Monson Lake Campground

Star3.70
33 reviews
Monson Lake Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions
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

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Minnesota State Parks
Provider

What Campers Say

3.70

Mixed Reviews

Based on 33 reviews

132 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsprivacyquietpeaceful

Some mention

noisesmallcell service
Read all reviews



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]
Advertisement

Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Advertisement

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

Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Powered by AI weather analysis
Reveal forecast

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
Mixed Reviews
Mixed 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...
Show more
Based on 33 reviews

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] –...
Show more
Based on 33 reviews

Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Magnifying Glass
No reviews availableLeave a review to get started

Last updated December 13, 2025
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Minnesota

Campgrounds
Monson Lake State Park
Monson Lake Campground