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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Verndale, MN
65 campgrounds and RV Parks near Verndale, MN. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
65 campgrounds
3180 campsites
32 RVs available for delivery
From $17/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Verndale, MN
Dower Lake Recreation Area
Staples, MN (8 miles away)
Fishtrap Camping and RV Resort
Minnesota (23 miles away)
Lazy Days Campground
Minnesota (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(99 sites)
+5
Golden Eagle RV Village
Perham, MN (26 miles away)
$$$$$
(188 sites)
+6
Thumper Pond RV
Ottertail, MN (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
Shady Grove Resort
Ottertail, MN (27 miles away)
Huntersville State Forest - Shell City Horse Camp
Menahga, MN (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(35 sites)
The Homestead at Ottertail RV Park and Resort
Battle Lake, MN (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(85 sites)
+7
Camp S'more Campground
Long Prairie, MN (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
+3
Head Of The Lakes Resort
Osakis, MN (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(25 sites)
+10
Upper - Lake Carlos State Park
Minnesota (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(51 sites)
+4
Round Bay Resort
Minnesota (32 miles away)
$$$$$
(43 sites)
+3
Most common amenities
Showers Grills Playground Internet Laundry Tables Pet friendly Toilets Firewood General store
Campgrounds near Verndale, Minnesota
Verndale sits in Wadena County in central Minnesota, along US Highway 10 between Wadena and Staples. The surrounding region is Heartland lakes country, with the Crow Wing and Shell Rivers, dozens of small fishing lakes, and two state forests within roughly an hour of town. Most RV travelers use Verndale as a base for lake camping, paddling, and equestrian trail riding.
Options range from full-hookup private resorts to primitive state forest sites. Dower Lake Recreation Area, a municipal campground two miles west of Staples, offers 20 electric sites, 14 seasonal full-hookup sites, 11 rustic tent sites, a sand swimming beach, and a long fishing pier. Fishtrap Camping and RV Resort sits on Fishtrap Lake near Cushing and caters to families. Camp S'more Campground north of Long Prairie provides big-rig full-hookup sites with 50-amp service.
For rustic camping, Huntersville State Forest - Shell City Horse Camp offers primitive equestrian and non-equestrian sites along the Shell River. Lazy Days Campground rounds out the nearby options for families seeking full amenities.
Things to do around Verndale
Fishing and paddling anchor most trips. The Crow Wing River is one of Minnesota's designated State Water Trails, and Fishtrap Lake, Dower Lake, and dozens of area lakes produce bass, northern pike, crappie, and perch. Dower Lake Recreation Area is home to what the city bills as Minnesota's longest fishing pier, measuring 612 feet.
Huntersville State Forest covers about 52 square miles and offers 24 miles of designated horse trails with a river crossing, 59 miles of off-highway motorcycle trails, and logging roads open to hiking. On-site recreation at private resorts typically includes playgrounds, disc golf, ball fields, and volleyball. Nearby towns of Staples, Wadena, and Long Prairie add cafes, small shops, and the seasonal Long Drive-In Theater.
Camping spots and RV parks near Verndale, MN
Seasonal patterns and best time to visit
- spring
March - May
50° / 28°F 55 mmMud season on forest roads; parks reopen by late May
- summer
June - August
79° / 55°F 100 mmPeak bookings; warm days and frequent thunderstorms
- fall
September - November
52° / 30°F 55 mmCool nights and fall color; private parks close by mid-October
- winter
December - February
19° / 3°F 18 mmFrigid and snowy; most private campgrounds closed
The RV season in central Minnesota is short and concentrated. Most private campgrounds around Verndale run from roughly Memorial Day weekend through early October, with peak demand from mid-June through Labor Day. Camp S'more, for example, operates from May 1 through October 31. Pools and beaches open around Memorial Day and close after Labor Day.
Spring brings mud season on state forest gravel roads, especially in Huntersville, where wet-weather ruts can slow rig access. Black flies and mosquitoes are most active from late May through July. Summer days are warm and comfortable, and lake water warms enough for swimming by late June. Wildfire and fire-ban conditions can affect campfire use during dry stretches.
Fall brings cooler nights, thinner crowds, and strong color from late September into mid-October. Winter closes most private parks entirely, though Huntersville State Forest sites remain open year-round for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and access to the forest trail network.
How to book campgrounds near Verndale
Reservation systems vary by operator. Dower Lake Recreation Area uses Campspot for online booking, with check-in at 1 p.m. and check-out by 11 a.m. Seasonal sites at Dower Lake are booked by phone rather than through Campspot. Private resorts including Fishtrap Camping and RV Resort, Lazy Days Campground, and Camp S'more Campground typically take reservations directly by phone or through their own websites, and each offers nightly, weekly, monthly, and seasonal rates.
Huntersville State Forest - Shell City Horse Camp is managed by the Minnesota DNR out of the Itasca State Park office and operates on a first-come, first-served basis with same-day payment on site. For summer weekends and holidays, book private resorts several weeks to several months ahead. Seasonal sites at lake resorts often sell out before the season begins.
What to expect when RVing near Verndale
Site types run the full range. Private resorts offer level, grassy or gravel sites with full water, sewer, and electric hookups, including 50-amp service and pull-through sites for larger rigs. Dower Lake mixes 20-amp and 50-amp electric-only sites with a separate loop of 14 seasonal full-hookups, plus a dump station and a potable water fill station for registered campers.
State forest camping is genuinely primitive. Shell City Horse Camp offers cleared sites with fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water, but no electric, water, or sewer hookups at individual sites. Access is via gravel forest roads that can be rough after rain.
Expect mosquitoes and biting flies near water, especially in early summer. Cell service is generally usable in town and at lakeside resorts but spotty inside Huntersville State Forest. Bring bug spray, cash for firewood, and a lake map.
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 Verndale, 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 Verndale, MN?
Campsite prices near Verndale, 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 Verndale, MN?
Free camping near Verndale, 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 Verndale, MN?
Camping near Verndale, 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 Verndale, MN?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Verndale, 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 Verndale, MN?
Dump stations near Verndale, 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 Verndale, MN?
Renting a RV in Verndale, 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 Verndale, MN?
RV rentals in Verndale, 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 Verndale, 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 Verndale, MN?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Verndale, MN at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.