The Cottage Grove area offers numerous camping options within 30 miles of the city, with most sites situated along the St. Croix River valley. Elevation changes throughout the region create varied camping experiences, from riverside locations to bluff-top sites with commanding views. Fall camping season typically extends through mid-October at most campgrounds, with spring operations resuming in late April to early May depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking at multiple difficulty levels: Afton State Park features extensive trail networks with varying terrain. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" reports Mike K., while Emily G. notes, "Lots of trails, sites to see, and wildlife to find. We will definitely be back for trail running!"
Water recreation on multiple bodies: Lake Byllesby Regional Park offers diverse water activities just south of Cottage Grove. "The lake is nice for fishing, boating or swimming. Has a small store," mentions Carla A. The park includes boat launching facilities and designated swimming areas.
Winter recreation options: Several campgrounds maintain year-round accessibility with specific cold-weather accommodations. "The cabins in the woods are great in winter with snow on the pine trees," writes Krista T. about Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins, mentioning their heating systems and winter accessibility.
What campers like
Modern bathroom facilities: The washroom buildings receive consistent praise across multiple campgrounds. "The bathroom facility has seen better days. The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours," notes Krista T. about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
Spacious campsites: Lebanon Hills Regional Park earns high marks for its generous site dimensions. "We liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays," Angela L. explains. "Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines," adds Katie C.
Group camping areas: Multiple parks feature designated group camping spaces for large gatherings. "This place has two group sites the one we stayed at Birch Hollow, hosts up to 20 campers and the other one up to 50. We absolutely loved this place, it was clean and separated from the other campers," reports Lizzy Z. about a camping experience at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.
What you should know
Alcohol restrictions vary by park: Several parks near Cottage Grove prohibit alcohol consumption. "While the cabins are close together, noise is not a factor once you're inside," notes Blair from Whitetail Woods, who also mentions that Lebanon Hills allows alcohol while other parks do not.
Pest considerations during summer months: Insect activity increases significantly from June through August. "We had a battle with mosquitoes. We went through a lot of bug spray and coils. Deer flies were thick around the water filling station," Tim shares about William O'Brien State Park.
Reservation competition: Securing campsites requires advance planning, especially for weekends. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises Blair about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes. For cabins, planning even further ahead is necessary, as Blair notes: "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance."
Tips for camping with families
Playground-adjacent sites: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas within walking distance of campsites. "The playground is a short walk to the tent area, which was a big hit with our kids. Our girls didn't want to leave!" reports Angela L. about Lake Byllesby Regional Park.
Educational programming: Many parks offer structured activities for children during peak season. "On Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch," mentions Tina H. about Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
Swimming options: Multiple parks feature swimming facilities suitable for children. Lake Elmo Park Reserve offers a unique experience according to Timothy S.: "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Willow River State Park across the state line in Wisconsin provides complete services for RVs. "Spacious sites and very clean restrooms!" notes Daryl L., while Rikki I. explains, "My only wish is that my little dog could join us and they had full hook ups" when comparing different parks.
Generator restrictions: Most campgrounds near Cottage Grove enforce noise limitations, including generator usage. Check individual park rules as several parks specify generator-free camping loops for quieter experiences. "We also appreciated being in a no-generator loop, which kept things peaceful—though highway noise was noticeable in the evenings," Maria D. notes about her Willow River State Park experience.
Site length accuracy: Davis D. cautions about Lebanon Hills' reservation system: "Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All RV sites are the listed length plus 16' for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out."
