Camping areas near Afton, Minnesota sit within the St. Croix River Valley, characterized by rolling bluffs and forested terrain. With summer daytime temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows often below freezing, campers experience four distinct seasons. Several campgrounds remain open year-round while others operate seasonally from April through October.
What to do
Tubing adventures: Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River provides tubing experiences with transportation included. "The tubing is a plus. Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off the. It was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max. Pool was small but nice. Splash pad was even nice for adults I recommend this campground. Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," notes one visitor.
Hiking trail access: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers multiple trail systems directly accessible from campsites. "Directly behind the site was a hiking trail that led us through woods, fields and prairie," explains a camper, while another mentions, "2000 acres with 2 lakes and a swimming pond."
Waterfall exploration: At Willow River State Park Campground, hiking trails lead to impressive falls. "This was really beautiful and was only a the head was only a couple hundred yards from my site," shares a visitor. Another camper notes, "Huge park, you can climb the cliffs surrounding the falls and there are plenty of trail both paved and unpaved."
What campers like
Private riverside sites: Tent campers appreciate secluded spots along waterways. "We tent camped for two nights in site CC, which had a small quiet creek beside it. These primitive sites are down a small dirt road away from the main RV camping area and are nicely wooded," reports one camper at Wildwood RV Park & Campground.
Swimming options: Several parks feature swimming facilities. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," reports a Lake Elmo visitor. At Country Camping, one camper notes, "Good size spaces. The tubing is a plus. Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom."
Kid-friendly amenities: Family activities abound at many rv sites near Afton, Minnesota. "I stayed here 3 weeks ago with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart 10-10 would most defiantly go again! A ton for the kids to do!" shares a visitor to Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer and fall. "We're in town to catch a twins game and see the mall of America and this was a campground not too far from both. It appears to be sold out for the weekend so book ahead," advises a visitor to Town & Country Campground & RV Park.
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts range from wooded to open. "Very tight quarters on roads and sites. There is a game room and a small pool. Only a little space for one vehicle but overflow parking isn't terrible if you're close to office," notes a Town & Country camper. Another mentions, "Large campsites, most with thick wooded areas between the sites" at Willow River State Park.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some locations. "We would probably chose a site further from one of the main roads into Mystic Lake Casino. We heard a lot of traffic coming and going well into the wee hours of the night," shares a camper at Dakotah Meadows RV Park. Similarly, Willow River visitors note "highway noise was noticeable in the evenings."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Several campgrounds offer swimming options for children. "We've stayed at Country Camping for years! Great variety of things to do for everyone. Group sites, tent sites, covered wagon sites! Floating on the Rum River, swimming pool with splash pad, little camp store, Golf cart rentals! Our grandkids love it too!" shares a regular visitor.
Playground access: Parks with play equipment provide entertainment for younger campers. "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," notes a Lake Elmo visitor.
Educational programs: Some parks offer structured activities. "On Saturday nights they have a campgound program for the kids and families to watch. Very organized and clean facilities," reports a Lake Elmo camper.
Tips from RVers
Site surface types: RV sites vary from concrete to gravel. "The sites are paved and have well-maintained grass. We were located near the casino road, which has an occasional loud car, even at night," notes a Dakotah Meadows camper, while another mentions, "Sites are 60+ feet, concrete and level. Each site has their own fire pit."
Electrical capacity: Power requirements are important for larger rigs at rv sites near Afton, Minnesota. "We have dogs so the fact that it's all asphalt and rock is a bit of a bummer but we are close to the exercise area and they do love little walks," reports a visitor to Treasure Island RV Park, adding, "Because it's in a river valley the air tv single is terrible so we are glad to have the chrome cast with us."
