The best camping near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Nerstrand Big Woods State Park adventure.
75% (2 reviews)
75% (2 reviews)
Discover the serene beauty of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.
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Stay at a public campground in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
Top-rated campgrounds near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
99%
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Prairie Creek Forest Campground
7 sites · Tents60 acres · Nerstrand, MN
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 a waterfall and more trails, including a single track mountain bike course. 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 very steep hill.
Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing.
Sites are priced for one tent, please let us know if you need to have more than one tent.
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.
Site 1 is near the creek. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table.
Site 2 is in the pines. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees.
Site 3 is by the creek. Approximately 300 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring, steel grill ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees.
Site 4 is on the hilltop. Approximately 150 feet from the secondary parking area Steel fire ring with grill grate, stone fire ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. This site has parking very near to the site (when weather permits).
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. Over the years, the arable land has been sold but we retained the wooded area which is crossed twice by a stream. About 20 years ago, a 60 acre county park was created to the south and west. The property is bordered on two sides by this county park.
When Ted was in high school, the family sold the dairy cows and started a bare bones horseback riding ranch using trails in these woods as riding trails. We are very excited to host campers as a way to preserve and share this beautiful property.
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100%
(313)
Belle Creek Bluff
3 sites · Lodging, Tents28 acres · Welch, MN
Belle Creek Bluff is on 28 acres of prime land in Welch. Belle Creek runs through the middle of the property. Walk, swim, paddle, fish and explore the this beautiful spring fed trout stream. There are a number of hiking trails on the property. Bordering state lands to the east of the property provide endless exploration and hiking adventures. Hike to the top of the bluff for a spectacular view of Welch valley and the ski hill. Hiking NE along Belle Creek can you spot the old model A truck along the banks? There are eagles, falcons, finches, and many colorful birds to see.
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99%
(35)
field view campsite
3 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Northfield, MN
Learn more about this land:You"ll camp right next to the Horse 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.
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98%
(157)
The Double J
5 sites · RVs, Tents71 acres · MN
Welcome to the Double J!
Of the 71 acres we own, about half is tillable and the other half is woods and pastures for our horses. Within that, there is a beautiful secluded 3-acre meadow nestled down along along a beautiful 1,200 foot stretch of the Zumbro River where we have 5 spacious tent/RV campsites. While the campsites are all adjacent to each other along the river, they are each very spacious (the smallest being 100' wide and 75' deep), with some mature trees scattered around. Each sites (except Site #1) is able to accommodate up to 8 people and more than one tent or RV. There is a small meadow above all the sites where campers can play catch or other games. We provide and maintain a centrally located outhouse and keep the entire area mowed throughout the year. All sites offer great shade trees (perfectly spaced for hanging up a hammock) and access to the river - great for those hot summer days!
Water activities to be enjoyed include fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and tubing (equipment not included). Some campers will drop in upstream at the Covered Bridge Park and float down to their campsite (Note there is a large log jam or two that will require portaging around). The Zumbro River, especially in the fishing hole, offers great fishing including Trout, Small-mouth, Red-horse, and an occasional Northern or Sauger.
Campers are welcome to to meander out into our pasture to pet our two horses, Shiloh and Champ. Also, we are only 1.5 miles from town where you can visit Covered Bridge Park which has a Frisbee golf course and a nice play area for younger kids.
Reserving adjacent sites, or all of the sites, makes for the ideal setting for a large family or group camp-out. In order to prevent overcrowding, we do reserve the right to limit number of sites, or campers per site based on overall parties/campers in the camping area. We will notify you if there are any limits prior to confirming your booking.
We enjoy being able to share our property with others, and it is our desire to promote a safe, peaceful, family-friendly environment, therefore, be sure to note, we do have a NO ALCOHOL policy.
PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to read the "RV Details" on the site information page as the road to the camping area may limit the type or size of RV due to a couple dips, a sharper curve, and it's steeper slope. Also, keep in mind, we reserve the right to cancel any reservations due to heavy rains or floods that may require our sites some additional time to dry out sufficiently.
For updates and notice of last minute cancellations be sure to follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/DoubleJCamping
Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions! We look forward to being able to serve you!
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Lionheart
3 sites · RVs, Tents36 acres · Millville, MN
Our land is a unique find with a little bit of everything. With river access, you can enjoy swimming/water activities and wind down with the wildlife sounds and campfire crackle. We have a few standup paddle boards, and river tubes available to rent and farm fresh eggs to purchase and enjoy with your morning campfire breakfast. The best on the Zumbro! Come experience life outdoors on the river :)
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$39
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83%
(127)
Harbor Bar
12 sites · RVs, TentsHager City, WI
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.
