Situated on the eastern edge of Minnesota along the St. Croix River, the Bayport area offers a distinctive mix of bluff-top camping and riverside accommodation options. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, while summer camping often brings temperatures in the 80s with moderate humidity. The surrounding landscape transitions from oak savanna to river valley terrain with elevations ranging from 692 to 890 feet above sea level.
What to do
Trail exploration at Afton State Park: Access 20 miles of hiking trails with significant elevation changes that lead to riverside paths overlooking the St. Croix. "Lots of hiking. Nice campsites. Beautiful park," notes Chris S., highlighting the park's natural features. Trails range from easy half-mile loops to challenging 4+ mile routes with 300+ foot elevation gains.
Swimming at Lake Byllesby: The beach area provides supervised swimming from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "The lake is right next to the campground with RV sites right on the water," explains Kayla O. However, she warns that "the lake becomes green with algae as the summer goes on," so earlier summer visits are recommended for swimming.
Biking near Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park: Explore paved cycling paths that connect to larger regional trail systems. "We took a 30 minute drive north of the cities for a quick get away, and were rewarded with a very nice campground! We walked a portion of the trails towards the golf course, on a paved path under a green canopy," shares kristin C.
Winter activities at Wild River State Park: Experience winter glamping with groomed ski trails and snowshoe routes. "The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails. The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing," reports Joanna B., who visited during winter.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Find privacy even in busy campgrounds through strategic site selection. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, "the actual campsite, bike/walking/horse trails make you forget all of that. The lower loops are definitely better for tent campers... Sites that I loved: 3, 8, 10," recommends Krista T. These sites offer more tree cover and separation from neighboring campers.
Architectural distinction at Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins: Experience award-winning cabin design with modern amenities. "The storage in this place is amazing. Storage under the bed, one counter with ample storage under it, and even the windows are so deep that I was able to store most of my food on the sill," describes Krista T. Each cabin features built-in furnishings designed to maximize space efficiency.
Star gazing opportunities: Take advantage of designated viewing areas away from light pollution. "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," reports Katherine T. about Wild River State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Observe deer, birds, and smaller mammals from camping sites. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," describes Kate H. about her experience at Wild River State Park.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Secure bookings well in advance, especially for premium glamping accommodations. "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve. For example, as of this review (early June), all weekends are booked for all cabins," advises Blair about Whitetail Woods.
Shower limitations: Plan for potential water restrictions and seasonal differences. "The biggest downside is the middle-of-the-night trek to the bathroom. There are two year round showers, but don't plan on a long shower to unwind unless you like cold water. There was maybe 2 minutes of hot water," warns Krista T. about Whitetail Woods.
Site selection strategy at Baker Park Reserve: Understand the tradeoffs between different camping areas. "The sites are fairly large, but very open (which was ok with a group of us, not our style when it's just us though)," explains Jennifer H. If privacy is important, request specific sites or arrive early for better selection.
Noise considerations: Be aware of proximity to roads and high-traffic areas. "When I arrived, I was given a site that backed up to a very busy road. There was also no shade on the site and I was 3 feet or less from my neighbor," reports Diane A. about Minneapolis Northwest KOA, suggesting to "be sure to call the office ahead and let them know that you want a site with trees and not one backing up to the road."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Combine camping with swimming facilities for children. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," notes Tiffany W. about Bunker Hills Regional Park. The water park features a wave pool and multiple slides for different age groups, making it an excellent option for glamping near Bayport with children.
Multi-activity options: Select campgrounds with diverse recreational facilities. "The lake is nice. There are 2 swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors. You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards," shares Jennifer H. about Baker Park Reserve, making it suitable for families with varied interests.
Playground proximity: Consider distance between campsites and play areas. "The playground is a short walk to the tent area, which was a big hit with our kids. Our girls didn't want to leave!" reports Angela L. about Lake Byllesby Regional Park.
Bug preparation: Pack appropriate insect repellent, especially during summer months. "Plenty of bugs, so bring your spray!" advises kristin C. about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park. Consider bringing long-sleeved clothing and netting for additional protection during peak mosquito season (June-August).
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Request specific sites based on your priorities. "The sites on and close to the water are long, but not very wide. The sites further back have alot more room at each site," advises Tonya B. about Lake Byllesby Regional Park.
Hookup availability: Verify what connections are available before booking. "We stayed in a RV spot next to the lake which had water and electric hookups," notes Angela L., while other campgrounds may offer full sewer connections as well.
Proximity to facilities: Consider distance to bathrooms and dump stations. "Only one shower house and we had to drive there," mentions Kate H. about Wild River State Park, which can be important for families or longer stays.
Seasonal considerations: Be aware of facility limitations during shoulder seasons. "Outside water is shut off during some parts of the year, so bring your own drinking water if you are camping close to/during winter," warns Blair about winter glamping at Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins.
