Best Tent Camping near Annandale, MN
Tent campsites near Annandale, Minnesota feature several secluded, hike-in locations primarily concentrated around Lake Maria State Park. This natural area offers multiple walk-in tent sites that require approximately a mile hike from designated parking areas. Backpackers seeking solitude can choose from numbered sites (such as BP4, BP6, and BP7) that provide varying levels of privacy and lake access. Other options include Oak Island Watercraft Campsite and Boy Scout Point Watercraft Campsite, both accessible only by boat.
Most tent camping locations feature basic amenities typical of primitive camping. Sites typically include established fire rings, picnic tables, and access to vault toilets, though not all sites have their own facilities. Lake Maria's backcountry tent sites are set on natural forest floor with minimal leveling. Campers should prepare to carry in all necessary supplies, as water access points are limited and may require a separate hike. Sites vary in terrain, with some located on hills overlooking small ponds or lakes. Firewood can be purchased at the Lake Maria park office, but availability depends on office hours, which are primarily Friday through Sunday.
Walk-in tent sites provide a wilderness experience relatively close to the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The hike-in requirement creates natural separation between sites, offering greater privacy than typical drive-in campgrounds. Tent pads are generally level but surrounded by natural forest vegetation. Areas farther from main trails offer deeper seclusion and less noise, particularly sites BP1-BP4 which are situated along lakeshores. Winter camping is also possible at Lake Maria, with several campers noting the peaceful, solitary experience. A camper described site BP6 as "set on the cliff of a pond" with "nice hiking trails right out of the campsite," highlighting the direct access to nature from the tent-only sites. Most backcountry areas see increased mosquito and black fly activity during summer months, with early spring and late fall offering more comfortable conditions.
