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Prairie Creek Campground

Hosted by Stephen · Nerstrand, Minnesota
4 sites · Tent · 60 acres
99%
·
464 reviews
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Best Hipcamps in Minnesota
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2025.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Best in Minnesota: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
Staff verified
Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.
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 right outside your tent; our campground truly offers a large amount of recreation right on site with remote forest, many trails, plus waterfalls and creeks to enjoy. Thank you for a great 2025 camping season! We hosted more Hipcampers than any year before and are excited to have been honored again with a Best in Minnesota award. Every year we have more and more returning campers; we are honored that you make us part of your memories. 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). 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.

Select a site

Tent-only sites

4 sites
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Site 3 - Creek View

100%
(175)
Tent site · Sleeps 6
About 300 feet from parking area. Set right beside the babbling creek with a beautiful view from the fire ring. Steel fire ring and grill grate and picnic table. Room for multiple tents. Easy access to privy, water, trails, waterfalls, split rock, & creek.
Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
  • Picture of the site
  • Picture of the site
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Site 1 - Creek Side

98%
(169)
Tent site · Sleeps 6
Site 1 Creek Side overlooks the creek. Approximately 150 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring with grill grate and picnic table. Room for up to 2 tents (unless they are huge!). Easy access to privy, water, trails, waterfalls, split rock, & creek.
Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
  • Picture of the site
  • Picture of the site
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Site 2 - In the Pines

100%
(131)
Tent site · Sleeps 6
Nestled in the pine trees, this site has room for a tent and numerous hammock spots. About 200 feet from the parking area. Steel fire ring with steel grill grate and picnic table. Easy access to privy, water, trails, waterfalls, split rock, & creek.
Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
  • Picture of the site
  • Picture of the site
  • Picture of the site

Site 4 - Hilltop

98%
(122)
Tent site · Sleeps 6
Site 4 is on the hilltop with great views off the night sky. There is room for multiple tents or hammocks. This site has a parking area beside the site; there is NOT room to park a trailer. Steel fire ring, grill grate, and a picnic table. Easy access to split rock and park trails leading to the waterfall; this site is further from the privy.
4WD recommended
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No showers

