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Trailside Campground Introduce

Welcome, fellow Minnesotans, to an insightful look at Trailside Campground, a well-regarded and friendly camping destination nestled in the scenic landscape of Rushford Village. If you're searching for a peaceful, community-oriented place to set up camp, whether for a quick weekend getaway or a longer seasonal stay, Trailside Campground offers a welcoming atmosphere that many locals have come to cherish. As professional content writers specializing in local business SEO, we understand what truly makes a location resonate with our community, and Trailside Campground embodies the friendly spirit and outdoor appeal that so many Minnesotans seek.

Trailside Campground is known for providing a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience, characterized by its reasonable prices, generously sized sites, and a strong sense of camaraderie among its campers, particularly its seasonal residents. It’s a place where you can truly unwind, enjoy the natural surroundings, and connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. The emphasis here is on a positive, respectful camping environment, ensuring everyone has a pleasant stay.

A powerful testament to the campground's appeal comes directly from its long-term campers. One seasonal resident, who has enjoyed "around 10 years" of "wonderful experiences" at Trailside, offered a heartfelt counter-narrative to isolated negative reviews. They emphasized, "The campground, its owner and its manager are well liked by all. When seasonal sites occasionally open up, they are quickly filled because of the reasonable price, large sites, and current campers referrals. We have all had positive experiences!!" This review highlights the strong positive community and management's commitment to fostering a good environment. Other direct feedback praises the "clean and tidy area," "cozy group," and the fact that "Pets allowed," further underscoring its suitability for a wide range of campers, including families with "visiting grandkids" who can enjoy the playset.

Location and Accessibility

Trailside Campground is conveniently located at 43293 MN-16, Rushford Village, MN 55971, USA. This address places it in southeastern Minnesota, a region renowned for its beautiful bluff country, winding rivers, and extensive trail systems. Rushford Village itself is a small, welcoming community, providing a peaceful backdrop for your camping adventures.

Accessibility to Trailside Campground is straightforward, making it an easy drive for many Minnesotans. Minnesota State Highway 16 (MN-16) is a well-maintained road, providing direct access to the campground. From major population centers like the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-Saint Paul), the drive typically involves heading south on major interstates before connecting to state highways that lead you directly to Rushford Village. The ease of access makes it suitable for all types of vehicles, including RVs and trailers, ensuring a smooth journey to your camping spot.

The location on MN-16 also means that while you're enjoying the tranquility of the campground, you're not completely isolated. The town of Rushford and other nearby communities offer essential services such as gas stations, grocery stores, and local dining options, allowing campers to easily resupply or explore the local area. Furthermore, the name "Trailside" hints at its likely proximity to popular recreational trails in the region, such as the Root River State Trail, enhancing its appeal for cyclists and hikers. This balance of natural serenity and practical accessibility makes Trailside Campground a convenient and desirable choice for a Minnesota camping trip.

Services Offered

Trailside Campground focuses on providing a comfortable and straightforward camping experience, offering essential services that cater to both short-term visitors and long-term seasonal campers. While a comprehensive list of all amenities isn't detailed in the provided reviews, we can infer common offerings found in well-regarded campgrounds of this nature, combined with direct mentions from customer feedback:

  • Large Campsites: Reviewers highlight "large sites," indicating that campers have ample space for their setups, whether it's an RV, trailer, or tent, along with outdoor living areas.
  • Reasonable Price: A significant draw mentioned is the "reasonable price," making camping accessible and attractive for budget-conscious individuals and families.
  • Seasonal Camper Options: The campground is a popular choice for "seasonal campers," suggesting dedicated long-term sites with appropriate services and community focus.
  • Parking Area: A "suitable" parking area is available, accommodating campers' vehicles and likely providing space for guest parking.
  • Playset for Grandkids: For families, the presence of a "playset for visiting grandkids" (and presumably other children) offers a dedicated recreational space for younger campers.
  • Pets Allowed: The campground explicitly permits "Pets allowed," which is a crucial service for many campers who travel with their furry companions. This suggests pet-friendly policies are in place.
  • Clean and Tidy Area: Reviewers consistently praise a "Clean and tidy area," indicating that the management prioritizes site and facility cleanliness, contributing to a pleasant camping environment.
  • Community Atmosphere: While not a physical "service," the strong sense of a "Cozy group" and positive relationships among seasonal campers, fostered by the owner and manager, is a significant intangible offering that enhances the overall experience.

