Is Group Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Group Camp 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.

Are there showers at Group Camp?

Group Camp does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Group Camp?

Fire policies at Group Camp: Use approved or local firewood to prevent spread of pests. Light fires only within fire rings or charcoal grills, do not leave fires unattended, and extinguish all fires before leaving. Follow posted campground fire regulations.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Group Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Group Camp. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Group Camp?

Group Camp offers: Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Group Camp?

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

Group Camp

4.10

20 reviews

Group Camp

Top 23% in MNSummer

Summer Destination

Featured in:Fall Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Electric

Book on Minnesota DNR — Minnesota State Parks Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Electric

Book on Minnesota DNR — Minnesota State Parks Official Website

Group Camp

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations are required for all campsites. A non-refundable reservation fee is charged for each advance reservation ($10 by phone, $8 online)....

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367, 651-296-6157

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Group Camp

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Campground Map

Group Camp

No map location available

Weather at Group Camp

Best Time to Camp at Group Camp

The Group Camp operates seasonally, with opening and closing dates that shift with Minnesota's weather patterns. For the most current information on when you can reserve your group's prairie getaway, check the park's ParkFinder page or give the park office a call.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 23% in MN

Summer has the most dependable weather; boating and walleye fishing peak then.

Planning Tips

About Group Camp

Picture yourself gathered around a crackling campfire under a moonlit sky, sharing stories with your group after an evening naturalist program at Lac qui Parle State Park. This scenic campground perches above a sprawling prairie reservoir where cottonwoods whisper in the breeze and birdsong fills the air from dawn to dusk.

This site is identified as a group campground; campsites with electric hookups are reported by visitors. Other campsite-type details are not specified in the official source.

Historical Significance

The nearby Lac qui Parle Mission is noted as a local historic point of interest.

Weather and SeasonsThe Group Camp operates seasonally, with opening and closing dates that shift with Minnesota's weather patterns. For the most current information on when you can reserve your group's prairie getaway, check the park's ParkFinder page or give the park office a call.

Natural Features and SceneryYour camp sits on the banks of Lac qui Parle, a shallow reservoir that stretches across the prairie landscape, its shores framed by graceful cottonwoods and willows. Pull up a picnic table along the waterfront and watch the show: warblers flit through the branches while waterfowl and shorebirds wade the shallows, making this a birder's paradise. The lake's water levels dance with the seasons, sometimes lapping close to shore, adding an ever-changing character to the landscape.

Geological RegionShallow prairie reservoir (Lac qui Parle) with surrounding cottonwoods and willows

Scenic ViewsUnobstructed views across Lac qui Parle from shoreline campsites; picnic-table waterfront vantage points provide scenic lake vistas.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsState parks reservation system (online) and call center: 866-857-2757

Cancellation PolicyA non-refundable reservation fee is charged for each advance reservation (specified amounts vary by booking method).

Best CampsitesSites with direct lake access along the shore are recommended for the best views; visitors have also noted sites with electric hookups are available.

Need help booking Group Camp?

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

Amenities reported in park materials and visitor reviews include electric hookups at campsites, picnic tables along the shore, and fire rings / fire pits. A boat launch and beach access are noted by visitors. Specifics on toilets, showers, potable water, dump stations or Wi‑Fi are not provided in the official page.

Electricity hookups

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The site provides lake-based and shoreline recreation plus trails and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsLake levels can fluctuate and have been observed to creep over banks in places; visitors have reported the lake may not appear suitable for swimming. Follow park rules about fires and firewood to reduce pest spread.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

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

From Booking Sources

4.1

20 reviews

Satisfactory

Group Camp is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitor sentiment is generally positive — guests praise the scenic lake views, birding and quiet atmosphere. Reviews note available electric sites and lakeside picnic tables but also call out occasional water-quality concerns and basic bathroom conditions.

Review Summaries

Based on 20 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic lake views and lakeside picnic tables; excellent birding and wildlife viewing; hiking trails (Hiking Club Trail); boat launch and beach access; campsites with electric hookups.

Based on 20 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Choose waterfront sites for the best views; bring bug spray and local firewood; reserve electric sites if needed; be prepared for wind and variable lake conditions.

Based on 20 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Great birding”; “Great place to chill out”; “I thought $28/day for camp site W/ electric was a tad pricey. But you can't argue with the view.”; “The lake was a little bit out of the bank but still...

Based on 20 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Groups who prioritize scenery over amenities: electric hookups and waterfront sites are the draw, and serious birders will want a full day just watching warblers and waterfowl from the shoreline. Book online to save $2 on the reservation fee.

Skip if

No showers, no flush toilets, and reviewers flag inconsistent bathroom cleaning, groups expecting even basic comfort facilities will leave disappointed. Water quality on Lac qui Parle is variable enough that swimming can't be counted on.

Campgrounds

Lac qui Parle State Park

Group Camp

About Cedar Bluff Reservoir

Context for the broader area surrounding Group Camp, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

<A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Cedar+Bluff+Dam">Cedar Bluff Dam</a> and reservoir is a features of the <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Cedar+Bluff+Unit+Project">Cedar Bluff Unit, Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program</a>, and is located on the Smoky Hill River in west central Kansas. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Available species include walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and wipers. The reservoir has approximately 3280 water surface acres, 8256 land acres and 50 miles of shoreline. Fishing season year-round.A snack bar is available.Hunting is available to the public for deer, waterfowl, and upland game. Special hunts can be arranged by application for youth, disabled, or family groups. <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_cbks.pl">Current Reservoir Levels</a> The Butterfield Overland Dispatch Historic Trail crosses at Cedar Bluff reservoir; some wagon ruts are still visible.

Directions

Located 15 miles south of WaKeeney, Kansas. Nearest highway is Kansas 283 and 147.