Campgrounds surrounding Austin, Minnesota offer a mix of private and public camping facilities within a 30-mile radius. The area features established campgrounds like Oakwoods Trails Campground and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, providing accommodations for tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in this agricultural region are situated among farmland and wooded areas, offering a rural Midwest camping experience with electrical hookups, water access, and basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings.
Seasonal considerations impact camping availability throughout the region, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. "This is a nice little campground with lots of shade and spacious tent pads," noted one visitor about Oakwoods Trails Campground. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during the day, while spring and fall bring cooler conditions that may require additional preparation. The majority of established campgrounds accept advance reservations, and many require them during peak summer weekends. RV campers will find several campgrounds offering full hookups, though amperage options vary by location. Cash-only payment policies exist at some smaller establishments, so travelers should arrive prepared.
Campers consistently mention the peaceful atmosphere at sites like Oakwoods Trails, where mature trees provide ample shade and natural screening between campsites. According to one visitor, "Clean and well maintained campground about a quarter mile past owner's farm buildings." Facilities range from basic to more developed, with many offering shower houses and flush toilets. Family-oriented campgrounds like Jellystone Park provide additional amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities, though some reviews indicate maintenance issues at certain properties. For those seeking a more natural experience, nearby Myre-Big Island State Park offers camping with access to hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities. Proximity to Interstate 90 makes the Austin area convenient for overnight stays during cross-country travel, though highway noise can be noticeable at some locations.
$24 - $34 / night
"34/night plus Minnesota State Park pass @ $8/day.😩
Not super spacious but very comfortable distance between spaces. Well maintained dirt road in campground. Grassy and mowed."
"Nice fire pit and located right next to the lake. Only downside was the site was electric only. No option for full hookup but water was located between the sites."
"My site was right next to the bathroom building which did have a light on all night, but I had an eye mask so that didn’t bother me. 25/night for a tent site"
"Note: it is cash or check only so make sure you have money to pay (we stopped at a nearby gas station to use an ATM). They do sell firewood and ice if you need it."
$24 - $85 / night
"Met up with friends to get outside. They brought their dogs and we had a grand time."
"I've always considered myself blessed to have this state park so close to home. This is a beautiful, well kept state park."
"Drive over to Austin and visit the Spam Museum...who knew?"
"It’s pretty close to the interstate, so just be aware you’ll hear that noise, it might be better once the trees have leaves on them. Would stay again!"
"Check in was quick, spots were easy to pull into, the bathrooms were really clean, and it was surprisingly quiet despite the proximity to the highway. "
"We stopped for the night driving between Black Hills and Chicago and the service was awesome. The hosts called to tell us about construction and give us alternative directions."
$22 - $35 / night
"You have a choice between a grassy walk or walking mainly on tar and gravel as part of the Blazing Star Trail. They are also accessible by boat."
"At my site, BP1 or backpack 1 or R1, you have water access nearby so prep for the sounds of waterfowl. PELICANS! They flap loudly when entering or exiting the water. Very cool to watch."
"Right off county road and next to the river. The bathrooms and shower facilities are very basic, but the showers are nice and warm. There is a great playground area and a horseshoe pit play area."
"This small campground is situated on the riverbanks of the Cedar River. It has basic essential amenities and has a playground. The river is a very nice place to paddle."
"Our check-in package was ready when we arrived at the little self-registration building at the entrance."
"Spent one night passing through Ellendale Minnesota. Our reservation paperwork was waiting for us at the gatehouse with directions to our back-in site 11."
LegendThis is a larger county campground that has nice sized sites that look very well maintained. It runs along the Cedar River and has a put in for paddlers nearby. It is situated right off the blacktopped road.
LegendThis campground is at the park where the dam on the Cedar River is. This is a fairly popular fishing spot. Campground has basic and essential facilities. There is a pavilion, playground and shower/bathroom. There is a bar and grill a short walk up the incline to the other side of the road.
LegendThis is a nice campground that has basics/essentials available. It is easy to get to and has many river front sites. There is a playground and boat access on the property. It is on the Cedar River waterway. There is a loop for tents as well.
LegendThis small campground is situated on the riverbanks of the Cedar River. It has basic essential amenities and has a playground. The river is a very nice place to paddle. There are campsites located along this waterway.
LegendA handful of rustic type sites in the town. This is directly across from the football field, a nice outdoor basketball court and a park.
LegendThis small campground is at the county fairgrounds in the city of Preston, MN. It has basic sites that are fairly good sized. Located within a few hundred yards of the river and the bike trail. Downtown businesses are walkable.
TravelerNice sites there was some trash around but it is right on the Root river bike trail.
