Is Upper Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Upper Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Upper Campground before I book?

Yes! Upper Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Upper Campground?

Upper Campground is open Seasonal — opening and closing dates vary by campground. Check ParkFinder or the campground webpage for specific dates.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Upper Campground?

Yes, Upper Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Upper Campground?

Fire policies at Upper Campground: Light fires only within provided fire rings and charcoal grills; do not leave fires unattended and extinguish all fires before leaving. Use approved or local firewood to prevent the spread of forest pests and do not burn trash.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Upper Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Upper Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Upper Campground?

Upper Campground offers: Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Upper Campground?

Popular activities at Upper Campground include Hiking, Swimming, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Upper Campground

5 reviews

1897 CR 68, Lynd, MN 56157

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Minnesota

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonal — opening a...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricShowers

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota State Parks)Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonal — opening a...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricShowers

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota State Parks)Official Website

Get Directions

Upper Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations require a non-refundable reservation fee ($10 by phone, $8 online). Camping fees apply and specific nightly campsite rates are not...

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367, 651-296-6157

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

1897 CR 68, Lynd, MN 56157

Upper Campground

1897 CR 68, Lynd, MN 56157

Weather at Upper Campground

Best Time to Camp at Upper Campground

The campground shines brightest from late spring through early fall, when hikers, birders, and swimmers make the most of the trails and swim pond. Summer visits come with classic Midwest weather—warm, sometimes humid days and the inevitable buzz of insects, so pack accordingly. Since opening and closing dates shift from year to year, it's worth checking ParkFinder before planning your trip to ensure the campground will be ready to welcome you.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Late-season hiking and scenic prairie/valley views make fall a strong season for visits.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Seasonal — opening and closing dates vary by campground. Check ParkFinder or the campground webpage for specific dates.

About Upper Campground

Perched on the prairie uplands above the scenic Redwood River valley, Upper Campground offers a classic Minnesota camping experience beneath a canopy of sheltering trees. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring and picnic table, with convenient bathhouse access nearby—just remember to secure your spot through the state parks reservation system before you arrive.

Upper Campground is described by users as a tree-covered, more traditional camping loop; it includes electric hookups at 21 sites and is recommended for tents, pop-ups, and RVs that do not require full utility hookups.

Historical Significance

The park preserves remnants of native prairie and the Redwood River valley landscape, providing regional ecological significance; no specific historic structures or interpretive cultural resources for the Upper Campground were identified in the provided sources.

Weather and SeasonsThe campground shines brightest from late spring through early fall, when hikers, birders, and swimmers make the most of the trails and swim pond. Summer visits come with classic Midwest weather—warm, sometimes humid days and the inevitable buzz of insects, so pack accordingly. Since opening and closing dates shift from year to year, it's worth checking ParkFinder before planning your trip to ensure the campground will be ready to welcome you.

Natural Features and SceneryYour campsite sits amid gently rolling prairie uplands, where scattered groves of trees create natural pockets of shade and seclusion. From here, trails wind downward through the landscape, drawing you into the wooded river valley below where the Redwood River flows and eventually leads to a refreshing swim pond and the park's lower campground. It's an excellent spot for birding enthusiasts, with the diverse terrain—from open prairie to sheltered valley—attracting a wonderful variety of species throughout the season.

Geological RegionPrairie uplands above the Redwood River valley (prairie and river-valley landscape)

Scenic ViewsViews from the uplands include open prairie vistas and panoramas down into the wooded Redwood River valley, providing a contrast between open grasslands and river-bottom woods.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsOnline state parks reservation system (reservations accepted up to 120 days in advance) and call center: 866-857-2757 (hours vary by season).

Cancellation PolicyReservation fee is non-refundable. See the state parks reservations policy and FAQ for full cancellation and refund terms.

Best CampsitesThe upper loop is generally recommended for tents and campers seeking more tree cover, shade, and a traditional camping feel compared with the lower, more RV‑oriented loop. Sites typically include a fire ring and picnic table and are served by a nearby bathhouse; secondary sources report that about 21 upper-loop sites have electrical hookups.

Need help booking Upper Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Upper Campground sites generally include a fire ring and picnic table; the loop is served by a bathhouse with showers and some sites have electric hookups (21 sites reported). Potable water is reported as available in park campground areas. Cell service is spotty in parts of the park.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Upper Campground provides access to the park's prairie and river-valley trails and is a base for birding, swimming at the lower swim pond, and general wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Swimming

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsReviewer reports note possible train noise in the park area, limited or spotty cell service, and typical summer insects. Standard outdoor hazards (uneven terrain, weather changes) apply.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

0.0

5 reviews

Limited Reviews

Upper Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews describe the Upper Campground as scenic, tree-covered, and well-maintained with a pleasant, traditional camping vibe; facilities (bathhouse/showers) are praised. Common negatives include limited privacy at some sites, occasional train noise in the park, spotty cell service, and muddy/unpaved roads after rain.

Review Summaries

Based on 5 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic prairie-and-valley setting; tree-covered and relatively private sites in the upper loop; clean bathhouse with showers; electric hookups available at multiple sites; good birding and trail...

Based on 5 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Choose the upper loop for shade and a more traditional campsite; bring a vehicle or bike for quick access to the swim pond and lower trails; expect spotty cell coverage and bring earplugs if...

Based on 5 reviews

Camper Quotes

“This is a really nice camping area. Private treed spots.” — Google review. “We were very disappointed that the roads were not paved. It rained so the roads were nasty muddy gravel. Couldn't go for...

Based on 5 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Upper Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations require a non-refundable reservation fee ($10 by phone, $8 online). Camping fees apply and specific nightly campsite rates are not...

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367, 651-296-6157

Go if

Birders and trail hikers who want electric hookups with actual tree cover will be comfortable here. The upper loop has the best shade and seclusion, and the swim pond with sand beach is a short bike ride downhill.

Skip if

Train noise bothers you at night, or muddy unpaved roads after rain will strand your rig. No pets allowed, no sewer or water hookups, and cell service is genuinely spotty throughout the park.

Nearby Campgrounds

1897 CR 68, Lynd, MN 56157

Group Camp sits within Camden State Park in northern Minnesota, offering a seasonal basecamp for organized outings. The campground earned a perfect 5.0 rating from three reviewers, with winter visitors particularly impressed by frozen springs that form along the hillsides. WiFi is available on site.

Upper Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Upper Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Upper Campground

Best Time to Camp at Upper Campground

Planning Tips

About Upper Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Upper Campground?

Amenities available

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

Directions

Explore related camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Upper Campground

Best Time to Camp at Upper Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Upper Campground?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love