Tent camping opportunities near Eden Prairie, Minnesota include both established campgrounds and rustic backpacking experiences within short driving distances. Located in Hennepin County at 840 feet elevation, Eden Prairie sits at the convergence of several major watersheds with the Minnesota River forming its southern boundary. Winter camping options remain open at several nearby parks, though most tent campers visit between May and October when temperatures range from 60-85°F.
What to do
Swimming and water recreation: Afton State Park Campground offers a beach area that requires a short 5-10 minute walk from parking. "Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk," notes Alison, who rated the park 4 stars.
Hiking diverse terrain: With over 20 miles of trails ranging from easy to difficult, William O'Brien State Park Campground provides terrain variety within an hour's drive. One camper observed, "We love this park!! very friendly and well kept! Two campgrounds to chose from. Tons of hiking, fishing, and great picnic area next to the river!"
Trail running and archery: Some parks maintain specialized recreational facilities. As Alison O. mentions about Crow Hassan Park Reserve, "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" The park also maintains archery ranges near some campsites.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer opportunities to observe local fauna. At William O'Brien State Park, Laura E. shared, "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
Scenic variety: Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground offers diverse landscapes within walking distance of campsites. "The trails were great and at the end of the trails there were beautiful falls. The falls weren't huge but there were pretty. A lot of things to photograph," commented Halie B.
Site privacy: At Afton State Park, different terrain types create natural separation between campsites. Andrew C. noted, "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion."
Winter access: While summer remains the busiest season for tent camping near Eden Prairie, William O'Brien State Park maintains year-round operations. David K. reported, "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates... The cabin we stayed in felt very welcoming."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: During peak season (May-September), campsites fill quickly, especially on weekends. For tent camping near Eden Prairie, you should book 3-4 months in advance. One William O'Brien camper shared, "Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream."
Water availability: Not all parks maintain functioning water sources throughout the year. Warren H. warned about Afton State Park: "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 before trekking around the park's beautiful hiking trails!"
Cell service limitations: While tent camping near Eden Prairie, you'll find varying connectivity levels. At William O'Brien State Park, Dani K. noted, "Cell reception for T-Mobile was minimal to non-existent. Wifi is available in the visitor center parking lot."
Winter conditions: For off-season camping, prepare for limited services. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park operates from April 1 to October 23, with more limited winter access compared to other parks.
Tips for camping with families
Choose easy-access sites: For families with young children, look for camping areas with minimal hiking required. Krista T. notes about Lake Maria State Park Campground: "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes."
Pack for bugs: Mosquitoes and ticks are prevalent from May through September. At Lake Maria, campers report needing permethrin-treated clothing and extra repellent, especially in wooded sites.
Check beach accessibility: When tent camping near Eden Prairie with children, consider parks with swimming areas. Afton State Park's beach requires preparation, as Alison noted: "Beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk. Campgrounds are nearby beach and require further walk."
Consider cabins for shoulder seasons: Several parks offer cabin alternatives when tent camping might be uncomfortable. At Nerstrand Big Woods, Hannah Y. shared: "The tent pad was very spacious and flat, great for sleeping! The bathrooms and showers were clean and well lit."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: At Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, tent pads and RV sites vary in size and seclusion. Daniel R. observes: "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to."
Arrival timing: Many RVers recommend arriving Sunday through Thursday for better site availability and quieter experiences. At William O'Brien, one camper shared that arriving on Sunday afternoon meant "very few people in the campground loop (especially the non-electric ones)."
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads for larger vehicles. At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, campers note that "there's some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back."
