Lonsdale is a city in Rice County, south of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. It has a population of 4,686, according to the 2020 US Census. Lonsdale started as a settlement called Trondhjem by Norwegian immigrants in 1878 and got a boost due to the laying of railroad tracks by the Chicago, Milwaukee, and Saint Paul Railway starting in 1901. The town became incorporated in 1903. RVers can use Interstate 35 east of Lonsdale to plan their road trips in and out of the area.
If you need a place to stop with your four-legged travel companions, the city Dog Park has four of its seven acres fenced and a pond area for them to enjoy. Near downtown, Trenda Memorial Park offers guests 10 acres to explore. The park has picnic tables, a paved trail, sports fields, and playground equipment. For RVers interested in fishing, The 43-acre Rezac Nature Preserve has a fishing pier. It also provides launching areas for canoe access to the water, an archery range, a boardwalk trail, and a picnic area near a 16-foot-deep pond. Alternatively, you can book a tee time at Willingers Golf Club east of town, near I-35.
Get a glimpse of the area's history by visiting the Old Trondhjem Lutheran Church, a historical building on Garfield Avenue. If you are shopping for a memento of your trip, check out the handcrafted and unique goods at Something for All on Main Street. There are options in town when you get hungry, such as pub food at Whistle Stop Tavern and Grill.
Campgrounds Near Lonsdale, Minnesota
The Minneapolis Southwest KOA is northwest of Lonsdale, in the nearby town of Jordan. At this campground, you have access to 111 sites that are level and shady, starting at $40 per night. They have full RV hookups, 30 and 50-amp power, cell reception, and Wi-Fi access in the back-in and pull-through spaces.
Dakotah Meadows RV Park offers 122 back-in and pull-through sites north of Lonsdale, in Prior Lake. The camping spots surround a pond, and guests can walk to the nearby Mystic Lake Casino. This pet-friendly facility offers full hookups with up to 50-amp power, showers, cell reception, and Wi-Fi.
Town & Country RV Park and Campground is a suburban facility north of Lonsdale, in Savage. It has a heated saltwater pool and hot tubs you can enjoy. If you need to stretch your legs, a nature walking trail is available along Eagle Creek. There are 50 full RV hookup sites capable of handling big rigs and 35 additional sites with electricity and water, starting at $44 per night.
State Parks Near Lonsdale, Minnesota
Willow River State Park is a 67-mile road trip northeast of Lonsdale, near Hudson, Wisconsin. It offers 2,891 acres of terrain showcasing Willow Falls, a cascade down a 200-foot gorge. Little Falls Lake is also popular with guests, providing water sports opportunities like boating, fishing, and swimming during the summer. There are 13 miles of trails to explore, including an ADA-accessible paved loop around a wetland area. You can enjoy rock climbing along several routes in the gorge, but there are time restrictions during the weekends. The park has two camping areas with 47 RV sites divided between them, including six pull-through sites for longer motorhomes.
Minnesota's section of Interstate State Park sits 91 miles northeast of Lonsdale, near Taylors Falls. It covers 298 acres along the St. Croix River, with maple, oak, and pine trees creating forested terrain with beautiful color changes in the fall. Amateur and professional geologists come here to examine the layers of old lava flows in the area, but most come here to enjoy water activities on the river. Canoeing and kayaking are fun ways to spend the day here. On land, you can hike through forested areas or explore the 70 million-year-old potholes in the lava flows, where you may spot some fossils. There are two modern campgrounds with 37 campsites, some equipped with electrical hookups.
You can drive a few more miles and cross the St. Croix River to reach Wisconsin's section of Interstate State Park outside St Croix Falls, WI. This park section covers 1,330 acres of lowland forests, open spaces of bedrock, and several wetland areas. Bird watchers enjoy watching the migratory species, waterfowl, and raptors that fly around the park. RVers can fish the river for muskies, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and walleye. Nine miles of hiking trails offer challenges for all skill levels, including more intense routes along the cliffs and steep bluffs. There are two campgrounds with 82 campsites, some equipped with electricity.
National Sites Near Lonsdale, Minnesota
The nearest portion of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is 38 miles north of Lonsdale, in the St Paul area. It is a 72-mile section of the Mississippi River corridor that encompasses 54,000 acres between Dayton and Hastings. There are 60 state and federal facilities within the recreation area, including sites like the dam at Minneaplois' St. Anthony Dall Visitor Center. There are sections of shoreline with trails to explore, or you can hit the water in a canoe. Learn about the river's history at the visitor center in St. Paul's Science Museum or stop at several locations for fantastic photo opportunities.
Another popular destination you might want to visit is the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, 93 miles northeast of Lonsdale, near St Croix Falls, WI. It protects 252 miles of the Saint Croix and Namekagon riverways. Boating and fishing are top activities within the riverway, but there are plenty of biking and hiking trails to keep you busy on land. The riverway divides into three zones that offer primitive camping opportunities, or there are nearby RV-friendly facilities available off-site.
Take a 176-mile road trip southeast into Iowa and visit the Effigy Mounds National Monument. It covers 2,526 acres of land along the Mississippi River, showcasing 206 ancient mounds built to resemble animals and other things crucial to the Native American cultures living in the area at the time. There are also burial mounds and long rectangular mounds within the monument's boundaries. Start your exploration at the visitor center to see exhibits and learn more about the people who lived here before you take a guided tour to see the grounds more closely. You will find several nearby campgrounds with varying amounts of RV amenities.
National Forests Near Lonsdale, Minnesota
A four-hour drive northeast of Lonsdale will place you in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. It covers over 1.5 million acres of land in Wisconsin and holds a deep Native American cultural history that dates back to Paleo-Indians 10,000 years ago. The Headwaters Wilderness Area contains some of the oldest and largest trees in the region, and there are several rivers, streams, and wetland areas. Camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching are popular activities within the forest. Several developed campgrounds can be found within the forest, providing varying amenities for a fee.
Minnesota's Chippewa National Forest sits four hours north of Lonsdale, covering approximately 1.6 million acres of terrain, almost half of which is various types of watersheds. Cass Lake, Leech Lake, and Lake Winnibigoshish are three of the largest lakes in the state, and water sports are the most popular activity within the forest. A 144-acre area named the Lost 40 contains old-growth trees that average 350 years of age. There are three visitor centers, and RV camping is possible at various sites within Chippewa National Forest.
Superior National Forest is four hours northeast of Lonsdale, covering 3 million acres near the Canadian border and along the shore of Lake Superior. Visitors come here to enjoy the expansive remote settings and diverse habitats like the boreal ecosystem, hills, meadows, and 695 square miles of water surface. Popular activities include boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, and swimming. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and riding snowmobiles. You can find primitive camping opportunities in the area. Alternatively, developed campsites throughout the forest offer basics like fire rings and picnic tables.