Given its status as a well-established campground with seasonal residents, it is highly probable that Trailside Campground also offers:

  • Basic Restrooms: While not explicitly stated, campgrounds typically provide basic restroom facilities (e.g., flush toilets or vault toilets).
  • Water Access: Access to potable water points for filling containers or possibly individual site hookups for seasonal spots.
  • Fire Rings/Picnic Tables: Standard camping amenities like fire rings for campfires and picnic tables at each site for outdoor dining.

For the most precise and up-to-date information on all services, particularly specific hookups (electric, water, sewer) or shower facilities, contacting the campground directly is recommended.

Features / Highlights

Trailside Campground boasts several compelling features and highlights that contribute to its popularity and positive reputation among campers, particularly locals:

  • Strong Community and Welcoming Atmosphere: This is arguably Trailside's most significant highlight. The consistent positive feedback from seasonal campers about "developed friendships and casual acquaintances," a "cozy group," and general good rapport ("well liked by all") speaks volumes. This fosters a welcoming environment for new and returning campers alike.
  • Excellent Management and Ownership: Reviewers explicitly praise the "owner and its manager" for being "well liked" and contributing to positive experiences. This indicates responsive, fair, and dedicated management, which is crucial for a pleasant camping stay.
  • Affordable & Reasonable Pricing: The "reasonable price" for sites is a major draw, making camping accessible and providing great value, especially for larger or seasonal sites. This is a key factor in its popularity and why sites "are quickly filled."
  • Spacious Campsites: Campers appreciate the "large sites," which offer ample room for setting up campers, tents, and outdoor living areas, ensuring comfort and a sense of privacy.
  • Pet-Friendly Policy: The clear "Pets allowed" policy is a significant advantage for many campers who wish to bring their beloved animals along, enhancing the family-friendly appeal.
  • Clean and Well-Maintained Grounds: The campground is described as a "Clean and tidy area," indicating that the management prioritizes upkeep, which directly contributes to a more enjoyable and pleasant environment for all.
  • Kid-Friendly Amenity: The presence of a "playset for visiting grandkids" highlights its appeal to families and provides a dedicated space for children to play, making it a more attractive option for family camping trips.
  • Peaceful Environment: Despite its popularity, the campground is characterized as "peaceful," suggesting a relaxed atmosphere where campers can unwind and enjoy the natural surroundings without excessive noise or disruption.
  • Positive Word-of-Mouth: The fact that seasonal sites are quickly filled "because of... current campers referrals" speaks to a high level of satisfaction and trust among its long-term residents, serving as a powerful endorsement.
  • Strategic Location (Implied "Trailside" Name): While not explicitly detailed in the provided reviews, the name "Trailside Campground" strongly suggests its proximity to popular recreational trails, likely the Root River State Trail, which is a major draw for cyclists and hikers in southeastern Minnesota. This offers easy access to outdoor activities.
Contact Information

For all inquiries regarding Trailside Campground, including site availability, seasonal camping options, rates, and any specific questions about their amenities or policies, it is highly recommended to contact them directly using the provided phone number.

Phone: (507) 429-5580

Mobile Phone: +1 507-429-5580 (This is the same number, formatted for international dialing, but functions as a standard U.S. mobile number for calls within the country.)

Address: 43293 MN-16, Rushford Village, MN 55971, USA

Given the strong community aspect highlighted in the reviews, direct communication via phone would likely provide the most accurate and friendly service. The owners or managers can provide up-to-date information on seasonal site openings, reservation procedures, and any specific rules or events at the campground.

Conclusion: Why This Place Is Suitable for Locals

For Minnesotans, Trailside Campground in Rushford Village is more than just a place to park a camper; it's a welcoming community and a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the serene beauty of southeastern Minnesota without breaking the bank. This campground is exceptionally well-suited for locals due to its unique combination of affordability, a strong sense of community, and practical amenities that cater to the typical Minnesota camping lifestyle.

The "reasonable price" is a major draw, making camping accessible for families and individuals who appreciate good value. In Minnesota, where outdoor recreation is a cherished pastime, finding an affordable, well-maintained spot allows for more frequent getaways and longer stays, truly enhancing the quality of life for residents. The large, spacious sites also appeal to Minnesotans who enjoy having room to spread out and relax, whether they're setting up a seasonal RV or just a weekend tent.

