Tent camping options near Bloomington, Minnesota extend beyond state parks into county park reserves and retreat centers within a 45-mile radius. The metropolitan area sits at approximately 840 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping months. Spring and fall camping seasons offer cooler temperatures with seasonal color changes, while mosquito activity intensifies from late May through August, particularly near wetland areas.
What to do
Trail running: Afton State Park offers challenging terrain with steep elevation changes, making it popular among runners. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" notes one visitor, while others mention "Lots of hiking. Nice campsites. Beautiful park."
Swimming at beaches: William O'Brien State Park features swimming areas along the St. Croix River. "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite," explains a camper who stayed in the Savanna Campground area.
Mountain biking: Technical single-track trails await at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, which offers 13.25 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels. "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to," according to a mountain biking enthusiast.
What campers like
Prairie site seclusion: Campers appreciate the blend of open spaces and privacy at Afton State Park. "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion," notes one reviewer who stayed in one of the prairie sites.
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Lake Maria State Park provides accessible backpacking for newcomers with sites at various distances. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," explains a frequent visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Bird watching opportunities abound across regional parks. According to a regular visitor to Crow Hassan Park Reserve, it's "Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" Many campers report hearing frogs, seeing turtles, and spotting various bird species across the region's wetland areas.
What you should know
Water availability concerns: Water sources at some parks may be unreliable during peak season. At Afton State Park, one camper 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 the park's beautiful hiking trails!"
Challenging hikes to sites: Pack light for hike-in sites, as terrain can be demanding. "The hike to the campground is short and grueling," reports a camper at Afton State Park. At Nerstrand Big Woods, "The walk in site was great - close to parking with plenty of tree shade."
Site selection strategy: Reserve early for popular weekends, especially at sites with specific features. "Site 1 is my favorite despite the road noise due to the location of the tent pad and being on almost a peninsula offering lots of lake views," recommends a Lake Maria camper describing the trade-offs between privacy and ambient noise.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly programming: Parks offer educational programs during summer months. "Very pleasant and quick," notes a visitor to William O'Brien State Park who participated in the park's family-oriented weekend activities.
Seasonal considerations: Fall offers optimal camping conditions for families with young children. "This is a great campground for Fall camping. The color's are amazing. Nice hiking trails. Little area to get wet but not swimming," advises a camper at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.
Cabin alternatives: Tony's Backyard offers a private, established site close to city amenities if traditional camping seems overwhelming. "Jake from the Dyrt here! Tony's Backyard is new to the Dyrt and looking to share a camping spot with others," notes a recent reviewer of this unique alternative to traditional campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing challenges: RV campers should research site dimensions carefully before booking. At Nerstrand Big Woods, one RVer noted: "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."
Winter camping considerations: Select parks remain open for winter camping with appropriate gear. "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates... The cabin we stayed in felt very welcoming," shares a winter camper, highlighting the alternative to tent camping during Minnesota's harsh winters.
