Is Cart-In Campsites first-come first-served or reservation?

Cart-In Campsites 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.

Are there showers at Cart-In Campsites?

Cart-In Campsites does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Cart-In Campsites?

Fire policies at Cart-In Campsites: Light fires only within provided fire rings and charcoal grills; do not leave fires unattended and extinguish all fires before leaving. Use approved or local firewood to prevent the spread of forest pests.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Cart-In Campsites?

Pets are not allowed at Cart-In Campsites. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Cart-In Campsites?

Popular activities at Cart-In Campsites include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cart-In Campsites

4.05

70 reviews

336 50th Ave, Jasper, MN

Top 23% in MNSummer

Summer Destination

Featured in:Summer Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

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

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

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

Cart-In Campsites

No fees available

Campsite Fees

A non-refundable reservation fee is charged for advance reservations ($10 by call center / $8 online). Individual campsite fees vary by site and are...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

866-857-2757 (reservations); 888-646-6367 / 651-296-6157 (DNR contact numbers listed on park pages)

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Cart-In Campsites

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Campground Map

336 50th Ave, Jasper, MN

No map location available

Weather at Cart-In Campsites

Best Time to Camp at Cart-In Campsites

Spring through early fall brings this prairie park to life, with peak summer offering ideal conditions for splashing in the lake and lounging on sunny shores. Visit during shoulder seasons for a quieter experience and comfortable temperatures perfect for hiking and wildlife watching—just check the park's website or ParkFinder for current seasonal dates before you plan your trip.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 23% in MN

Summer is the park's sweet spot; lake activities and evening programs peak then.

Planning Tips

About Cart-In Campsites

Imagine wheeling your gear to a lakeside campsite where evening campfires glow beneath star-filled prairie skies and naturalist programs bring the landscape to life. At Split Rock Creek's cart-in sites, you'll find that sweet spot between accessibility and seclusion—just remember to reserve your spot in advance through Minnesota's state parks system.

Listed as the Cart‑In Campsites at Split Rock Creek State Park, but specific campsite type allowances (tent, RV, primitive, group, cabin/ lodging) are not documented in the available sources.

Historical Significance

The park and area are recreational resources; nearby Pipestone National Monument is a notable cultural/historic attraction in the region.

Weather and SeasonsSpring through early fall brings this prairie park to life, with peak summer offering ideal conditions for splashing in the lake and lounging on sunny shores. Visit during shoulder seasons for a quieter experience and comfortable temperatures perfect for hiking and wildlife watching—just check the park's website or ParkFinder for current seasonal dates before you plan your trip.

Natural Features and ScenerySplit Rock Lake shimmers at the heart of this prairie oasis, where rolling grasslands meet tranquil water and scattered groves of trees provide welcome shade. The open landscape creates endless sky views that transform from brilliant blue to spectacular sunset hues, while the lakeshore beckons swimmers, paddlers, and anglers to its gentle waters. Between the rippling prairie grass and diverse birdlife, there's always something moving across this dynamic landscape—whether it's a heron stalking the shallows or wildflowers swaying in the breeze.

Geological RegionSouthwestern Minnesota prairie / reservoir on Split Rock Creek (Split Rock Lake)

Scenic ViewsLake views across Split Rock Lake and open prairie vistas; good night-sky visibility in the rural setting.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsMinnesota state parks reservation system (online) and call center (866-857-2757); see park reservation page for details

Cancellation PolicyReservation fee for advance reservations is non-refundable. Reservations can be made online or via the call center; see reservation platform for full terms.

Need help booking Cart-In Campsites?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Specific amenities for the Cart‑In Campsites are not fully documented on the official park page. Park-level facilities at Split Rock Creek State Park include a beach, docks, and the Beach Side Trail Center; third-party sources note bathhouses/showers for the main campground but do not explicitly state which of those services apply to the Cart‑In area.

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Cart‑In Campsites provide access to Split Rock Lake and the park's short trail network. Recreational opportunities emphasize water-based activities and short, accessible hikes around the lake.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsFollow fire rules (light fires only within fire rings or charcoal grills, never leave fires unattended, fully extinguish before leaving) and use local or approved firewood to prevent pest spread. Visitors have reported seasonal insects/bugs; exercise normal precautions.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

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

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

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

4.1

70 reviews

Satisfactory

Cart-In Campsites is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews of the park campground are largely positive: visitors commonly praise clean restrooms and hot showers, quiet and roomy/wooded sites, and easy access to Split Rock Lake for swimming, fishing and paddling. Common negatives include reports of strict rule enforcement or unfriendly interactions with hosts, occasional insect issues, and a few isolated reports of water or service problems.

Review Summaries

Based on 70 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean bathrooms and hot showers; quiet, well‑maintained campground with private/wooded sites; direct access to Split Rock Lake for swimming, fishing and kayaking; short, well‑kept trails and a Beach...

Based on 70 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reservations are required for all campsites—book in advance. Check DNR alerts and the park webpage before arrival. Bring insect repellent and be prepared to carry gear for cart‑in access; plan to use...

Based on 70 reviews

Camper Quotes

“The bathrooms were extremely clean and the showers were hot.” — a common compliment. “It's a small, well kept park.”

Based on 70 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Hauling gear a short distance to a quiet, private site is fine with you, and you're coming for the lake: swimming off the beach, casting from the docks, or paddling Split Rock Lake are the real draws here, especially on a summer weekend.

Skip if

Amenity-dependent campers will be frustrated: no hookups, no confirmed potable water at the cart-in area, and no pets allowed. Reviewers also flag that staff enforcement can feel heavy-handed, so rule-sticklers are the target audience, not free-spirited types.

Campgrounds

Split Rock Creek State Park

Cart-In Campsites

About Waconda Reservoir (Glen Elder)

Context for the broader area surrounding Cart-In Campsites, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

<A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Glen+Elder+Dam">Glen Elder Dam</a> and Waconda Reservoir, features of the <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Glen Elder Unit Project">Glen Elder Unit</a>, Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, are on the Solomon River directly upstream from Glen Elder, Kansas. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Available species include walleye, crappie, white bass, striped bass, and channel and flathead catfish. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing minor fluctuations. Reservoir peaks at 12,600 water surface acres, 15,307 land acres ans 100 miles of shoreline. Fishing season is year-round. Over 12,000 acres are open to public hunting for deer, waterfowl, and upland game. Special hunts are available by application for youth, disabled, or family groups. <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_waks.pl">Current reservoir levels.</a> Glen Elder State Park, which adjoins Waconda Reservoir, is the site of the Waconda Heritage Village. It features historic Hopewell Church, which contains historical displays.

Directions

Located 1 mile west of Glen Elder, KS. Nearest highway is U.S. 24.