Lakeside Campground

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Lakeside Campground
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonal; opening an...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricShowers

Opens Minnesota DNR - Division of Parks and Trails (Minnesota State Parks) site

Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026
Lakeside Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Reservations required for all campsites. A non-refundable reservation processing fee is charged for advance reservations ($10 by call center, $8 by...
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Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Minnesota State Parks
Provider
888-646-6367; 651-296-6157 (general contacts); reservations call center 866-857-2757
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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

Based on 0 reviews

Most mentioned

showersrestroomswaterlake

"Visitor sentiment is generally positive: Lakeside Campground is popular for its lakeshore views, sandy beach and very dark night skies for stargazing. The site often fills on busy weekends, but there are few documented infrastructure complaints."

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Campground Map

Lakeside Campground
No map location available
Park is in far northwestern Minnesota and accessed via paved county/park roads; check ParkFinder for turn-by-turn directions.

Best Time to Camp at Lakeside Campground

Summer transforms the lake into your backyard pool—warm enough for long swims, calm enough for paddling, beautiful enough that you'll linger by the shore long after sunset. Spring and early summer paint the prairie in wildflower colors while the forest canopy glows that particular shade of new-leaf green that only lasts a few weeks. Fall belongs to the aspens and oaks, their gold and copper reflection doubling in the lake's surface. Winter quiets everything down to just you, the snow, and miles of cross-country ski trails—though it's worth calling ahead to check grooming schedules before you pack your skis.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer likely best for lake use and trails; lake setting praised for scenic appeal.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Mixed forest and prairie suggest good fall color and hiking; trails variety noted.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Spring offers trails reopening and birding potential, but no explicit spring notes provided.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.5 / 5

Minnesota winters may limit lake activities; no winter amenities or activities mentioned.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Seasonal; opening and closing dates vary by campground—check ParkFinder or the campground webpage for specific dates.

About Lakeside Campground

Where the prairie's edge meets the forest, Lakeside Campground offers something rare: a 4,300-acre wilderness island surrounded by farmland, where you can swim in crystal-clear waters by day and stargaze under officially dark skies by night. The 1930s WPA stonework tells stories of another era while you write your own—paddling across the reservoir, hiking between ecosystems, or simply sinking your toes into sand so fine it's earned the nickname 'sugar sand.'
The park has three drive-in campgrounds (over 150 sites) with a mix of electric and non-electric sites and a separate group camp on the south side of the lake.
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Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Lake Bronson State Park offers a mix of water-based and upland recreation around the reservoir, plus interpretive and historic features.
HikingAbout 14 miles of trails including interpretive aspen parkland loops and the Hiking Club Trail; trails provide lakeshore views and access to historic/pioneer sites.
FishingFishing from shore and a fishing pier on Lake Bronson; reservoir supports typical regional lake fishing opportunities.
SwimmingSandy swimming beach on Lake Bronson accessible from the Lakeside Campground via paved trail.
Biking
Boating
Wildlife viewing
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsVisitors have reported black bear sign on trails; proper food storage and bear awareness are advised. Typical seasonal pests such as mosquitoes and ticks can be present. Cell coverage may be limited in this remote, far-northwestern location (reported gaps; exact carrier performance varies).
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Lakeside Campground

Reviews

0.0
0 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
Lakeside Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
Visitor sentiment is generally positive: Lakeside Campground is popular for its lakeshore views, sandy beach and very dark night skies for stargazing. The site often fills on busy weekends, but there are few documented infrastructure complaints.
Review Summaries

What Campers Love

Scenic lake vistas and sunsets, excellent stargazing/dark skies, a variety of trails, a sandy swimming beach, modern restrooms with showers in the main campgrounds, and historic WPA features...
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Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve lakeside sites in advance for busy weekends; bring proper food storage due to bear sign; bring red-light headlamps/binoculars for stargazing; expect limited or variable cell service in this...
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Camper Quotes

"The best time I’ve ever had at a state park" (visitor praise highlighting sunsets, hiking variety and exceptional stargazing).

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Last updated February 17, 2026
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