Prairie Island Campground — Hotel in Winona

Went to the campground last night, Saturday for their Campfire Concert Series pt 2.on what my weather app said would be the most perfect night. I had emailed earlier n the week to inquire about attending the gig despite not being a camper? Owner Jamie had responded it was open to the public. As we turned in we were too busy looking off in the distances to notice that the stage was RIGHT there next to the Camp Store and just steps from the parking lot! When we sauntered up with our chairs we were pleasantly surprised to see a ring of a dozen chairs around a fire pit. There were even a couple of food trucks in the parking lot, what a wonderful offering. Also took in the sights of the tall sunflowers in a... are those tomatoes? Is that a garden? Along the wall of the Store was all bikes; I didn't inquire if they were rentals or just for any camper to use; regardless a nice offering. While the band was soundchecking I took notice of a woman setting up paints on the two picnic tables n front of the Store... a kids or family activity, flag making? How fun! It was time for the set to start.... the vocalist gave a shout out to owners Jamie and Ann. Jamie took to the microphone to welcome everyone and talk about the campground and how it gives back. I apologize I don't recall all that was said or the definitions. He mentioned the community garden and hat if the crops are laying on the table, help yourself. The campground is part of the SHIP Grant..,so it gets money from the state for the garden and to host these events; despite possibly not being accurate in my description it was an interesting and lovely note. So my review isn't about actually camping but.... if I were to get back in to camping, Prairie Island would be on the top of my list!! From my seat I could see the Fish Cleaning house, a bathroom and the river. Thank you Prairie Island for an enjoyable outdoor event in the most welcoming of venues and wonderful hospitality! As I scanned around during soundcheck... I appreciated that once the gig began you brought out a hat on a racket for band tips! Then mid-show a guy picked it up and brought it around for people to put in their money; very cool. Don't skip past Prairie Island if you're looking for an outdoor getaway.....this place definitely had the nostalgia pumping hard for my youth and all the camping my parents had us doing all summer long. Thank you for all he emotions Prairie Island... last night was hello but certainly not good-bye.....it was... I will be back....to stay and take in all your beuty...

I have camped at Prairie Island Campground for 20 years. I have to say I read a bunch of reviews of Prairie Island Campground this year and I just can't agree with them 100 percent. First I checked in without a reservation/the attendant at the counter in the office seemed annoyed from the start of our conversation, I will chalk that up to having a bad day. That is not why I am giving it a Two Stars. We stayed for two nights with really no issues at all excepts when having to use the bathrooms. The out house on the far side towards the spill way was DISGUSTING!!! Now in all the years of camping here I have never smelt it soooooo nasty before and there are years that I have brought air fresher to spray in there. I feel like someone should be checking on this considering the campground was not very busy for the weekend. There was no covering up the smell or the fact that someone pooped on the seat. so we just decided to drive up to the front to use the restrooms. I went up at 12:30am to take a shower which is right after cleaning time and the bathroom was very dirty. The Toilets had dirty tissue stuffed on the side of the toilets and on the floor it just didn't feel like it was just cleaned a hour before. Also the floors in the shower were gritty. The swimming area which used to have a dock for the kids to jump off of is gone. I don't understand why? The beach is just not the same without it. The play area up front is gone but I am hoping not forever because it is a little crazy to have kids crossing the parking lot to play..... The good that came out of this weekend is the firewood was decently priced and the spots are spacey. And we as a family made the camping what it was. I feel a little like it is not as family friendly as it use to be. I will check back next year if we come back or just stay with...

We stayed at the Prairie Island Campground for a week as we visited family in Winona. The location is so beautiful on the Mississippi River. We had a back-in space that looked out to the river. The site was spacious, but it was grass, so it was a little precarious when it rained and there was a giant puddle in front of our rig. But it worked out fine because when the rain stopped, everything dried up. This park does not have full hookups (no sewer). They have a dump station, and also a service where you can pay $20 to schedule a once a week sewer service (which we did, and it worked out fine). We didn't spend a lot of time at the campground because we were there to visit family, but it's a really pretty location on Prairie Island. Winona itself is a really cool small city with a university, two lakes with walking trails around them, and a lot going on! We would stay at this...