Best Tent Camping near Afton, MN
Looking for the best options for tent camping near Afton? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Afton. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your Minnesota camping adventure.
Best Tent Sites Near Afton, MN (22)
1. Afton State Park Campground
Denmark, Minnesota36 Reviews•93 Photos•200 SavesLocated on the St. Croix River, just 20 miles east of Saint Paul, Afton State Park is great for those looking for camping near Minneapolis and is 1600 acres of rolling prairies, oak woodlands, and limestone river canyons amid an ancient glacial landscape. The land for the park was acquired in 1967, but it took almost 15 years of planning revisions and compromises with local residents before the park finally opened in 1982. Little development has gone into Afton State Park in an effort to maintain its natural characteristics, and former farmland atop the bluffs are continuously being restored to their original state. This makes Afton an ideal destination for campers looking to experience the outdoors in a wilder setting.
Load up your backpack with all you’ll need for your stay, as camping at Afton State Park requires a hearty, 0.75-mile hike in from the parking area. The year-round campground offers 27 rustic sites with picnic tables and fire pits, with options for pitching your tent in either open or wooded areas. There is drinking water, a vault toilet and firewood is supplied within the camp area. There is also three boat-in campsites, and two group campsites that can accommodate up to 60 people each. If you’d rather not rough it, the park also offers four camping cabins and two yurts, some of which are wheelchair accessible. There are also several picnic areas and restrooms within the park. Campsite rates range from $15–$23/night; cabins range from $55–$70/night, and yurts $50–$65/night.
When you’re ready to explore, start at the park’s Nature Store where you can pick up information about the park’s flora and fauna, or join a nature walk. Then choose from more than 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, as well as a short barrier-free path. If you’re visiting in winter, many of these trails are open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Bring your GPS and go on a geocaching treasure hunt, or bring your binoculars and go on safari for a variety of migratory birds, waterfowl, and wildlife, including deer, foxes and badgers. And little ones will love becoming Junior Park Naturalists and learning about bugs, birds, plants and other critters. If you’re looking for a real outdoor adventure, Afton State Park has what you’re looking for.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
2. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
Nerstrand, Minnesota32 Reviews•90 Photos•131 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
3. Tony’s Backyard
Bloomington, Minnesota1 Review•4 Photos•3 SavesThe space is in the backyard of my private property on Elliot Avenue in Bloomington, MN.
The yard is almost entirely fenced-in & has lots of folliage for general privacy.
Street parking is free.
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- WiFi
$45 - $60 / night
4. Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground
Lake City, Minnesota7 Reviews•30 Photos•49 SavesTent only campground.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
$22 - $132 / night
5. Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center
Rosemount, Minnesota1 Review•1 Photo•6 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
$50 / night
6. Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center
Apple Valley, Minnesota2 Reviews•1 Photo•2 Saves- Pets
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$50 / night
7. Lily Springs Regenerative Farm
Dresser, Wisconsin1 Review•14 Photos•6 SavesFor the adventurers spending the weekend climbing at Interstate State Park, the cyclists on a bike tour, or anyone wanting to spend the night amidst the stars and owls, rent a campsite at Lily Springs Farm and pitch your tent on the lakeshore! Bring your tent or your hammock and set up a cozy nest on the lakeshore. Campsites have easy swimming access.
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Cabins
$70 / night
9. Crow Hassan Park Reserve
St. Michael, Minnesota3 Reviews•22 Photos•37 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$15 / night
10. Cannon River Wilderness Area
Faribault, Minnesota2 Reviews•2 Photos•32 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Recent Tent Reviews in Afton
631 Reviews of 22 Afton Campgrounds
Equity
Scout
Highland Ridge
15% Profit Share in the Challenge Stage https://instantfundingnow.com/#
15% Profit Share in the Challenge Stage https://instantfundingnow.com/#
- JJeff F.
TravelerHighland Ridge
Beautiful in the fall
This is a smaller Corps of Engineers park, lots of primitive sites and lots electric sites too. A smaller lake but no gas motors. Cell service with Verizon was ok.
Katherine T.
Guide
Wild River State Park Campground
Solid option with star gazing
This is a solid state park offering. The sites are decently spaced with good tree cover. Noise seemed to travel between sites, I had some loud neighbors during the day but they settled down before quiet hours. The grass was easy to get tent stakes into. Bathrooms were your basic state park situation. Clean with warm showers so no complaints from me. The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance.
