Campgrounds near Columbus, Minnesota provide a mix of developed facilities and natural settings within the regional park system. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park stands out as a popular destination, offering tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and even glamping options within proximity to the Twin Cities metro area. William O'Brien State Park Campground and Wild River State Park both accommodate tent campers, RV users, and cabin seekers year-round, providing alternatives with different amenity levels across Anoka and Washington counties. The concentration of county and state park campgrounds creates multiple options for overnight stays in natural settings without venturing far from urban conveniences.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the area, with several facilities operating only from spring through fall. Rice Creek Campground and Ham Lake Resort typically open from May through October or November, while others like William O'Brien remain accessible year-round. Most campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. County park camping often requires a separate parking permit in addition to camping fees. The region experiences typical Minnesota seasonal patterns with hot, humid summers that bring mosquitoes and horseflies. A camper noted, "Nice campground with lots of trails, a beach, and many playgrounds. Only recommendation is to get the firewood from down the road and not at the campground."
Campers consistently highlight the spacious sites and relative privacy at Rice Creek facilities despite their proximity to urban areas. "The sites are spaced out better than most other places I've camped and have trees and brush between the sites whenever possible," according to one visitor. Several reviews mention the unexpected seclusion, with campers noting the sites feel more private than typical county or state parks. Amenities like clean shower facilities, swimming beaches, and trail access receive frequent positive mentions. While road noise from nearby highways is occasionally noted as a drawback, many campers describe the parks as "hidden gems" that provide a wilderness feel despite being close to metropolitan areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities, lake access for fishing and boating, and well-maintained facilities consistently appear as highlights across multiple campground reviews.
$25 - $90 / night
"Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."
"We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."
$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"It was very easy to find, close to the twin cities, and clean. There was good access to kindling for a fire in the nice fire pit that has a grill."
$20 - $32 / night
"I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."
"It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"
$24 - $50 / night
"This is a state park on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix River, which is mirrored by a comparable but smaller state park in Minnesota on the wrst side of the river, both being part of the wild and scenic"
"Now that I live in Minnesota, I find myself frequenting the Taylors Falls side. Here you have the amazing "Pot Holes" from glacial waters and some pretty spectacular rock climbing."
"Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"
"Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."
$20 - $32 / night
"Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
"Beach was closed but we still got some good walks in. Fire ring was a little shallow for my liking so had to get some solid coals going to get dinner on the table."
$23 - $80 / night
"For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."
"Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."
$23 - $90 / night
"Stayed for two nights at a drive-in double site here and found it ideal for autumn camping."
"We stayed in campsite 29 in the drive in campsite over Labor Day weekend."
$54 - $999 / night
"The map provided was accurate which made locating the cruiser a breeze. There were further instructions inside as well. The RV was immaculate."
$40 - $75 / night
"Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."
ScoutGot a nice spot by the water, big parking spot, little below the spot is an opening towards water with a fire pit. 2-3 bars of service but never had an issue. Worked well. Very private. Bugs weren’t bad either
TravelerStaying here currently & they have been very accommodating, friendly & flexible. Water & electric hookup but no sewer however there is a dump station, a bathhouse with real toilets & nice showers. Pretty quiet for being so close to the main highway. My cats are able to free roam the property & my dog can be tied up outside. Usually pretty nice neighbors too.
ScoutI was able to find a campsite not on the road. There was a trail from the parking spot so keep an eye out. Lots of animals saw a turkey and coyote so just be aware. Very pretty and calm. Had to pick up some trash from other campers just a reminder to leave no trace.
TravelerWe stayed here from about 10pm to 6am. There were a ton of people there so it was hard finding somewhere to sleep. Once we did, it was very quiet and we got a good nights rest. There were a couple of cars that passed us in the morning when we left but nothing too crazy. The scenery was very beautiful. This is definitely a great free option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot in the woods to sleep!
TravelerI stayed there with my RV. Most all of the campsites were too small to park it, but I found one at the very end of the park to stay. Although the land itself is beautiful, the locals were reporting me to the DNR officer, who were clearly his friends, and accusing me of things I was not doing. Also, there’s a lot of traffic in and out of there and they fly through there day and night, as well as a lot of gunfire going off a lot of the time. I use T-Mobile service and I was on SOS most of the time. Not very impressed.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
TravelerElectric hookup, dump station on site. Sites are a little close together. $25/night with a 7 day max stay.
LegendInterstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35. The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby. There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.
