Kamp Dels has been a family-owned campground in Waterville, Minnesota since 1955 and is consistently ranked as one of the best family campgrounds in the entire country. Just one hour south of the Twin Cities, it's the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a full week of family fun with your Adventure Camper travel trailer.
Why Kamp Dels Is Perfect for Families
Kamp Dels isn't just a campground — it's a full-blown family resort in the woods. Ranked the 2nd best campground for families in the US, it delivers the rare combination of wide-open outdoor camping and resort-level amenities. Kids will never run out of things to do, and parents get to relax knowing everything is right on-site.
The campground sits on Sakatah Lake, surrounded by rolling southern Minnesota farmland and connected to the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail for biking and hiking.
The Waterpark
The crown jewel of Kamp Dels is the 38,000 square foot waterpark. This isn't a pool with a slide — it's a full waterpark complex with multiple water slides, an AquaClimb climbing wall, swimming pools, and splash areas for younger kids. It's included with your campsite reservation, so there's no extra charge. On a hot Minnesota summer day, this is where the whole family will spend the afternoon.
Activities for Every Age
Kamp Dels packs in an incredible variety of activities beyond the waterpark:
- On the water — Paddleboats and canoes on Sakatah Lake, plus a stocked fishing pond for kids
- Animals — Petting zoo and pony rides that younger kids absolutely love
- Sports — Mini golf, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball, and softball fields
- Play areas — Multiple playgrounds spread across the campground
- Fitness — On-site fitness center for the adults
You could camp here for a full week and never do the same thing twice.
Campsite Info
Kamp Dels has about 200 grass and gravel campsites with options to fit any setup:
- Full hookup sites — Water, sewer, and electric (20/30/50 amp service available)
- Water and electric sites — For rigs that don't need sewer hookups
- Pull-through and back-in sites — Pull-throughs make setup easy, especially with larger trailers
- Every site includes a fire ring — Perfect for evening s'mores and campfire stories
Getting There from Minneapolis
Kamp Dels is about 65 miles south of the Twin Cities — roughly a 1-hour drive down I-35.
Directions: Take I-35 south from Minneapolis to Faribault, then head east on MN-60 to Waterville. The campground is at 14842 Sakatah Lake Rd, Waterville, MN. Easy highway driving the whole way, with no tricky back roads or tight turns to worry about with a trailer in tow.
Tips for Camping at Kamp Dels
- Book early for summer weekends — Kamp Dels is extremely popular. Reserve your campsite as early as possible, especially for June, July, and August.
- Request a full hookup pull-through — If you're new to towing, pull-through sites eliminate the need to back in your trailer.
- Pack bikes — The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail runs right through the area, offering 39 miles of paved biking.
- Bring fishing gear — Between the stocked fishing pond and Sakatah Lake, there are plenty of opportunities to wet a line.
- Season runs April 20 to October 10 — Plan accordingly. Early and late season dates are quieter and cooler.
Nearby Attractions
- Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail — 39-mile paved trail connecting Mankato to Faribault
- Sakatah Lake State Park — Hiking trails through hardwood forest and a quieter lakeside setting
- Faribault — 20 minutes west, with the Faribault Woolen Mill, antique shops, and restaurants
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park — About 30 minutes away, one of the last remnants of the Big Woods forest
- Owatonna — 25 minutes south, featuring the stunning Norwest Bank building and Village of Yesteryear
