With 1200 acres of open fields, miles of trails, shady forests and a meandering river to explore, Camp Stearns is an ideal spot for a summer family get-away!
Experience our newest family vacation opportunity where you can stay in a fully furnished yurt, cabin or in your own tent. Choose your length of stay and take full advantage of the properties self-serve amenities for activities like exploring, hiking, biking, boating, and swimming.
We are extending this family campground opportunity to all families in the community as a way to introduce the benefits available when participating in a Scouting program.
Some Activities You'll Do
NATURE TRAIL
Day or night, our nature trails make your hike even more exciting.
CAMPFIRES
A toasty campfire is often the focus of any campout.
PEDAL CARTS
All the fun of go-karts combined with biking at camp!
BOATING
Boating can enrich an experience at camp whether it's just something you do for an hour or if it is the center of your outing.
FISHING
Fishing is a great way to connect with nature, relieve some stress, learn how our ancestors used to acquire food, and more!
DISC GOLF
Can you toss a frisbee? If the answer is yes than you can try outthis cool activity.
GEOCACHING
Geocachingis an orienteering course using hand-held GPS units.
HIKING
Hiking at camp is a fantastic way to enjoy the environment.
BIKING
Hit the trails on a bike and explore the trails in a new way
Yurts
Yurts are round canvas structures with wood floors, doors, window panels and an operable skylight in the domed roof! Yurts range in size from 20ft to 30ft in diameter and sleep 5 to 7 people.
Furniture: Yurts have a futon, side chair, side tables, small dining set and a twin over full size bunk bed.
Electricity: Yurts have electrical outlets and built in overhead lighting.
Cooking: Yurts include a small refrigerator, microwave and counter for food storage. We recommend keeping all food in secure scent-proof containers. No open flame cooking or candles are allowed inside of yurts. Crockpots and small appliances are acceptable. A picnic table and fire ring area for cooking is available outside.
Water/Bathrooms: Yurts do not have indoor plumbing but are located very close to a full-service shower house with flush toilets, hot water and showers. A spigot for water is located between each yurt site.
Yard: Yurts have a small deck as well as adjoining yard area with picnic table, fire ring and space for activities.
Internet: Camp-wide Wi-Fi is not available at this time. Verizon and Sprint are the strongest signals for cell coverage.
Cabins
Two cozy sleeping cabins are available on the camp property. Both have separate bedrooms. Each facility sleeps between 5 to 7 people.
Furniture: Each cabin has a sitting area with a futon/couch and a side chair. Each cabin has a dining set that seats four to six, with space to set up an additional table. Sleeping spaces include a full-size bed and bunk beds.
Electricity: All cabins have electricity.
Cooking: Cabins contain full or partial kitchens with refrigeration. Each is equipped with cooking supplies and dishware for eight.
Water/Bathrooms: Cabins have full indoor plumbing and ¾ baths.
Yards: Cabins have a yard area with picnic table, fire ring, a small deck, and space for activities.
Internet: Camp-wide Wi-Fi is not available at this time. Verizon and Sprint are the strongest signals for cell coverage.
Campsites
All campsites include a space large enough to accommodate a 10-person tent, a picnic table, a fire ring, and access to a water spigot. Outdoor primitive toilets and full shower/toilet building are nearby.
WHO CAN RESERVE?
We are extending this family campground opportunity to all families in the community as a way to introduce the benefits available when participating in a Scouting program.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
- Yurts (5 person): $60/night
- Yurts (7 person): $70/night
- Cabins: $75/night
- Campsite: $20/night
WHEN ARE RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE?
Families can make reservations for any day between June and August of every year.
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE?
Camp Stearns offers opportunities for self-served activities. Self-serve activities includes hiking, biking (bring your own bike), fishing, boating (canoes, rowboats, and paddleboats are available), swimming (no lifeguard on duty at the beach), geocaching, disc golf, pedal karts (equipment provided), campfires and more.
Families also love to bring games, skill kits, sports equipment, and more to do on their own!
WHAT IS NEARBY FOR LOCAL RECREATION?
Camp Stearns is in a popular cabin area for many Minnesota residents. Check out this website for a list of local activities you can pursue outside of camp.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING?
All bedding, food, personal items, clothing, towels, dishwashing supplies, cookware (yurts/campsites), dishes (yurts/campsites), and basic gear to support your campout.
DOES CAMP PROVIDE FOOD?
Families are responsible for providing all of their own food. Refrigeration is available for both yurts and cabins. Local grocery stores are within a 20-minute drive if you need to resupply.
Can I Cook in a Yurt?
Yurts include a small refrigerator, microwave and counter for food storage. We recommend keeping all food in secure scent-proof containers. No open flame cooking or candles are allowed inside of yurts. Crockpots and small appliances are acceptable. A picnic table and fire ring area for cooking is available outside.
WHEN IS CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT?
Check in is available beginning at 3 p.m. on your day of arrival and we ask all families to check out at 11 a.m. on day of departure.
WHAT ARE YOUR REFUND AND CANCELATION POLICIES?
Cancelations can be made up to 3 weeks in advance for a full refund less the non-refundable deposit.
WHAT ARE YOUR POLICES ON PETS, Drinking, and SMOKING?
We apologize, but you’ll have to leave your pets at home as we have a collective no pets policy. Alcohol is not allowed on any of our camp properties. Smoking is limited to designated areas and should not be done around other camp participants.
HOW DO I GET TO CAMP STEARNS?
The address for Stearns is 3303 County Road 44, South Haven, MN, 55382. Standard map software and applications such as Google Maps will recognize this address and lead you directly to the camp gate.
From the Twin Cities Metro, head west on Interstate 94. Take Exit 178 at Clearwater. Turn left on County Road 24 and follow the signs to camp.
We have lots of self-serve activities that will be perfect for the whole family.
Self-Served Activities
Here are some self-serve activities that your family can do around camp!
- Swimming (no lifeguard on duty at the beach)
- Hiking
- Biking (bring your own bike)
- Fishing
- Boating (canoes, rowboats, and paddleboats are available)
- Geocaching
- Disc Golf
- Pedal Karts (equipment provided)
- Bounce Pillow
- Campfires
Families also love to bring games, craft supplies, skill kits, sports equipment and more to do on their own!
Program Locations
Akela Lodge
Located just a short walk away from the yurts and campsites is a free space for families to use for their different needs. There is a small kitchen that Yurt and Campsite users can use for cooking. The lodge also has a seating area and patio that families can use for eating, playing board games, and hanging out. There will be many different craft projects campers can do on their own.
Family Camp is a "choose your own dates" style outing. Stay as long as you choose!