Campground FAQs

How can I apply for a campsite?

Applications for general public camping will be available online on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The site will go live at 9 a.m. and will be open for 24 hours. After May 30, 2025 and throughout the summer, you may call the campground office to be added to the waiting list. If you’re a State Fair employee or concessionaire, call the campground office for information about applying for a campsite.

How many days can I ask for?

The campground is open for 20 days, beginning six days before the State Fair starts. You may apply for as few as one day or as many as 20 days.

How do you decide who gets a spot?

The campground is popular; we receive far more reservation requests than we can fill. We fill the sites first-come, first-served depending on camper dimensions and requested dates. Because there are many people applying online at the same moment; the applications are timed to the thousandth of a second. The more flexible you can be with your dates, the better your chances of getting a reservation. Our most requested days are Thursday, Friday and Saturday of opening weekend; this makes them the hardest to get.

What information will I need for the online application?

You’ll be asked for your name, contact information, number of people staying and requested dates (and if you’ll accept fewer or alternate days). You will need to identify the type of camper you have and give exact measurements of the length and width in feet and inches. You’ll be asked if you’ll have a pulling vehicle or any extra vehicles. If you’re bringing a tent, you’ll also need the dimensions.

Why do I have to have exact measurements?

Most campers are sold by interior/living length, however, the Minnesota State Fair campground registration asks for the full exterior length of your unit. In our campground, inches count. We assign campsites trusting you’ve done your homework with a tape measure. Our sites vary in length; the absolute limit for width for a slide-out camper is 14’. Misrepresentation of camper dimensions will result in the loss of campsite. If you have a hitch or spare tire, include them in your length measurement. Forget guessing. Measure. You’ll be happy you did.

When will I know if I have a campsite?

We will begin processing applications on May 30. You’ll know by July 18, 2025, if we can fulfill your request.

When do I pay?

If we can offer you a campsite, we’ll send a request with instructions to make a $30 nonrefundable deposit to hold your site. You’ll have two weeks to get the payment to the campground office. The balance is paid the day you arrive.

Can I invite guests to my campsite? Where do they park?

Guests are welcome in the campground; you will meet them at the campground gate so they can get a wristband. Your guests can purchase a parking pass in the campground office to use the North Yellow Lot (formerly Camel Lot).