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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Balaton, MN
25 campgrounds and RV Parks near Balaton, MN. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
25 campgrounds
1117 campsites
29 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Balaton, MN
Camden State Park
Minnesota (9 miles away)
$$$$$
(80 sites)
+5
Valhalla Island Campground - Lake Shetek
Slayton, MN (12 miles away)
(100 sites)
+3
Park Lake Cart-in - Lake Shetek State Park
Minnesota (13 miles away)
$$$$$
(1 site)
Pipestone RV Campground
Pipestone, MN (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(62 sites)
+9
Split Rock Creek State Park
Jasper, MN (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(34 sites)
+5
Blue Mounds State Park
Luverne, MN (39 miles away)
$$$$$
(85 sites)
+8
Riverside - Upper Sioux Agency State Park
Granite Falls, MN (40 miles away)
$$$$$
(6 sites)
+2
Prairie View RV Park and Campground
Granite Falls, MN (40 miles away)
$$$$$
(55 sites)
+6
Lake Cochrane Recreation Area
Watertown, SD (45 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+8
Olson Park & Campground
Worthington, MN (45 miles away)
Split Rock Park Campground
Garretson, SD (47 miles away)
Jackpot Junction Casino Campground
Minnesota (48 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+6
Most common amenities
Tables Grills Dump station Toilets Showers Playground Pet friendly Firewood Hiking Trails
Campgrounds near Balaton, Minnesota
Balaton sits in southwestern Minnesota's Coteau des Prairies region, within easy RV-driving distance of several lake-based state parks and a private RV park in nearby Pipestone. The immediate area is prairie and shallow-lake country, with Lake Shetek anchoring most of the local camping and Split Rock Lake providing the only lake in Pipestone County.
The closest state park option is Camden State Park, about 10 miles southwest of Marshall along the Redwood River. The campground has 80 single-family campsites for tents, trailers and RVs, split between a Lower Loop with 25 electric sites and an Upper Loop with 21 electric sites. East of Balaton on Lake Shetek, campers can pick between the state park's own loops and the private Valhalla Island Campground - Lake Shetek, plus a walk-in tent option at Park Lake Cart-in - Lake Shetek State Park.
Further southwest, Pipestone RV Campground offers RV sites in town, and Split Rock Creek State Park sits on the only lake in Pipestone County.
Things to do near Balaton
Water recreation dominates. Lake Shetek offers fishing, a swimming beach, a boat launch, and a causeway walk to Loon Island; the park also protects the Koch Cabin, the only remaining cabin from the original Lake Shetek settlement, with interpretive signs about the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. The Casey Jones State Trail includes a 6 mile paved loop between Lake Shetek State Park and the town of Currie, which works well for family bike rides.
At Camden, the Redwood River valley offers a spring-fed swimming pool, trout fishing, and roughly 15 miles of hiking trails. Split Rock Creek State Park holds sunfish, walleye, perch, bass, and northern, plus 4.5 miles of hiking trails, and boat, paddleboat, and canoe rentals. Just north of the park is Pipestone National Monument.
Camping spots and RV parks near Balaton, MN
Seasons and timing
- spring
March - May
54° / 34°F 63 mmWet and muddy; showers reopen by mid-May.
- summer
June - August
81° / 59°F 97 mmPeak season; lakeside sites book weeks out.
- fall
September - November
55° / 36°F 53 mmCool nights and prairie color; quieter campgrounds.
- winter
December - February
27° / 9°F 19 mmFreezing and snowy; most campground facilities closed.
The camping season in southwestern Minnesota is short and concentrated. Private lakeside parks open for the warm months, and demand runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with lakeside electric sites at Lake Shetek and Split Rock Creek booking out well ahead for summer weekends.
State park campgrounds carry more shoulder-season access. Camden State Park is open year round, with 35 sites available in the Lower Campground during winter; the Upper Campground operates seasonally. Amenities include potable water, flush and vault toilets, hot-water showers, trash collection, and a dump station. Flush toilets, showers, and dump stations at most parks operate roughly mid-May through mid-October, while vault toilets remain available off-season.