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Brookside Meadows
3 sites · Tents35 acres · Nerstrand, MN
Tired of the traffic? Can't stand all the continuous noise from the craziness of the cities? Do we have a place for you less than an hour away from the twin cities or Rochester! It is a 35 acres site with walking trails (3 miles). This property has a creek flowing through the property. It is the middle of nowhere. We are on a gravel road with very little traffic. We have 3 spots for tents and 1 for RV/campers. Each has a stone fire-ring & picnic table/wood table. We would love to have you out here. Restore & renew at what we consider to be our own retreat-like oasis. Pets are welcome and children will love playing by the brook and walking the trails.
Check in after 3 (no entrance after sunset), Check Out at Noon
Pack in Pack out- no littering please
We are Rustic so no public restrooms/showers
No smoking
2 vehicles max unless prior approval with management
Pets OK- on leash in public areas/trails, off leash at campsite OK
***No entrance to grounds after sunset
Onsite: Firewood available ($5 a bundle cash preferred or Venmo)
Dennison (2 miles): Gas station & Fireside restaurant (check out their ribs, wings & waffle fries!)
Nerstrand (2 miles): Gas station & Boots & Lu restaurant (breakfast on weekends)
***Nerstrand Big Woods Park! Walk to their waterfalls-
Northfield (8 miles): Breweries, grocery, and antiquing
Can't wait to meet you!
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$28
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97%
(263)
The Edge
7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents160 acres · Rochester, MN
This 160 acre farm used to be a sod farm, and then a Christmas tree farm. Camping provided is in the remnants of the uncut Christmas tree forest.
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90%
(43)
Champion Valley
4 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Lakeville, MN
Champion Valley is a 150-acre outdoor adventure park in Lakeville, MN featuring ax-throwing, airsoft, paintball, escape rooms & archery tag. We are located 5 minutes off of Interstate 35W. It is situated on 150 acres of beautiful hills and waterways covered with thousands of trees.
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$30
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98%
(21)
RadRo Farms at Hippie House
2 sites · RVsLakeville, MN
10 acre parcel with a 70’s split level house built by a former state representative. The land used to be a farm but is now mostly tall grasses and goldenrod. We have a large vegetable and berry garden and a large native flower garden. We have a chicken house and blankets of fireflies in the summer and beautiful sunsets that face the campsite. Sometimes it’s really quiet and sometimes you can hear the highway noise.
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Whippletree Farm & Nature Trail
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Lake Elmo, MN
Welcome to Whippletree! This is our sixth-generation family farm, and while it's more of a hobby farm now, it has been in continuous agricultural production since 1869!
Besides tillable farm land, we are stewards of native prairie, small wooded areas, a remnant of an oak savanna and wetlands, with trails throughout. We consider this our sanctuary and enjoying sharing it with others looking for a place of retreat to connect with the natural world.
Stop by for a visit!
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$36
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Daniel's Cabin Retreat
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Waseca, MN
The River Farm once owned by Ulysses S. Grant and purchased from former Speaker of the House Rod Searle who held the Governor's Deer Camp here and congressional parties while in office on a private conservation park nicknamed the Jewel of Waseca County because of it's scenic overlook of the LeSueur River Valley, rolling hillside and diverse topography. Remote valley offers peace and quite with the exception of a few coyotes calls some nights.
Your pet dog is allowed at site 1 and please check with us about having a dog at site 3. Thanks
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The best camping near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park guide
Overview
About
Who says northern Cali gets to have all the big tree fun? At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, huge basswoods tower over you, concealing the aptly named Hidden Falls watering hole. At this wide, shallow rapid on Prairie Creek, limestone bedrock is exposed and the rare dwarf trout lily blossoms all over.
It’s one of Minnesota’s only parks without a major historical site or body of water, which leaves it considerably less buggy than the rest! And unlike the state’s more flashy rec areas, you’ll find seclusion in this rarely-full spot. The main trail to the falls can get crowded, but if you make time to do the two loops that go around it, you’ll likely have the place to yourself.
When to go
The best time to visit Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers lush greenery, but be prepared for busier trails and hotter days. Winter can be magical with snow-covered paths, though some areas may be less accessible.
Know before you go
- Highway 67 is closed; follow alternative routes provided by the park for access.
- Check the park's website for the latest updates on trail closures and conditions.
- Remember to pack essentials, including water, snacks, and a map, as amenities may be limited.
- For safety, always stay on designated trails and be aware of local wildlife.
- Cell service can be spotty, so plan ahead and inform someone of your itinerary.
Top cities near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
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