- Katherine T.Guide
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
Nice weekend get away
Nice distance from the twin cities for a weekend away with some nice hiking trails. The tent pads have been upgraded to pea gravel by the friends association (which seems to be quite active based on signage around park improvements). Showers and bathrooms were clean. Wi-Fi near the park entrance and spotty T-Mobile service throughout. The outside of the loop is good for tent camping but could be a little noisy if the campground had been fully booked.
gary W.Scout
Isanti County Fairgrounds
Fun at the fairgrounds.
Very nice clean well kept grounds. Always things going at the fairgrounds,we missed the flea market by 1 day. Great places to eat in the area. We were visiting family nearby and they could come visit us for picnics with no problems and no extra cost. Very friendly grounds keepers. Will be back again when in the area. We had a nice view of the little lake.
- gary W.Scout
Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River
Gary w
Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats.
- Stina M.Scout
Float-Rite Park
This park is closed permanently
This campground is closed permanently
- wwayne O.Traveler
Minneapolis Southwest KOA
Older koa
We stayed at this koa because it was our only way to watch softball tournament. We stayed 5 days and it was fairly nice. People that were working were very helpful and nice. Lost power a couple hours twice because of branches falling g from trees.
Molly M.Guide
Willow River State Park Campground
Very nice camping
Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area. The water itself is ok, lots of geese and algae. The falls are wonderful though. The bathrooms are fine. I could not find a garbage bin to save my life, not near the bathrooms or anywhere in campground 200 or by the park ranger post. If there were garbage cans dispersed throughout the campground, I would have given 5 stars. Especially along the trail to the waterfalls because there was garbage all along the trail unfortunately. Not the camps fault, but maybe people would be more responsible if garbage bins were placed along the route.
Leslie P.Scout
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Jewel near the cit
Stayed here while visit our son. Picked it because it was close. We were very surprised at the privacy of our site. We were in the east loop with just electric.
- TTimGuide
William O'Brien State Park Campground
OK but not great
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. Constructing is scheduled to the end of 2025.
We stayed in a group site but there was no way 35 people could have camped in W3. Vaulted toilets need help and a good cleaning.
The shower house needed a cleaning as well. There is no adjusting the shower temperature. Push the button and you get what you get.
Wood was $8 bundle. This was steep in my opinion. They do not all any gathering of firewood.
If your vehicle permit is not properly displayed, you will receive a notice on your windshield and have to talk with the office.
The dumpster was overflowing the whole time we were there.
Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away.
Lastly we had a battle with mosquitoes. We went through a lot of bug spray and coils. Deer flies were thick around the water filling station.
Although we did not stay in the main campground the sites are very close in there and were small.
Laurie V.ScoutMississippi Riverwood RV Park
Buyer Beware!
If you do NOT stay the entire amount of time you have paid for, you may lose the right to return to your site, even if your lease says the lot is still yours.
My husband and I camped at MRRV Park from July 5 to August 5th,2023, because my husband had a job in the area. We signed a lease that went through October 15th. We agreed that the lot’s owner could find another renter after we left with the condition that some of our money would be refunded. Shortly after we left, my husband found out he had a second job in the twin cities. We tried to contact the owner many times to see if any other renters were lined up. Only by contacting the park board did we find that the lot had been rented out 2 days after we left. The lot’s owner refuses to return any money for the 9 extra weeks we paid for! My husband had to rent a hotel room☹
The RV Park board refuses to help so we are going to court.
David G.TravelerCountry Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River
Fun place
The campground is nice and clean. Good size spaces. 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.
- ppeter V.Scout
Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
Great camping
This was a great experience overall. The sites are spacious and far enough away from others to feel like there was enough privacy.
The one negative thing was that some neighbors watched a movie each night — starting just after quiet hours. We could hear their movie from across a road and through some trees (and tents).
But overall it was great. Good hiking and geocaching.
We would go back to this campground.
- JJohn B.Traveler
Highland Ridge
Clean and relatively quiet
Lots of RV campers, but none were obnoxious. T-mobile service is almost non-existent depending on location. The showers and bathrooms were spotless. Firewood is available at several roadside stands just outside the entrance.
- SSharonTraveler
Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
Favorite spot
This is just the best campground that is close to Minneapolis! Peaceful, quiet, with spacious sites that are situated in a staggered way, so you never feel like you’re on top of each other. The lake was a bit reedy and silty but overall a fantastic and easy option.
- Jarrett G.Traveler
Willow River State Park Campground
Awesome park!
Plenty of sites and hiking to do. Very cool area. The falls are awesome!
- MMia F.Guide
Minneapolis Southwest KOA
Unlevel sites, broken dump station
About the only nice thing about this place is the lady who answered the phone, Valerie.
