- Fort Ridgely State Park
The best camping in Fort Ridgely State Park, MN
100% (2)
Discover Fort Ridgely State Park's rich history and scenic landscapes.
The best camping in Fort Ridgely State Park, MN
100% (2)
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Fort Ridgely State Park adventure.
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D
Donnay
October 2025
32 ft travel trailer
With pets
Nice place with great view. Wonderful host. Space for the dogs to run and play.
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Deb
October 2025
25 ft travel trailer
Great location- awesome land- fantastic host - great way to enjoy the fall colors peacefully- close to winery too!
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Rachel
October 2025
24 ft travel trailer
With pets
Extremely charming place in the country with very responsive host!
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Christina
October 2025
Tent
With kids
We really enjoyed our stay — the campsite was peaceful and right by the water with everything we needed (kayaks/canoe/boat available). The host was very caring, friendly, and welcoming, even giving us fresh farm eggs, which was such a nice touch. The spot felt private and relaxing. The amenities are excellent: power at all sites, warm showers, flushing toilets, and well-maintained grounds.
Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short because of the high winds, but we’d love to come back when the weather is calmer!
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Emily
October 2025
20 ft pop-up camper
With kids
My littles loved it here! Plenty of room to roam, their animals were friendly but not too friendly, and lots to explore. We’ll definitely be back.
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Charles
October 2025
21 ft campervan
Nice quiet experience and enjoyed all the animals.
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D
Donnay
October 2025
33 ft travel trailer
With pets
Wonderful little campground. Cute, peaceful, the host are wonderful.
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M.M.
September 2025
Tent
With pets
A Little Slice of Heaven – Peaceful Lakefront Camping with an Amazing Host
This place went above and beyond my expectations! I stayed for 2 nights and had an unforgettable experience. Jim is by far one of the most gracious, friendly, and welcoming hosts I’ve ever met. From the moment I arrived, he greeted me, showed me around, and made sure I had everything I needed. He even brought firewood right to my site and surprised me with a dozen fresh farm eggs—talk about hospitality!
His land is a true hidden gem. The quiet lake is perfect for paddling or fishing, with a trolling motor boat, canoe, and kayaks available for guests. My campsite had electric hookups, a firepit, patio table with chairs, plus a mini fridge—a thoughtful touch that made camping feel effortless. There’s also access to a shower, flushing toilet, and outdoor bathroom, so comfort is never sacrificed.
I loved that my two dogs could run around freely and enjoy the space—it was as much their vacation as mine! Nights were the highlight: no city light pollution, just millions of stars sparkling in the sky. Absolutely breathtaking.
This place is serene, clean, and peaceful, with everything you need for a relaxing escape. I’ll definitely be back. Huge thanks to Jim for sharing his beautiful property and making my trip so memorable. This one’s a 5⭐️+ stay all the way!
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K
Keo
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Highly recommend! Such a great little spot. We stayed at Site 4, which was spacious and set a bit farther from the others—perfect for us with two dogs and a toddler. The site came with a fire pit, table, chairs, and even a hammock. We loved the lake view and really appreciated the access to kayaks, a canoe, and a boat with a trolling motor. You can hear some traffic but that's to be expected due to it's location but it didn’t take away from how enjoyable the stay was. We didn’t get to use everything this place offers, but that just means we’ll be back again. The host was very friendly and welcoming, showed us where everything was, and made sure we were comfortable settling in. We came in from Sioux Falls, and it was absolutely worth the drive and the money.
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S
Shirlee
September 2025
30 ft Class C
With kids
Awesome stop over and sweet host!
We really loved the farm, the animals and the vibe. Great place if looking for a convenient stop for the night..
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Pin-Kuan
September 2025
Tent
I had my best camping experience here. I also went kayaking and fishing. The host is friendly and helpful.
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MICHAEL
September 2025
Tent
Highly recommend! Plenty of options for traversing the lake, have to say that's the first time I've heard cows while being out on a lake. Farmland nearby, nice and quiet and great for stargazing. Jim is an awesome host and very accommodating; mosquitoes can be a bid bad in early September.
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Elijah
September 2025
16 ft car
10/10 veggies were super fresh very friendly host no noises once so ever just peaceful nature would recommend
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Keith
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Great little private place to stay. Very quiet, beautiful lakeside sites that are pretty nice and big. Would definitely recomend.
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Erica
September 2025
Tent
With pets
This was an awesome campsite. The view was great, right by the lake. It was a cold weekend so we didn’t get to enjoy the water, but it seems clean and I want to go back there in the summer. We had a lot of space. Jim was very friendly and helpful, since we were the only ones there, we were able to switch site, and Jim provided a little space heater for us and it helped a lot overnight since it got pretty cold. We were there on the opening day for bird hunting, and we woke up on Sat and Sun morning with gun shots, not super fun since we don’t like hunting and my dog gets scared of the noise, but besides that, it is an awesome place and I plan on going back. 10/10 recommend it.
