Bring your home to Watkins, MN
Mobile home lots for rent near St. Cloud, in Watkins.
Watkins MHC rents manufactured home lots in Watkins, Minnesota, about 27 miles from St. Cloud. Lot rent is $400 a month as of September 2026. You own the home, whether you bring it or buy it, and rent the ground under it.
What you’re renting
You bring the home. We rent the ground.
The park doesn’t rent out homes. Every home here is owned by the household that lives in it, and the lot lease covers the land, your spot on the street and the rules everyone shares.
Need a home first? Here’s how buying one here works.
- Lot rent
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$400 a month
As of September 2026. The lot only. - Your lot
- An individual yard on wide, paved streets, with two parking spaces per home. Source: MHVillage community listing (opens in a new tab) (accessed Sept 2026)
- Who can live here
- All ages. Every applicant is screened with the same written criteria. Source: MHVillage community listing (opens in a new tab) (accessed Sept 2026)
- The home
- Yours. You buy it or bring it, and you insure and look after it.
- Not in the $400
- Your home and any loan on it, home insurance, your utilities and upkeep. Ask us how water and sewer are handled.
- Rent changes
- Lot rent can rise only with at least 60 days’ written notice, and no more than twice a year. Source: Minn. Stat. 327C.06 (opens in a new tab) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Move-in costs
- No entrance fee: Minnesota parks can’t charge one. A security deposit can’t be more than two months’ rent. Ask us for the current amount.
Within ten minutes of the lot
A lake, a pool, a rink and the schools.
The lake
Clear Lake, about 520 acres, sits about three miles south of town. Meeker County’s 34.4-acre park on the shore has a fishing pier, boat landing, picnic shelters and hiking trails.
Source: City of Watkins, Clear Lake County Park (archived) (opens in a new tab) (accessed Sept 2026)In town
In summer, a heated, Junior Olympic-size outdoor pool with lifeguards and swim lessons. In winter, a skating rink for open skating, hockey and broomball. And two ballparks: the Clippers baseball park, plus a softball park with an accessible playground that’s open all year.
Source: City of Watkins, City services (archived) (opens in a new tab) (accessed Sept 2026) Rink: City of Watkins, Skating rink (archived) (opens in a new tab) (accessed Sept 2026) Ballparks: City of Watkins, Softball park (archived) (opens in a new tab) (accessed Sept 2026)
The schools
Watkins Elementary is in town and serves early childhood through kindergarten. The Eden Valley-Watkins middle and high school is in Eden Valley, about 10 minutes away, and U.S. News reports a 92% graduation rate for the high school.
Source: U.S. News, Eden Valley Secondary (opens in a new tab) (accessed Sept 2026)Kimball and Eden Valley are each about 10 minutes away for errands. More about Watkins and the lakes.
The drive
Small-town address. St. Cloud paycheck.
St. Cloud Hospital is about 27 miles from Watkins, a 30 to 40 minute drive, and it’s run by CentraCare.
CentraCare is St. Cloud’s largest employer, with about 7,540 workers. Source: St. Cloud Area Chamber, via KNSI (Aug 12, 2025) (opens in a new tab) (Aug 2025)
Closer to home, employers in Watkins include Centra Sota Cooperative, Ag Venture Feeds, Mies Outland and Hilltop Healthcare Center. Source: Meeker County EDA largest employers (opens in a new tab) (accessed Sept 2026)
| From Watkins to | Miles | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake County Park | 3 | a few minutes |
| Kimball | 6 | about 10 min |
| Eden Valley | 7 | about 10 min |
| Cold Spring | 11 | about 20 min |
| Richmond, Horseshoe Chain of Lakes | 16 | about 25 min |
| Paynesville, Lake Koronis Regional Park | 17 | about 26 min |
| Litchfield, county seat | 21 | about 28 min |
| St. Cloud Hospital and downtown | 27 | 30 to 40 min |
| Minneapolis | 73 | about 1.5 hr |
Miles and times are estimates from route planners (OSRM, Travelmath), September 2026. Traffic and weather change them.
What a month costs
Lot rent here vs. rent in St. Cloud.
Lot rent is only part of what owning a home costs. It’s still the biggest difference you’ll notice, so here it is next to what St. Cloud renters pay.
The apartment figures are area averages and may include some utilities. The lot rent doesn’t include your home, its insurance, your utilities or upkeep. Add your own numbers below to see a fuller picture.
Moving your home
From your old lot to this one.
Moving a manufactured home to a park in Minnesota takes a few people working in order: you, the park, a mover and a licensed installer. Here’s the order that keeps moving day simple.
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Step 1: Tell us about the home first
Before you book a mover, call or text with the home’s size, year and condition. We’ll go over what the park needs from the home and which lot it would go on.
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Step 2: Apply to live here
The residency application is your approval to rent a lot. Minnesota requires the park to give you a state notice and its written screening criteria with it.
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Step 3: Have the home’s paperwork ready
Every manufactured home in Minnesota is titled through Driver and Vehicle Services, and Meeker County mails home tax statements by July 15 each year.
Source: Meeker County, Mobile Homes (opens in a new tab) (accessed Oct 2026)
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Step 4: Book a licensed installer
In Minnesota a licensed manufactured-home installer sets the home. Set the moving and setup date with us before the installer’s date.
Source: Minn. Stat. 327B.041 (opens in a new tab) (accessed Oct 2026)
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Step 5: Move in, then check the refund at tax time
Homeowners who rent a lot may qualify for Minnesota’s Homestead Credit Refund.
How much is lot rent at Watkins MHC?
Lot rent is $400 a month as of September 2026. That’s for the lot only: your home, any loan on it, insurance, utilities and upkeep are separate. Minnesota law requires at least 60 days’ written notice before lot rent goes up.
Can I move my own mobile home to a lot here?
Yes, if the home meets park rules and state requirements. A Minnesota-licensed manufactured-home installer has to set it. Call or text 1-800-209-1533 with the home’s size, year and condition before you book a mover, and we’ll go over it with you.
How far is Watkins from St. Cloud?
About 27 miles, or 30 to 40 minutes by car to St. Cloud Hospital and downtown. Kimball and Eden Valley are each about 10 minutes away, and Minneapolis is about an hour and a half.
Do you rent out mobile homes?
No. The park rents lots, not homes. Every home here is owned by the household that lives in it. If you need a home, you can buy one from a resident who’s selling here or from a manufactured-home retailer. See how getting a home here works.
Who can live at Watkins MHC?
It’s an all-ages community. Every applicant is screened with the same written criteria, which come with the residency application.
Is there a tax refund for homeowners who rent the lot?
You may qualify. Minnesota homeowners who pay lot rent can file for the Homestead Credit Refund on Form M1PR, using the mobile-home worksheet. It depends on household income. Our guide to the refund for lot renters walks through it.
Where is the community?
In Watkins, Minnesota 55389, in Meeker County, between Kimball and Eden Valley. Call or text 1-800-209-1533 and we’ll send directions when we set up your visit.
Come see the lots
Bring the measurements. Walk the lot.
A visit doesn’t commit you to anything. If you have a home to move, bring its size and year, and we’ll walk the lots with you.
Call 1-800-209-1533Text 1-800-209-1533
Ready now? Read the Minnesota notice and apply.