Monson Lake Campground
Monson Lake Campground
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Check Site
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Check Site
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Monson Lake Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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Minnesota State Parks
ProviderWhat Campers Say
3.70
Mixed Reviews
Based on 33 reviews
132 Google reviews
Most mentioned
viewsprivacyquietpeaceful
Some mention
noisesmallcell service
About Monson Lake Campground
Natural Features and SceneryMonson Lake State Park is a **small, quiet park (~340 acres)** set around Monson Lake and West Sunburg Lake in west‑central Minnesota prairie country.[5][3] Campsites are **wooded and well‑spaced**, giving a sheltered, forested feel rather than open prairie camping.[1][4] Reviews describe **large, shaded, and private sites** with a peaceful, low‑key atmosphere.[1][2][4] The park has only a **single short hiking trail (~1 mile)** through mixed woods and along portions of the lake, offering views of marshy shoreline and bird habitat.[1][3] The lakes are more suited to **fishing/boating** than swimming, with some reviewers noting **algae‑covered, weedy water** in summer that makes swimming or paddling less appealing at times.[1] Because of its small size and lack of development, the park can feel **very quiet, secluded, and minimally developed**, which some visitors see as a plus and others as a drawback.[1][3] Poison ivy is reported along informal lakeshore paths.[1]
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Campsite details
Total Campsitesnull campsites
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Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
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Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
Hazards
Weather at Monson Lake Campground
-5
°F
Dec 14
Sunday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 9 mph
Clear sky
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Good to know
Common complaints– **Underwhelming / too small**: Some visitors, especially those trying to visit all Minnesota state parks, describe Monson as the **least impressive**, citing its small size, single short trail, and limited amenities.[1][3]
– **Poor or inconsistent maintenance**: Multiple TripAdvisor reviews mention **run‑down buildings, understaffing, and poorly maintained bathrooms**, including overflowing toilets and lack of toilet paper on busy weekends.[1]
– **Limited lake access and no real beach**: Campers complain about **lack of easy water access**, no swim beach, and difficulty reaching the lakeshore due to vegetation and poison ivy.[1]
– **Algae‑choked water**: At least one review reports the lake being "loaded with green algae," making kayaking or canoeing unappealing during that visit.[1]
– **Minimal on‑site services and staffing**: No staffed office, need to go to Sibley for firewood or passes, and a general feeling that the park is a "forgotten" or neglected unit managed on a shoestring.[1][3]
– **Noise from other campers’ dogs**: One reviewer complains of **barking dogs** in the campground and felt rangers did not enforce parking or other rules consistently.[1]
– **Cell service issues**: Sketchy coverage and no T‑Mobile service are noted in reviews.[1]
– **Historical interpretation viewed as one‑sided**: A detailed blog criticizes the park’s interpretive signs for centering settler casualties and not adequately addressing Dakota perspectives, calling the park’s commemorative origin "uncomfortably colonial."[3]
Campground Map
Monson Lake Campground
Reviews from booking and map sources
3.7
33 reviews
Monson Lake Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Review Summaries
Based on 33 reviews
What Campers Love
– **Peaceful, quiet atmosphere**: Many campers praise the park as **very quiet, relaxing, and low‑key**, especially for longer, laid‑back stays.[1][2]
– **Large, private, wooded campsites**: Reviews...
Based on 33 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
– **Expect a very small, quiet park** with one short trail and limited facilities; many visitors combine it with a trip to Sibley State Park rather than using it as a primary destination.[3][1]
–...
Based on 33 reviewsShow more
Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
0
0 review
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5
Last updated December 13, 2025
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