State Parks near Mankato, MN

The Great Lakes Region of the Upper Midwest is known for its rolling farmlands and spatterings of major cities. But just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, between Duluth and Rochester, is the small town of Washington, MN. Located on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin on the St. Croix River is Afton State Park. Only about 1,600 acres, this park is on the smaller side, but if quaint is what you’re looking for, then this is your place.

In 1969, the state of Minnesota selected the area that would soon be known as Afton State Park to be conserved and maintained by the state. The park is made up of a combination of large ravines, oak woodlands, and open …

Offering a sandy beach, excellent fishing, and historic appeal, Beeds Lake State Park is one of the most popular outdoor recreation destinations in the Hawkeye State. At the heart of the park is a picturesque limestone dam and spillway built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The dam was originally constructed in the 1850s to collect water for a local mill, though today it provides a scenic setting for swimming, boating, and fishing. History buffs love checking out the beautifully preserved CCC buildings, which won Beeds Lake a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Planning a road trip in the Midwest? Book an RV in Franklin County and you can combine the creature comforts of …

People tend to flock to Blue Mounds State Park to catch a glimpse of the magnificent bison herds that call the park home. RV camping at Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne is an excellent way to spend a weekend watching the bison roam and enjoy hiking through the park. Don't have your own rig? No problem. Browse the affordable RV rentals in Rock County and then drive over to the park’s campgrounds.

Blue Mounds State Park is located on the western edge of Minnesota and is only about a 45-minute drive to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The lovely town of Magnolia is only a 20-minute drive southeast of the park and offers quaint shops for visitors to browse …

Camden State Park can be found along the stretch of Route 23 that runs between Marshall and Pipestone, MN. Located just a ninety-minute drive from Sioux Falls, SD and less than three hours from Minneapolis, Camden State Park is the perfect city break.

Before the state park was established in 1935, the area was home to a small village named Camden. Camden thrived as an agricultural community and steadily grew to encompass a blacksmith, several gristmills and many general stores. Unfortunately, Camden was not chosen to be part of the railroad route in the mid-19th century. As a result, its population began to decline, until it was nothing more than a picnic area in the forest.

Realizing its …

In the southeast corner of Minnesota, near the border that it shares with Wisconsin and Iowa, is Carley State Park. This state park is a wonderful place to visit when you book an RV in Wabasha County, as it provides an easy way to camp with an RV in the area. Carley State Park can trace its natural history to over 450 million years ago, back to when a shallow sea covered large sections of North America.

Carley State Park in modern-day covers over 200 acres and was founded in 1949. The recent human history includes that of the Dakota Native Americans, who once hunted, farmed, and sustained themselves on wild food found throughout the Whitewater River Valley. In …

Dolliver Memorial State Park in Otho offers a relaxing and fun experience for hikers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The 594-acre park also makes an excellent base camp for those looking to explore the cities in the surrounding area. Fort Dodge is only about 20 minutes to the north of the park. Des Moines, the state capital, is under an hour and a half to the south of the park and is a great city for tourists to visit full of educational and entertaining activities.

Lehigh is only five minutes from the park and a great place to stock up on camping supplies before parking your RV at Dolliver Memorial State Park. You don't have to own a motorhome …

Located on the shore of East Okoboji Lake, right next to the town of Spirit Lake, is one of Iowa’s youngest recreation areas, Elinor Bedell State Park. Sprawling over 80 acres of wetlands, prairies, and oak-dotted savannas, the park was a gift to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from U.S. Congressman and Iowa native Berkley Bedell and his wife, Elinor.

The park's diverse ecosystems make it an ideal place for nature lovers to unwind and enjoy an RV camping adventure. Wildlife watching is an especially popular pastime for visitors. Anglers will also find plenty of opportunities to cast their lines and try to reel in a big one. Okoboji campers and Superior campers are regular guests here, and …

Flandrau State Park is located right across from the city of New Ulm, Minnesota. The gently flowing Cottonwood River flows through the park, and it was after this river that the park was first named when it came into being. From wooded river bottoms to oak-shaded bluffs to oxbow marshes and open grasslands, the park has a very diverse terrain that attracts campers from far and wide. For this very reason, book an RV in Brown County to explore the area and its offerings. You could also check out the nearby cities of Mankato and Saint Peter in your rental RV, as they are not far off.

Flandrau was first used as the site for a Works Project Administration camp …

Fort Defiance State Park is a smaller park encompassing 191 acres just outside of Estherville, Iowa. This park opened in 1930, making it one of the oldest parks in the state. Motorhome camping is a great activity for families to enjoy while exploring Iowa. Spirit Lake is only about 15 minutes west of the park and is a convenient place to stock up on supplies before parking your RV rental at Fort Defiance State Park.

You don't have to own an RV to enjoy a camping adventure at Fort Defiance. Book an RV in Emmet County and camp in style. Take a few extra days to explore northern Iowa; the park is situated close to the Iowa-Minnesota state line …

Motorhome camping while exploring Minnesota is a wonderful way to see the Land of 10,000 lakes, and when you book an RV in Nicollet County, you’ll be centrally located to explore southern Minnesota with ease. In Nicollet County is Fort Ridgely State Park, which has a rich history both in human and natural events. The park’s natural history can be traced to over 12,000 years ago when the last glaciers covering this section of Minnesota retreated, leaving behind sand, gravel, and rocks known as glacial till.

RV camping at Fort Ridgely State Park will allow you to explore this unique landscape, which sits atop two distinct layers of the aforementioned glacial till. In more recent times, the area the …

Fort Snelling State Park is situated in the southeast portion of Minnesota near the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. The park is best known for containing Fort Snelling, which was used by the U.S. Army during the 1800s to manage the local fur trade. Besides its historic structures, this state park also features stunning landscapes that range from forests to meadows.

