Best Tent Camping near Burnsville, MN
Tent campsites near Burnsville, Minnesota range from backpacking options to established tent campgrounds set in natural areas. Afton State Park Campground, located about 20 miles east of Burnsville, offers walk-in and hike-in tent sites with a rustic, secluded camping experience. Cannon River Wilderness Area provides free tent camping with primitive amenities in a natural setting approximately 25 miles south of Burnsville.
Most tent camping areas require some hiking to reach the sites, with Afton State Park featuring a moderately challenging one-mile hike that includes a steep uphill section to reach the campground. Tent sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary by location. Afton State Park provides self-serve firewood ($6 for all you can cut/carry) and solar-powered water pumps near the camping area. Vault toilets are available at most tent campgrounds, though shower facilities are limited. Sites at Afton State Park are well-spaced, offering privacy between campers, while Cannon River Wilderness Area provides a more primitive backcountry tent camping experience.
The backcountry tent sites at Afton State Park offer a balance of wooded areas and open terrain with gravel tent pads. Many sites are heavily forested, providing shade and natural screening between campsites. Walk-in tent campsites throughout the area typically require carrying all gear from parking areas, making lightweight packing essential. According to reviews, the tent campground at Afton State Park offers "sites that are nice and private, and the campground was quiet the whole time." Another visitor noted that "the hike to the campground is short and grueling" but the "terrain is just hilly enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion." Seasonal considerations include potential mosquito activity near water features and variable trail conditions depending on recent weather.