KOA Campgrounds Near Rochester, Minnesota

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Rochester, Minnesota, may be best known for the Mayo Clinic, but it is also a hiker's paradise. The city itself has 85 miles of paved trails and more than 50 miles in the surrounding area. The Root River and Douglas State Trails, which were developed on historic railroad tracks, combine for 55 miles of trails in the immediate area. Parts of these are paved and parts are not, and they vary as to level of difficulty. The Harmony-Preston State trail adds 18 miles of trails, and the Quarry Hill Nature center has five miles of trails. There are also three KOA campgrounds in the area, and many other camping opportunities among the trails and lakes of Minnesota.

Rochester/Marion KOA

The Rochester KOA campground is just a few miles southeast of the city on U.S. Highway 52. Newspapers are delivered free to campsites each morning. This campground has 58 sites with water and 30/50-amp electric hookups. Eleven additional sites have sewer connections in addition to water and electricity. The campground has two one-room cabins and two two-room cabins, and each have a stove, refrigerator, beds and linens. There is also a tent camping area. Amenities include cable TV, free Wi-Fi, a dump station and a convenience store.

The Root River bike trail is nearby, and canoeing is available in the river. The campground is open April through October.

Rochester/Marion KOA
5232 65th Ave. SE
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 288-0785
rochesterkoa.com/

Albert Lea/Austin KOA

The Albert Lea/Austin KOA has RV sites with full hookups, which include 30- and 50-amp connections. There are also tent camping areas and sites that have no hookups. The campground includes cabins with stoves, refrigerators and microwaves. Bring your own linens. The campground has a laundry, restrooms, showers, a dump station and a pet walk. Amenities include a large swimming pool, game room and a public meeting area. Campground officials lead activities for children in the evenings. There is free Wi-Fi, and firewood is available at an extra charge.

Several bike trails are in the area. Ice skating is available year-round, as well as public beaches and boating activities. The campground is open April through October.

Albert Lea/Austin KOA
84259 County Road 46
Hayward, MN 56043
(507) 373-5170
koa.com/where/mn/23101/

Minneapolis Southwest KOA

The Minneapolis Southwest KOA has RV sites with full hookups with 30- and 50-amp connections. The campground has more sites with electric and water, but no sewer. A large tent camping area has no hookups. This KOA also has six cabins, each with a stove, refrigerator, microwave and bed.

There is a camp store, and you can get pizza delivered to your site. Propane and firewood are available. The campground has a swimming pool, and planned activities are available.

There are several lakes in the area with hiking and water activities. The Mississippi and Minnesota rivers are nearby. The Paddleford Packet Boat Company offers rides on the Mississippi, and a railroad, the Minnesota Zephry, has special excursions.

The Minneapolis KOA is open May through October.

Minneapolis Southwest KOA
3315 West 166th St.
Jordan, MN 55352
(952) 492-6440
koa.com/where/mn/23112/

Resources

Article Written By James Jordan

James Jordan has been a writer and photographer since 1980. He has worked for newspapers in Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina and Kansas, winning state press association awards for writing, photography and page design. In 1995 he received his master's in Christian education and completed two years of Ancient Greek at the graduate level. Jordan holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.

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