Camping areas surrounding St. Francis, Minnesota span from primitive sites to full-service campgrounds within an hour's drive. The landscape includes waterfront camping at Ann Lake in Sand Dunes State Forest, where tent and RV sites offer access to trails and fishing. Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River provides more developed options with full hookups, while South of Sand Dunes State Forest offers dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking a more rustic experience.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping access throughout the region, with most developed campgrounds operating from May through October. Many sites require reservations, especially during summer weekends when waterfront locations fill quickly. One camper noted, "I've been camping here since I was a little kid. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. Show up early on weekends if you want one of the better spots." Winter camping is limited to dispersed sites and requires proper preparation for Minnesota's cold conditions. Cell service varies significantly, with several reviews mentioning weak or nonexistent coverage in forested areas, particularly at dispersed sites.
Campers consistently highlight the region's balance between natural settings and proximity to urban amenities. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the ability to enjoy secluded camping while remaining within an hour of the Twin Cities. While dispersed sites offer privacy and solitude, they come with challenges. A recent review pointed out that "Lots of poison ivy" and "weak cell service" are common at undeveloped sites in the Sand Dunes State Forest area. Mixed-use campgrounds like Bunker Hills Regional Park and Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park balance accessibility with natural settings, offering electric hookups, shower facilities, and recreational amenities while maintaining wooded environments. Water access represents a significant draw, with fishing, swimming, and paddling opportunities available at many locations during the warmer months.
$50 / night
"Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."
"Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy"
"For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn’t expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly."
"I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock."
$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"
$40 - $75 / night
"Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."
"Close to the Twin Cities, right on the Rum River. Great tent sites right on the river.
Tubing! They have a bus that takes you into town float back to the campground, love it."
$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"We took a 30 minute drive north of the cities for a quick get away, and were rewarded with a very nice campground! The check in staff was friendly, helpful and efficient."
"The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."
"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."
$22 - $80 / night
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
$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."
$21 - $29 / night
"Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."
"The beaches are some of the best in Minnesota. The bike trails are nearby and plentiful."
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.
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.
GuideGot in late on a Sunday night and there was plenty of space. Most sites are right along the gravel road so not super private. Wouldn’t recommend for large trailers/RVs as sites are small. Found a couple sets of deer bones right next to my site, not sure if it’s from hunters dumping their waste or coyotes but keep an eye out either way.
GuideKind of confusing for first time. Was not sure where I could camp. But then found out it's the spots right along road. Beautiful. Some good spots. Ended up in a pull thru around w view.
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.
Dispersed camping near St. Francis, Minnesota offers unique access to the region's mixed pine-hardwood ecosystem at elevations between 850-950 feet. Winter temperatures often dip below 0°F while summer highs reach into the 90s with significant humidity. Most primitive sites lack designated boundaries, requiring campers to identify suitable spots within designated public lands.
Tubing adventures: Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River offers river floating experiences with equipment rentals. "Great tubing and canoeing," notes Rory T., while David G. adds, "Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom."
Trail exploration: Sand Dunes State Forest contains multiple interconnected trail systems for hiking and wildlife viewing. "Wonderful State Park. Great beach access, easy to find... Lots of trees great for hammock camping. Great biking around the grounds for youth," reports Ashley V.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings provide optimal viewing for deer, pileated woodpeckers, and sandhill cranes. "Very quiet with lots of different bird sounds," reports Jason B. about South of Sand Dunes State Forest. Heather W. warns, "Sand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack."
Privacy levels: South of Sand Dunes State Forest offers secluded dispersed camping areas. "There's lots of little spots off the main gravel road. Nothing allowed further into the forest. One pull through area that I found. Couple vehicles pass a day," explains Heather W.
Proximity to metro: Despite feeling remote, many campsites remain conveniently accessible. "After reading a lot of Pinterest reviews I'm glad we stayed at this camp... we used it as a base camp for the Mall of America," writes Joe R. about Baker Park.
Lake accessibility: Ann Lake provides waterfront recreation opportunities. "Took my son on his first overnight camp outside of backyard... Sites close to water or deep in the woods, sites for hammocks and group sites can be reserved," shares Chris B.
Bug preparation: Mosquitoes and ticks thrive throughout the region, especially in wooded areas. "Took a look at other reviews as they come in and see what time of year they visited... We went in the middle of Summer. High bug season," notes one camper about Lake Maria State Park.
Cell service variations: Bunker Hills Regional Park typically offers reliable connectivity, while more remote areas have spotty coverage. "2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites," warns Andy L.
Poison ivy prevalence: This plant grows abundantly in wooded campsites. "Sites are large with varying degrees of privacy. Well spaced out, just some have less undergrowth. Be aware that the undergrowth is at least 25% poison ivy," cautions Kari P.
Seasonal road conditions: Spring and fall bring muddy roads at dispersed sites. "Primitive roads; bring anything from AWD to 4×4 depending on your rig and route," advises a camper at South of Sand Dunes.
Playground access: Baker Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," states Bryan S.
Splash pad options: Water features provide summer cooling opportunities. "I stayed here 3 weeks ago with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool... A ton for the kids to do!" reports Beasty B. about Country Camping.
Nature education: Schedule morning walks for wildlife spotting and plant identification. "I really enjoy sites 1, 2, and 3 as they are a little more secluded from other sites... Site 1 is my favorite despite the road noise due to the location of the tent pad and being on almost a peninsula offering lots of lake views," suggests Tori K. about Lake Maria State Park.
Quiet camping times: Mid-week visits typically mean fewer neighbors and more available sites. "During the week so not as many people and not busy at all. Plenty of sites to choose from," notes Chris B.
Site selection priorities: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park accommodates larger vehicles. "The lower loops are definitely better for tent campers, even though quite a few spots could support an RV... The upper loop (sits 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs," advises Krista T. at Bunker Hills.
Generator restrictions: Many campgrounds limit or prohibit generator use, especially during quiet hours. "So many generators... Went on a busy summer weekend. Beautiful rustic campsites but even sites that you can't drive directly up to were still too close to all of the RVers with loud generators," reports Chris D.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites require advance booking. "This campground is great for everyone! It has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites! This place does have 30amp and 50amp hook ups and has pull through spots and sewer sites," explains Spencer C. about Country Camping.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant adjustment. "Very beautiful and lots of deer on the trails. Sites range from open and flat to secluded and a little hilly," notes Andy L.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near St. Francis, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, St. Francis, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 126 campgrounds and RV parks near St. Francis, MN and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near St. Francis, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. Francis, MN is Ann Lake Campground — Sand Dunes State Forest with a 4.2-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near St. Francis, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near St. Francis, MN.
Keep Exploring
