I’ve had a few inquiries about RV/camping options for Salt Lake Birding Weekend, so I’ve decided to compile a list of area campgrounds.
J.F. Jacobson Campground, along Hwy 75 in the center of Madison MN. Operated by the city. They have 10 RV sites. Call the city office at 320-598-7337 for reservations/info. In Appleton, there is Prairie West RV Park, 1 block south of Shooter’s Bar and Grill, off Hwy 7. Contact Jason (not me) at 320-289-1202 or 320-760-7710 (after hours) for reservations/info. Fees are $30/night. I don’t know how many individual sites there are. In Canby, there is Stone Hill Park on Del Clarke Lake. There is a large RV camping area, $30/night for electric and water, $20/night for electric only. 64 individual sites. For directions, reservation, and further info, visit http://www.lqpybwatershed.org/stone-hill---del-clark.html In Gary SD, there is Buffalo Ridge Resort and Business Center, which has a large RV camping area. $20/night for electric only, $27 for electric and water, and $30 a night for electric, water, and sewer connection. 14 short-stay sites (the rest are rented on a seasonal basis). Reserve/inquire online at https://www.buffaloridgeresort.com/lodging/talking-waters-campground/ In Dawson, there are two campgrounds: Gnome Park (10 individual sites) and Veterans Park (6 sites), both of which can accommodate RVs. $30/night during “peak season” and $10/night during non-peak (which may yet include April). Looks like water isn’t available till May, though. For inquiries and reservations, contact Dawson city office at 320-769-2154 or visit https://www.dawsonmn.com/campground Near Watson, there is Lac qui Parle State Park’s Upper Campground. This is on high ground with a view of the lake valley below. Inquire via the MN DNR’s website. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00197#homepage PLEASE NOTE: The Upper Minnesota River Valley has a substantial snowpack right now. Below are listed camping options that could be subject to delayed openings or outright closures: Lac qui Parle State Park has a Lower Campground along the river bottoms. Seven miles north of Ortonville along Hwy 7, Big Stone Lake State Park has a campground in its Meadowbrook area. Both of these sites are low-lying and near water. If you’re interested in either park, keep an eye on their respective web pages through the month of April for updates on conditions. In Montevideo, there are 8 RV sites available at Lagoon Park along the Chippewa River, available on a first-come/first-served basis (no reservations). There is a dropbox for fees. $20/night. Riverside Park in Ortonville has first-come/first-served camping with a dropbox for payment. Along the Whetstone River at the foot of Big Stone Lake. Happy birding, Jason Frank Ortonville ---- General information and guidelines for posting: https://moumn.org/listservice.html Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
