We stayed at Dakota Meadows RV Park at the Mystic Lake Casino in Shakopee, Minnesota when we visit family. Claimed as the Twin Cities premier RV Park, it’s literally steps away from blackjack tables, slots and entertainment venues. But it’s also near Minneapolis’ Mall of America, Valley Fair, and Cleary Lake Regional Park as well as many other fun things to do in the area. However, our review may not be what you expect.
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Dakota Meadows RV Park
Campground/RV Park: Dakota Meadows RV Park
Location: 2341 Park Place, Prior Lake, MN 55372 (952) 445-8800
Date(s) Stayed: 5/1/19 – 5/16/19
Length of Stay: 2 weeks
Site #: B28 & B3
Cost (with taxes): $563.70 (taxes included/discount applied)
Discount Used: $25 Discount Opening Weekend
Connections: FHU
Stars: 3
Dakota Meadows RV Park is owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. It’s located on the north side of Scott County Rd 82 but on the south side of Mystic Lake Casino. Both, the RV Park and Casino are approximately 35-40 minutes to downtown Minneapolis.
Dakota Meadows RV Park has 122 paved, pull-through and back-in RV sites with 30/50 amp electric service, water and sewer hook-ups.
Reservations
Making our reservations in February of 2019, we were hoping to book for a month so we could visit with our son’s family and take advantage of the much cheaper monthly rate. However, since their monthly sites were already booked for the 2019 summer season already, we could only get a two-week reservation. And, it was for the site we were assigned last year (B3) which we weren’t very happy about (read further).
We were told by the office staff that they book a year in advance by returning campers; reason why acquiring the monthly rate and even trying to get a reservation was difficult. They said they will be disengaging that program because it disallows new tourism to their establishment.
Rates and Check-In
The courteous and friendly office staff greeted us when we checked in at 2:00 p.m. We politely asked if they could possibly relocate us to another site due to our experience noise last visit. We told them we preferred not to be backed up to the noisy road. They kindly obliged after doing extensive looking in their reservation system. While a little quieter, we actually ended up with another undesirable site (B28) that made us feel like we were fenced-in a compound. We literally traded noise for parking in a cage.
We were handed a copy of their map with guidelines and rules and sent on our way.
Tip: Daily Discount for Active Military and Veterans AAA, AARP, Family Motor Coach and Club M. (Proof of Membership Required)
Parking & RV Sites
Navigating the RV park was easy. The roads are asphalt and are plenty wide enough to drive or pull big rigs around. The park’s interior consists of pull-through buddy sites; meaning your doors will face each other and the grassy area between is shared and spacious. Back-in sites are situated along the outer perimeter of the RV park.
And, each site consists of a concrete pad that can accommodate big rigs and their tow vehicle or toad. Each are also provided with a picnic table, fire pit and permanently-mounted charcoal grill.
The Grounds
“Experience Dakotah Meadows, the Twin Cities premier RV Park. Nestled around a pond in the scenic Minnesota River Valley, Dakotah Meadows RV Park is a welcome respite in a busy world. Visitors find a calm, tranquil nature setting, where each day begins with the glow of a Minnesota sunrise. Evenings are spent around the campfire, the crackling flames spreading warmth in the cool evening air.” -Dakota Meadows RV Park Website
Dakota Meadows RV Park grounds are meticulously cared for by their landscaping crew.
Amenities
- Paved long RV Sites
- Bathhouse Showers – requires entrance card purchase $5; get $3 back
- Storm Shelter
- Fenced Playground
- Picnic Pavilion
- Mini-Storage Units
- Laundry Room – requires entrance card purchase $5; get $3 back
- Self-Serve RV Wash – $$
- Self-Serve Fuel Station – $$
- Free Shuttle Service to Casino
Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?
We are known for our candid, honest, unbiased and no-BS reviews. And, we’re going to give it to you regarding this review. If it weren’t for our son’s family living in this area, we would forgo this RV park and here’s why…
No activities!
While it is a beautifully manicured park; that’s about all it has going for it. Their site fees do not compensate for the lack of amenities. There is no pool or hot tub. Dakota Meadows has no planned activities, pickle ball courts, horseshoe pits, etc. Though the RV park does have a nice playground and picnic pavilion, all there is to do is take a shuttle to the casino or walk endless loops through the park.
No Office or Business Center to Work or Study
Unfortunately, there is no office or business center to work or study at. The RV park’s free WiFi is very difficult to connect; especially at night and weekends.
Pay to do laundry and use the bathroom/bath house?
Yes, that’s what I said. Guests have to pay $5 to get a card for entrance to the laundry room which is absurd when then only give you $3 back. This is above the $2.50/wash and $2.50/dry! Most expensive laundry we’ve ever seen in our five years of RVing.
You have to buy that same card for entrance to the bathrooms as well.
It’s crazy noisy!
The ambiance that they describe on their website is not true. It is NOT a quiet park as they claim. The road that borders the RV park is extremely loud and obnoxious. it sounds like we’re at a NASCAR race. The vehicles drive fast revving their engines at all hours of the day and night. There is constant horn-beeping because of the garage across the road. Especially if there is a concert or large entertainment venue at the casino. If you enjoy sitting outside to enjoy a quiet campfire, you will not find it here.
Long-term unkempt RVs
Also, in the upper level (see map above – right side of the pond), of the RV park, there were quite a few run down unkempt RVs leaking fluids and had tarps and junk in their spaces.
Keeping it clean?
The bath houses/showers and laundry facilities were not very clean. The laundry room was small considering the RV park’s size. Because of that, we ended up having to do our laundry at our son’s house instead. Though the playground is intended for children, dog owners were allowing their dogs use it as a doggie play yard even though there is a sign stating ‘no dogs’. Many were not policing or cleaning up after their dogs.
Dakota Meadows lists the phone number to Security on their brochure however, there is very little to no enforcement of rules (like the playground) or monitoring of traffic/noise on the casino grounds that border the RV park. I do have to say though, they do make their presence known by driving around but that’s about all they do.
We highly recommend that if you book to stay here, do not book sites B1-B13 due to excessive noise. And, B28 has chain-link fence along the back and door side of RV which makes it feel claustrophobic. Also, be aware if you’re in a pull-through buddy site. Your RV and your neighbor will share a utility island. In other words, your RV’s will be very close together so pull your shades and keep your windows closed on the driver’s side of your RV.
Lastly, since we are not gamblers or into the loud scene, this park isn’t one of our favorites. However, until we can find a place to fit our fifth wheel in a safe and quieter environment, we will have to stay here.
All of that said, if you’re into the casino and loud venues, this is the place for you. All you have to do is cross the street and you’re ready to roll the dice!
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