Crystal Springs RV Resort

As the campground (CG) is right off the interstate, it was easy to get to. Our check-in package was ready when we arrived at the little self-registration building at the entrance. We had requested site 40, where we had stayed two years ago, but they gave us back-in site 41 instead on the little lake. The utilities are in the middle of the site and worked well with water pressure near 45 psi. The sites are decently spaced for this type of CG. They have WiFi, but their info packet states it's not good enough for streaming but okay for email, etc. We got 3 bars on Verizon and used our MiFi since we were only here for two nights. The CG is right off I-35, so you do get some highway noise. This CG is very well kept, with mostly seasonal and permanent parties. We came in with two other 5th wheels and had no problem getting sites, but we did reserve well before our arrival. There was not a formal dog park, but there was plenty of area to walk your dog. We noted that this CG was featured in RV Life’s 2023 Discover The Best RV Parks & Resorts In Every State with this narrative: "This family-owned campground prides itself on cleanliness; there is an owner on-site around the clock to ensure it stays in top condition. The park is beautifully landscaped and has both pull-thru and back-in sites. All sites (some are waterfront) are level and offer full hookups and free Wi-Fi. There are onsite restrooms and laundry facilities that are kept sparkling clean. They also offer a lending library of books and movies. There is a large pond on the property that is perfect for fishing, kayaking, and other water sports, and there is a walking path that circles the pond."  Check out the Spam Museum in Austin, MN. We thought the museum would be cheesy, but it was a nice facility and a great experience. The CG deserved this praise, and we again enjoyed our stay.

This is the first place we ever stayed in an RV (a few days last October). It made a wonderful impression on us, so we came back for the whole season this year, and reserved the same spot for the whole season next year!! Galen, Kurt and Kari are all so nice. They work hard to make this park beautiful. We often see them toiling away before sun up and long after dark. The road to the park is compacted gravel but it’s not a wash board, and not particularly dusty, since it’s oiled a couple times each season. The road has already been graded twice since we arrived on May 1st. The road in the park is also compacted gravel and oiled a few times. The spots are long, level gravel and plenty wide (2 trucks fit side by side) with trees and grass between them. Hook ups are easy and well-placed. Each site has a nice picnic table and metal fire pit (you can order bundles of wood from the owners, and they’re good bundles, not just skinny little sticks that burn up in a minute). You can put down your outdoor rugs, too, if you want! In the community room building, there are two private bathroom/shower rooms that are immaculate, with fantastic water pressure. My better half is 6’4” and still has room between the top of his head and the shower head! The wheelchair accessible shower has a fold-down seat bolted to the wall and nice textured hand rails, which are also installed for the toilet. Hand soap and paper towel dispensers are hands-free. There are also two washers and two dryers in the same building as the bathrooms that are also kept in great condition. This is a quiet place, very relaxing. There are table and lawn games available in the community room (lots of folks gather to play cards or stitch with their friends, too) whenever the urge strikes. The owners have Bingo, potlucks and donut activities once a month so everyone can come meet their neighbors, which is really nice. There is a walking path around the grounds and the lake. The small lake on the property is catch and release, and has some pretty big fish in it!! Shopping, food and entertainment will require a trip up or down 35 to Owatonna, Albert Lea or Austin, and the casino is only about 30 minutes away. This park is our home until October and we’re already looking forward to next year.

Initially I thought it sounded awfully expensive for a stopover. But it was such a beautiful, clean, and quiet setting that I soon realized what I was paying for ($45/night). Access is convenient to I-35 but surprisingly, little or no highway sound. The laundry room was very clean and inexpensive to use. The roads and sites are level throughout, although it's all gravel. The pond is stocked - our neighbor caught a 3 lb. bass while we were visiting with him! And the owner is very nice. The only drawback is that young trees planted over the last few years are not being trimmed as they grow, and are going to be an issue after this year's growth. We travel in a 40' Class A and we don't like leaves and branches touching our coach, no matter how small they are now. I hope that won't be the case when we return, which we will. Otherwise, this is a perfect 10. P.S. Don't forget to stop in Ellendale (1 mile away) at the cafe for breakfast. Or Cabella's and Camping World 20 minutes north on I-35. P.P.S. They are no longer affiliated with FMCA.

Arrived in the rain to find a self-service check in. Provided paperwork was quite explicit about not driving on their grass. Having ‘Goggled’ it, I knew these were back-in right angle sites. Fortunately our site was fronted by a huge vacant site that I could use. Our arriving neighbor did the same, but his site was not aligned as ours & it was a challenge. Our waterfront site is spectacular. As I write this, I’m watching a fisherwoman catch (& release) what appears to be the same fish over & over. 2 washers & dryers that we took advantage of before the storm that greeted our arrival passed. The frontage road isn’t paved, but in good shape. Our black SoCal FX4 is so dirty it actually looks like it’s been off-roading! Internet, which I mandate for a top rating, is fine for basic stuff, but is not intended for streaming. No cable, but good over the air. Couldn’t find much to do in the immediate area, but over our 3 night stay we enjoyed the Spam Visitors Center in Austin & an excellent Calvary Chapel in Rochester.

The park had easy access off I-35; right off the frontage road. Self check-in (due to COVID) at the small office building was quick and easy. We then proceeded to easy back-in site 41 with FHUs. Crystal Springs was a very nice park with mostly permanent or seasonal residents. The park was clean and not junky as some parks with long term residents tend to be. There was a lake where the owners plan on putting additional pull-thru sites on the other side as the park currently only has 2 pull thru sites. There was also plenty of area to walk the dogs. Interstate noise was noticeable where we were located near the front of the park. We got decent Verizon and AT&T plus a few OTA channels. We could have put out our satellite but did not since we were just there one night. We would definitely stay again if in the area.

This was a beautifully maintained place to stop for the night. The sites were nicely edged and level. The resort was clean and you could tell the owners took pride in the appearance. The staff was friendly and accommodating. We only stayed one night, so we didn't have much experience with the facilities. Easy access to I-35. There was a little freeway noise, but not excessive. I would absolutely stay here again.