The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin. The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age. The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.
There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites. The South is a bit more rustic. The showers are located at the North campground.
For amenities there are flush toilets and showers. There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities.
This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area. You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options. If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.
Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the hwy crossing over the river. The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.
GuideNice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
Camping spots near Columbus, Minnesota offer diverse recreational opportunities across several county and state parks within an hour's drive of the Twin Cities. The landscape features a mix of prairie, woodlands, and riparian habitats along the St. Croix and Rum Rivers, with elevations ranging from 800 to 950 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during peak camping season from May through October, with cool spring and fall nights dropping to the 40s.
Hiking diverse terrain: Wild River State Park provides extensive trail networks through multiple ecosystems. "The park is huge and beautiful. We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise," reports one Wild River State Park Campground visitor.
Water recreation options: Beyond swimming beaches, many parks offer paddling experiences. "I would like to take a few days to canoe the whole length of the park, camping along the different sites," notes a Wild River camper about their river experience plans.
Star gazing: Several campgrounds offer minimal light pollution for astronomy. "It's a great place to star gaze," mentions a visitor at Wild River State Park, where designated star gazing areas provide optimal viewing conditions.
Winter activities: For year-round camping options, some parks maintain winter facilities. "We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp. The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent," reports a winter visitor at Wild River.
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy between sites at Bunker Hills Regional Park. "Despite many of these things not being anything that I have a slight interest in, this somehow works for the park and it feels like a hidden paradise," shares a camper about the surprising seclusion.
Unexpected amenities: Parks often offer facilities beyond basic camping. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. The park rangers were very helpful and informative," notes one Wild River State Park visitor.
Proximity to activities: Campers value having recreation options within walking distance. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," writes a Willow River State Park Campground visitor about on-site facilities just across the state line in Wisconsin.
Variety of camping styles: From tent-only loops to RV hookups, the region accommodates different preferences. "I loved the look of the 'TENT ONLY' loop - you don't see this often... the fact that this loop was 'tent only' meant no generators! It was very quiet!" explains a camper at Rice Creek Campgrounds.
Seasonal insect conditions: Bug populations peak during summer months. "So my husband and I officially nicknamed this campground 'Horsefly Hell.' And no we don't recommend this one," warns a July visitor to Rice Creek Campgrounds about their experience during peak insect season.
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. "I was only able to stay one night as my cross country trip hit this campground on the Thursday before memorial day and the whole weekend was booked," notes a visitor at Willow River State Park.
Water access limitations: Lakes and rivers may have seasonal conditions affecting recreation. "Willow River State Park no longer has a beach or a lake, but they are working on the dam to refill the lake once again," explains a camper at the Wisconsin state park.
Firewood considerations: Quality varies between providers. "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere," advises a William O'Brien State Park Campground visitor.
Look for kid-friendly water features: Several parks offer swimming opportunities beyond natural lakes. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," explains a visitor to Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
Consider noise levels: Different camping loops offer varying levels of peace and quiet. "We had some loud neighbors during the day but they settled down before quiet hours," notes a Wild River State Park camper about typical noise patterns.
Find playgrounds and activities: Parks with dedicated children's areas provide entertainment options. "They have a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites!" shares a visitor at Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
Plan for bathroom accessibility: With young children, proximity to facilities matters. "The primitive toilet smelled so bad it burned! It needed to be emptied and wasn't the entire time we were there," warns a Wild River camper, suggesting families camp closer to maintained shower houses.
Site selection considerations: Research specific site details before booking. "The upper loop (sites 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site," advises a Bunker Hills Regional Park visitor about appropriate RV locations.
Hookup availability: Electrical service varies between campgrounds and specific sites. "This place does have 30amp and 50amp hook ups and has pull through spots and sewer sites," confirms a Country Camping visitor about available connections.
Length restrictions: Verify your RV will fit at your chosen site. "Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!" notes a Country Camping Tent & RV Park visitor about accommodating larger rigs.
Dump station access: Not all parks offer on-site waste disposal. "Water fill stations readily available so we loaded up prior to continuing out west," mentions a Bunker Hills visitor about available utilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Columbus, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Columbus, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 130 campgrounds and RV parks near Columbus, MN and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Columbus, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Columbus, MN is William O'Brien State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 39 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Columbus, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Columbus, MN.
What parks are near Columbus, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Columbus, MN that allow camping, notably Saint Croix National Scenic River and Eau Galle Lake.
Keep Exploring