Spring can be wet and buggy, fall brings prairie color and cooler nights, and winter camping is limited to hardier travelers using vault toilets and mostly dry sites.
How to book
Minnesota state park sites, including Camden State Park, Split Rock Creek State Park, and Lake Shetek State Park, all reserve through the same DNR system. Book online at reservemn.usedirect.com, or make phone reservations by calling 866-857-2757. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance. A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required in addition to the camping fee.
Private campgrounds are booked directly. Valhalla Island Campground - Lake Shetek and Pipestone RV Campground both take reservations through their own websites or by phone, while cart-in sites at Park Lake Cart-in - Lake Shetek State Park are reserved through the state DNR system alongside the drive-in loops.
What to expect
This is prairie-and-lake country, not forested wilderness. Sites tend to be open with scattered mature trees, cell service is generally solid, and towns with groceries and fuel are close at hand. At Lake Shetek State Park, 64 of the 70 campsites are designated RV sites; there are 32 with full hookups in the Sunrise loop and 32 with electric-only hookups in Oak Woods, and sites can accommodate RVs as large as 72 feet.
Big rigs are workable at most local options. Within Camden State Park, sites across the campgrounds can fit up to 50-foot rigs, and seven pull-through spots can also manage 60-footers. Split Rock Creek State Park accommodates tents, trailers and RVs up to 52 feet, and amenities include drinking water, vault and flush toilets, hot-water showers, trash collection, and a dump station. One caveat at Camden: a railroad runs just across the Redwood River, so campers hear passing trains, including at night.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Balaton, MN
How do I choose the right campsite for my RV?
Start with the practical stuff: site length, the hookups you need, and whether it's a back-in or pull-through. Camping conditions in the U.S. vary by region and elevation, so check the local season, road access, and reservation requirements before you book. Federal campgrounds use Recreation.gov and state parks each have their own systems. Learn more.
How much are RV campsites near Balaton, MN?
Campsite prices near Balaton, MN depend on the type of campground. State park sites typically run $20-$45 with hookups. Private RV parks in town often run $40-$100, with tourist-hub locations charging more. Nearby Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management sites are usually $10-$25, often without hookups.
Is there any free camping near Balaton, MN?
Free camping near Balaton, MN depends on what federal public land is in driving distance. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land usually allows up to 14 days of dispersed camping at one spot. Check fire restrictions before you head out. Learn more about free camping.
Can I book a campsite through RVezy?
Not directly. RVezy doesn't handle campsite reservations, but each campground listing links to the operator's website or booking page when one's available.
What's the best time to go camping near Balaton, MN?
Camping near Balaton, MN works best in the shoulder seasons, with spring and fall hitting the sweet spot in most of the country. Summer is peak in northern climates; winter is peak in the southern and desert states. Local weather and elevation drive the specifics.
How far are RV campgrounds from Balaton, MN?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Balaton, MN. The closest are: {closestCampgroundsWithDistance(3)}. Most U.S. cities have a state park or private RV park within an hour's drive.
Where are dump stations near Balaton, MN?
Dump stations near Balaton, MN are usually at private RV parks and state park campgrounds, sometimes for a fee if you're not staying overnight. RVDumpsites.net maps the nearest options.
What's the best time of year to rent a RV in Balaton, MN?
Renting a RV in Balaton, MN works best in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) across most of the U.S. Peak rental demand runs June through August nationwide, while the snowbird stretch from December through March drives winter demand in the southern states and southwest deserts.
What's the best time of year to rent an RV in Balaton, MN?
RV rentals in Balaton, MN peak from June through August when school is out. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have better availability and lower rates. Winter is high season for snowbird destinations in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California.
Can I have an RV delivered to my home or campground in Balaton, MN?
Yes. Many RVezy hosts in the U.S. deliver and set up at your home, a campground, or a destination. It's especially useful for first-time renters and for trips into remote areas where backing in a big rig isn't fun.
Can the RV be delivered near Balaton, MN?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Balaton, MN at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
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