sheep, four goats, honey bees and a flock of chickens. Scottish Highlanders were selected for both their grazing and browsing abilities. They are very docile and make excellent pasture mates to the smaller species sharing the pasture. The cows are excellent forest managers. They clear out invasive species such as Honey Suckle, Buckthorn, and Barberry which can often be difficult to manage. A guided tour with the host can be taken to meet the pasture animals. The forest is comprised of many tree species. Some are unique in that they normally do not grow in this region of Minnesota. The yellow birch is a species normally found in Northern Minnesota. It's bark is golden in color and glistens when the sun hits it just right. We have a cluster of several yellow birch including one that is so big that the bark no longer looks golden but instead is grey and very rough. Years ago the largest of these trees made excellent wood for turning bowls. Blue Beech (musclewood) can also be found on the property. As the name indicates the bark is shaped like muscles. Songbirds and some other species will use different parts of the tree as a food source. Towering white pines also speckle the landscape. Mother pine requires at least two humans arm lengths to encircle the whole tree. She is a favorite resting spot for the barred owl. There is oak, elm, maple, ceders, poplars and numerous other species. Honey bees are an integral part of the landscape. We partnered with a friend and started raising honey bees two years ago in order to do our part to keep pollinators thriving. Their hives are located in the pasture where it has the perfect amount of early morning sun to get them moving and afternoon shade to balance out the summer heat. It is not uncommon to see them pollinating garden plants, trees and wild flowers around the property. One of their favorite feeding spots is the acre and a half prairie which offers a range of plants including big blue stem, wild indigo and baby blue stem, to name a few. Not only are honey bees essential to the food chain but they also provide a very enriching experience when they are observed moving about their hives. There is nothing more relaxing and fascinating than watching these amazing creatures.
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$40
 / night
Sand beach looking to the west.

3. The English Pale Campground (21+)

97%
(101)
42mi from Cochrane · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Melrose, WI
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION: The river edge erosion wall construction is complete. The area is being prepared to have additional river sites added sometime in 2026 depending on vegetation growth. The entire Beach (R3 & R4) will be closed to Campers starting October 1. This is due to hunting season starting. Campsites in the main campground will be still available, but guests are not allowed on the lower 40. Contact Cal or check our Facebook page and web site for more information. The campground and rental house will open about May 15, each year. The English Pale Campground is located along the Black River in Jackson County, 1 mile west of the Village of Melrose. The entire property only allows guests and occupants who are 21 or older. Sites/house can be booked 6 months in advance. The main campground is 70 feet above the river. We have 5 rustic (no hook-ups) RV/Travel Trailer/Tent sites, a fully furnished “Manor” House, a travel trailer as well as 2 rustic beach sites that are located along the river. The property is a total of 70 acres, which includes the 4+ acre beach, a mile of river front and trails through the woods that connect them all. The English Pale opened in 2021 and is a developing property. In late summer of 2025 an erosion wall was built along the Black River. This included clearing of a section of the forest, building a gravel access road and an riprap river wall to prevent further erosion. Since 2016 over 60 feet of the riverbank has washed away. Our property offers a reasonable expectation of privacy and we do not offer day passes as our target guests are campers. We are an adult only property, but not a nudist campground, as that is not our central theme. We do not prohibit our guests from nudity for the purpose of sunbathing on the beach, campsites or sundeck, but nudity is not allowed in general common areas. Part of our nature is allowing discreet nudity for tanning purposes. While we target couples for time together, singles and groups are welcome. This is NOT a party campground, our goal is to let you connect with nature. More campground information can be found on our main web page or on Facebook at The English Pale Campground and Resort. The entire property can be rented by contacting us directly by phone or email.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Hok-Si-La Municipal Park

7. Hok-Si-La Municipal Park

28mi from Cochrane · 4 sites · Lake City, MN
Hok-Si-La Park stands out as a remarkable 252-acre municipally owned park on the scenic Minnesota side of Lake Pepin, offering breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding bluffs. This park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, providing a perfect blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Visitors can immerse themselves in the joys of tent camping, launch their boats from the public ramp, or unwind on the sandy beach. A mile-long stretch of Mississippi River shoreline invites exploration, while the interpretive center offers educational insights into the local ecosystem. Families can enjoy the playground, engage in volleyball or basketball games, and savor picnics in picturesque settings, including a charming chapel. Open from mid-April to mid-October, the park features various facilities, including a dining hall and screened shelters, making it an ideal venue for gatherings such as family reunions, birthday celebrations, and corporate picnics. Throughout the year, Hok-Si-La Park remains accessible for hiking, bird watching, and leisurely beach strolls. In winter, visitors can take advantage of groomed cross-country ski trails, ensuring that this park is a year-round destination for outdoor fun and relaxation.

Public campgrounds near Cochrane

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field