Brookside Campground

The Great Outdoors

Blooming Prairie is surrounded by lush state parks, the closest of which is Rice Lake State Park in nearby Owatonna. Whistling swans, Canadian snow and blue geese, and Western and pied-billed grebes are drawn to the park's marshes, lakes, and meadows during spring and fall migrations. Tall hardwoods harbor pileated woodpeckers. And if you like to spy wildlife from the water, paddle across the lake and enjoy seclusion in a canoe campsite.A bit farther north but still within an hour's drive when camping at Brookside Campground is Sakatah Lake State Park. Beautiful sunsets over the lake are not the only main draw at the park; cyclists come here to pedal the 39-mile Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail. If you'd rather smell the wildflowers, walk the Big Woods Trail in spring. Or bring binoculars to view warblers stopping over during spring migration. In the winter, skiing is a popular activity in the park.The scenic Minneopa Falls is the prime attraction at Minneopa State Park, where you can see the "water falling twice." If the water level is low, you can walk the trail down to the Minneopa Creek to get a closer look at the falls. Otherwise, explore the Minnesota River Bluff Trail and the Seppmann Mill Trail instead to enjoy views of Minnesota prairie. For safety reasons, stay inside your Blooming Prairie camper rental if you wish to see bison roaming freely around a 300-acre enclosure. To survey where the creek meets the Minnesota River, follow the Minneopa Creek Confluence Trail to a shady gorge.

Exploring the Area

Book an RV in Steele County, and you’ll enjoy a wide range of activities and attractions year-round. Owatonna, the county seat, is less than half an hour’s drive when you rent a camper near Brookside Campground. It’s a great place to spend some time if you’re partial to history and the arts. Start by exploring the lay of the town's 12 blocks on a downtown historic walking tour and admire the blend of architectural styles from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Notable landmarks on the list of the National Register of Historic Places include the National Farmers Bank (1907-1908), the Steele County Courthouse (1891-1892), and the Firemen’s Hall (1907).Enhance your understanding of the local history as you walk around the Village of Yesteryear and see cabins, shops (blacksmith, print, and general store), and a train depot, among the more than a dozen structures maintained by the Steele County Historical Society.Owatonna once provided shelter to "state schoolers," orphaned, abandoned, or abused children who lived at the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children. A former state schooler founded the Orphanage Museum at the property to remember the kids who lived here between1886 to 1945. Now called the West Hills Campus, the building also houses the Owatonna Arts Center, where paintings, murals, and music are featured.Families may want to see turtles, salamanders, and a boa constrictor with celebrity ties at the Reptile and Amphibian Discovery (RAD) Zoo. Meet animals from the Florida swamp with the daily Everglades Encounters show, feed salad to tortoises, or summon your courage to pet a snake or alligator. You’ll also be able to view more than 100 other animals that are housed in the zoo in a naturalistic setting.You don’t have to sacrifice comfort when you’re camping in Blooming Prairie. With abundant amenities at Brookside Campground, including plentiful on-site entertainment and events, you’ll focus on enjoying the best of both nature and city.