Ponderosa Campground

The campsites at the Ponderosa Campground are just 15 minutes' drive from the center of Mazeppa, where you’ll find a small supermarket for stocking up on grocery supplies. There’s also a gas station here if you need to fill up your motorhome rental and a sports bar for those wanting a night out. The Ponderosa Campground is around 25 minutes’ drive from the heart of Rochester, which is renowned as the birthplace of the Mayo Clinic healthcare organization. The campus is dominated by the iconic Plummer Building, which was constructed in 1928, while the former estate of co-founder Dr. Charles Mayo is open to the public for guided tours. Another architectural landmark not to miss is the Tudor-style Plummer House, once owned by Dr. Henry Stanley Plummer, another co-founder of the Mayo Clinic. Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Rochester Art Center, which regularly exhibits contemporary works, accompanied by views overlooking the Zumbro River. Camping at the Ponderosa Campground is also a good base for visiting Minneapolis, which is home to picturesque parks and world-class cultural institutions. Contemporary works are a feature of the Walker Art Center (with the adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden exhibiting Claes Oldenburg’s famous "Spoonbridge and Cherry”) while more than 90,000 works representing 5,000 years of world history are showcased at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Learn about the city’s industrial past at the Mill City Museum and stroll along the landmark Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge or get your retail fix in the more than 500 stores at the sprawling Mall of America. Adjacent to Minneapolis is its “twin city” of St. Paul, home to the Minnesota State Capitol building. Admire its Italian Renaissance-Beaux Arts style architecture designed by Cass Gilbert and the murals depicting scenes from the Civil War or get hands-on at the Science Museum of Minnesota and Minnesota History Center. If you’re traveling with kids, be sure to spend an afternoon at the Como Park Zoo, where species from around the globe are on show. Como Regional Park also includes the iconic Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, which is divided into various themed gardens. Alternatively, head to the Minnesota Children's Museum; here, permanent exhibit areas include a four-story climber, a maker space, and a gallery dedicated to toddlers. Whether you want to explore the museums of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester or explore the riverine parks of southeast Minnesota, book an RV in Wabasha County and start planning your next vacation.