Cottingham Park

For Minnesotans seeking a classic camping experience filled with outdoor adventure and cherished family memories, Cottingham Park Campground in Staples stands out as a beloved destination. Located in Wadena County, this popular park is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it's a vibrant hub for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a blend of rustic charm and diverse recreational opportunities. As evidenced by reviews, it's a place where families return year after year to celebrate milestones and create lasting traditions, truly embodying the spirit of Minnesota's outdoor lifestyle.

Cottingham Park is known for its picturesque setting and its commitment to providing a welcoming environment for a variety of activities. From the tranquility of a lakeside picnic to the excitement of river tubing, this campground caters to a wide range of interests. Whether you're a local family looking for a convenient birthday celebration spot or an ATV enthusiast seeking trails, Cottingham Park aims to deliver a memorable and enjoyable experience in the heart of central Minnesota.

Cottingham Park Campground is situated at 25701 Co Rd 7, Staples, MN 56479, USA. This location places it within Wadena County, just south of the Wahoo Valley, and importantly, along the Crow Wing River. Staples, MN, itself is a charming town in central Minnesota, offering convenient access to the park for both local residents and those traveling from further afield within the state.

The park's accessibility is one of its strong points. County Road 7 provides a direct route to the campground, ensuring relatively easy arrival for vehicles of all sizes, including those towing campers or horse trailers. Its proximity to the Crow Wing River is also a major advantage, as the river is a popular waterway for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing. Cottingham Park serves as a noted "landing spot for tubes and canoes," making it a practical and convenient starting or ending point for river adventures. Furthermore, the park is part of a larger trail system, providing easy access to nature walks, horseback riding, and ATV trails. This blend of roadside access and integration into regional recreational networks makes Cottingham Park highly accessible for Minnesotans looking for diverse outdoor pursuits.

Cottingham Park Campground, as a Wadena County-owned property, provides essential services and amenities that support a rustic yet comfortable camping and recreational experience. While categorized as "primitive," it offers more than just undeveloped land.

• Primitive Campsites: The campground offers primitive sites, each typically including a picnic table and a fire ring. These sites are designed for a more traditional, back-to-basics camping experience, accommodating tents and smaller RVs in designated parking areas (no hookups).

• Affordable Camping Fees: Camping fees are notably affordable at $15 per site per night, making it a budget-friendly option for families and groups.

• Outhouses: Basic restroom facilities are provided in the form of outhouses, maintaining the primitive nature of the campground.

• Hand-Pumped Water Sources: Potable water is accessible via hand pumps, offering a traditional camping convenience.

• Limited Firewood Supply: A limited amount of block firewood is supplied at county-operated campgrounds, including Cottingham Park, for use in fire rings.

• Picnicking Facilities: The park is very popular for picnicking, with numerous picnic tables available for day visitors and campers.

• Swimming Access: Cottingham Park is known as a popular spot for swimming, likely offering designated areas for water enjoyment.

• River Landing Spot: It serves as a convenient landing spot for tubes and canoes on the Crow Wing River, facilitating river-based recreation.

• Trails Access: The park provides access to multi-use trails for walking, hiking, horseback riding, and ATV riding, including a through-trail connecting to Bullard's Bluff Park.

• Equestrian Accommodations: Uniquely, Cottingham Park has campsites available specifically for accommodating horse enthusiasts, offering dedicated spaces for those traveling with horses.

• Ideal for Family Celebrations: Customer reviews highlight its suitability for family gatherings, with one noting, "We love to camp here every May and July we camp here for our kids birthdays 🎂." This underscores its family-friendly atmosphere and capacity for creating cherished memories.

• Popular for Picnicking and Swimming: Cottingham Park is widely recognized as a very popular spot for both picnicking and swimming, offering direct access to enjoyable water and green spaces.

• Multi-Use Trail Access: The park is part of a 56-acre property owned by Wadena County with trails for walking, horseback riding, and ATV riding. A connecting trail to Bullard's Bluff Park provides approximately 2.5 miles of nature walking and recreational opportunities.

• Equestrian-Friendly Camping: A unique highlight is the provision of campsites designed to accommodate horse enthusiasts, making it a rare and valuable destination for equestrians in Minnesota.

• Crow Wing River Access: Its location on the Crow Wing River makes it a prime spot for river activities. It's a popular landing point for tubes and canoes, offering convenient access to the river for floating adventures.

• Rustic and Peaceful Setting: Despite its popularity, the campground offers a quiet, picturesque, and family-oriented setting. The primitive nature of the sites contributes to a serene escape into nature.

• Community and Group Friendly: The park is evidently suitable for groups, as indicated by the review, "Best week of the summer spent with the Roamers 4x4 Lions club of Fargo ND," suggesting it can accommodate club outings and group events.

• Affordable Outdoor Recreation: With a low nightly camping fee, Cottingham Park provides an accessible and budget-friendly option for experiencing the joys of camping and outdoor activities in Minnesota.

Address: 25701 Co Rd 7, Staples, MN 56479, USA

Phone: (218) 631-7604

Mobile Phone: +1 218-631-7604

Cottingham Park Campground is managed by Wadena County Parks. For specific inquiries regarding campsite availability (as most are first-come, first-served), current conditions, trail information, or any other details about the park, contacting the Wadena County Parks Department directly is the best approach. The provided phone numbers are likely the primary means of contact. It's always advisable to call ahead, especially during peak season or for information on group gatherings, to ensure you have the latest updates for your visit.

For Minnesotans, Cottingham Park Campground in Staples represents an ideal embodiment of the state's beloved outdoor culture. Its suitability for locals stems from its combination of affordability, diverse recreational offerings, and its reputation as a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

The fact that families "love to camp here every May and July for our kids birthdays" speaks volumes about its role as a consistent, cherished destination for local celebrations and traditions. This regular patronage highlights its reliability and the positive experiences it consistently provides. For those in central Minnesota, Cottingham Park offers an accessible escape that doesn't require extensive travel, making it perfect for weekend getaways or shorter, spontaneous trips.

Furthermore, the park's multi-use appeal caters directly to the varied interests of Minnesota residents. Whether someone is looking to spend a day swimming or picnicking, embark on a multi-mile hike, explore ATV trails, or even bring their horses for an equestrian camping experience, Cottingham Park has something to offer. Its position as a popular landing spot for Crow Wing River tubing and canoeing further solidifies its status as a cornerstone for local water recreation. The primitive nature of the campsites, coupled with essential amenities, provides an authentic camping experience that many Minnesotans value – a chance to connect with nature without excessive frills. Cottingham Park is more than just a campground; it’s a community resource that consistently provides a setting for outdoor fun, relaxation, and memorable moments for the people of Minnesota.

Cottingham Park

25701 Co Rd 7, Staples, MN 56479, USA