She was extremely nice other than that it was gravel. Roads that were poorly maintained trucks were parked sticking out into the road making it difficult to get around. The site was very unlevel and the water Spicket didn’t really work very well.. we paid for two nights and bought a KOA review or rewards program to do it… We refused to stay the second night when we called to see if we could get our money back the gentleman who checked us in as a ground tender was rude and choppy he wasn’t very friendly when he brought us into the place.
The place was packed like sardines… Very difficult to negotiate at night.
Overall, the worst campground we’ve stayed in in the two RV trips we’ve taken from Florida to Minnesota. There are so many beautiful state parks don’t bother with this KOA not even for a one nighter.
We were stuck on a back loop. There were a lot of mosquitoes bugs and mud… It just wasn’t a nice experience.
- PPad F.Scout
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
Peaceful weekend camping
Stayed on non electric site which looking at the whole campground are the better sites. Sites are wooded so you don’t have neighbor issues. All have large pea gravel tent pads - very nice. Good fire rings with lots of room for lounging. Many trails to hike but due to prior heavy rain the only trail open was down to Hidden Falls - they were roaring. No cell/ very patchy cell signal and could only get WiFi signal when standing next to Ranger station. Would definitely visit again, maybe in the fall as I’m told the colors are wonderful.
Joslyn H.GuideWild River State Park Campground
Lots of good memories
I have been coming to Wild River since I was a kid. Nice park, scenic trails, horses on the way in.
- Joslyn H.Guide
Bunker Hills Regional Park
Love bunker!
I have stayed at Bunker a few times in site 33 and one of the walk in sites. Site 33 is very large and also very wide open. The walk in sites are a lot more secluded but not totally private. Really enjoy camping here, just wish it wasn't so expensive. It costs more than staying at a state park.
Greg D.Traveler
D N Campground
Very nice Apple river camping
In June 2024 we had a one day primitive spot on sperry lane you can drive over a tight steel bridge “crossing a small creek. There’s only 3 sites here but are spacious and separated from the rest of the campground but still having walking distance to exceptional bathroom and showers which you can enter into a bar for a cocktail. We enjoyed our spot #3 but bring mosquito spray there were terrible but we had a screened tent which helped. Will definitely return again.
dominick C.Scout
Wildwood RV Park & Campground
Great family trip
Through a short weekend trip the camp site was a great size for us. Everyone was nice and friendly especially camp staff. The kayaking/ canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6.
- RRalph K.Scout
Bunker Hills Regional Park
Same day booking
Went early in the season in the afternoon and had no problems getting a good spot with electric hookups. Better for someone with an RV, and more seemingly a weekend spot for the family.
Beasty B.ScoutCountry Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River
Fantastic
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!
Tiffany K.GuideWillow River State Park Campground
Nice state park close to the twin cities
Stayed here for our first camping of the season. It's a great park that has hiking, mountain bike trails, water features and good mix of electric and non electric sites.
Jordan D.Traveler
Afton State Park Campground
Sites with privacy and great trails near!
Good pricing, great trails for all different skill levels and nice staff. Our site was mighty large and for the most part secluded from those near and on the path. $22 for the site, $8 for reservation. $8 for wood (all you can chop) and $7 for the overnight and next day parking pass for one car. Beautiful surroundings and clean bathrooms and grills one mile mostly uphill hike from parking lot but not to difficult and some paved parts. Definitely coming back.
Guide to Afton
Tent camping near Afton, Minnesota offers a blend of serene nature and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Tent campers like these nearby activities
- Enjoy hiking at Afton State Park Campground, where trails cater to all skill levels and provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
- Experience the beauty of Lake Pepin while camping at Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground, which offers swimming and fishing opportunities right at your doorstep.
- Explore the scenic trails and diverse wildlife at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, known for its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful spring flowers.
Campground amenities that enhance your stay
- Afton State Park Campground features electric hookups, drinking water, and reservable sites, making it a convenient choice for families and groups.
- At Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center, you can enjoy picnic tables, firewood availability, and a serene environment, perfect for a relaxing getaway.
- Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground provides well-maintained facilities, including showers and toilets, ensuring a comfortable camping experience.
Unique features that set these campgrounds apart
- Afton State Park Campground is known for its semi-secluded sites, allowing campers to enjoy privacy while being surrounded by nature.
- The Cannon River Wilderness Area offers a free camping experience with picturesque river views, ideal for those seeking a more rustic adventure.
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground boasts spacious, wooded sites that provide a sense of seclusion, making it a favorite among nature lovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Afton, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Afton, MN is Afton State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Afton, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near Afton, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.