DIANNE T.
Guide
GuideHigh Island Creek Park
Quiet and creek is beautiful
Had a great time walking the river. W dog
Tent Camping near Crystal, MN
5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Several tent camping options surround Crystal, Minnesota, with Afton State Park Campground offering established tent-friendly sites about 30 miles east. This park provides backpacking-style tent sites requiring a one-mile hike from the parking area, making it popular for campers seeking a more secluded experience. Crow Hassan Park Reserve also accommodates tent campers with sites nestled in both wooded and prairie settings within a reasonable drive from Crystal.
Most tent sites at Afton State Park feature level terrain suitable for pitching tents, with a mix of wooded and prairie locations providing varying levels of shade and privacy. Walk-in access is required for all tent sites, with the final quarter-mile including a steep uphill section that can be challenging when carrying full packs. A review mentioned that "the hike to the campground is short and grueling," but noted the terrain provides "a sense of privacy and seclusion." Basic amenities include vault toilets, drinking water from a solar-powered well pump, and access to firewood that campers must cut themselves using provided tools.
Tent campers at these locations benefit from the separation from RV areas, creating a quieter experience with fewer generator noises and artificial lights. The tent-only areas at Afton State Park provide access to numerous hiking trails with varying difficulty levels across river valley terrain. As one camper wrote, "The park has good trails, beautiful views and provides a sense of solitude without having to travel too far from the city." Summer months offer swimming opportunities in the St. Croix River at Afton, while Crow Hassan features extensive trail networks ideal for tent campers interested in hiking and wildlife observation. Fall camping provides cooler temperatures and typically fewer crowds at both locations, making it an ideal season for tent camping near Crystal.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Crystal (27)
1. Afton State Park Campground
"Backpacking to the top hill sites has gotten easier as the park has curved the new wide groomed and wood chipped trail to spiral around the hill instead of a straight climb."
"We did the backpack site so you hike in almost a mile and you go up on the ridge that's open in the middle but each site is heavily forested and some overlook the river."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $85 / night
2. William O'Brien State Park Campground
"I camped here in April and got a camping spot on the edge of the River Campground facing the woods. I loved this spot and it was plenty big for parking two cars, tent, hammock, chairs, you name it!"
"Our site was a non-electric site on the outside ring, with just a thin slip of woods and a hiking trail between us and the St. Croix river."
6 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $25 - $90 / night
3. Crow Hassan Park Reserve
"During these COVID times everyone wants to get out and about more, which means that the main parking lot for the park that used to be mostly designated for horse trailer parking is now overrun with family"
"Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer."
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $109 - $120 / night
4. Elm Creek Horse Camp
"Tucked away near the archery range(don’t worry—nobody’s aiming at your pup), this campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire."
Check Availabilityfrom $18 / night
5. Tony’s Backyard
"Tony's Backyard is new to the Dyrt and looking to share a camping spot with others. Check them out and share your experience on the Dyrt!"
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $60 / night
6. Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
"This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels. "
"Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home😁"
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $88 / night
7. Lake Maria State Park Campground
"This hike-in site is about a half-mile walk from the parking area, and the journey in is half the magic: winding wooded trails, wildflowers, and glimpses of the lake through the trees."
"Campsite included: 2 tent pads, a few areas to hammock, fire ring w/large grill, small bench, picnic table, bear box and latrine. I don’t think I would change a thing about the campsite."
8 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $22 - $80 / night
8. Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center
Check Availabilityfrom $50 / night
9. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
"Though they were right next to each other, they felt very secluded. Site 4 felt a bit more private from the main road because the campsite slightly slopes downward."
"It's just a bit of a walk from the main campground and opposite of some very beautiful walk-in sites. The group campground has an open space to play games as well as wooded areas all around."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $34 / night
10. Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center
Check Availabilityfrom $50 / night
Drive Time
- 10 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 46 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 1 hr 14 min from Mankato, MN
- 1 hr 28 min from Rochester, MN
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Crystal, MN
57 Photos of 27 Crystal Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Crystal, MN
708 Reviews of 27 Crystal Campgrounds
- PPreston R.Guide
South of Sand Dunes State Forest
Got multiple spots to stop on the side of the road. Plenty of down wood to have a fire.
