Best Tent Camping near Andover, MN
Several tent camping options surround the Andover area in Minnesota, with established campgrounds at William O'Brien State Park and Elm Creek Horse Camp offering accessible tent sites within an hour's drive. Lake Maria State Park provides more secluded tent camping experiences with walk-in sites situated along woodland trails. Crow Hassan Park Reserve and Lake Rebecca Park Reserve round out the local options with group camping areas that accommodate tent setups in natural settings.
Most tent sites at William O'Brien State Park feature level ground with a mix of shaded and open areas, though the campground can become crowded during peak summer weekends. Tent campers should be aware that sites in the Savanna campground offer more privacy than those in the Riverway area. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at established sites, while pit toilets serve most areas with shower facilities available at select locations. As one camper noted, "The Savanna campground is your typical state park experience with nice bathrooms, but sites backing to wetlands can be noisy with frogs calling all night long."
Tent camping areas throughout these parks offer varying degrees of seclusion and natural immersion. The walk-in tent sites at Lake Maria provide a more primitive experience while still maintaining reasonable access to basic amenities. Early fall brings particularly pleasant conditions for tent campers with reduced crowds and comfortable temperatures. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, tent sites at William O'Brien can feel cramped during peak season: "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites. I wouldn't want to stay here when the loop is fully reserved." For those seeking solitude, weekday camping or visiting during shoulder seasons provides a much quieter tent camping experience with better site selection opportunities.