Group Camp

Star3.83
12 reviews
8485 Rose Street, Claremont, MN 55924

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Camping season gener...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Minnesota State Parks (Minnesota DNR) 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
Group Camp
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Minnesota state parks require a vehicle permit for park access; individual site and facility fees vary (specific campground fees not listed on...
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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
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What Campers Say

3.83

Mixed Reviews

Based on 12 reviews

10 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulcleanrestrooms

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Visitors describe Rice Lake State Park as small, quiet, and well‑kept with shaded, wooded sites and good canoeing/paddling opportunities. Common negatives are heavy biting insects in mid‑summer, limited swimming access, and some dated or limited facilities."

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Campground Map

8485 Rose Street, Claremont, MN 55924
No map location available
Nearby places
Owatonna — about 7 miles west
Nearby supplies
Owatonna (services and supplies) — about 7 miles

Best Time to Camp at Group Camp

Plan your group camping adventure between April and October, when Rice Lake truly comes alive. Spring and fall steal the show with their comfortable temperatures, stunning color changes, and blissfully manageable bug populations—ideal conditions for both fireside storytelling and trail exploration. Summer visitors will find the wetlands teeming with life (and yes, mosquitoes from June through August, so pack that bug spray!). Spring campers should toss rain boots in the car, as melting snow and seasonal rains can leave trails delightfully muddy and puddle-dotted.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.0 / 5

Shaded and pleasant but mid‑summer has heavy biting insects and limited swimming options.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5

Spring and fall 'steal the show' with comfortable temps and notable color changes.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring brings comfortable temps, active wildlife and good paddling conditions.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Camping season generally runs April through late October; winter closures expected.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Camping season generally runs approximately April through late October (shoulder seasons quieter; mid-summer can be buggy).

About Group Camp

Picture this: your group gathered around a crackling campfire, surrounded by towering oak trees and the gentle sounds of wildlife settling in for the evening. Rice Lake State Park's Group Camp delivers exactly that—a secluded woodland sanctuary in southern Minnesota where dense forests embrace quiet wetlands, creating the perfect backdrop for your next group adventure.
The park offers a mix of camping options including drive‑in tent/RV sites, canoe/boat‑in sites, and designated group camping areas.
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Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

Rice Lake State Park supports camping (drive-in, walk-in, canoe/boat-in, and group sites) and a range of low-key outdoor activities centered on wooded trails and the shallow lake.
HikingSeveral easy, wooded trails loop through forest and along the lakeshore; trails are generally short and family-friendly but can be wet or muddy in low spots.
Boating
Wildlife viewing
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMid-summer biting insects (mosquitoes and aggressive flies) are the most frequently reported issue. Trails and low-lying areas may be wet or muddy after rain or in spring. The lake is shallow and weedy and is not recommended for swimming. Some visitors have reported sightings of garter snakes.

Weather at Group Camp

Reviews

3.8
12 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Group Camp has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Visitors describe Rice Lake State Park as small, quiet, and well‑kept with shaded, wooded sites and good canoeing/paddling opportunities. Common negatives are heavy biting insects in mid‑summer, limited swimming access, and some dated or limited facilities.
Review Summaries
Based on 12 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, peaceful park with mature oak shade, clean well‑maintained campsites and restrooms, enjoyable canoe‑in sites and paddling opportunities, and friendly park staff.
Based on 12 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring strong insect repellent (and head nets/citronella) in June–August; prefer late spring or fall for fewer bugs. Small trailers/tent setups are a better fit than large RVs. Bring supplies from...
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Based on 12 reviews

Camper Quotes

Visitors call the park "very quiet and desolate" and report heavy biting flies in peak summer (one reviewer described the fly situation as "like something out of a horror movie").
Based on 12 reviews

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Last updated February 17, 2026
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