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Abby
September 2025
32 ft Class B
With pets
Such a beautiful spot to spend a weekend! Kind & helpful hosts.
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Logan
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Jim was awesome host! Awesome property! Nice lake with kayaks and boats for use. Had a great weekend and will definitely return one day.
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Chandra
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Hands down one of the BEST little hidden gems of a camping spot that we have ever come across! Jim is an incredible host and provides boats and kayaks for his guests to enjoy on the private lake, the sites are absolutely beautiful and offer the perfect secluded get away for couples, families and large groups. The lake is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for fishing/swimming/cruising in the fishing boat or paddling out and enjoying the sun and each campsite is right on the water with its own private access points. Jim really did create a perfect little slice of narures heaven for people to enjoy here! We LOVED our time here and will be making this a yearly spot for our group!!
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Pache
September 2025
Tent
My friends and I absolutely loved staying at this campsite! Jim is an awesome guy! He welcomed us in, gave us a quick tour of where everything was, and even gifted us some of the eggs from his chickens :) He’s super thoughtful and has pretty much everything you’d need. He has a table, a grill-top for the campfire, chairs/seats, and even a hammock set up in the trees! I also love that he had kayaks/canoes available to use for free as well. My friends and I definitely enjoyed our time on the lake paddling in those! Of course, his dog Rocky, just the sweetest girl! We definitely recommend this place and we ourselves would come here again! Thanks Jim!
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Josephine
August 2025
Tent
Edwin and his dogs, Sugar and Mulberry, were very welcoming and kind. Lots of goats, geese, chickens and ducks rambling around too! 🐐🪿🐓🦆🌞 The wide open sky and sunset were beautiful across the rolling fields. And there were also Fireflies! ✨ A simple and easy environment to rest and relax.
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The best camping in Fort Ridgely State Park, MN guide
Overview
About
Golfers and Civil War buffs (also known as dads) will revel in all that Fort Ridgely State Park has to offer. This park preserves the site of the Battle of Fort Ridgely, an important U.S. victory in the 1862 war with the Dakota Indians. Roam the rustic stone structures, wooden bridges, and ruins, and visit the impressive Fort Defenders Monument, which lists the names of all who lost their lives in the battle. You can also take in the green at the only Minnesota state park with a nine-hole golf course (you’ll get two free passes if you stay three or more consecutive nights).
Even if that’s not your scene, Fort Ridgely has a loaded arsenal of fun for the whole fam—enjoy the beautiful valley overlook or explore the hiking trails on horseback, swim in nearby Swan Lake, or ski if the season’s right. The park has a gorgeous chalet for winter visitors, and a renovated farmhouse, both excellent for rounding out your historical throwback experience.
Notable campgrounds
- Yellow Medicine River Campground: Nestled by the river, this campground offers a tranquil setting for campers.
- Horse Campground: Equestrian lovers can enjoy direct trail access and facilities catered to their needs.
- Backpack/Watercraft Campground - Ideal for those seeking a remote experience accessible by hiking or watercraft.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Book early to secure your spot, as campgrounds fill up quickly during peak seasons.
- Check for cancellations regularly, especially close to your desired travel date.
- Consider mid-week stays for better availability and a quieter camping experience.
- Explore nearby camping options if your preferred campground is full.
When to go
The best time to visit Fort Ridgely State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its most vibrant. Summer offers full access to all park amenities but can be busy. Winters are harsh, and some facilities may be inaccessible due to snow.
Know before you go
- Highway 67 is closed; follow alternative routes provided by the park for access.
- Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for seasonal conditions.
- Be aware of local wildlife and follow guidelines to ensure a safe encounter.
- Some areas may have limited services; plan ahead for food, water, and supplies.
- For any inquiries, contact the park office between 8:30am to 5pm for assistance.
100%
2 ratings · 1 review
Recommends
· February 2017
There is a DNR trout stream here with the most beautiful rainbow trout . Make sure you are fishing in open trout season and have your trout stamp on your fishing license . I was checked by the DNR while I was knees deep in mud along the banks of the creek :) There is a golf course here that is at risk of closing but thanks to friends of the park , it has remained open . It is operated on an honor system and no carts are allowed but it truly is a beautiful course . The Walk in camp
sites here are secluded that sit on top of a hill . Don't overpack as the incline is pretty steep ! The trails also have many inclines so if you are training for a future backpacking trip , a weekend here , hiking the trails would be beneficial .
Paula B.
8 years on Hipcamp