Tent camping near Cambridge, Minnesota offers nature enthusiasts access to the Mississippi River watershed and St. Croix River Valley. The region sits at the transition zone between hardwood forests and prairie landscapes, creating diverse ecosystems for campers to explore. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity levels, while spring and fall camping provides cooler temperatures and fewer insects.
What to do
Hiking through varied terrain: At Lake Maria State Park, campers can explore trails winding through woods and around lakes. One visitor noted, "Great trails and a fun experience. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves."
Wildlife observation: Camping at Lake Maria offers opportunities to spot diverse forest wildlife. A camper observed that site B6 "feels like a secret woodland sanctuary" where they "saw pileated woodpeckers, red squirrels, and a chorus of chorus frogs. Nature feels close here — in the best way."
Biking from the Twin Cities: The region offers connections to paved and limestone trails. A camper at William O'Brien State Park shared, "We bike from St. Paul to William O. It is a nice 40 mile ride mostly on paved or limestone trails."
Archery practice: Camping near archery facilities provides additional recreation options. At Elm Creek Horse Camp, one site is "tucked away near the archery range" with "plenty of new smells, shaded stretches, and squirrels for days."
What campers like
Quiet weekdays: Timing your visit strategically can enhance solitude. A camper at William O'Brien State Park noted, "My first time solo camping was at William O'Brien State Park on a Sunday evening. 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."
Secluded sites: Many campers value privacy when tent camping. At Trade River Equestrian Camp in Governor Knowles State Forest, a visitor appreciated that "just a nice quiet campground and the sites are fairly private. Lots of hiking and close to the river for some kayaking etc."
Night sounds: Natural soundscapes enhance the camping experience. At Lake Maria State Park, a camper described their site as "a peaceful escape where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birdsong, and frogs singing at dusk."
Level terrain: Practical site features matter for comfortable tent setup. One camper at William O'Brien State Park mentioned, "Site 117 was level, had decent privacy, and was more spacious than some of the other sites (could have put up a 3-5 person tent and a bug house). The fire pit was clean and had a grate on top."
What you should know
Insect preparation: Bug pressure varies by season and location. At Lake Maria State Park, a camper warned, "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon" and recommended "Pack light and bring permethrin-treated clothes during bug season."
Trail conditions: Backcountry access points require preparation. A visitor to Spring Creek found the camping "ok not meme totable but it's not bad," suggesting variable trail conditions.
Construction impacts: Check for current park projects before visiting. A recent visitor to William O'Brien State Park reported, "The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids. Constructing is scheduled to the end of 2025."
Variable campsite spacing: Site privacy differs between campgrounds and loops. A visitor noted, "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites. I wouldn't want to stay here when the loop is fully reserved."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing for children: Natural wetlands provide educational opportunities. At William O'Brien State Park, a camper at Savanna Campground shared, "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
Off-peak timing: Weekday visits can reduce crowding at popular locations. One visitor observed, "Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream."
Cabin alternatives: For families new to camping, cabins offer a transition option. A Lake Maria State Park visitor noted, "They also have little cabins to stay in that id like to try out!" while another shared their cabin experience: "The cabin we stayed in felt very welcoming. Unknown at the time I booked it, the cabin offered Wi-Fi access."
Wildlife awareness: Prepare for animal encounters at campsites. A camper cautioned, "Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for teardrop trailers: Smaller RVs can access more sites. A visitor to Mississippi Riverwood RV Park shared they "own a riverside lot and absolutely love it here," showing the appeal of riverside locations for small trailers.
Group camping logistics: Some campgrounds accommodate RV group camping. A William O'Brien State Park camper described, "We planned this weekend with friends to camp in our matching teardrop trailers. We have never really camped with friends before, so the point was to just go, not to really travel far."
Seasonal facilities: Shower buildings may have varying conditions by season. One camper noted, "The shower house needed a cleaning as well. There is no adjusting the shower temperature. Push the button and you get what you get."
Firewood availability: Plan ahead for campfire needs. A visitor mentioned, "Wood was $8 bundle. This was steep in my opinion. They do not all any gathering of firewood."
