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Prairie Creek Forest Campground

99%

· Nerstrand, Rice, Minnesota

60 acres hosted by Stephen S.

4 tent sites

Best in Minnesota: 2nd place

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

Best in Minnesota: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.

Stephen is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Private sites

96% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Pitch your tent at one of our Walk-in campsites on 60 acres of forest or hilltop prairie along Prairie Creek in Rice County, MN. Explore the creeks, trails, forest, our enormous granite "split rock", a 60 acre county park featuring a waterfall and more trails, including a single track mountain bike course. That's 120 acres of exploring outside your tent; this campground truly offers a large amount of remote forest for recreation right on site. Big Woods State Park is less than 2 miles away. Faribault is 8 miles and Northfield is 9 miles from our driveway; they offer dining, boutiques, and all other amenities. Nerstrand is 4.5 miles east and has a gas station and a fantastic meat market. Numerous Cannon River put-ins are within 10 miles. Vehicles: Our main parking area by sites 1, 2, & 3 is easily accessible. The road to the secondary parking area beside site 4 is up a steep hill. Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing. Sites are priced for one tent, please let us know if you need to have more than one tent. A map of the land is in the photos and shows locations of sites, parking and more. All Sites are Walk-In! We have a cart you may use to haul gear in. Site 1 is near the creek. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring and grill grate, picnic table. Site 2 is in the pines. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring and grill grate, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 3 is by the creek. Approximately 300 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring, steel grill ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 4 is on the hilltop. Site 4 has parking for 2 vehicles at the site. Steel fire ring with grill grate, stone fire ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. There is NOT room to park a trailer. This campground is managed by Stephen and Molly on land owned by them and their father Ted. In 1961, Ted's parents bought this farm. Over the years, the arable land has been sold but we retained the wooded area which is crossed twice by a stream. About 20 years ago, a 60 acre county park was created to the south and west. The property is bordered on two sides by this county park. When Ted was in high school, the family sold the dairy cows and started a bare bones horseback riding ranch using trails in these woods as riding trails. We are very excited to host campers as a way to preserve and share this beautiful property.

Activities

Biking

Hiking

Horseback riding

Paddling

Natural features

Forest

River, stream, or creek

Waterfall

99%

743 ratings · 328 reviews

Kathryn H.recommends

September 22, 2024

Site 3 - Creek View

Don’t wait…go now!

This place is wonderful. The fire ring has a grate that can go over top which made cooking easy. I strung my hammock between two trees but there is plenty of room for a tent. The babbling creek is great and it’s plenty remote from the hustle and bustle. No real cell signal which was great for what I wanted. There was a small pile of wood to burn though I brought my own. Stephen came to say hi and we had a great chat. I feel super lucky to have found this place and will surely come again! Oh! Found the trail to go see the waterfalls and the big rock which was really cool!

Robbin S.recommends

September 19, 2024

Site 1 - Creek Side

I loved tent camping near the creek. Stephen even had a tent again you can use to bring your things to the site. He put down some gravel on the path which was nice too, less slippery. The sound of the running water was amazing while chillin by the fire. It was clean yet natural. I love the nature.

Ben S.recommends

September 10, 2024

Site 4 - Hilltop

Magical!

What a lovely site! Great little trails full of lots of exciting mushrooms & birds. Site 4 has an amazing view of the night sky (it is a steep drive, though).

David K.recommends

September 2, 2024

Site 1 - Creek Side

Loved the campsite was very scenic and beautiful and quiet and the owner was really friendly too.

Kate B.recommends

September 1, 2024

Site 4 - Hilltop

Loved site 4

This is our second time to this Hipcamp location, and it won’t be our last. Previously we had stayed by the creek, which was nice, but I really liked this hilltop site, as it felt more tucked away. It would be fun to go in the fall when the sumac is red! Great host.

Corrina M.recommends

August 29, 2024

Site 3 - Creek View

A magical space

This is a magical space. I've camped here three times, twice at site 3. It's very close to the stream and also near trails leading to waterfalls. I am so grateful this space exists. Steven is a great host who very obviously cares about the land.

Location

Nerstrand, Rice, Minnesota, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Wahpeton, and Wahpekute First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking