Minneapolis Southwest KOA Holiday Review
A snapshot from the road as we made our way into Minnesota, marking the start of our stay just outside Minneapolis.
Location + Stay Info
📍 Location: Jordan, Minnesota
📅 Stayed: 8/23/25 - 9/6/25
⏳ Length: 14 Days
🏕 Type: KOA (KOA Membership)
Located southwest of Minneapolis, this campground offers a very standard camping experience with trees, gravel roads, and a peaceful atmosphere at night. Nothing flashy, just a simple and comfortable place to stay.
While there isn’t much directly around the campground, you’re about 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. That gave us access to great experiences like the farmers market, the Minnesota State Fair, and plenty of amazing food spots.
One standout nearby was “Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store,” which absolutely lives up to its name and is worth a stop.
Ratings
Overall Rating: 3.0 / 5
Location: 2 / 5
Cleanliness: 3 / 5
Site Quality: 2 / 5
Amenities: 3 / 5
Family Friendly: 4 / 5
Dog Friendly: 4 / 5
Connectivity (Cellphone + Starlink): 3 / 5
Quick Take
What We Loved:
Friendly staff who were clearly working hard to maintain and improve the campground. The hayrides were a fun touch, especially for families.
Things To Know:
Dust from the rock roads is constant. Tree maintenance is needed in several areas, and pet waste was an issue during our stay.
Best For:
Campers who enjoy a more natural, state park-style setting with lots of trees and a quieter atmosphere at night.
Would We Stay Again?
No
Photos
Full Review
The Campground
Our first impression was that the campground felt a bit tight, especially during our stay. We were there around Labor Day weekend with both the State Fair and Renaissance Fair happening, so the park was completely full.
Check-in was quick and easy. Pull in, head to the office, provide your information, and you’re on your way to your site within minutes.
As you make your way through the campground, you’ll notice a lot of trees surrounding the property. The layout is a large outer loop with a few connecting paths, and once you get to your site, things open up slightly, though spacing can still feel close depending on where you’re parked.
Our site was a back-in spot along the outer loop. It had full hookups, which was great, but the space itself had some challenges. A large electrical box took up part of our site, and the fence behind us was falling apart, which took away from the overall feel.
Level: Close enough
Spacing: Tight but manageable
Access: Tight but doable if you take your time
The campground layout is simple and easy to navigate, but because of how full it was, it could feel a bit crowded during the day.
During our stay, the overall vibe was busy but quiet at night. Even with a full park, people were respectful in the evenings, which made it more enjoyable once things settled down.
Amenities include:
Indoor swimming pool
Mini golf
Bike rentals
Hayrides
Ice cream socials
Family activities and crafts
We didn’t personally use many of the amenities, but the hayrides stood out as something families really seemed to enjoy.
One thing we noticed throughout our stay was how often the staff was out working on the property. They were actively adding rock to the roads, smoothing things out, and working on repairs, which shows they’re putting in effort to improve the campground.
One thing worth noting:
The rock roads create a constant layer of dust, and combined with tight spacing, tree overgrowth, and some areas needing maintenance, it made it less enjoyable to spend extended time outside at our site.
Local Eats
K-ChiMac’s yangnyeom spicy boneless thighs were delicious!
We found some really solid food options during our stay.
K-ChiMac was a standout. We ordered the Yangnyeom spicy boneless thighs, and they were incredible. Juicy, packed with flavor, and just the right amount of heat.
We would absolutely go back.
Hmong Village in St. Paul
Another must-visit is Hmong Village in St. Paul. If you enjoy Asian cuisine, this place is a hidden gem with over 15 food vendors, and everything we tried was excellent.
The Drive & Area
The drive into the area from West Salem, WI was beautiful and enjoyable. Once closer to the campground, construction required a bit more attention, but overall it was an easy trip.
Road Conditions: Good with some construction
Traffic: Busy since we traveled on a Saturday
Towing: Easy overall
The immediate area around the campground is more industrial and business-focused, so you’ll need to head into Jordan or Minneapolis for most activities.
One fun nearby stop is Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store. It’s more than just a store. Each section is themed, including Star Wars and Disney areas, making it a fun experience to walk through.
If you have time, take a drive along Flying Cloud Drive between Pioneer Trail and Chestnut Blvd. You’ll get a great view of the city in the distance as you pass a large lake.
Connectivity
We tested T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T during our stay.
T-Mobile performed the best with a strong signal and reliable speeds. Overall, cellular service was good enough for daily use and working remotely.
Starlink did not perform well here due to heavy tree coverage. We experienced frequent drops throughout the day.
Cell Signal: Strong (T-Mobile best)
Starlink: Poor due to obstructions
We were still able to make it work using cellular, but this is not an ideal campground if you rely heavily on Starlink.
Would We Stay Again?
No
We would return to the Minneapolis area, but not to this campground. For the price we paid, about $1,200 for two weeks, it didn’t match the value we expected.
That said, the staff was friendly and clearly working to improve the property. It just wasn’t the right fit for us.
Campground Information
🌐 Visit Website and Book → https://koa.com/campgrounds/minneapolis-southwest/
📍 Address: 3315 West 166th Street, Jordan, MN 55352
📞 Phone: 952-492-6440
🕒 Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday, 9 AM – 7 PM
Friday, 9 AM – 9 PM
Saturday, 8 AM – 9 PM
Sunday, 8 AM – 7 PM
💡 Booking Tip:
This campground fills up quickly during holidays, so booking in advance is highly recommended.
Good to Know:
This campground is open seasonally from April 19 through October 19. Heavy tree coverage throughout the park can impact Starlink performance, so plan accordingly if you rely on satellite internet.
Final Thoughts
A hardworking staff and shaded, nature-filled setting help this campground stand out, but dust, tight spacing, and overall upkeep made it fall short for us, even though it might be a great fit for someone who prefers a more rustic camping experience.
