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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near St. James, MN
29 campgrounds and RV Parks near St. James, MN. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
29 campgrounds
2292 campsites
38 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Best campgrounds near St. James, MN
Sands Country Cove Campground
Butterfield, MN (7 miles away)
$$$$$
(27 sites)
+5
Kuhar Park Campground
Lamberton, MN (11 miles away)
Watona Park Campground and Park
Madelia, MN (11 miles away)
$$$$$
(32 sites)
+4
Shirley's Park and Country Retreat - Seasonal Campground and Kayak Rental
New Ulm, MN (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(31 sites)
Semi-Modern - Flandrau State Park
New Ulm, MN (23 miles away)
$$$$$
(52 sites)
+6
Shady Oaks Campground
Minnesota (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
+3
Flying Goose Campground and Resort
Fairmont, MN (26 miles away)
$$$$$
(120 sites)
+10
Kilen Woods State Park
Lakefield, MN (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(33 sites)
+4
Minneopa State Park
Mankato, MN (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(61 sites)
+3
Jackson KOA Journey
Jackson, MN (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(76 sites)
+9
Horse Camp - Fort Ridgely State Park
Fairfax, MN (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(14 sites)
+4
Jackpot Junction Casino Campground
Minnesota (42 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+6
Most common amenities
Grills Showers Tables Dump station Toilets Pet friendly Playground Firewood Internet Hiking
Campgrounds near St. James, Minnesota
St. James sits in Watonwan County in south-central Minnesota, a small farming community along the Watonwan River corridor about halfway between Mankato and the Iowa border. The city is the county seat and had a population of 4,793 at the most recent census, and it is reached via Minnesota State Highways 4, 30, and 60. For RV travelers, the area works well as a quiet, agricultural base within a short drive of the Cottonwood and Minnesota River valleys.
Camping options within about 20 miles range from small municipal parks to a full-service private RV park and a state park campground. Sands Country Cove Campground sits on Kansas Lake near Butterfield with large full-hookup sites, and Kuhar Park Campground and Watona Park Campground and Park provide riverside city-run stays in nearby Butterfield and Madelia. Shirley's Park and Country Retreat - Seasonal Campground and Kayak Rental offers a rural stay with kayak rental.
For a larger park experience, Semi-Modern - Flandrau State Park lies along the Cottonwood River near New Ulm, roughly 40 miles north, and is the closest Minnesota state park with electric sites.
Things to do near St. James
Water and trail activities anchor most trips. Sands Country Cove Campground sits on Kansas Lake, a quiet lake suited to fishing, canoeing, and kayaking from a rural shoreline, and the campground itself offers a mini golf course, playground, and game room. In town, paved trails link the lakeside area to the city's railroad-themed museums.
Madelia's Watona Park Campground and Park sits along the Watonwan River and adds a golf course, disc golf, ball diamonds, and a community pool, all a short walk from the downtown shops.
At Semi-Modern - Flandrau State Park, campers get about eight miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails, a chlorinated sand-bottom swimming pond, sand volleyball courts, and playgrounds, plus quick access to New Ulm's German-heritage attractions and Schell's Brewery.
Camping spots and RV parks near St. James, MN
When to visit St. James
- spring
March - May
55° / 34°F 70 mmCampgrounds open in mid-May; cool nights, wet ground.
- summer
June - August
82° / 61°F 110 mmPeak season; humid with afternoon thunderstorms.
- fall
September - November
55° / 34°F 55 mmCool, drier; bookings ease before mid-October closures.
- winter
December - February
25° / 7°F 22 mmFreezing and snowy; most area RV campgrounds closed.
The practical RV season in this part of Minnesota runs from late spring through mid-fall. Watona Park Campground and Park in Madelia typically operates from mid-May through mid-October, and Sands Country Cove Campground closes each year from mid-October through late April. City-run and rural sites such as Kuhar Park Campground and Shirley's Park and Country Retreat follow a similar warm-season pattern.
Summer is peak season. July daytime highs typically sit near 83°F with humid conditions and afternoon thunderstorms, and holiday weekends push local sites toward full capacity. Late June through early August is the busiest window for reservations.
Spring and fall bring cooler nights, fewer bugs, and easier last-minute bookings, though shoulder-season campers should expect variable weather and possible frost. Winter RV camping is limited: Semi-Modern - Flandrau State Park stays open year-round for camping and offers two heated camper cabins, but most RV parks in the immediate St. James area close for the season.
How to book campgrounds near St. James
Reservation systems vary by campground type. Semi-Modern - Flandrau State Park is booked through the Minnesota DNR reservation system, with reservations made up to 120 days in advance, and a non-refundable advance reservation fee applies. A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required in addition to the campsite fee.
City campgrounds handle their own bookings. Watona Park Campground and Park opens for the season in mid-May through mid-October, with reservations opening January 1 through the City of Madelia website. Sands Country Cove Campground accepts direct reservations by phone, and its cancellation policy allows a partial refund more than two weeks before arrival.
For holiday weekends and July, plan to book eight to twelve weeks ahead. Shoulder-season and midweek stays usually remain available on shorter notice.
What to expect on-site
Most parks in this area are level, open, and prairie-adjacent, with modest tree cover and easy pull-in access for larger rigs. Sands Country Cove Campground offers 34 full-hookup sites plus 4 water-and-electric sites measuring 40 by 80 feet, with 20, 30, and 50 amp service, Wi-Fi, showers, a dump station, and a small general store, and it can accommodate rigs up to 80 feet. Watona Park Campground and Park in Madelia provides roughly 74 RV sites along the Watonwan River with showers and Wi-Fi.
The semi-modern campground at Flandrau State Park has 34 electric sites offering 30 and 50 amp service and 18 non-electric sites, accommodating RVs up to 66 feet, with flush toilets and showers.
Expect farmland surroundings, quiet nights, and limited cell coverage at rural properties. Firewood is sold on-site at most parks, and pets are generally allowed on leash.
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 St. James, 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 St. James, MN?
Campsite prices near St. James, 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 St. James, MN?
Free camping near St. James, 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 St. James, MN?
Camping near St. James, 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 St. James, MN?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of St. James, 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 St. James, MN?
Dump stations near St. James, 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 St. James, MN?
Renting a RV in St. James, 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 St. James, MN?
RV rentals in St. James, 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 St. James, 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 St. James, MN?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near St. James, 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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