Looking for the perfect glamping experience near Cottage Grove? The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic Cottage Grove experience while glamping. These scenic and easy to access Minnesota glamping locations are perfect for any adventurer.
Located on the St. Croix River, just 20 miles east of Saint Paul, Afton State Park is great for those looking for camping near Minneapolis and is 1600 acres of rolling prairies, oak woodlands, and limestone river canyons amid an ancient glacial landscape. The land for the park was acquired in 1967, but it took almost 15 years of planning revisions and compromises with local residents before the park finally opened in 1982. Little development has gone into Afton State Park in an effort to maintain its natural characteristics, and former farmland atop the bluffs are continuously being restored to their original state. This makes Afton an ideal destination for campers looking to experience the outdoors in a wilder setting.
Load up your backpack with all you’ll need for your stay, as camping at Afton State Park requires a hearty, 0.75-mile hike in from the parking area. The year-round campground offers 27 rustic sites with picnic tables and fire pits, with options for pitching your tent in either open or wooded areas. There is drinking water, a vault toilet and firewood is supplied within the camp area. There is also three boat-in campsites, and two group campsites that can accommodate up to 60 people each. If you’d rather not rough it, the park also offers four camping cabins and two yurts, some of which are wheelchair accessible. There are also several picnic areas and restrooms within the park. Campsite rates range from $15–$23/night; cabins range from $55–$70/night, and yurts $50–$65/night.
When you’re ready to explore, start at the park’s Nature Store where you can pick up information about the park’s flora and fauna, or join a nature walk. Then choose from more than 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, as well as a short barrier-free path. If you’re visiting in winter, many of these trails are open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Bring your GPS and go on a geocaching treasure hunt, or bring your binoculars and go on safari for a variety of migratory birds, waterfowl, and wildlife, including deer, foxes and badgers. And little ones will love becoming Junior Park Naturalists and learning about bugs, birds, plants and other critters. If you’re looking for a real outdoor adventure, Afton State Park has what you’re looking for.
$20 - $75 / night
$20 - $32 / night
$85 / night
Cleary Lake Regional Park has 20 sites for tents only and 2 RV sites with full hookups.
$16 - $50 / night
$15 - $18 / night
Ham Lake Resort is in Minnesota, just 30 minutes from the Twin Cities. We love that we are close enough to home, but far enough away to escape. We are proud to offer 114 RV sites with some full hook-up options, tent camping, and cabins! We have something for everyone!
Ham Lake offers so many activities including swimming, fishing, a beach, horseshoes, boating, planned activities throughout the weekends, a playground for the kids and so much more. We also feature many great amenities like shower houses, laundry facilities a picnic area, and a dog park!
There are so many things to do and see near our resort; go horseback riding, visit the beautiful state parks, take the kids to Bunker Beach Waterpark, or spend the day sipping wine at Willow Tree Winery.
Whether you want a vacation filled with rest and relaxation or want to add a little adventure, we have something for everyone! We can't wait to see you!
Must be over 25 to reserve a campsite at this campground.
$49 - $999 / night
Scout
Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats.
TravelerThe campground is nice and clean. Good size spaces. The tubing is a plus. Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off the. It was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max. Pool was small but nice. Splash pad was even nice for adults I recommend this campground. Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom.
Guide
I have stayed at Bunker a few times in site 33 and one of the walk in sites. Site 33 is very large and also very wide open. The walk in sites are a lot more secluded but not totally private. Really enjoy camping here, just wish it wasn't so expensive. It costs more than staying at a state park.
ScoutWent early in the season in the afternoon and had no problems getting a good spot with electric hookups. Better for someone with an RV, and more seemingly a weekend spot for the family.
ScoutI stayed here 3 weeks ago with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart 10-10 would most defiantly go again! A ton for the kids to do!
Traveler
Good pricing, great trails for all different skill levels and nice staff. Our site was mighty large and for the most part secluded from those near and on the path. $22 for the site, $8 for reservation. $8 for wood (all you can chop) and $7 for the overnight and next day parking pass for one car. Beautiful surroundings and clean bathrooms and grills one mile mostly uphill hike from parking lot but not to difficult and some paved parts. Definitely coming back.
Guide
We stayed here a week. I have been here before. It's a great campground if you can get in. We came late in the season and got the one spot open for a week. BTW Camping Worlds huge store is just north on 35E. Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday.
The campground is neat and well managed. Aside from that no issues except being so close to a large city (Urban campgrounds are not for wilderness campers) and county airport (noise) occasionally. Close to the Twin Cities it is. Access to anywhere is easy. The Three rivers campgrounds triangulate the northern suburbs. Baker park, Bunker Hills Park, and Rice Creek are all close to the major parts of town.