- DDawn
ScoutPeaceful Valley Campground
Hope you like your neighbor
We initially chose this location due to its proximity to Belle Plain and its reasonable pricing. The RV sites are relatively small and positioned quite close to one another. While they are long enough to accommodate a large camper, the proximity is such that one could nearly reach out and touch the neighboring vehicle, creating a sense of overcrowding. It appears that the capacity of the park is prioritized for revenue. Although we were informed about the suboptimal cell and WiFi service upon check-in, I believe the quality of service could be improved significantly by installing WiFi extenders to ensure reliable coverage throughout the area. Currently, even a passing truck or camper can disrupt the signal, forcing me to repeatedly reconnect in order to load pages or send messages. The bathrooms are satisfactory, and the shower was pleasant, providing consistent hot water for an enjoyable experience.
- AAnders H.Scout
Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
First time
We stayed at Baker as a family for our first camping trip, and it was great. Fire pit with swivel grate for cooking, bathrooms, and plenty to explore.
Tori K.
LegendLake Rebecca Park Reserve
Great Trails!
Great trails and close to home! Always a good spot for a last-minute trip for me or a place to test out new gear since it is so close to home!
Brett G.ScoutMinneapolis Southwest KOA
Basic KOA
Nice quiet campground. It's a very basic KOA. Not a whole lot of amenities. Large playground is quite good for children. Our site is right across from the campground.
Campsite is in the middle of nature. Lots of trees cover. Not much of a breeze but well protected.
Water is clean, electrical boxes are in good condition.
Gail G.GuideRiver Terrace Park
love the river views and shade
Needs alot of updates, old facility with no amenities. Shower water, barely warm, sign on mens bathroom says, bring your own toilet paper. For most part the park is quiet, shady, but again could use some improvements. There are 3 long pull-thru sites for overnight stops
Ryan M.ScoutNerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground
Great place to visit
My two boys and I camped here for one night on a weekday in late August. It was a great place to relax and spend time together. We chose the cart in campsite and we had the area all to ourselves. The vault toilets near the campsite were clean, and the main bathrooms and showers in the main campground were also very nice and clean. We enjoyed a great hike around the park and had a successful birding outing. The trails closer to the water had more mosquitoes, although their numbers decreased the closer we got to our campsite. From our campsite, we saw five new bird species without even having to get out of our chairs. All in all, I would definitely come back.
FrosTWorX P.ScoutWillow River State Park Campground
Now this camping
Pretty much in the middle of nowhere surrounded by small towns.
Guide to Crystal
Tent camping options near Crystal, Minnesota include several state and county parks within driving distance. Most sites in this area sit between 800 and 1,000 feet elevation with average summer temperatures ranging from 58°F lows to 83°F highs. Mosquitoes are typically most active from June through August, with severity varying by location and weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails with elevation: Lake Maria State Park offers trails with noticeable elevation changes. One camper mentioned, "This park has a couple camper cabins as well. But everyone is spread out along a few trails so it's a little quieter than your typical campground."
Swimming in designated areas: William O'Brien State Park provides swimming opportunities along the St. Croix River. A reviewer noted that "the river side of the park had been closed for months for construction, but had just opened two days before our stay. The Riverside campground appeared quite full, too."
Observe wildlife: Tony's Backyard offers opportunities to see local wildlife in a more intimate setting. While this is a newer camping option with limited reviews, it provides a unique opportunity to experience Minnesota's natural environment in a private setting.
Birding opportunities: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve has excellent bird watching opportunities. A visitor mentioned it's "Big park! Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home."
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Nerstrand Big Woods State Park offers walk-in sites with good separation from others. A camper shared, "The walk in site was great - close to parking with plenty of tree shade."
Water access: At William O'Brien State Park, campers appreciate the river access. A reviewer described it as having "miles of walking and hiking trails throughout the park" with "stunning" surroundings "really unexpected for a park so close to the Twin Cities."
Year-round options: Lake Maria State Park offers camping throughout all seasons, with some campers preferring the winter experience. One visitor explained, "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates... The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent."
Modern facilities: Nerstrand Big Woods provides clean, well-maintained restrooms. A visitor noted, "The bathrooms and showers were clean and well lit. Will definitely camp here again!"
What you should know
Bug intensity varies by season: Lake Maria State Park can have intense insect activity during summer months. A camper warned, "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Hike-in requirements: Crow Hassan Park Reserve has sites that require walking to reach. A frequent visitor mentioned, "This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too."
Water availability issues: Some parks experience seasonal water challenges. At Afton State Park, a visitor cautioned, "None of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center."
Road access limitations: Crow Hassan has specific access considerations. A camper explained, "Be aware that the road into this group site only is wide enough for one vehicle at a time, so far I've been lucky to not encounter another vehicle as I'm entering or leaving."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Crystal, MN?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Crystal, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Crystal, MN is Afton State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 37 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Crystal, MN?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Crystal, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Crystal, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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