Review: KOA near Shakopee/Jordan, MN

[AustinBoston]

Minneapolis Southwest KOA
3315 West 166th Street
Jordan, MN 55352

(952) 492-6440

We stayed there in mid-September.

This is a typical KOA (a.k.a. Kamping On Ashphalt).  We stayed there this past weekend because of it's proximity to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival 2 miles north.  Like most KOA's, being close to the highway is their main feature, which means you will hear traffic on U.S. Highway 169 all night.  We also heard train and jet traffic, although that did not go late into the night.  Our site was one of the farthest from the highway.

The campground is clean and well maintained, with about 110 sites, most were about average in size, a few were fairly small.  Most sites are grassy with some tree coverage; a few had no trees at all.  I would estimate about half were pull-through sites.  For a central Minnesota campground, it is more uneven than most; our site (#44) required us to use a 6" thick block under one of the stabilizers, and we used all 10 of the our Lynx levelers to get level.  On the opposite corner, the stabilizer was almost touiching the ground even before we started lowering it.  It felt like "Kamping on Stilts."  Most sites have at least some hookups; ours had 20 amp electrical and water; there are some with sewer hookups, 30A, and 50A electrical.  The fire pits were the typical truck tire rims, but they were set into the ground, making them easy to step into in the dark.

The restrooms were clean and well maintained, the showers about average.  The only restrooms are attached to the camp store/office building.  They have an indoor heated pool which was the perfect thing after spending all day on our feet.  One thing about the pool - the floor covering around the pool was great for draining excess water, but not comfortable to walk on when barefoot.  

They have two playgrounds that seemed to be in good condition, with a thick layer of coarse sand as a base.  One of the playgrounds is restricted to under 5 years old; I did not see this playground.  The other area has swings, slides, horseshoes, a volleyball court, and an open, grassy area.  I did not see the game room or mini-golf.

The store had basic groceries (milk, bread, pop, chips, etc.) and camp goods.  Prices were typically high.  There is propane and a laundry available on-site.  The dumpstation might be tricky to use with some large units because of it's location (on a 90

[mjsmith1223]

How did you enjoy the Renaissance Fair?  I haven't been to it since about 1990 or 1991 because I moved away.  We always had a great time though.  Very entertaining.  Of course, we had to have the roasted turkey leg for lunch.

Mike

[PJay]

How did you enjoy the Renaissance Fair?  I haven't been to it since about 1990 or 1991 because I moved away.  We always had a great time though.  Very entertaining.  Of course, we had to have the roasted turkey leg for lunch.

Mike

Hi Mike,

We had a great time there.  We actually went on both Saturday and Sunday.  Our DD and SIL were celebrating their 2nd wedding anniversary and had tickets for Feast of Fantasy on Sunday.

We also had our not quite 1 year old grandaughter with us and EVERYONE wanted her picture, as I had dressed her up to look like a rag-a-muffin.

The turkey legs are still THE thing to purchase and eat.  The entertainment is well worth stopping for.  There are still the over 21 groups and I personally avoid those.

Do a google search on Renaissance Festivals by state, you may find that there is one closer than you realized before now.

[TBee]

Austin,
We have a pop-up & live in Jordan and can understand your complaints.  There is a state campground (Lawrence Unit Minn River Valley) a few miles away which you may like better although it's rustic.  we're always looking for peaceful places to camp.  seems like it's trial & error. sometimes you hit a great place but a bad time (i.e. Saturday night drunk partyers)  

Where are you located?  any recommendations?

Minneapolis Southwest KOA
3315 West 166th Street
Jordan, MN 55352

(952) 492-6440

We stayed there in mid-September.

This is a typical KOA (a.k.a. Kamping On Ashphalt).  We stayed there this past weekend because of it's proximity to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival 2 miles north.  Like most KOA's, being close to the highway is their main feature, which means you will hear traffic on U.S. Highway 169 all night.  We also heard train and jet traffic, although that did not go late into the night.  Our site was one of the farthest from the highway.

The campground is clean and well maintained, with about 110 sites, most were about average in size, a few were fairly small.  Most sites are grassy with some tree coverage; a few had no trees at all.  I would estimate about half were pull-through sites.  For a central Minnesota campground, it is more uneven than most; our site (#44) required us to use a 6" thick block under one of the stabilizers, and we used all 10 of the our Lynx levelers to get level.  On the opposite corner, the stabilizer was almost touiching the ground even before we started lowering it.  It felt like "Kamping on Stilts."  Most sites have at least some hookups; ours had 20 amp electrical and water; there are some with sewer hookups, 30A, and 50A electrical.  The fire pits were the typical truck tire rims, but they were set into the ground, making them easy to step into in the dark.

The restrooms were clean and well maintained, the showers about average.  The only restrooms are attached to the camp store/office building.  They have an indoor heated pool which was the perfect thing after spending all day on our feet.  One thing about the pool - the floor covering around the pool was great for draining excess water, but not comfortable to walk on when barefoot.  

They have two playgrounds that seemed to be in good condition, with a thick layer of coarse sand as a base.  One of the playgrounds is restricted to under 5 years old; I did not see this playground.  The other area has swings, slides, horseshoes, a volleyball court, and an open, grassy area.  I did not see the game room or mini-golf.

The store had basic groceries (milk, bread, pop, chips, etc.) and camp goods.  Prices were typically high.  There is propane and a laundry available on-site.  The dumpstation might be tricky to use with some large units because of it's location (on a 90