Best Tent Camping near Brooklyn Park, MN
Tent campers near Brooklyn Park, Minnesota have several established campgrounds within an hour's drive, including Lake Maria State Park and Afton State Park, both offering secluded tent sites away from RV areas. William O'Brien State Park and Crow Hassan Park Reserve provide additional tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and trail access. Most tent sites in these parks require reservations through the Minnesota state park reservation system.
Tent camping areas at Lake Maria State Park are exclusively hike-in, with sites located approximately one mile from parking areas. The park features level tent pads, fire rings, picnic tables, and food lockers at each site. Vault toilets are positioned near clusters of campsites, though campers should bring their own toilet paper. Water is available at central pumps but not at individual sites. According to one visitor, "The sites are about a mile hike in. We went in late April and were able to hammock camp. It felt isolated even though other sites were nearby."
The backpacking tent sites at Afton State Park offer a good introduction to primitive camping with a moderately challenging 1-mile hike that includes a steep uphill section near the end. Tent campsites are well-spaced with fire rings and picnic tables, providing privacy between sites. The campground includes a solar-powered water pump and communal firewood pile where campers can cut their own wood for a small fee. Sites vary between wooded areas and open prairie settings, with some offering seasonal views of the St. Croix River. A review mentioned that "Sites are nice and private, and the campground was quiet the whole time. The firewood available was dry and burned well, although you do have to cut it yourself." Most tent sites throughout these parks experience heavy mosquito activity during summer months, with early fall offering more comfortable camping conditions.