121 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The southeastern Minnesota landscape surrounding Cannon Falls features a variety of camping options within an hour's drive of the Twin Cities. Lake Byllesby Regional Park offers boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access with tent, RV, and glamping accommodations along the shores of Lake Byllesby. Cannon Falls Campground provides family-friendly amenities on grassy sites with full hookups for RVs. Within a short drive, Nerstrand Big Woods State Park showcases a remnant hardwood forest with hiking trails leading to Hidden Falls, while Frontenac State Park offers scenic bluff-top camping with Mississippi River views. The region balances developed campgrounds with more secluded options in natural settings.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from mid-April through October, with limited winter camping available at select state parks. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods when sites fill quickly. The terrain varies from riverside flats to rolling woodland, with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer thunderstorms common and spring bringing occasional flooding along waterways. As one camper noted, "Cannon Falls is such a nice town especially when the wine festival is going on," highlighting the area's connection to local attractions. Cell service is generally reliable at developed campgrounds but may be spotty in more remote areas.
Families frequently mention the recreational opportunities available at campgrounds near Cannon Falls. Lake Byllesby earns praise for its "paved RV pads, nice showers and restrooms" and proximity to "excellent bike paths." The Cannon River Wilderness Area provides more primitive camping experiences where visitors report finding "sites tucked away from people" with short hikes from parking areas. Seasonal campers at Cannon Falls Campground appreciate the family atmosphere, with one noting they "have tons of things to do for the kids." Fall brings spectacular color to the hardwood forests, making it a popular time for camping, while summer visitors enjoy water recreation on the Cannon River and Lake Byllesby. Noise levels vary by location, with riverside sites occasionally experiencing train or highway sounds.
"This is a Nice campground middle of Minnesota. Surprising place in the middle of farm country. Very nice campground and lots of walking trails. Great for leaf peeping."
"Though they were right next to each other, they felt very secluded. Site 4 felt a bit more private from the main road because the campsite slightly slopes downward."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability"Lakeside sites are close together, with W/E hookups, but they’re right in the lake with a wonderful view. The facilities are very clean and well-kept."
"Near lake and excellent bike path. Great brewery and winery close by."
"We didn’t get to swim at the lake because it was shut down due to a chemical spill at the time, but we did walk over and check it out. The views are great! We stayed in a RV spot next to the lake."
"Sites were so easy and the bike trails were awesome! Lots of nature paths too."
from $39 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation"
"We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. it has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps."
from $24 - $42 / night
Check Availability"Cannon Falls is such a nice town especially when the wine festival is going on. A little speedy, but we still go at least once a year"
"We can't say enough good things about Cannon Falls Campground!"
"Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks."
"It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees."
from $22 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Minnesota is beautiful and there is so much to do here. The bathrooms are spotless and everything is new here."
"Washington County, which manages campgrounds at both the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St Croix Bluffs Regional Park, does a great job of maintaining campgrounds, trails, and bathroom facilities at both parks"
"Quiet, pretty hiking trails, nice people, close to home but tucked away enough to be away from everything"
"The ranger station was small and charming, stocked with board games to rent, and it’s clear the staff cares about creating a positive camping experience."
from $24 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground outside of Red Wing, MN with a bar/restaurant and other features. Access to trials for bikes and horses. I stayed in the horse camp without a horse but it was a nice area."
"Our standard water hose and electrical cord wouldn’t reach so we ended up backing up the hill to get next to the water and filled our tank for the weekend."
"There is a fire ring outside of each cabin, along with a table. No cooking is allowed inside the cabins, which can make things rough if the weather isn't cooperating. "
"There is no cooking inside the cabin so you have to use the fire ring outside. Shower facilities are really nice and match the cabins. Plan ahead as these are hard to come by."
from $85 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThe Veterans Campground is by far the best campground we have ever been to! The people are amazing The grounds are well kept, very clean. This is our home away from home. It's the perfect place for your kids to be kids like we did in the 90's home by the time the street lights come on. Us parents can finally relax!
TravelerThe owners where very accommodating and it shows they take pride in there campground. Site where level Lawn was manicured and the bathrooms where phenomenal
ScoutI camp site is beautiful but they do not have any USPS delivery so you must get delivered to the post office
GuideWe are in site 17 and it is mostly level. Many of the sites are for tents and not enough room for a small camper or the gravel area is not level, so try to view sites and comments before reserving. Nice hiking trails along the river. Vault toilets er clean. Very quiet campground. Large grassy area by river with picnic tables and grills for large group gatherings. Wish it had a dump station though- will have to consider going to Whitewater state park down the road to dump.
ScoutThis was our first camping experience and it was a great one! I would highly recommend this for anyone’s first or fifth camping adventure!
RangerBeautiful setting along the Mississippi River. A few campsites right on the river edge. Also sites with Electric.
Across the railroad tracks is the nice little village of Stockholm which is famous for the PIE Shop. The village also has a wonderful bakery and other small shops and cafes.
A very nice Nature Center outside of town with great prairie trails and views overlooking the Mississippi River up high in the bluffs.
The campground does NOT have showers.
Campground does not have sewage dumping station.
The campground is located close to the railroad tracks but the trains go through fast and were not as bad as we expected.
GuideClean level campsites, many overlooking Lake Pepin. Sites are short but there are separate areas to park your vehicle if needed. Not many electric sites. Many sites have tent pads and there are frequent pit toilets and well as a new restroom and shower building. Quiet except for the low rumble of frequent trains from both the Wi and MN sides. Lots of great trails! Of varying difficulties.