Reviews

99% Recommend649 ratings · 464 reviews
Campers can expect a peaceful and secluded experience at this campsite, with plenty of space and beautiful natural surroundings. The creek and nearby hiking trails are highlights, providing great opportunities for families and individual adventurers alike. Most guests find the setup to be convenient, especially with amenities like the cart for gear transport and the welcoming host, Stephen. A few campers noted some challenges with flies and the walk to the bathroom, but these issues seemed minor in the overall positive experience.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
Recommends
· October 2026
Tent · With kids ·
Site 1 - Creek Side
Another fantastic stay at a very special spot. At Prairie Creek, we love that it feels like we're in our own little world. Despite the rain and muddy conditions, we had a great trip!
Recommends
· September 2026
A little hideaway close to home
Tent · With kids ·
Site 3 - Creek View
Camp #3 was absolutely gorgeous. Spacious, private from view, tucked away in an amazing spot next to the creek. Stephen came to say hello and tell us about the property. He was friendly and kind. Hiking nearby is nice. The short trek to the split rock is worth it even in the rain with kids and dogs. Fantastic little spot.
Mixed feelings
· September 2026
Tent ·
Site 2 - In the Pines
Campsites were private and nice but the bathroom/outhouse was nasty. You're better off doing your business in the woods
Recommends
· September 2026
Seclusion at Site 4
Tent ·
Site 4 - Hilltop
We had a wonderful time camping at site 4! The hilltop site is secluded from the other sites and offers privacy. We could hear the neighboring farm cows and had an amazing view of the stars at night. We will definitely be back!
Recommends
· September 2026
Tent ·
Site 1 - Creek Side
Tent camping was very nice, and there was plenty of space at the site itself. Although it was a little close to other sites, there was still visible protection and plenty of nearby trail options.
Recommends
· September 2026
Hilltop Labor Day weekend
Tent · With pets ·
Site 4 - Hilltop
We loved our hilltop camping experience and even made it up the big hill so we could park right by the site. Had a nice large camping area to ourselves and there was a short path from the picnic table and fire pit to the larger space where we could put our tent. really fun hiking trails and Stephen was a wonderful host!
Recommends
· September 2026
Tent · With kids ·
Site 3 - Creek View
We had a wonderful night at our campsite (#3). It was so quiet and peaceful. Carting our gear from the parking spots was a breeze. Our kids loved the creek and the trails. Stephen was very welcoming and friendly. We’re looking forward to returning soon!
Recommends
· September 2026
Tent · With kids ·
Site 3 - Creek View
This was a lovely creekside campsite with plenty of space between sites. Very clean and well kept! Our kids loved playing in the creek and walking to the little waterfall area nearby.
Recommends
· September 2026
Senior tent camping
Tent ·
Site 3 - Creek View
Stephen runs a great place. Words I would use are: primitive, secluded, large, serene (babbling creek), Now I would like to talk to the senior travelers: my sister and I are 70 yrs old. There are three tent sites where we were…we stayed at #3. I think I would like #2 better because closer but all good. You park and haul your gear. #3 was the farthest and was a little tough because we had so much. Stephen provided a large wagon which was a life savior. A scooter could transverse the area on a gravel/packed mud pathway. We brought a portable potty and plenty of water so had no issues. I think it would be slightly difficult for those less active to journey to get to water n outhouse but we enjoyed every minute except for the flys….always searching for food. No mosquitoes though. Bottom line. We rated this site a 9 out of 10. We were pretty aware of what we were getting into. Thanks Stephen!!
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent ·
Site 4 - Hilltop
Beautiful property with a secluded campsite. Tons of nearby walking trails. Loved it!
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent ·
Site 1 - Creek Side
It was primative, more than my spouse may have liked but we had a great time. Wish the creek was higher. I heard they hadn't had much rain this year. Planning next year for the larger sight with some friends.
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent · With kids ·
Site 3 - Creek View
Great spot right on Prairie creek and wonderful hiking right on the property. Highly recommend, would definitely come back.
Recommends
· August 2026
Peaceful, Beautiful, camp 3
Tent · With kids ·
Site 3 - Creek View
We stayed at Camp 3 with the family, and it was hands-down the best site compared to the others! 🌲 We absolutely loved the creek—it was so peaceful and beautiful. We stayed for two wonderful nights and can't wait to come back! A huge plus was that they provided a trailer to easily carry all our gear from the car to the site. The toilet is conveniently close by, though we brought a compact portable toilet for nighttime convenience, which worked out great. This was our first time camping, and we completely fell in love with the experience! ⛺✨
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent ·
Site 2 - In the Pines
Stephen’s directions and the way the site is set up makes this place incredibly easy to find! The scenery is beautiful and we couldn’t have asked for a better night away. Will definitely be coming back!
Recommends
· August 2026
Lovely weekend
Tent ·
Site 3 - Creek View
Tent camping was a blast, great area, secluded camping sites but close enough to be comfortable. We just keep coming back every season. Great views, this time we chose the creek site, and it didn’t disappoint.