TravelerGreat campground with all the amenities one might need, including showers, nice bathrooms, a park, a beach, trails. Right next to lakes and a nature preserve. Close enough to town in case you forget some things like we did. A county parking pass is required, they don't like people parking on the grass, and they have staff making rounds to enforce the shortest list of rules I've seen in the last couple of years. My only complaint is that the location of the porta-potties didn't match what the maps showed, so my seemingly perfect plan to be somewhat far from them failed and I ended up right next to one; it was clean and didn't smell, but we heard the door close every time. They have the campsites spaced out better than most other places I've camped and have trees and brush between the sites whenever possible. We tent camped and plan to bring our travel trailer next year. Definitely plan to stay here at least once a season.
Scout
Best place and management in this world. Simply beautiful
Guide
We really liked this campground. The paved trail around the area is really nice for walking the pups. Very clean and well kept campground.
The campground gets booked up fast, so book early!
The sites on and close to the water are long, but not very wide. The sites further back have alot more room at each site.
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're so happy to have this property on our platform. With comfortable beds, firewood, firewood starters, and trails, this property has it all. Secluded but close to town. Book them today and leave them a review here!
Legend
Lots of good trees and space between campgrounds which isn’t always the case at the regional parks. The access to water is really nice and a couple sites were perfect.
The hike in sites are super close to the car so it doesn’t even require much work. Plan to come here again!
Legend
Super simple camping cabins. They each have 4 spots and have contactless entry as you get sent a code to use. There is no cooking inside the cabin so you have to use the fire ring outside. Shower facilities are really nice and match the cabins. Plan ahead as these are hard to come by.
Guide
Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground.
ScoutWe have lived in the Twin Cities for two decades and have never visited Rice Creek Chain of Lakes before. We will again! It's a lovely park, a reasonable biking distance from the Twin Cities (a lot on dedicated bike path). Sites are good sized with mix of sun and shade. Swimming beach is nice as well. Staff were very helpful.
Guide
Lots of space between campsites. They aren’t very private though. Great playground and green space for the kids, beach is very nice. Bathrooms are clean.
TravelerI really like the hike in sites. Short walk from the car and right by the water yet spaced nicely for privacy.
TravelerThey’re closing soon, but I caught this campground in their last 2 weeks open for the season! Feels lucky.
It’s right off the highway, and very easy to find. The camp is very well-maintained, the beach is gorgeous, and the staff was extremely nice over the phone when I set my reservation.
10/10
Scout
We have camped here twice. Once about 5 years ago,we had a great time. They overbooked so allowed us to stay on the group site. It was huge. Then we stayed again2 years ago. We were put on a corner about the size of our living room. Very small site all open ,another camper rite next to us. A group site across the road with about 5 large campers on it. The kids always have fun ,they have a pool,RC track,mini golf, playground,and community room with board games &such. We would have preferred more privacy.
Traveler
Met a friend for a relaxing weekend in loop c. Quiet, lots of trees, nice fire rings. Bathrooms were close and well kept. There were lots of other campers there but the sites are large and plentiful so it was not crowded.
ScoutNice hosts. Nice sites. Trees and level sites. Bigger than i thought.
GuideII've stayed here numerous times. It's actually a pretty good value for the money. Heavily wooded with oak trees, lots of privacy, campsites are spaced out well. Nice trails, facilities down the road, many biking trails, and cool on a hot summer day.
TravelerI can't really speak for any of the other sites here, but 13 is the only one right on the water and it's HUGE with lots of trees and absolutely beautiful scenery. I imagine in the middle of summer, it might feel slightly less secluded as there are 3 other sites relatively close by, one of which you have to walk through to get to this one, but in early September, no one else was around and it was PERFECT!
GuideThe sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot.
TravelerThis summer we took our 7 year-old here as a trial of backpacking camping with him.
This is a little more than a mile, and so it was super approachable for all of us to hike-in with all of our things. There was a good amount of hiking, some hills up and down and such, but a good length for a little guy.
Back in the campsites, there is A LOT of space. Everyone is super spread out, so we could feel like we had very good privacy. We heard a bit from other campsites, but with the space, we weren't bothered by others' noise nor did we feel like we needed to silence the kiddo to avoid bothering others.
ScoutThe campgrounds were beautiful and well kept. The bathrooms were immaculate. I love it!!!! I will be back!!!!!
ScoutMy husband and I picked this spot to try out our new camper (and puppy) for camping and it’s been a lovely place to stay. It’s a normal KOA setup but the staff is wonderfully sweet and the amenities are clean and reliable. Close to lots of state parks and hiking opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Cottage Grove, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Cottage Grove, MN is Afton State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Cottage Grove, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Cottage Grove, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
