Camping opportunities around Apple Valley, Minnesota include multiple state parks within 30-45 minutes of the city. The region spans an elevation range from 722 feet to over 1,000 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for different camping experiences. Annual rainfall averages 32 inches, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F during prime camping months.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Nerstrand Big Woods State Park features a 1-mile loop trail leading to Hidden Falls, a modest but photogenic cascade. One visitor noted, "We went there last July just to go hiking for the day. The trails were great and at the end of the trails there were beautiful falls. The falls weren't huge but there were pretty."
Beach access: William O'Brien State Park offers swimming options along the St. Croix River. According to a camper, "Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk. Campgrounds are nearby beach and require further walk."
Trail running: The varied terrain at Afton State Park provides challenging routes for runners. As one visitor shared, "We will definitely be back for trail running!" The park features over 20 miles of trails with significant elevation changes between river level and prairie highlands.
Winter activities: Even in colder months, camping remains available with proper preparation. One winter visitor to William O'Brien State Park noted, "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent. We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape."
What campers like
Prairie camping: Afton State Park offers unique open-field sites with natural screening. A camper described the experience: "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites. The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion."
Free riverside camping: The best tent camping near Apple Valley, Minnesota includes no-cost options. Cannon River Wilderness Area provides free primitive sites. A camper reported, "For free the area is awesome right by the river. We found a site tucked away from people which is what we like. We set up hammocks right next to the river."
Varied landscapes: The diversity of environments in a single park appeals to many campers. A visitor to William O'Brien noted, "This is a great place to see all the various landscapes of the St. Croix River Valley. The surroundings were stunning, and really unexpected for a park so close to the Twin Cities."
Wildlife encounters: Many campers appreciate unexpected animal sightings. At the Savanna Campground in William O'Brien State Park, one camper reported, "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
What you should know
Water availability: At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, facilities include drinking water and showers. A camper commented, "The tent pad was very spacious and flat, great for sleeping! The bathrooms and showers were clean and well lit."
Seasonal challenges: Water access can be unreliable during peak summer months. One Afton visitor warned, "None of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center before trekking around."
Campsite sizing: Site dimensions vary significantly between parks and within campgrounds. At Nerstrand, campers noted that "sites have quite a few trees separating them, but most of the sites on the C loop back up almost into the sites on the right side of the B loop."
Noise levels: Campgrounds closest to highways experience intermittent traffic noise. A visitor to Tony's Backyard noted its small size with just one site, making it ideal for those seeking solitude away from larger, potentially noisier campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve features exceptional facilities for children. As one visitor enthusiastically reported, "The best kids park at any campground I've been to." The park includes group camping options that accommodate up to 80 people.
Beach access for children: Several parks offer swimming areas with gradual entry points. A Lake Rebecca visitor noted, "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking."
First-time camping spots: For beginning campers, certain locations offer easier experiences. One camper suggested, "Great place to take kids, good 1st camping experience for bonfires and single night camping." Sites with shorter hikes from parking areas work best for families with young children.
Fall color experiences: Autumn camping provides unique experiences for families. A camper at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park recommended, "This is a great campground for Fall camping. The colors are amazing." The hardwood forests in this area display peak colors typically from late September through mid-October.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some campsites present difficulties for larger trailers. A Nerstrand visitor warned, "There's some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back."
Connectivity issues: Cell service varies dramatically between campgrounds. A camper at Nerstrand reported, "Cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible. There's WiFi at the office, which is just a short hike from the campground."
Electrical hookup availability: Roberds Lake Resort and Campground provides water, electric, and sewer hookups for RVs, though sites can be close together. A visitor noted, "Hook ups a bit squished together and as always we rolled in late, and Saturday night had a very thick smoky haze due to the density and humidity."
