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Fort Ridgely
Overview
Fort Ridgely State Park offers a unique blend of Minnesota history and natural beauty. Located in the heart of the Minnesota River Valley, it serves as a quiet retreat for RVers looking for a peaceful stay. The park is built around the ruins of an 1853 fort, providing a deep sense of place that connects visitors to the past. Travelers will find a well-maintained campground that balances modern convenience with the rugged charm of the prairie and wooded hills.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just south of Fairfax, MN, the park is nestled within the lush greenery and rolling hills of the Minnesota River Valley. The landscape features a vibrant mix of restored prairie grasslands and dense hardwood forests. Visitors can explore winding creeks and scenic bluffs that overlook the expansive valley floor. Its secluded location makes it an ideal spot for those wanting to escape the noise of urban life and immerse themselves in the serene river landscape and local wildlife.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground provides electric sites with 50-amp service, making it suitable for many modern RVs. While it maintains a rustic, natural feel, the park offers essential comforts like a seasonal dump station, modern restrooms, and hot showers. Each site typically includes a fire ring and picnic table for evening gatherings. Unique to this location is a nine-hole golf course within the park boundaries and several historic stone buildings that have been meticulously preserved.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
History buffs will appreciate the Fort Ridgely Historic Site, which includes an interpretive center, museum, and the ruins of the original commissary. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of over 10 miles of multi-use trails perfect for hiking or horseback riding. In the winter months, the park transforms into a hub for snowmobiling and sledding. Nearby, the town of Fairfax offers local charm, while the Minnesota River provides excellent opportunities for fishing and canoeing just a short drive from the campground.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is a perfect match for history enthusiasts and nature lovers who prefer a slower, more contemplative pace. It is particularly well-suited for families looking for an educational camping trip or equestrians utilizing the dedicated horse camp facilities. Because of its quiet atmosphere and spacious site layouts, it is also ideal for retired travelers and birdwatchers looking for a scenic, low-traffic stopover while exploring the hidden gems of southern Minnesota.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Darrin Hawley
This is a very nice state park. Regular and horse camping sites available, and even rustic, bare-bone campsites. The historic fort there is very nice and educational, although a few signs need to be replaced as they are unreadable. Several options for hiking.
Todd Mulvihill
A nice little historic state park in south-central MN. Busy but quiet, this state park offers decent hiking trails including thru beautiful restored prairie (best in July/Augist when flowers are blooming or grasses are turning golden brown), large campsites (some along the river, some near the restrooms) with large trees and decent amounts of grass, a very nice equestrian campground, the historic Fort Ridgely itself and two lookouts offering spectacular views of the Minnesota River valley. Cell service is spotty in the campground and best at the Fort up on the bluff. Wifi is available at the park office. Bugs can be heavy at this park, especially during the hot summer months, plan appropriately. The restroom/shower building is new and nice but note there are only TWO showers for the entire campground so they can be busy, especially on packed weekends. There is a Little Library here as well ( right outside the restrooms). Bring an old book to share. The fort site offers a self-guided tour of the un-excavated grounds. Unfortunately many of the information placards have faded beyond recognition and are un-readable. Its also a good place to catch the breeze as the campground down in the valley does not often get any. The historic picnic shelter is quite nice but currently has a roosting bat challenge and needs to be cleaned. In winter, shift gears and rent out the Chalet and spend the afternoon sledding down the adjacent hillside.
Candis Novek
Small and cozy. Park Ranger could use better communication skills but, still nice. Bathrooms and showers top notch.
Jamie H
I love this state park. The camp sites sit down below the bluff. No wind if there is any. Great trout fishing there also. To catch the trout, you want to fish down by the horse camp. Plenty of trout in the stream!
DLM-Distribution Campervans
Short Review of Fort Ridgely State Park We recently camped at Fort Ridgely State Park and really enjoyed the quiet, peaceful setting. The campground was clean and easy to access, with nice wooded sites that gave us a good amount of space and privacy. We appreciated how close the trails were—perfect for a morning hike with views of the surrounding prairie and bluffs. One of the highlights was exploring the old fort ruins and reading about the history of the U.S.-Dakota War. It's a meaningful place, and the combination of history and nature makes it a unique state park experience. If you're traveling through southern Minnesota, Fort Ridgely is definitely worth a stop.