This area of Minnesota is somewhat warm during the summer, although winters can be brutally cold. Fort Snelling State Park is located near cities such as Minneapolis and Burnsville.

Learn about Hopewellian culture and history, explore hardwood forests and prairies, or just spend time fishing for catfish, crappie, and bluegill. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what awaits those who go RV camping at Frontenac State Park. The park is located on the Mississippi River, some seven miles away from Lake City, 11 miles away from Red Wing, and 24 miles away from the town of Wabasha. The park's proximity to an array of attractions and amenities only makes it more alluring for outdoor enthusiasts on a motorhome camping vacation. Don't have your own RV? No problem — you'll find a wide selection of affordable RV rentals near Frontenac State Park.

The park …

Tucked away in the lesser-visited Leaf Hills area of western Minnesota is Glacial Lakes State Park. Its location just off Highway 29 provides easy access to the closest big towns of Starbuck and Benson, while I-94 provides great access to Minneapolis and Fargo, ND, respectfully two hours to each.

Glacial Lakes State Park was originally established in 1963 in a bid to preserve some of the last remaining prairie habitats in Minneapolis. Glaciers that receded thousands of years ago carved these diverse landscapes, and, as a result, the state park has become a site of historical and geological significance.

With the park encompassing nearly 2,500 acres of land, there are plenty of rolling hills, lakes and marshes to …

Iowa may not be at the top of your list for a vacation getaway; however, the state park system offers fantastic opportunities for families to reconnect. Gull Point State Park, near Milford, is one such park that offers activities on the lake and throughout the park. This park is part of the Iowa Great Lakes region and is on West Okoboji Lake. Plan to spend the weekend RV camping at Gull Point State Park. You don't need to own an RV to enjoy a vacation here. Book an RV in Dickinson County and get ready for an adventure in the great outdoors.

Be sure to stock up on camping supplies in Spirit Lake, which is less than 15 …

The aptly named Interstate State Park straddles the Wisconsin-Minnesota state line, encompassing more than 1,600 acres on either side of the St. Croix River. Considering the park's diverse landscape and wildlife, it’s no wonder that campers from Saint Croix Falls, Taylors Falls, and beyond all frequent the park. Whether you want to climb the cliffs, hike across glacial potholes and old lava flows, conquer the rushing rapids, or simply explore the woods and thickets brimming with oak, maple, and pine, the park has you covered.

This is the first interstate park in America. In the mid-19th century, as the mining industry encroached on the area, government officials in both states worked to protect the land. Thanks to these efforts, …

Interstate State Park is currently the oldest state park in Wisconsin is one of the most loved state parks and is a perfect escape for a motorhome camping trip. Covering 1330-acres of forested land, the state park lies within the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway and the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve in the city of Saint Croix Falls, WI, and includes the scenic Dalles of St. Croix River. Surrounded by basalt cliffs, cavernous depressions, stunning rock formations, and miles of trails, its no surprise why Interstate State Park is considered one of the best state parks in the area where you can go camping with an RV.  Wisconsin's state park is adjacent and alongside Interstate State Park in …

Kilen Woods State Park is located near Lakefield, MN, and an hour and a half away from Mankato, MN. The Des Moines Lobe, a thick layer of glacial ice, used to cover this area of Minnesota. The ice melted several thousands of years ago, leaving behind rolling hills, lakes, and wide prairies. The magnificent nature of Kilen Woods State Park draws in visitors from all sides of the United States regardless of the season.

Opportunities for outdoor activities at Kilen Woods State Park are endless. Hikers may enjoy the trails by Des Moines River, while anglers could stay on the banks, and fish from the river. Dense oak forests are inhabited by hundreds of different bird species, and …

Lac Qui Parle State Park lies in southwestern Minnesota, close to the towns and cities of Montevideo, Milan, and Appleton. The state park itself is situated on the eastern shores of Lac Qui Parle, a lake whose name is a French translation of a native Dakota name, meaning lake that speaks. The Lac Qui Parle is a man-made reservoir created by damming the Minnesota River to help with flood defenses. This lake and park have quickly become one of the best recreational sites in all of southwestern Minnesota.

From its reputation for excellent fishing, its vast lake for boating and watersports, down to the camping amenities and facilities it provides, Lac Qui Parle State Park has it …

Lake Louise State Park lies in southern Minnesota, close to the Iowa border and the towns of Le Roy, Grand Meadow, and Adams. The park bases itself along the shores of Lake Louise, a man-made 25-acre lake. The lake is the perfect spot for a bit of fishing or boating and is surrounded by breathtaking picturesque views. Alongside the lake, Lake Louise State Park is also made up of over one thousand acres of prairie and deciduous forests.

This perfect balance of lakeside recreation combined the rolling green land of southern Minnesota makes Lake Louise State Park the ideal place to take an RV rental. Making your way to Lake Louise State Park with a rental RV …

Lake Shetek State Park is located in southwestern Minnesota, between the towns of Slayton, Marshall, and Tyler. This area, and subsequently the state park, is famous among the people of Minnesota as being the location of an early pioneer settlement and a conflict between the settlers and the Dakota Native Americans.

During the 1930s, the park was developed as part of the ‘New Deal’ and soon became the spot for those wishing to head out of town for a little lakeside recreation. Rent a camper near Lake Shetek State Park, and you shall find the perfect lake for fishing, boating, and swimming. The surrounding park and land are also ideal for hiking, cycling, and nature watching.

The …