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."
$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."
"When Rice Creek Campground opens up again in April I'd highly recommend going there if all you want is a simple camping experience to get away from the city grind."
"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."
$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."
TravelerWe stayed here with a group of hot tent campers in early January. The site is large and had a couple of fire pits. Includes a few picnic tables, and a pit toilet. It's a beautiful open area not far from the parking lot with a gorgeous view of the St. Croix River.
ScoutWe visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
RangerSo, I think you know what you are signing up for here when you stay camp at the backpacking site at Afton, but let me fill in some of the blanks. #1 yes, the hill climb is as big of an effort as other people have said. You will feel like you earned your dinner. I may have found a hack for this, but more in that later. #2 the site are mostly private. I stayed on site #12. I could see (and they could have seen me) site #9, but thankfully no one was there. That would have been a bummer to have other looking into my site. There is even a semi-worn path between 12 and 9. They would make a good combo if you have a group. Other than that, totally secluded. As far space at #12, you could build as big of a tent structure there as you would need, easily room for a massive 16’x24’ palace (if you would dare to carry it) or anything smaller. An Eagle Scout project built hammock posts at this site, so it is ideal for that set up. #3 the campground amenities are very nice. The solar powered water works great year round, the two pits toilets (if you can even call them that) are very new and nice. And the coolest campground feature is the cut your own firewood station. I went a little overboard since it was so nice and had a way bigger fire than I needed. Bring your own saw and you will love it too. #4 After walking around the park, I discovered a possible hack. There is an unmarked entrance to the park on the north side. Instead of walking all my gear back to the parking lot, I walked the .5 miles to the service entrance, dropped my pack, and then walked the 1.8 miles back to the parking lot. I tend to carry too much. The flat short walk to drop my gear was worth it. Then I drop around the park and picked up my stuff. Probably not MN DNR endorsed way to do it, but I was proud of my discovery. All in, this is a unique and wonderful camping experience. Highly recommend.
GuideNice spot with plenty of space between sites, which gives you some privacy. It’s right off a busy road, so you’ll hear some traffic noise. The hunters were out during my stay, so there were gunshots throughout the day, but that’s to be expected this time of year. Overall, a good spot for a quick overnight stay and it’s conveniently close to the cities.
RangerI was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!
This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.
This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.
This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.
This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!
This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!
GuideThey have two lots for RV and travel trailer use although the first lot only has two spaces and the second one has a total of five. The five space spot has no water or electric hook up but was a great place for me to test out my new solar set up. Word to the wise, gates ACTUALLY close at 10pm, there's no way to contact anyone and I had to walk about a mile in parked outside the gate 😅. The White Pine lot (5 spaces) has a central bathroom/shower building. The park was jam packed Friday/Saturday but a ghosts town the remains sun/mon/tue I stayed.
ScoutFor our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids. We will be back!
TravelerNever again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin
GuideInterstate State Park has some nice features, but overall it wasn’t my favorite. Many of the exterior loop sites have river access, which was a highlight, and we didn’t have to deal with mosquitoes thanks to being right on the water. The nearby towns are also very charming and worth exploring.
That said, the campground is small and very crowded, likely because it’s so close to the Cities and popular with canoe rentals. Expect a lot of traffic noise, and in the fall, migrating geese can be very loud (which didn’t bother me, but might for some). The ranger office had limited hours, and since firewood is locked up, there’s no self-serve option. Another downside: a riverboat cruises by frequently, blasting music in the evenings and giving tours during the day.
The sites are close together, with RVs and tents mixed on one loop, so generator noise is common. It wasn’t a terrible stay, but just too small and busy for my preference—I don’t think I’d return.
Best sites seemed to be 21 (great river views, less private), 23 (fun detached tent pad), and 18 (most private). Sites 4–5 were also lovely but close to the bathrooms and camp host, so expect more foot traffic.
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 128 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.
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