GuideMet up with friends to get outside. They brought their dogs and we had a grand time. Windy weather kept us off the lake - there are canoes and kayaks for rent at the state park - but we took several walks around the island. We visited a nearby winery and we went geocaching around the area. Our friends’ site backed up to ours. A group of retirees in RVs were camped on three sides of us, and they spent the weekend hanging out together. One guy shared the PB rice krispie bars he made. They had clean bathrooms with showers. There was an outdoor dishwashing station, convenient for disposing of our washbasin full of gray water.
GuideNerstrand is so lovely in October. We reserved sites 2 and 4. Though they were right next to each other, they felt very secluded. Site 4 felt a bit more private from the main road because the campsite slightly slopes downward. There is also a log bench positioned close to the fire which some may think is nice but was a bit inconveniently placed for our bigger group to gather around the fire. Plenty of trees to set up multiple hammocks at site 4.
The bathrooms were updated and clean. Unfortunately on our last day, the campground lost running water so only the vault toilets were usable. As someone who doesn’t prefer this option, the vault toilet near the ranger station was actually pretty clean and updated too.
Camping options near Austin, Minnesota include several established campgrounds across Mitchell and Mower counties. Most camping areas are situated on relatively flat terrain at elevations between 1,200-1,300 feet, with the Cedar River watershed influencing the local landscape. Seasonal operation typically runs from early May through mid-October, with overnight temperatures potentially dropping below 50°F even during summer months.
Hiking trails: At Myre State Park Campgrounds, visitors can explore over 20 miles of hiking paths. "We headed down each offshoot and enjoyed our visit. A paved trail leads back and ends up right across from our campsite," notes one camper who appreciated the variety of trail options.
Kayaking opportunities: The lakes at White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park provide calm waters for paddling adventures. "The lake is gorgeous but just a few places to get to the water. Saw a sign on the park door saying kayaks and canoes available to rent," reports a visitor who enjoyed the waterfront.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the region offer chances to observe local animals. "A bald eagle flew over the car on our way in. Things were already looking good... When we pulled up, there were 5 deer on our site," explains a camper describing their experience at Myre-Big Island State Park.
Shaded campsites: Oakwoods Trails Campground receives praise for its natural setting. "The campground was extremely clean and well maintained. This sites are spread out enough that you have a little privacy and each site has a fire pit and picnic table," writes one visitor about this privately-owned facility.
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower quality matters to campers in the Austin area. At Crystal Springs RV Resort, visitors note the upkeep: "Clean bathrooms and showers! Nice place to stay! Not far from interstate."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer recreation areas for younger visitors. One camper at Otranto Co Park shared, "There is a great playground area and a horseshoe pit play area. Lots of big shade trees throughout the camp sites, perfect for hammocks."
Cash payment policies: Some smaller campgrounds require specific payment methods. At Oakwoods Trails Campground, visitors should arrive prepared: "Cash or check only, no cards. Campground was very nice with mature trees."
Highway proximity: Several campsites near Austin are located close to major roadways. At Albert Lea-Austin KOA, one camper noted it was "surprisingly quiet despite the proximity to the highway," though others mention "it might be better once the trees have leaves on them" for sound buffering.
Wildlife encounters: Campers should prepare for local wildlife interactions. "Be sure to pack up all food before going to sleep at night," advises one camper at Myre State Park who observed "a bunch of raccoons who have figured out this is the place to go for food."
Kid-friendly amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers numerous activities for children. "This is a nice park with a lot of activities for kids including a pool and jumping pad," reports one visitor, though they noted it was "a little high priced in general."
Island camping experience: The group camping area at Myre-Big Island State Park offers a unique setting. "The little island group camp is a hidden gem- a whole island to yourself!" shares one visitor who recommends "trying to snag this spot later in the summer when the lake is more inviting."
Seasonal timing considerations: Families should plan around weather conditions. "We were here in May and the bugs were awful," admits one camper about their White Fox experience, explaining "at one point I just had to yell 'RUN' at my partner as I fled with our dog because the may flies were swarming so thickly."
Leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for site conditions. "Sites didn't seems to be very level, but we eventually got our rig leveled," explains one visitor at Myre State Park Campgrounds.
Dump station access: Waste disposal logistics vary between campgrounds. One RVer at Oakwoods Trails mentioned, "There is only one road through the grounds so when leaving it can get backed up at the dump station."
Interior road navigation: Larger rigs may find some campgrounds challenging to navigate. As one RVer noted about White Fox, "The interior roads are dirt roads with a few potholes they are very narrow. We were able to drive through the campground with our 40 foot fifth wheel. But just barely, be careful!"
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Austin, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Austin, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 95 campgrounds and RV parks near Austin, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Austin, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Austin, MN is White Fox Campground — Myre-Big Island State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Austin, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Austin, MN.
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