Campgrounds and RV parks near Canby, MN

Fishing anchors most trips in this area. Lake Cochrane holds walleye, bluegill, perch, crappie, and northern pike, and Camden State Park offers brown trout in the Redwood River plus bass and bluegill in Brawner Lake. Lac Qui Parle Lake is a stocked walleye fishery with boat access nearby. Hiking and paddling are also easy to add. Camden's trails climb the Dakota Valley to a lookout for fall color, and Brawner Lake is open to canoeing, while Lac Qui Parle is known for waterfowl viewing, borders the extensive Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area, and offers canoe launches for walleye, northerns, perch, and crappie. Families can cool off at Camden's spring-fed pool and swimming beach, and the Upper Campground at Lac Qui Parle State Park bluff is a well-known sunset and stargazing spot.

The camping season here runs roughly late April through October, driven by water systems and weather rather than park gates. At Camden State Park, flush toilets, showers, and the dump station are only available from mid-May through mid-October, while the campground itself stays open on a limited basis into late fall. The Lower Campground at Lac Qui Parle State Park is typically open from spring through late fall. Summer is peak season. Sites near lakes and shaded loops book out for weekends and holidays, and southwestern Minnesota can see periods of high heat and humidity along with afternoon thunderstorms. Late spring and early fall bring cooler nights, fewer mosquitoes, and better site availability. Winter access is limited. Drinking water at Lake Cochrane is always available in the summer, but from November through April it may be shut off from time to time, and the same is true of the restroom and shower area, though the vault toilets, RV dump station, and children's playground are usually always open. Spring and fall migrations along the Minnesota River flyway make Lac Qui Parle especially active for birders.

Expect a mix of prairie and river-valley settings. Lac Qui Parle State Park has two sections: a lower area in forested lowlands on the west side and an upper section on an open prairie bluff on the east side. Shade is limited on the bluff, so pack awnings and sun protection. Camden's sites are wooded and closer to water. The Upper Campground at Camden sits in the southern end of the park with newer facilities and generally fewer mosquitoes because it is farther from the river. Bring bug spray regardless in mid-summer. At Lake Cochrane, each spot has its own picnic table, so you have some dining options aside from your RV kitchen. Cell coverage varies across all of these parks, and grocery stops are limited outside Marshall and Montevideo, so stock up before arriving.