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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Cottonwood, MN
17 campgrounds and RV Parks near Cottonwood, MN. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
17 campgrounds
722 campsites
31 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Cottonwood, MN
Prairie View RV Park and Campground
Granite Falls, MN (13 miles away)
$$$$$
(55 sites)
+6
Riverside - Upper Sioux Agency State Park
Granite Falls, MN (14 miles away)
$$$$$
(6 sites)
+2
Camden State Park
Minnesota (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(80 sites)
+5
Upper - Lac Qui Parle State Park
Montevideo, MN (32 miles away)
$$$$$
(43 sites)
+4
Jackpot Junction Casino Campground
Minnesota (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+6
Park Lake Cart-in - Lake Shetek State Park
Minnesota (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(1 site)
Valhalla Island Campground - Lake Shetek
Slayton, MN (35 miles away)
(100 sites)
+3
Lake Cochrane Recreation Area
Watertown, SD (40 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+8
Talking Waters Campground
Gary, SD (41 miles away)
Horse Camp - Fort Ridgely State Park
Fairfax, MN (47 miles away)
$$$$$
(14 sites)
+4
Pipestone RV Campground
Pipestone, MN (52 miles away)
$$$$$
(62 sites)
+9
Monson Lake State Park
Minnesota (53 miles away)
$$$$$
(20 sites)
+3
Most common amenities
Tables Grills Showers Dump station Toilets Firewood Hiking Trails Playground Laundry
Campgrounds near Cottonwood, Minnesota
Cottonwood sits in southwestern Minnesota's prairie country, within an easy drive of several state parks that anchor most RV trips in this corner of the state. The closest developed option is Prairie View RV Park and Campground, a small municipal-style park on the edge of town. For state park camping, Camden State Park lies a short drive south near Lynd, along the Redwood River, and Lake Shetek State Park sits farther south near Currie on the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota.
Heading northwest along the Minnesota River, Lac qui Parle State Park sits near Watson and Montevideo and includes drive-in and cart-in campsites, camper cabins, group camps, a boat launch, hiking trails, and cross-country ski trails. The Upper campground there is the primary RV loop and accommodates rigs up to 60 feet.
One important note for trip planning: Upper Sioux Agency State Park permanently closed to the public on February 16, 2024, after the Minnesota Legislature directed the DNR to return the land to the Upper Sioux Community. Its Riverside Campground is no longer available for reservations.
Things to do near Cottonwood
Water and prairie recreation define the area. At Camden State Park, campers can fish for brown trout in the Redwood River or bass and bluegill in Brawner Lake, hike wooded valley trails, cool off in the spring-fed pool, and paddle Brawner Lake. A paved regional trail links the park with the city of Marshall and works well for kids on bikes.
Lake Shetek offers more open water. Game fish include walleye, northern pike, perch, bullhead, crappie, and channel catfish, and ice fishing for crappies is popular in winter. Loon Island, a 45-acre island on Lake Shetek, is accessible on foot via a causeway and includes an interpretive trail.
At Lac qui Parle, spring and fall bird migration is the draw, with tens of thousands of Canada geese and other waterfowl using the lake and adjacent wildlife management area as a flyway stopover.
Camping spots and RV parks near Cottonwood, MN
When to go: seasons around Cottonwood
- spring
March - May
55° / 34°F 63 mmPeak waterfowl migration at Lac qui Parle
- summer
June - August
81° / 59°F 102 mmPeak booking season; thunderstorms and mosquitoes
- fall
September - November
55° / 36°F 53 mmCool days, fall color, return goose migration
- winter
December - February
27° / 9°F 18 mmDeep cold; most state park loops closed
Peak RV season runs late May through September, when all campgrounds are open and lake activities are in full swing. Summer days are warm and often humid, with thunderstorms common from late spring through midsummer, which is typically the wettest stretch of the year.
Spring and fall are excellent shoulder seasons. Migration is a major draw at Lac qui Parle State Park, where the lake and adjacent 33,000-acre wildlife management area serve as a stopover for large flocks of Canada geese and other waterfowl. Peak spring migration runs from late March into early May, and fall migration is strongest from late September through October. Fall color in the Redwood River bluffs at Camden typically peaks in late September and early October.
Winter camping is limited. The Lower Campground loop at Camden stays open year-round for hardy campers, and Lake Shetek's heated camper cabins remain available through the cold months. Most other loops close for the season.
How to book campgrounds near Cottonwood
Minnesota state park sites are booked through the Minnesota DNR reservation system. Reservations open 120 days in advance and can be made online at mndnr.gov/reservations or by phone at 866-857-2757. Same-day reservations are also offered with no reservation fee.
A vehicle permit is required in addition to camping fees. All vehicles entering a Minnesota state park or recreation area must display a valid daily or year-round state park vehicle permit, which can be purchased online, at self-service kiosks, in person, or by phone.
Summer weekends at Camden State Park, Lake Shetek State Park, and Lac qui Parle State Park fill quickly, especially for electric and full-hookup sites. Book as soon as the 120-day window opens for holiday weekends. Prairie View RV Park and Campground in Cottonwood is reserved directly with the operator and can serve as a useful backup when state park loops are full.
What to expect on the ground
Sites vary widely by park and loop. Camden State Park's main campground along the Redwood River is split between a Lower Loop and an Upper Loop, with a mix of electric and non-electric drive-in sites for tents, trailers, and RVs, and pads that can accommodate rigs up to 60 feet. A rail line runs behind part of the campground, and cell service in the river valley can be spotty.
At Lac qui Parle State Park, the Upper Campground has 43 sites in a mostly open prairie setting, including nine full-hookup sites and additional electric sites, with pull-throughs suitable for big rigs and a seasonal dump station. The lower area is more wooded but sits in a floodplain and can be affected by high water. At Lake Shetek State Park, Sunrise Campground offers full-hookup sites with sewer, water, and 50-amp electric service, while other loops provide shaded electric and cart-in tent sites near the water.
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 Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN?
Campsite prices near Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN?
Free camping near Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN?
Camping near Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN?
Dump stations near Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN?
Renting a RV in Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN?
RV rentals in Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Cottonwood, MN at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
Nearby cities with campgrounds
Minneapolis, MNSioux Falls, SDApple Valley, MNHopkins, MNPrior Lake, MNRice, MNLong Lake, MNHudson, WIChamplin, MNMaplewood, MNAitkin, MNSaint Anthony, MNCoon Rapids, MNSandstone, MNBecker, MNSaint Francis, MNSavage, MNBelle Plaine, MNOtsego, MNGlenwood, MNRichfield, MNRamsey, MNShakopee, MNRandall, MN