Sunrise Campground

For Minnesotans who appreciate modern camping comforts coupled with ample space and easy access to nature, Sunrise Campground within Lake Shetek State Park in Currie, MN, offers a compelling option for your next outdoor getaway. As a newer addition to the state park's offerings, Sunrise Campground is designed to provide a comfortable experience, particularly for RVers, while still immersing visitors in the beautiful landscapes of Southwest Minnesota. It's a place where the wide-open spaces and stunning sunrises over Lake Shetek truly live up to the campground's name.

This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and factual overview of Sunrise Campground, specifically tailored for Minnesota residents. We will delve into its convenient location within Lake Shetek State Park, the range of services and modern features it provides, and the aspects that make it a highly recommended spot for those seeking a balance of outdoor recreation and comfort. Understanding what Sunrise Campground has to offer can significantly enhance your planning for your next family adventure, ensuring a relaxing, enjoyable, and memorable experience right here in your home state.

The allure of Sunrise Campground lies in its spacious sites and full hook-up availability, a significant draw for many contemporary campers. While some classic Minnesota campgrounds are known for their dense tree cover and secluded feel, Sunrise offers a different, yet equally appealing, experience focusing on openness, views, and convenience. It’s a great fit for those who enjoy expansive settings, access to trails and beaches, and the ease of modern amenities within a state park environment.

Sunrise Campground is located at 163 State Park Rd, Currie, MN 56123, USA. This address places it directly within the boundaries of Lake Shetek State Park, one of Minnesota's beautiful natural gems in Murray County. Lake Shetek itself is the largest lake in Southwest Minnesota, making the campground's proximity to its shores a significant advantage for water enthusiasts.

For Minnesotans, the campground's location offers relatively easy access. Currie is a small, quiet community, and the drive to the state park typically involves well-maintained roadways. Once within Lake Shetek State Park, Sunrise Campground is clearly signposted, ensuring straightforward navigation for arriving guests, including those with large RVs or trailers. The address leads directly into the state park, requiring a Minnesota State Park vehicle permit for entry, in addition to camping fees.

Its position within a state park means visitors are immediately immersed in a protected natural environment, with trails and lake access readily available. While the park is tucked away enough to offer a true escape, it's not so remote that essential supplies are out of reach. Larger grocery stores might be about 40 minutes away, so planning ahead for provisions is advisable. This balance of natural immersion and reasonable accessibility makes Sunrise Campground a practical and desirable choice for local Minnesotans seeking both outdoor adventure and convenience.

Services Offered:

• Full Hook-up RV Sites: Sunrise Campground provides 32 campsites that offer full hookups, including water, sewer, and 50 amp electricity. These sites are designed to be level and spacious.
• Picnic Shelters: The campground features two picnic shelters, both equipped with solar panels on their roofs, contributing to the park's sustainability efforts. These shelters provide excellent communal spaces for gatherings.
• Restrooms: While the campground itself currently has pit toilets, visitors have access to modern, very clean bathroom/shower buildings located in the nearby Oak Woods Campground within Lake Shetek State Park, which are noted for having warm water and great showers. Flush toilets are also available in Sunrise Campground.
• Potable Water: Available at sites with full hookups and at designated water spigots throughout the campground.
• RV Dump Station: A nice, clean RV dump station is available within Lake Shetek State Park.
• Fire Rings and Grates: Each campsite includes a fire ring and a grate for cooking.
• Picnic Tables: Every site is equipped with a picnic table.
• Firewood for Purchase: Firewood is available for purchase within the state park.
• Pet-Friendly: Pets are allowed within the campground (leash rules apply within the state park).

Features / Highlights:

• Spacious and Open Sites: A consistent highlight from visitors is the ample space at each site. "Each site was spacious," and "the campsites have giant sheltered picnic buildings and plenty of sun." Sites are also noted as "very level" and "spread out," offering a comfortable and uncrowded feel even when busy.
• Full Hook-up Convenience: The availability of full hook-ups (water, sewer, and 50 amp electric) is a major draw, especially for RVers, providing a high level of comfort and convenience that is not always common in state park campgrounds.
• Newer Campground Design: As a newer section of the park's camping facilities, Sunrise Campground features modern infrastructure and a more open layout. While this means fewer mature trees and less immediate seclusion at each site, it allows for plenty of sun and clear views, especially of the sunrise over the lake.
• Access to Lake Shetek State Park Amenities: Campers at Sunrise Campground benefit from all the amenities and recreational opportunities of the broader Lake Shetek State Park. This includes:
  • Extensive Trails: "Loaded with trails" for walking, hiking, and biking. Trails are well-maintained and many are flatter, making them easy to navigate. There's also a paved bike trail that loops into town.
  • Swimming Beach: A clean and nice sand swimming beach is available within the park.
  • Lake Shetek Access: Easy access to the largest lake in Southwest Minnesota for fishing (perch, northern pike, walleye, crappie, bullhead, channel catfish), boating, kayaking, and canoeing. Boat and paddlecraft rentals are available.
  • Historical Significance: The park is home to the historic Shetek Monument and Koch Cabin, relating to the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, offering an educational element.
  • Wildlife Viewing: Opportunities to spot white-tailed deer, pelicans, and various water birds.
• Great for Big Rigs: The large, level gravel sites and full hookups make Sunrise Campground particularly suitable for larger RVs.

Contact Information:

Address: 163 State Park Rd, Currie, MN 56123, USA (within Lake Shetek State Park)

Phone: (507) 763-3256

Mobile Phone: +1 507-763-3256

Sunrise Campground at Lake Shetek State Park is an exceptionally suitable destination for Minnesotans, particularly those who seek a comfortable, amenity-rich camping experience within a beautiful state park setting. Its appeal to local users is clear: the campground offers modern conveniences, especially for RVers, with spacious, full-hookup sites that provide a relaxed and uncrowded feeling. This is a significant draw for those who appreciate the ease of direct water, sewer, and electrical connections, allowing for a more streamlined and comfortable outdoor stay.

While some traditionalists might prefer more tree cover, Sunrise Campground's open layout allows for plenty of sunshine and potentially spectacular views, especially fitting its name during sunrise hours. The availability of shared, sheltered picnic buildings is a thoughtful addition for group gatherings, enhancing the communal aspect of camping. Furthermore, being part of Lake Shetek State Park means campers have immediate access to a wealth of recreational opportunities characteristic of Minnesota's outdoor lifestyle: extensive hiking and biking trails, a clean swimming beach, and the vast waters of Lake Shetek for fishing and boating. The historical significance of the park also adds an educational dimension to a visit.

For Minnesotans, the combination of a well-maintained, comfortable campground with access to diverse state park amenities, all within a reasonable drive, makes Sunrise Campground an excellent choice for family vacations, weekend escapes, or even longer stays. The friendly staff and overall positive atmosphere, as indicated by customer reviews, contribute to a welcoming environment where locals can truly relax and enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that their home state has to offer.