Campgrounds and RV parks near Clarkfield, MN

Water activities center on Lac qui Parle Lake, a widening of the Minnesota River. Guests at Upper - Lac Qui Parle State Park can fish for walleye, northern pike, perch, and crappie, swim at the beach, launch boats, and use the park's canoe and kayak access. The lake is a major stop on the Minnesota River flyway, with tens of thousands of Canada geese, ducks, pelicans, and bald eagles during spring and fall migration. At Camden State Park, families use the spring-fed swimming pool, fish for stocked trout in the Redwood River, and hike trails through woodland and prairie. The park also offers horseback and cross-country ski use in season. Prairie View RV Park and Campground and Talking Waters Campground place travelers close to services in Montevideo.

The primary camping season in this part of Minnesota runs from late April through October, with peak demand in July and August. Upper - Lac Qui Parle State Park is a semi-modern campground with electric sites, hot showers, and flush toilets during the warm season, and its Upper Campground can accommodate large RVs. Camden State Park operates two campgrounds, with modern shower and flush-toilet facilities running roughly mid-May through mid-October. Spring and fall are shoulder seasons with cooler nights, fewer bugs, and strong bird migration on Lac qui Parle Lake, where spring gatherings can reach well over 100,000 geese. Fall colors peak in late September and early October in the wooded river valleys. Winter brings deep cold and snow. Some state park roads and services close or shift to vault toilets only, but the parks remain open for skiing and snowshoeing, and bald eagles are commonly seen along open water. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required for adults using groomed cross-country ski trails.

Expect a mix of open prairie and wooded river valley sites. The Upper Campground at Lac Qui Parle sits on an open bluff with wide lake views and limited shade and can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet, while Camden's loops are set among maples, basswoods, oaks, and cottonwoods along the Redwood River. Sites at both state parks include picnic tables and fire rings, and many have electric hookups. Cell coverage is spotty in the river valleys, and grocery runs mean driving into Montevideo, Granite Falls, or Marshall. Summer brings mosquitoes and ticks, especially in wooded loops, so pack repellent. Severe thunderstorms are possible from late spring through summer, and open prairie sites can be windy.