If you are looking for a camping experience that will leave you counting the days until you can return, look no further than the many beautiful campgrounds in the Willmar Lakes Area.

Kandiyohi County has 5 County Parks that you can camp and recreate at. Each park has its own uniqueness with a variety of amenities. You can make a reservation on the website for each Kandiyohi County Park at www.kcmn.us/departments/county_parks/index.php. All of the parks have a beach, boat access, camp store/snack bar, bait shop, boat gas for sale, picnic areas, playground, shelters to rent for family or business gatherings, restroom/shower house and camping pads with electricity and serve hard ice cream. Summer is already in full swing, but you still have time to try out all 5 parks.

Big Kandiyohi West County Park is located in the southern part of the county on Big Kandiyohi Lake. The lake is well known for its great fishing of walleye, panfish, northern, small mouth bass and large catfish. The campground has 94 paved campsites with electricity that offer daily and seasonal rates. Bring your family into the camp store to restock your bait, grab a snack or share your latest fish story. The restrooms are recently updated and modern. A fisherman’s delight! You can reach them by calling 320-995-6599.

Big Kandiyohi East County Park is on the east side of Big Kandiyohi Lake. This family friendly park has 80 paved campsites with electricity and is surrounded on three sides by a managed wildlife area with daily and seasonal rates. The park has the best primitive camping in the area. The camp/snack/bait store sits on the lake shore along side of a large, nice big sandy beach. Fishing on Big Kandiyohi Lake is a must for fishermen interested in catching walleye, perch, crappies, sunfish, northern pike, small mouth bass and large catfish. They are 20 minutes from 2 local golf courses. They can be reached at 320-664-4707.

Diamond Lake County Park is a spacious, newly remodeled campground with 60 paved campsites that have daily and seasonal rates, along with electric, water and sewer hookups. This park is in close proximity to Spicer and New London which are known for their specialty and boutique shops. Come into the camp store to get the latest fishing report and grab a snack. Fishermen come from all over for the quality panfish caught in Diamond Lake along with walleye & northern pike. This park is 15 minutes away from 3 local golf courses. A bike trail, sandy beach & quiet beauty awaits you and your family on the western shore of Diamond Lake. They can be reached at 320-974-8520.

Games Lake County Park is part of the “Norway chain of Lakes” which is four lakes totaling 2,800 acres of water. There is a channel that is navigable to boat traffic between Games and Norway Lakes. Great fishing lakes known for crappie, walleye & northern pike. This park has 56 paved campsites with electricity and is known for its large, sandy, fabulous beach, ice cream snack bar and burger & fry grill. This family friendly campground has picnic areas and rental units consisting of 5 new camper cabins, pontoon, fishing boat, paddle boards, paddle boats, kayaks & canoe. Bring your bike along for a 4-mile black topped bike trail, and your hiking shoes to hit the trails at nearby Sibley State Park. Prairie Wood Environmental Learning Center is just minutes away as well. There are 2 local golf courses to choose from in less than 20 minutes away. They can be reached at 320-354-4453.

Green Lake County Park is on the biggest lake in the county. The lake is 5569 acres with max depth of 110 ft with unbelievable water clarity. This campground has 61 paved campsites with water, sewer & electricity hookups and offer daily & seasonal rates. This family friendly campground has picnic areas, volleyball on the beach and rental units such as adult kayaks, kid kayaks, paddle boards, paradise pads and pontoon. You can catch the Glacial Lakes State Bike Trail right from the park entrance and dock your boat at a restaurant on the lake. The park is just minutes from Spicer & New London shops & boutiques, The Little Theater, Ally on Ash, Green Lake Cruises, Goat Ridge Brewing Co., Big Kahuna Fun Park, Wildcat Cove Playground, 4 golf courses and several restaurants. You can reach them by calling 320-796-5564.

There are also a few other campgrounds around the Willmar Lakes Area, namely the Old Wagon Campground, Hide-Away Campground, and Westrich RV Park & Campground. The Old Wagon Campground is located on Long Lake North just outside of Hawick. With a launching ramp, swimming beach, playground, snack bar, and bait & tackle shop, your family is sure to want to stay a while. Pets are also allowed at this campground, so you can bring your four-legged family members along too! Hide-Away Campground is also on Long Lake, one of the area’s best largemouth bass and sunfish lakes. I don’t think I’ll have to tell you twice to bring your fishing poles along if you decide to stay at Hide-Away. Finally, Westrich RV Park is a great spot to park your RV for the summer, with a wading pool, basketball court, playground, and horseshoe pits. The lodge building has a community room and an arcade in case you (or your gamer family members) want to spend a little more time indoors.

You can also camp at one of Minnesota’s top 20 attractions, Sibley State Park. This state park provides access to 2,900 acres of a rich mosaic of colorful prairies, hills, lush hardwood forests, bountiful wetlands and cool, clear lakes. Summer visitors enjoy camping in the Lakeview Campground so they can be well-shaded and near Lake Andrew to enjoy swimming, boating and fishing. A canoe route invites adventurers to portage and canoe on Swan Lake, Henschien Lake, Lake Andrew, Middle Lake and beyond! The park offers a total of 141 campsites and 4 year-round camper cabins. So whether you’re interested in drive-in sites, electric sites, a modern group center, primitive group tent camping areas, horseback campsites, or camper cabins, Sibley State Park is an ideal spot for camping.

And last but certainly not least is the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, where the only lodging on the property is a yurt. If you’re wondering what a yurt is, you’re not alone. Originating in Central Asia from several nomadic groups, yurts are round structures supported by a latticework of wood. North American adaptations of yurts are engineered to stand extreme weather conditions and are not intended to be moved often (unlike their historical counterparts). Prairie Woods’ yurt is perfect for spring, summer, and fall camping, providing a unique shelter from the elements. With sprawling hiking trails, indoor rock climbing, an educational treehouse, and a gorgeous observatory, Prairie Woods ELC is a perfect place to spend a weekend away.

There is nothing quite like camping near the rolling prairie and quiet lakes of the Willmar Lakes Area. Each time you take an exploration of Kandiyohi County you’ll find new adventures, sights and sounds that’ll keep you coming back for more!