Camping near Bayport, Minnesota offers a mix of riverside sites and prairie-based campsites across Washington and Dakota counties. Most campgrounds in this area sit along the St. Croix River valley at elevations between 700-900 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Campsites typically range from densely wooded areas with shade to open prairie sites that provide better star visibility but less protection from summer heat.
What to do
Hike to hidden features: At Afton State Park Campground, trails showcase diverse terrain with significant elevation changes. "Less than an hour drive from Minneapolis this is a good get away. As expected it has many walk trails. Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath," notes a visitor, adding that "beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk."
Paddle on connecting waterways: The Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers paddling access to multiple connected water bodies. "There is a gorgeous beach area with tables, a pavilion, changing rooms and a well equipped playground," according to one camper. Another mentions, "The hike in camp spot we chose was on a small lake so it had a nice breeze and made it easy to bring a kayak or paddleboard and hop right in."
Explore unusual geological formations: Glacial potholes at Interstate State Park provide a unique natural attraction. "When the river ran 200' higher than it does today, tornados of water eroded smooth round, massive holes in the rock. Some are so big that they still to this day have no idea how deep they go," explains one visitor. Another camper adds, "Great trails, beautiful rivers and cliffs, and the wonders of the potholes (not the kind you're thinking of)."
What campers like
Secluded prairie sites: The hike-in spots at Afton offer rare prairie camping experiences. "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion," reports one camper, adding that there's "no shortage of lovely trails at Afton to spend your day on."
Urban-adjacent wilderness: Many appreciate Lebanon Hills Regional Park for its accessibility while maintaining a natural setting. "Lebanon Hills is a great park and has a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Our family selected this camp ground to test out some gear -- if we had problems or if we forgot something it was a short drive home," notes one camper. Another adds, "Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen, and we didn't hear them either."
River access: Direct waterfront sites are highly sought after. "We camped here in June of 2017. Beautiful campground and hiking. We loved the falls. Our family spent a week here," says a visitor to Willow River State Park Campground. Another notes, "You can climb the cliffs surrounding the falls and there are plenty of trail both paved and unpaved."
What you should know
Site spacing varies dramatically: Campground density differs across the region. At Lebanon Hills, "The sites are nice and level, with plenty of space between each one. This feels very much like a nice state park." Meanwhile, at Interstate State Park, "The campground is cramped, it has lots of noise from the highway, sites are the smallest I have seen anywhere."
Reservation windows: Most campgrounds open reservations months in advance. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," warns one Lebanon Hills camper.
Winter camping limitations: While many campgrounds remain technically open year-round, facilities change seasonally. A camper at William O'Brien State Park Campground shares, "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. As you can imagine, this meant snow was everywhere in the heart of winter in Minnesota."
Tips for camping with families
Filtered swimming areas: Several parks offer swimming facilities with varying water quality. Rice Creek features "a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," according to one visitor.
Off-season weeknight stays: For quieter family experiences, timing matters. "Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop," notes a Lebanon Hills camper.
Playground access: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers extensive family amenities. "Great campground, sites are spacious and spread out, electric hookups at all sites, swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic for kids," reports a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Loop selection matters: Many campgrounds separate tent and RV sites. At Lake Elmo, "They have beautiful hiking trails and a swimming beach for the hotter days. They also have an archery range and on Saturday nights they have a campgound program for the kids and families to watch."
Electric options: Hookup availability varies by park and loop. At Willow River, "It's big with over a hundred sites, some with power. No water at the site. Water nearby at stations," explains a camper.
Dump station timing: Most parks have limited dump facilities that can back up during peak checkout. A William O'Brien camper advises, "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."