ScoutClean and large bathrooms. Very safe and family friendly. It is a bit on the smaller side.
TravelerWell maintained. Nice beach.
Camping options around Cannon Falls provide diverse accommodations throughout southeastern Minnesota's rolling terrain. The Cannon River Valley sits at approximately 820 feet above sea level, with surrounding bluffs rising to 1,100 feet. Late spring through early fall sees average temperatures between 50-85°F, with July and August typically reaching the warmest conditions.
Hiking to Hidden Falls: At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, explore trails leading to a secluded waterfall. "Hidden water falls and some what secluded sites. Beautiful weekend with nice trails," shares Kerri N. The park preserves one of Minnesota's last remnants of the Big Woods forest ecosystem.
Biking paved trails: Access regional bike paths directly from your campsite at Haycreek Valley Campground. "We really enjoyed the bike trail that was so close, paved and had lots of tree cover to keep us cool. Very nice ride to Red Wing right from our site!" reports Karin W. The Cannon Valley Trail extends 20 miles between Cannon Falls and Red Wing.
Winter camping: Experience a winter getaway in a heated cabin at Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins. "The cabins in the woods are great in winter with snow on the pine trees," notes Krista T. Each cabin provides four sleeping spots with bunk beds and convertible couches, plus electric heat for cold weather comfort.
Spacious sites: Lake Byllesby Regional Park offers room to spread out. "Very nice county park. Water and electric hookups. The lake is nice for fishing, boating or swimming. Has a small store," says Carla A. Sites 1-17 are waterfront with direct views of the lake.
Clean facilities: Lebanon Hills Regional Park maintains excellent bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms were among some of the nicest I've used at a campground. The shower stall was big enough for a meaty human like myself to shower comfortably," explains Joanne M. Bathrooms are cleaned multiple times daily during peak season.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the layout at Frontenac State Park Campground. "Sites 40-49 have a view of Lake Pepin through the trees, which was especially nice at sunset," says Mandee L. Recommended sites for privacy include numbers 42 and 44, which offer views with fewer neighbors.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds book quickly, especially during summer weekends. "The campground gets booked up fast, so book early!" advises Tonya B. about Lake Byllesby Regional Park. For popular sites, make reservations up to 120 days in advance.
Seasonal water conditions: Lake Byllesby sometimes develops algae blooms in late summer. "The only thing disappointing is the lake becomes green with algae as the summer goes on," notes Kayla O. Water quality is typically best from April through mid-July.
Cell service variability: Signal strength varies significantly between campgrounds. "Cell service was good" at Lake Byllesby according to Deb M., while at Whitetail Woods, "don't plan on cell service here" warns Blair.
Playground access: Lake Byllesby Campground offers excellent facilities for children. "Great views of the lake and two great playgrounds. Very close to town and good priced," shares Nichole G. The playground areas are a short walk from most campsites.
Swimming options: Beach facilities vary across locations. "We didn't get to swim at the lake because it was shut down due to a chemical spill at the time, but we did walk over and check it out," reports Angela L. Check water conditions before planning swimming activities.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with organized events. "We have two boys 12 and 5 and they love it here! We can't say enough good things about Cannon Falls Campground!" says Heather N. Many locations offer weekend programming during summer months.
Site selection: At Cannon Falls Campground, RV sites are predominantly on grass with various hookup options. "We are newer campers with a travel trailer and the sites here are large enough for me to be able to back into comfortably enough," shares Milly T. Sites typically accommodate units up to 40 feet.
Hookup placement: Pay attention to utility locations when selecting sites. "Our site was rather odd as the electric and water post was on the opposite side of our camper. Our standard water hose and electrical cord wouldn't reach," cautions Karin W. about Haycreek Valley Campground. Pack extension cords and longer water hoses as backup.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds limit water access during cold months. "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," advises Blair about Whitetail Woods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Cannon Falls, MN?
Cannon Falls offers several camping options. The popular Cannon Falls Campground provides grassy RV sites, a swimming pool, and family-friendly activities. Seasonal sites are available for those wanting a more permanent setup. For a lakeside experience, Lake Byllesby Regional Park offers water and electric hookups with waterfront views. The facilities are well-maintained, and the proximity to Cannon Falls town makes it convenient for exploring local attractions. Both campgrounds are known for their friendly atmosphere and cleanliness, making them great options for families and RV campers visiting the Cannon Falls area.
Are there campground maps available for Cannon Falls camping areas?
Yes, campground maps are typically available for Cannon Falls area camping destinations. Lebanon Hills Regional Park provides detailed maps showing campsite locations, trails, amenities, and recreational areas like Schultz Beach. Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground, though slightly farther from Cannon Falls, also offers comprehensive maps highlighting wooded campsites and Lake Pepin views. Most campgrounds provide maps on their official websites, at ranger stations, or visitor centers. Additionally, you can find map images in online reviews and camping apps. For the most accurate and current maps, it's recommended to contact the specific campground directly before your visit.
How far are Cannon Falls campgrounds from the Cannon River?
Distance to the Cannon River varies by campground. The Cannon River Wilderness Area offers the most immediate access with campsites located directly alongside the river. These free sites are a short 10-minute walk from parking and perfect for hammock camping with river views. Other options like Frontenac State Park Campground are within a few miles of river access points. For those seeking riverside recreation near Cannon Falls, many campgrounds provide convenient access to the river for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing opportunities, though specific distances may vary depending on which section of the campground you're staying in.
Keep Exploring
