Albert Lea / Austin KOA

The Great Outdoors

Minnesota is home to many grand adventures to enjoy from the comfort of a rental RV, like exploring the over 1,500 acres of Myre-Big Island Park in Albert Lea. Travelers can visit in time for the spring and fall migrations, or perhaps in the winter to see the glacial esker. Traverse through a variety of landscapes including marsh wetlands, oak savannas, and prairies. You will find trails of all shapes and sizes spanning over 20 miles with options for hiking, biking, and even snowmobiling when conditions permit. You can also find campgrounds and interpretive nature programs here.Another spot you might be interested in touring is the Quarry Hill Nature Center found in Rochester. The beautiful atmosphere you can find here features historic sandstone caves, a limestone fossil quarry, and oak savannas to explore. While you venture over the eight miles of trails here, you can appreciate views from a scenic overlook of downtown Rochester, and check out markers along the way detailing the park's history. Kids and parents can have a ball fossil hunting at one of the two quarries. Try some fishing at the pond, or grab some binoculars and check out some of the most wonderful birds around.You could also make your way over to Rice Lake State Park to add another layer to your nature experience. You will be hard pressed to find a better spot for canoeing in the area, especially with a variety of waterfowl migrating throughout the year. A five-mile trail will give you a nice and easy hike around the park across prairies, woods, and lake trails. You could fish nearby, stop at the warming house if you visit in the winter, or have a nice picnic near the playground while the kids work up an appetite.

Explore the City

There’s something intriguing about visiting the SPAM® Museum in Austin while enjoying the area in a campervan rental. You won’t be disappointed with the trip back in time here. You'll learn about Spam’s influence on history from the interactive exhibits you can find here, with info and plenty of unique spins on recipes. Spam isn’t the only food to enjoy in the area, with many twists on American cuisine offered in the region.If you are looking to get back to nature, the Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo in Owatonna is a solid stop. It's a great place for the whole family to enjoy, with over 150 different creatures to observe. You can see alligators up to 12 feet long and pythons that reach even farther for multiple memorable moments. Feeding salad to turtles and checking out the daily shows like Everglades Encounter are among many other interesting experiences you can find here.Then you can bring everything together with a bit of history during a visit to the Freeborn County Historical Museum. This place has plenty of rich history to dive into along with a village and a library to explore. The kids can check out the Children’s Learning Lab to get their historical fix and keep that sense of awe nice and fresh. The library is an excellent way for more seasoned researchers to find something interesting.A vacation in Minnesota isn’t all about relaxing with nature, and RV camping at Albert Lea/Austin KOA is a great way to see it all.