What truly sets Trailside Campground apart for locals is its established, "cozy group" of campers and the positive relationship with its "owner and its manager." As one long-term seasonal camper eloquently put it, "We have developed friendships and casual acquaintances with most of the seasonal campers. The campground, its owner and its manager are well liked by all." This emphasis on community and good neighborliness resonates deeply with Minnesota's friendly and welcoming culture. It means new campers aren't just renting a spot; they're potentially joining a supportive and enjoyable social circle. This positive word-of-mouth, leading to quick filling of seasonal sites, speaks volumes about its local suitability.

Furthermore, the campground's pet-friendly policy ("Pets allowed") is a significant advantage for many Minnesota families who consider their furry companions part of the adventure. The addition of a "playset for visiting grandkids" highlights its family-oriented approach, making it an excellent choice for multi-generational camping trips that are so popular in our state. The commitment to a "Clean and tidy area" also ensures a pleasant and comfortable experience for everyone.

Finally, its location in Rushford Village along MN-16, hinting at proximity to beloved regional assets like the Root River State Trail, provides easy access to cycling, hiking, and exploring the unique bluff country landscape. For Minnesotans looking for an affordable, friendly, and well-maintained camping retreat that feels like an extension of their own community, Trailside Campground is an outstanding choice that offers both relaxation and connection.

Location

MinnesotaFillmore CountyRushford VillageMinnesota 16

Customer Reviews

3.0
37 reviews
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Susan LaValla
Jun 02, 2025

PLEASE READ THIIS BEFORE READING NEGATIVE REVIEWS My husband and I have had a seasonal camper at Trailside for around 10 years, and had nothing but wonderful experiences! We have developed friendships and casual acquaintances with most of the seasonal campers. The campground, its owner and its manager are well liked by all. When seasonal sites occasionally open up, they are quickly filled because of the reasonable price, large sites, and current campers referrals. We have all had positive experiences!! Imagine my shock then, at seeing a group of poor reviews for this campground! I quickly recognized EACH of these poor reviews are within a small timeframe, AND REPEAT THE SAME COMPLAINT. These reviews were obviously triggered by one person's experience in being asked to leave because they were poor camping neighbors and didn't maintain their campsite. That individual incited friends and family to write additional poor reviews, even without having camped at our peaceful campgrounds. Very deceitful. If you are considering Trailside, feel free to stop and talk to several of the current campers. I firmly believe you will hear nothing but positive, honest comments.

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Jeri Cherkas
Jun 29, 2025

Clean and tidy area. Cozy group. The parking area is suitable. They have a playset for visiting grandkids. Pets allowed.

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Katie Fuller
Oct 16, 2023

Don’t bother calling to inquire about a permanent site if you do not have a brand new fifth wheel. Owner expects top of the line campers but offers poor accommodations. Needs to add more to the property to make it more pleasing to the eye. Not much has been added to this property since opening. One shower and one toilet available (not the greatest condition…but it is a campground after all). One pavilion. And a toddler playground. If you are ONLY looking for easy access to the Root River Trail, this is a great spot. But the campground itself is NOT great. Owner is unprofessional and terrible at communication.

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Esther Nelson
Sep 16, 2017

I love this campsite come check it out very nice people here paul and abdele are great owners

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Paige Buytaert
Oct 16, 2023

My family and I are very disappointed in this campground. We were excited at first to have a permanent site at this campground and be able to enjoy the bike trails and root river nearby. However, the owner rubbed us the wrong way from the start. Within the first week of communicating with him about getting set up with the permanent site, he expressed his disappointment to us when he learned that we did not own a 5th wheel camper. Plenty of the other permanent sites did not have 5th wheel campers either, so we were confused about what his problem was. Throughout the summer, we did not have any issues or conflicts with the owner aside from the fact that he was pretty much unavailable most of the time. In September, we received a text from the owner basically stating that he would not be renewing our contract for 2024 due to the “camper’s age” (apparently it isn’t new enough) “lack of upkeep” (we had some weeds underneath the camper) and because we use a “tarp on the ground for a deck.” That comment about the tarp for a deck was unnecessary and unprofessional to say. Not to mention condescending. It made us feel as if we weren’t good enough for his “elite” campground he seems to think he has. The contract we signed did not specify any of these so called “requirements” such as having a newer camper or adding in an actual deck. With all that being said, this campground is nothing special. It’s well kept and it’s a nice quiet area, but it has very few amenities. There’s a small pavilion with one shower and toilet, and a small playground/swing set. Otherwise, it’s just campsites and open field surrounding it.