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

Nerstrand 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 Nerstrand Campground before I book?

Yes! Nerstrand 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 Nerstrand Campground?

Nerstrand Campground is open Seasonal openings and closings vary by campground and depend on weather; check the campground webpage or contact the managing unit for exact 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 Nerstrand Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Nerstrand Campground?

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

Are dogs allowed at Nerstrand Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Nerstrand Campground. 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 Nerstrand Campground?

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

What activities can I do at Nerstrand Campground?

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

Nerstrand Campground

3.33

6 reviews

Top 8% in MNSpring

Featured in:Hiking Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonal openings an...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (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

Seasonal openings an...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsShowers

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

Nerstrand Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

A vehicle permit is required for access to Minnesota state parks and recreation areas (details and purchase on the park webpage). Specific campsite...

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 Nerstrand Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Nerstrand Campground

No map location available

Weather at Nerstrand Campground

Best Time to Camp at Nerstrand Campground

The campground welcomes visitors seasonally, with opening and closing dates that shift with Minnesota's changing weather patterns. Check the park's current webpage before planning your trip to confirm availability and ensure the best camping experience for your chosen dates.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 8% in MN

Forest floor 'comes alive with wildflowers in season,' making spring a highlight for visitors.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Seasonal openings and closings vary by campground and depend on weather; check the campground webpage or contact the managing unit for exact dates.

About Nerstrand Campground

Extend your adventure into the evening at Nerstrand Big Woods—where crackling campfires, star-filled skies, and the rustle of ancient hardwoods create the perfect backdrop for s'mores and storytelling. Join ranger-led programs as twilight falls, then retreat to your tent for a night wrapped in the sounds of Minnesota's most enchanting forest. Don't forget your vehicle permit to access all the park has to offer.

Secondary sources and visitor reviews indicate developed sites with electrical and water hookups suitable for RVs; other camping types (tent-only, primitive, group sites, cabins) are not specified.

Weather and SeasonsThe campground welcomes visitors seasonally, with opening and closing dates that shift with Minnesota's changing weather patterns. Check the park's current webpage before planning your trip to confirm availability and ensure the best camping experience for your chosen dates.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies heavily wooded terrain beneath a canopy of mature hardwoods. Most sites are surrounded by thick forest that creates natural privacy but blocks views. Sites #1 and #53 offer glimpses of Albert Lea Lake through the trees. The forest floor comes alive with wildflowers in season, and dappled sunlight filters through the leaves during the day. The dense canopy creates a cool, shaded environment even on hot summer days.

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 PlatformsUseDirect (Minnesota state parks reservation system)

Best CampsitesSite #1 is a deep pull-through that accommodates larger RVs and offers a lake view. Site #53 also provides a lake view and works well for families. Reviewers recommend checking with the ranger on arrival to find the best site for your setup, since many sites have limited visibility due to tree cover.

Need help booking Nerstrand 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

Reviewers and secondary sources mention electric sites with water hookups, multiple drinking water taps, cooking grates over fire pits, and on-site restrooms with showers. Several sources note restrooms/showers are dated.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Fire rings

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Your outdoor fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down — pitch a tent and spend the night. Attend evening naturalist activities, take a moonlit walk, or just sit around your campfire roasting marshmallows and telling stories.

Hiking

Biking

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsFollow fire rules and use only approved or local firewood to help prevent the spread of forest pests. Use existing campsites, avoid damaging vegetation, and follow posted rules at the campground.

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

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

3.3

6 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Nerstrand Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Available reviews are positive overall, highlighting spacious, shady and private sites, dog-friendliness, a playground and a nearby waterfall. Reviews and secondary notes also mention electrical sites with water hookups and plentiful drinking water taps, while calling out dated restrooms and small showers as common complaints.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

Spacious, wooded and private campsites; dog-friendly; playground for children; electric sites with water hookups; multiple drinking water taps; helpful staff.

Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Check with the ranger on arrival to find the best site for your setup; visit mid-week for higher availability. Expect older restroom facilities and limited shower amenities.

Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Fun campground that is dog friendly!” — “The sites are very spacious and have lots of trees and shrubbery, making them feel more private. The electric sites have a water hook up for campers.”

Based on 6 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

Families with kids and dogs do well here: the playground, fire rings, and dog-friendly trails cover the basics, and sites like #1 or #53 add a peek at Albert Lea Lake through the trees. Mid-week arrivals get first pick.

Skip if

Shower quality is a real complaint, facilities are old and stalls are small. Anyone prioritizing a hot, roomy shower after a long hike will leave disappointed. No dump station either, so full-hookup RV setups won't work.

Campgrounds

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Nerstrand Campground

About Gibson Reservoir

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

<A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Gibson+Dam">Gibson Dam</a>, the principal structure of the <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Sun+River+Project">Sun River Project</a>, is on the Sun River, 70 miles west of Great Falls, Montana. It is a concrete arch dam and contains 167,500 cubic yards of concrete. The reservoir, with 1,296 surface acres and 15 miles of shoreline, offers fair fishing for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brown trout. Recreation is managed for Reclamation by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Lewis and Clark National Forest which can be reached at 406-791-7700. <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_gibr.pl">Current Reservoir Levels</a>

Directions

I-15 west of Great Falls to State Highway 21 to Augusta. County road to dam.