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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
