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)

    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park Campground

    1. Afton State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    93 Photos
    199 Saves
    Denmark, Minnesota

    Located 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
    Camper-submitted photo from Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Tony’s Backyard
    Camper-submitted photo from Tony’s Backyard
    Camper-submitted photo from Tony’s Backyard
    Camper-submitted photo from Tony’s Backyard

    3. Tony’s Backyard

    1 Review
    4 Photos
    3 Saves
    Bloomington, Minnesota

    The 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

    Camper-submitted photo from Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground

    4. Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground

    7 Reviews
    30 Photos
    48 Saves
    Lake City, Minnesota

    Tent only campground.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents

    $22 - $132 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center

    5. Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center

    1 Review
    1 Photo
    6 Saves
    Rosemount, Minnesota
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents

    $50 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center
    Camper-submitted photo from Lily Springs Regenerative Farm
    Camper-submitted photo from Lily Springs Regenerative Farm
    Camper-submitted photo from Lily Springs Regenerative Farm
    Camper-submitted photo from Lily Springs Regenerative Farm
    Camper-submitted photo from Lily Springs Regenerative Farm
    Camper-submitted photo from Lily Springs Regenerative Farm

    7. Lily Springs Regenerative Farm

    1 Review
    14 Photos
    6 Saves
    Dresser, Wisconsin

    For 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

    • No image available
      Camper-submitted photo from Crow Hassan Park Reserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Crow Hassan Park Reserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Crow Hassan Park Reserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Crow Hassan Park Reserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Crow Hassan Park Reserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Crow Hassan Park Reserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Cannon River Wilderness Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Cannon River Wilderness Area
    Showing results 1-10 of 22 campgrounds

    Recent Tent Reviews in Afton

    631 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 Campground
      Oct. 11, 2024

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

      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.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 Campground
      Aug. 4, 2024

      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.
      Camper-submitted photo from Lebanon Hills Regional Park
      Jul. 31, 2024

      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.

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

      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.
      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 Reserve
      Jul. 23, 2024

      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.

    • 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 Campground - Baker Park Reserve
      Jul. 16, 2024

      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.

    • 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 Campground
      Jun. 27, 2024

      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.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Bunker Hills Regional Park
      Jun. 27, 2024

      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.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.

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      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 Campground
      May. 13, 2024

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

      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.



    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.