Schreier's On Shetek Campground

When you’re camping at the Schreier’s On Shetek Campground, you have direct access to all the outdoor pursuits of Lake Shetek, which is the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota. It’s a popular destination for fishing, with walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch all for the taking, as well as crappie and black bass. The islands of Valhalla, Keeley, and Loon perch in the middle of the lake and can be accessed by boat or kayak, while pelicans can often be spotted on their annual migration. Bird watchers should also keep their eyes peeled for ruddy ducks, northern shovelers, and American coots that inhabit the surrounding wetlands.

Twitchers will find plenty of inspiration in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge near Balaton, which is around 25 minutes’ drive to the west of the campground. It protects one of the last remaining tracts of northern tallgrass prairie in Minnesota, with large areas of big bluestem, Indian grass, and switchgrass. The prairie ignites with wildflowers during the spring and supports numerous grassland dependent wildlife species, such as grasshopper sparrows, greater prairie chicken, and Dakota skipper.

Hunters should head south to the Big Slough State Wildlife Management Area, which lies a short drive from the town of Slayton. Used for agricultural purposes during the 1940s, the wetlands were restored to their natural habitat in the 1990s, attracting a variety of birdlife, waterfowl, and pheasants. White-tailed deer and a variety of small game species also inhabit the Big Slough State Wildlife Management Area, with a walking trail along the dike offering the best sightings.

Campsites at the Schreier’s On Shetek Campground are just eight minutes' drive from Currie, where there’s a gas station if you need to fill up your RV rental. You’ll also find a small supermarket stocked with basic grocery supplies and a restaurant if you want to dine out. If you want to do more shopping, continue driving south to Slayton, where there are larger supermarkets, cafes, and grill-style restaurants.

Slayton serves as the seat of Murray County and is home to the Murray County Historical Museum, which details the people and events that have shaped the region. It houses a fascinating array of artifacts that include vintage tools, old farm machinery, and antique musical instruments, as well as black-and-white photographs and personal objects belonging to Murray County residents. Admire the 100-year-old Wornson cabin that’s located behind the museum or walk down the street to the Victorian-period Dinehard/Holt Historic House Museum that’s open to the public for guided tours.

Another museum not to miss in the region is the End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum, which occupies an old railway depot in the town of Currie. At the end of the 19th century, it marked the end of the line for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, and you can still see original rails stamped with 1890 at the museum today. Aside from its manually-operated turntable that’s been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it also features an impressive HO railroad display. Wander through the historic one-room schoolhouse and the first general store in Murray County, as well as a replica of the Shetek Mills. The collection at the End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum includes a range of antique Fairmont vehicles and a Baldwin Steve locomotive that dates from 1875.

Whether you want to explore the museums of Currie and Slayton or go fishing in the waters of Lake Shetek, book an RV in Murray County and start planning your next vacation.