Camping

Prepare for a fun-filled outdoor adventure with marshmallow roasting and camping! Owatonna boasts three picturesque camping spots. Start your journey at one of our local campgrounds or the nearby state park. River View Campground, a Good Sam Park, is situated along the Straight River and features a heated pool and mini golf. Hope Oak Knoll Campground, also a Good Sam Park, offers a tranquil, shaded camping experience with horseshoes and a game room. For seasonal camping, visit Rice Lake State Park, where you can rent a canoe or kayak from the park office and paddle across the lake for a more private camping experience.

HOPE OAK KNOLL CAMPGROUND
Location: 9545 County Road 3 | Phone: 507-451-2998
Operations: Open April 15 – October 15

RICE LAKE STATE PARK
Location: 8485 Rose Street | Phone: 507-455-5871
www.dnr.state.mn.us
Operations: Open year-round; Camping April-October

In the past, American Indians gathered wild rice from this lake. Today, the shallow waters and marshy edges of Rice Lake attract numerous waterfowl during migrations, making it a significant wetland in the area. Visitors can enjoy photographing spring wildflowers, picnicking, and bird watching. During winter, activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and snowmobiling on the trails. For a more secluded camping experience, paddle across the lake and camp at a canoe campsite (available April-October). Located 7 miles east of Owatonna, the park is open for day-use activities year-round.