Recommends
· August 2026
Peaceful streamside site.
Tent ·
Site 3 - Creek View
Wonderful proximity to Minneapolis. Stephen is very good with communication. The site is large, mostly flat offering numerous pitching options. As indicated site is directly adjacent to the stream. There's a fire ring and picnic table as well as a grate for cooking over the fire. I've been to Stephen's property 3 times now and have never been disappointed. Highly recommended!
Recommends
· August 2026
Great Experience at Site 4
Tent · With pets ·
Site 4 - Hilltop
We love the privacy of site 4. It is a lovely quiet wooded spot with picnic table and fire pit to cook on. We were able to walk out of our site right onto a park trail-our dogs loved it. The other sites by the creek are also very pretty. Stephen came up and said hello and made sure we had everything we needed. We will likely stay there again in the future.
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent · With kids ·
Site 1 - Creek Side
Very clean and well set up area. Easy to understand maps, directions and trails. Great hiking trails for toddlers. Just enough hiking to keep everyone engaged and excited. Quiet area. Plan to go back another time.
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent · With pets ·
Site 3 - Creek View
Loved this!! Site was well maintained, felt secluded. The babbling creek was perfect, and the kids could spend hours throwing rocks into it. Also really appreciated the ability to hike Caron Park right from the site. Playing in the little waterfall was a highlight. Would love to come back!
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent ·
Site 1 - Creek Side
Lovely hosts and surroundings. We stayed at Site 1 and it was beautiful. The site was clean, well equipped, and right on the stream. We were also serenaded to sleep by a family of barred owls. A beautiful spot that we will definitely be returning to!
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent ·
Site 4 - Hilltop
Loved the spot that I picked on top of the hill! So secluded and beautiful. The stars were insane! Host was very nice and came and introduced himself and told him to let me know if there was anything I needed. Would camp here again!
Mixed feelings
· August 2026
Secluded and beautiful
Tent · With pets ·
Site 3 - Creek View
The land, creek, and campsites are beautiful and private. However, consider the distance to the bathroom if you have young children. It’s easily two city blocks from campsite 3 and incredibly dark/stinky. We stayed for two nights and enjoyed the creek and the nearby county park. We heard all kinds of sounds at night and at dawn: turkeys, owls, coyotes, and cows of course! Thanks for the hosting us!
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent ·
Site 2 - In the Pines
Large, beautiful, shaded site. Very close to trails, creeks, and State Park. Friendly host. Hopefully staying longer on our next trip out there.
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent ·
Site 2 - In the Pines
Site 2 "In the Pines" is great for hammock camping. It is cozy, quiet, and shaded. The property is heavily wooded, and adjacent to Caron Park, which is also wooded and quiet. Lots of birdsong. Relaxed camping bliss.
Recommends
· July 2026
A wonderful spot to spend some time
Tent ·
Site 3 - Creek View
What a beautiful spot! I feel like we stumbled upon a hidden gem. Secluded area with a very kind host. The amount of gravel road driving to get there was a little surprising (but wouldn’t have been if I peeked at Apple maps first).
Recommends
· July 2026
Wonderful place to camp
Tent ·
Site 3 - Creek View
Stephen the owner of the property was friendly. He took the time to let me know the points of interest on the property and surrounding areas. The property has 4 beautiful quiet camp site with 2 of them next to the creek. I will diffinataly be returning in the future to camp.
Recommends
· July 2026
Site 2
Site 2 - In the Pines
Is the location is very pretty and it’s a very like not open campsite but on the same time it was also creepy at night. We would hear Random screaming from the woods and my friend and I ended up leaving early just because it was too like creepy there so if you’re like more prepared than we were then, yes absolutely it’s a good deal but if you’re not like us, it was our first time camping then no
Recommends
· July 2026
This Campground is Fantastic!
Tent ·
Site 1 - Creek Side
Prairie Creek Campground is fantastic. There is an abundance of nature to explore. The trails, which connect to Caron Park trails, are well established, very accessible, and full of diverse flora and fauna. If you're into mountain biking or underbiking (I use my gravel bike) the conneting park has some fantastic singletrack to ride. The hosts are super friendly, approachable, and have gone out of their way to accommodate requests made. The sites are walk-in with a cart available for moving camping gear. There is a water spout with potable water and an outhouse along the driveway that connects the campsite road to the host's house. If you are into tent camping in a beautiful location surrounded by nature, this is the place.
Recommends
· July 2026
Awesome Spot!
Tent ·
Site 2 - In the Pines
This spot was exactly what we were looking for! Beautiful, and secluded enough for a nice quiet night by the campfire. We can't wait to come back!
Recommends
· July 2026
Tent · With kids ·
Site 2 - In the Pines
We took our kids here for their first camping trip and had lots of fun. There are 4 campsites and they're all a nice distance from one another. It was easy to get to and we would recommend it to others.

Location

Nerstrand, Rice, Minnesota, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Stephen S.

Joined in January 2018

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