Top Tent Camping near Afton, MN

Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Afton? Find the best information on tent camping near Afton, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Afton, MN (22)

Showing results 1-10 of 22 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews In Afton

617 Reviews of 22 Afton Campgrounds


  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Highland 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.
    Camper-submitted photo from Wild River State Park
    Oct. 11, 2024

    Wild River State Park

    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.
    Camper-submitted photo from Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
    Oct. 1, 2024

    Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

    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.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Isanti County Fairgrounds
    Sep. 8, 2024

    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.

  • wThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Minneapolis Southwest KOA
    Aug. 5, 2024

    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.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Willow River State Park
    Aug. 4, 2024

    Willow River State Park

    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.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from William O'Brien State Park
    Jul. 31, 2024

    William O'Brien State Park

    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.
    Camper-submitted photo from Mississippi Riverwood RV Park
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Mississippi 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.
    Camper-submitted photo from Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River
    Jul. 28, 2024

    Country 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.

  • p
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Elmo County Park Preserve
    Jul. 23, 2024

    Lake Elmo County Park Preserve

    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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
    Jul. 20, 2024

    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.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Baker Park Reserve
    Jul. 16, 2024

    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.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Minneapolis Southwest KOA
    Jul. 13, 2024

    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.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
    Jun. 27, 2024

    Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

    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.

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from D N Campground
    Jun. 19, 2024

    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.
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildwood  RV Park &  Campground
    Jun. 9, 2024

    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.

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Bunker Hills Regional Park
    Jun. 5, 2024

    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.

  • Tiffany K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Willow River State Park
    May. 13, 2024

    Willow River State Park

    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.
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park
    May. 11, 2024

    Afton State Park

    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.

  • Ken The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Willow River State Park
    Apr. 18, 2024

    Willow River State Park

    Great park for quick city getaway

    It’s a great park conveniently located near the twin cities making it a great spot for a quick getaway.

  • Stuart O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Baker Park Reserve
    Nov. 3, 2023

    Baker Park Reserve

    Open Spacious RV Campsites

    Baker is our favorite campground when visiting family in the Twin Cities.  The grounds are absoutely gorgeous, with huge hardwoods that provide lots of shaded sites.  RV pads are gravel.  Shower facilities are very nice.  We enjoy walking the grounds down to the lake.

    Lake Independence has occasional bouts of bacteria that can result in beach closings.  So if swimming is an important part of your camping getaway, be sure to check whether the beach is open.  

    I can also say the site D03 is densely shaded, which is great for spreading out on hot summer days, but there is little grass near the pad which can result in muddy conditions after a deluge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tresure Island RV Park
    Oct. 26, 2023

    Tresure Island RV Park

    Crowded park, nice people

    We were here for a night to see a concert at the amphitheater and everyone was super friendly. It was easy to check in, and we were able to do laundry and shower which was great. It’s mostly gravel but they have some tent sites on the grass. They are dog friendly and have some grassy areas to walk your pets which was great.



Guide to Afton

Camping near Afton, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds nearby, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Willow River State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area." The park features a variety of trails that cater to different skill levels.
  • Water Activities: At Interstate State Park, you can rent canoes and kayaks for a fun day on the St. Croix River. A visitor shared, "Canoe and kayak rentals for more adventures on the river" make it a perfect spot for water lovers.
  • Wildlife Watching: Wild River State Park Campground is known for its wildlife. One reviewer noted, "The woods surrounding dense enough to obscure others while still feeling open," making it a great place to spot deer and other animals.

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. One guest said, "We were very surprised at the privacy of our site."
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A camper at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve mentioned, "Shower facilities are very nice."
  • Convenient Location: William O'Brien State Park Campground is close to Stillwater, making it easy for day trips. One reviewer said, "Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip."

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Some campgrounds, like Afton State Park Campground, have strict rules against alcohol. A visitor noted, "NO alcohol allowed" in their review.
  • Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like Lake Maria State Park may not have all the amenities you expect. One camper mentioned, "There is no adjusting the shower temperature."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Lake Maria State Park warned, "The mosquitos were awful."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "Larger and more private than most state parks."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep kids entertained. One family at Afton State Park Campground enjoyed the "great trails for all different skill levels."
  • Pack Bug Spray: Don’t forget to bring bug spray to keep the mosquitoes at bay. A camper at Lake Maria State Park reminded others, "Be prepared with bug spray/repellant!"

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Afton, Minnesota, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful retreat.

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 Nerstrand Big Woods State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 32 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.