Camping sites near Empire, Minnesota cluster within the Upper Mississippi River Valley, where wooded hills meet prairie landscapes. Most campsites sit at elevations between 700-1,100 feet above sea level in terrain shaped by glacial activity. The region receives approximately 30-35 inches of annual precipitation, creating seasonal variations that affect trail conditions and water access at campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking diverse trails: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers extensive hiking trails that range from easy loops to more challenging terrain. As one camper noted, "We love Lebanon Hills! Close to home and an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities... Great hiking."
Kayaking opportunities: Several camping areas provide water access for paddlers. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, a visitor mentioned, "Nice little lake to kayak on," making it ideal for beginners or those seeking calm waters for a relaxing paddle.
Falls exploration: Make the short hike to see Hidden Falls at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "We went there last July just go hiking for the day. The trails were great and at the end of the trails there were beautiful falls. The falls weren't huge but there were pretty."
Biking nearby: The paved trail system near Lake Byllesby provides excellent cycling options. A camper at Lake Byllesby Regional Park mentioned, "Sites were so easy and the bike trails were awesome! Lots of nature paths too."
What campers like
Wooded seclusion: Many campsites offer natural privacy. At Afton State Park, a camper reported, "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion."
Clean facilities: Willow River State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathroom buildings. A visitor noted, "The facilities themselves were clean and nicely updated," which matters for longer stays or camping with children.
Urban accessibility: Many campers appreciate the proximity to urban amenities while feeling removed from city life. As one Lebanon Hills visitor explained, "We live about 15 mins away from this campground... We liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays."
Spacious sites: St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park receives consistent praise for its site dimensions. A camper simply stated, "Spacious sites and very clean restrooms!" which provides more room for families with multiple tents or larger camping setups.
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Popular cabins at Whitetail Woods require significant advance planning. A reviewer advised, "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve."
Water quality considerations: Some lakes experience seasonal algae issues. At Lake Byllesby Campground, a camper noted, "The lake had a bad smell with blue green alge not recommended to swim," which can impact water recreation plans during summer months.
Winter water access: Seasonal water shutoffs affect winter camping. A Whitetail Woods visitor mentioned, "Outside water is shut off during some parts of the year, so bring your own drinking water if you are camping close to/during winter."
Site privacy variations: The level of seclusion varies greatly between sites. At Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, a camper observed, "Our modern site 40 was in a great open location with a shaded edge. We had plenty of room to play, park the camper or set up tents."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several parks offer dedicated swimming areas for children. At Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, a camper highlighted, "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming."
Playground access: Cannon Falls Campground provides family-friendly amenities. A camper shared, "The campground offered music and an arcade. Perfect for a rainy weekend," giving families backup activities when weather turns unfavorable.
Educational opportunities: Some parks feature nature centers or interpretive trails. A visitor to Willow River noted, "We experienced wonderful customer service, tent camping, nature center and waterfalls," providing learning opportunities alongside recreation.
Space for games: Many sites offer sufficient room for outdoor activities. A Lebanon Hills camper mentioned, "The site had a nice picnic table, which we used to help sort out our new (to us) trailer storage," with most sites providing flat areas for yard games.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins offer limited electrical options. A camper noted, "You can use a slow cooker and a coffee pot in the cabin. Otherwise you can cook over the fire as well," so plan cooking methods accordingly.
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds feature challenging access for larger vehicles. A Nerstrand Big Woods camper mentioned, "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."
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Whitetail Woods, a visitor observed, "There's WiFi available, but depending on which cabin you reserve signal will be took weak for real usage. Same for mobile data -- don't plan on cell service here."
Seasonal considerations: Many RV campgrounds have specific operating seasons. Lebanon Hills Regional Park operates from "April 30 to October 12," requiring winter alternatives for year-round RVers.
