St. Peter City Campground
The city campground is in a 120-acre riverfront park, which shares 2,000 feet of frontage on the Minnesota River. The park has access to the river, which is a state-designated canoe trail with hiking, biking, skiing and snowmobile trails. The park boasts a boat landing on the river, a playground and a two-acre fishing pond for use by children and senior citizens.
Campers must register with the police department, located between the two front entrances to the park. The campground provides 11 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis and no reservations are taken. Full hookups are available or you can do primitive camping.
A restroom and showers are available for campers. There is a limit of one vehicle and six people per campsite.
St. Peter City Campground
207 S. Front St.
St. Peter, MN 56082
507-931-1550
ci.st-peter.mn.us
Minneopa State Park
The word "Minneopa" refers to an old Indian word describing the waterfalls in the area on Minneopa creek. A trail goes to and around the waterfalls and you can take a limestone stairway to the bottom of the falls. There is also a wind-driven grist mill in the park, made in German style from native stone and lumber.
The campground has 60 sites, but only six have electricity and water. The campground is one of the oldest in the state, designed well before the advent of RV campers. There are four group sites, which are walk-in sites only. A cabin is available for rent.
Showers, restrooms and a dump station are available, and all are handicapped accessible. Volleyball and horseshoes are offered and there is a golf course within 10 minutes. In addition to the trail to the waterfall, there is a 4.5-mile hiking trail used for skiing in the winter.
Minneopa State Park
54497 Gadwall Road
Mankato, MN 56001
507-389-5464
dnr.state.mn.us
Sakatak Trail Campground
The Sakatak Trail Campground is at the southern terminus of the 37-mile Sakatak Trail, which is used by hikers and skiers in winter. The trail, a converted railroad track, is paved the entire length. The campground is between Madison Lake and Duck Lake, and less than one mile from each.
This campground has 25 sites, and all but two have electricity and water. All sites offer access to city water and sewer. Most sites have a fire pit and all provide a fire ring. A few campsites are outfitted with a deck. There are two shower houses and restrooms.
Sakatak Trail Campground
501 Cherry Ave.
Madison Lake, MN 56063
507-243-3886
sakatahcampground.com
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.
