Camping spots near Afton, Minnesota span across the St. Croix River Valley with terrain ranging from prairie to dense woodland. Many campsites sit at elevations between 700-900 feet, creating challenging hiking conditions when accessing certain backpacking sites. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, with summer highs reaching 85°F and frequent thunderstorms from June through August.
What to do
Hike challenging trails: Willow River State Park offers diverse hiking experiences with significant elevation changes. "We did SO many miles hiking! And at certain points in the river, you are able to get in and swim!" notes Sarah L. The park features both paved and unpaved trails with waterfall views.
Try disc golf: Hoffman City Park includes a frisbee golf course as part of its recreational options. "There is the Tir Angels playground, sand volleyball, frisbee golf, and a semi pro baseball field all located with in the grounds! So much to do, so little time!" reports Mary H.
Paddlesport rentals: Several parks offer equipment for water activities. "Nice little lake to kayak on," says Chris S. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park. The park rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, with life jackets included in the rental fee.
Winter activities: While summer sees the most visitors, winter offers unique experiences. "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks. These have some great amenities and are perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring," explains Jason S.
What campers like
Prairie site seclusion: The prairie campsites provide unexpected privacy despite open terrain. "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion," writes one camper about their experience at Afton State Park.
Proximity to Twin Cities: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers a convenient getaway without long drives. "Feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities. Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!" says Max P. The park is about 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis.
Waterfront camping: Apple River Family Campground offers sites directly along the water. "We had a river front site (63) and the river sites are AMAZING! The tubing is obviously fun and this campground has tree cover unlike anything I've ever seen!" explains Mariah F. These sites allow campers to exit directly at their campsite after tubing.
Diverse landscapes: The region offers varied terrain within single parks. "Terrific park. Lots of trails with a wide variety of landscapes. Prairie, forest, river, it's got it all," notes Adam P. about his experience camping near Afton.
What you should know
Seasonal water issues: Water access can be unpredictable during peak summer months. "This may be an ongoing issue but none of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center before trekking around the park's beautiful hiking trails!" warns Warren H.
Hiking requirements: Many campsites require physical exertion to reach. "These sites do require a hike from parking. Would strongly discourage big coolers or lots of weight," advises Adam P. about Afton State Park Campground.
Construction closures: Major projects can affect access to key areas. "The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids," reports Tim about William O'Brien State Park, noting construction scheduled through 2025.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for nocturnal visitors at your campsite. "Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away," advises Tim. Proper food storage containers are essential.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park offers child-friendly amenities. "Nice playground for the kids. Fantastic bathrooms zoned showers," notes Lisa D. The playground is centrally located for easy access from most campsites.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas specifically designed for families. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," explains Timothy S. about Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
Space considerations: Look for campgrounds with room for children to play. "The sites are spacious. Great campground, sites are spacious and spread out, electric hookups at all sites, swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic for kids," shares John H.
Evening activities: Some parks offer organized entertainment. "On Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch," mentions Tina H., noting these ranger-led programs typically last about an hour and require no reservations.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some camping areas near Afton have challenging access roads. "The road to get to our water view site (69) was narrow and tricky with the camper but it was worth it for that peaceful view!" reports Amber C. from Apple River Family Campground.
Reservation confusion: William O'Brien State Park Campground can be difficult to navigate online. "Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All rv sites are the listed length plus 16' for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out," explains Davis D.
RV sizing accuracy: Lebanon Hills provides comfortable sites for smaller rigs. "We camped in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. it has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps," notes Angela L., adding, "We liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays."
Early arrival benefits: Weekday arrivals offer significant advantages. "My first time solo camping was at William O'Brien State Park on a Sunday evening. Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop," shares Dani K.
