Tent camping in Cannon Falls, Minnesota ranges from secluded riverside spots to established state parks within a 45-minute drive. The area sits at approximately 820 feet above sea level in southeastern Minnesota's Cannon River watershed. Spring conditions often feature muddy trails with temperatures ranging from 45-65°F, while summer brings high humidity and temperatures between 70-85°F.
What to do
Hike to hidden waterfalls: Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground offers several miles of hiking trails through old-growth forest. "The sites have quite a few trees separating them" and lead to scenic areas where "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," according to one visitor.
Paddling opportunities: Cannon River provides kayaking and canoeing options from May through October. At Cannon River Wilderness Area, campers note it's "a nice little stop between Faribault and Northfield" for river paddlers. The riverside camping areas require either "paddle in or hike it in only."
Winter recreation: For cold-weather enthusiasts, several parks remain open year-round. William O'Brien State Park Campground offers winter camping opportunities. One visitor described their experience: "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. As you can imagine, this meant snow was everywhere in the heart of winter in Minnesota. We decided to take a night trek through the park. The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent."
What campers like
Secluded riverside spots: Tent campers appreciate the natural setting along the Cannon River. At Cannon River Wilderness Area, campers enjoy finding "a site tucked away from people which is what we like. We set up hammocks right next to the river. The hike from parking is not bad at all about a 10 minute walk from parking to the farthest site."
Modern facilities: Despite being in natural settings, many campgrounds provide clean facilities. Afton State Park Campground receives praise for its accessibility: "First, terrific park. Lots of trails with a wide variety of landscapes. Prairie, forest, river, it's got it all. My campsite was perfect. The woods made it very secluded. It was close enough to water and bathrooms so it wasn't bad if you planned."
Seasonal beauty: Fall camping near Cannon Falls offers colorful foliage displays. At Nerstrand Big Woods, one camper noted it's "a great campground for Fall camping. The color's are amazing. Nice hiking trails. Little area to get wet but not swimming."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have poor connectivity. At Nerstrand Big Woods, "cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible. There's WiFi at the office, which is just a short hike from the campground."
Water availability varies: Some areas have limited access to drinking water. At Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground, "you can drive in to drop off or pick up your gear but otherwise vehicles are parked in the main parking lot outside of the gate, which is not a big deal but from the group sites it is a trek to the lot and to the beach."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. At William O'Brien State Park, one camper noted, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Choose walk-in sites for quiet: Family campers often prefer walk-in sites for less noise and traffic. At William O'Brien State Park, families enjoy the Savanna Campground where "you can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
Look for winter cabin options: For families wanting to camp in colder months, cabins provide comfort. Afton State Park offers yurts that are "perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring. These have some great amenities."
Check site spacing: When tent camping with children near Cannon Falls, site privacy matters. At Roberds Lake Resort and Campground, one camper noted, "Hook ups a bit squished together" but praised the "private beach, boat rental availability for a whole day, flexible and friendly."
Tips from RVers
Limited big rig access: Many campgrounds near Cannon Falls have restrictions for larger RVs. At Nerstrand Big Woods, "there's some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance."
Electric availability: RVers should verify hookup options before arrival. William O'Brien State Park has electric sites but "sites 98, 110, 111, 112, 113, and 114 are right on the road into the campground with some tree coverage and prairie behind. These do not feel very private at all."
Weekend crowds: Plan for busy weekends during summer months. One RVer at William O'Brien 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."
