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Best Tent Camping near Farmington, MN

609 Reviews

Tent campers exploring the Farmington, Minnesota area have access to several established sites within a 30-minute drive, including Nerstrand Big Woods State Park and Afton State Park, both offering dedicated tent camping areas. The region features a mix of state park campgrounds, wilderness areas, and retreat centers, with many sites positioned along rivers or within forested settings. Cannon River Wilderness Area provides free primitive tent sites while Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center offers walk-in tent locations with more basic amenities.

Tent sites at Nerstrand Big Woods feature level, pea gravel tent pads with ample space for setting up gear. Most established tent areas include fire rings with grates and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Walk-in tent sites at Afton State Park require approximately a one-mile hike with the final quarter-mile involving a steep uphill section, making lightweight packing advisable. A camper noted, "The hike was very challenging and uphill" but worth it for the privacy. Drinking water is available via solar-powered pumps at some sites, while others require campers to bring their own supply. Seasonal availability ranges from year-round access at Afton to limited seasons at other locations, typically April through October.

The terrain throughout the region provides diverse tent camping experiences from open prairie settings to densely wooded sites. At Cannon River Wilderness Area, tent campers find secluded spots near the water. "For free the area is awesome right by the river. We found a site tucked away from people which is what we like," one visitor commented. The walk-in tent sites at Afton State Park are particularly noteworthy for their spacing and privacy, with sites set far enough apart to create a genuine backcountry feeling despite being relatively close to the Twin Cities. Many tent-only areas feature good tree coverage for shade and hammock opportunities, though some prairie sites offer more open views with partial shade. Wildlife sightings are common across the region's tent camping areas, including deer and various bird species.

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Best Tent Sites Near Farmington, Minnesota (17)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Farmington, MN

46 Photos of 17 Farmington Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Farmington, MN

609 Reviews of 17 Farmington Campgrounds

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2021

    Rice Creek Campgrounds

    Spaced out nicely and they have a tent only loop!

    I booked this on a whim since we needed an overnight close to the State Fair.  I loved the look of the "TENT ONLY" loop - you don't see this often - so it was a good fit.  Seemed that the whole campground was booked up and I assumed, for a similar reason.  The State Fair.

    Booking was fairly easy through their website, and you can "hover" over the sites to see a photo of it.  I chose the one I wanted and hoped it would be what we wanted it to be.

    You DO need a park pass to stay at the campground.

    We arrived after dark, but in the dark you could still tell it was lovely.  I couldn't see any neighbor on the one side where there was a campsite (the other was a field...which is why I chose it). So we set up a tent, enjoyed the last of the evening and crawled into our bags.

    In the morning, when I could see everything, I was thoroughly impressed by the space, the maintenance of the property, the size of the campsites.  All of them were impressive and big!  A few were only separated by swathes of grass, but most had enough trees you couldn't see your neighbor.  And the fact that this loop (F LOOP) was "tent only" meant no generators! It was very quiet!   There were port-o-potties (cleaned about every 3 days) and a centrally located water source (potable) that was in the middle of everything for easy access by everyone. The spaces seemed fairly level, lots of mature trees, fire rings at all of them (with cooking grates that flipped out of the way) and picnic tables at most (resin tables, not wood).

    I took a quick look at the other loops.  The tent/small trailer loop didn't appear to have electric either.  And the RV loops obviously did.  All were very nice!  And there is a shower house (didn't go in) that was for all to use if you had a site.

    We'd stay here again in a heartbeat.

    **I've seen the other reviews here which seem to be based on the bugs.  I know that bugs are part of camping, so I don't review based on that, but I'll add details, if needed.  This one didn't have many, but it was raining, so I'm sure that factored in.  When I camp, I come prepared and I try to focus on reviewing the campsite itself, not the bugs, which I can not control.  I can, however, come prepared for them**

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 12, 2025

    Highland Ridge

    Beautiful but buggy!

    General: Smallish (38 sites plus four walk-in sites) Army Corps of Engineers campground. Some (see below) have electric hookups but no water or sewer hookups, however, there is a dump station. 

    Site Quality: All sites are gravel/dirt (except for the ADA-accessible site), and most are very generous in size. Our site (7) sloped down but leveled out with plenty of room for our campervan at the bottom. All sites are wooded with trees providing separation/privacy between sites. Completing the site are a metal picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook. 

    Bath/Shower House: Sites 28-38 only have vault toilets (but you could trek to the other campground loop). Sites 1—27 have flush toilets and showers. They were very clean, and I especially appreciated the fact that they were cleaned daily before 6 am, a shout out to the camp host! The shower was great– warm water and great flow, although our friends (who arrived two days before we did) had cold showers when the campground was full.

    Activities: Several short hiking trails. I give this campground 4 stars instead of 5 because Eau Galle Reservoir (Lake George) is about a 10-minute drive from the campground. Most Corps of Engineers campgrounds are located right on the water. There are no amenities (rentals, etc.) offered at the lake but it is small and beautiful, and we enjoyed a peaceful paddle. We saw a couple of people fishing on the lake and there is a small swimming area. At the campground, there was an interpretive center, but it was locked when we were there. There is also a nice, modern playground. 

    Aside from the plentiful bugs (in August), we enjoyed our two-night stay at this campground!

  • Jennifer H.
    Sep. 21, 2020

    Afton State Park Campground

    New groomed backpack trails

    Site 27. This is a river landscape. Spiders and snakes..oh my. The parking lot is paved and has a dumpster. This is also where the nature center is. There are often music festivals and family events here. It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees. 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. There is a solar panel generated drinking water pump at the top and a honor system fire wood station. There is a bathroom, but not super close to this site. This site has a fire pit with grate and table but no bear box. This site does have a clear view to the trail and the site next to it, but it is set back a little bit. I can hear the joggers along the trail that wraps around the site. The sites are mapped out on a wide open prairie ground with some sites tucked back in the trees along the trail. There is not a water front view, but there is plenty of wildlife. The dear and flowers are beautiful. There is partial tree covering but we did bring a tarp for the rain.

  • K
    Sep. 5, 2020

    Hidden Meadows RV Park

    Hidden Gem

    This is very convenient if you have Mayo Clinic appointments. The campground was nice with grassy sites along with electric and water hook ups, there was a dump station also. Portable toilets spaced around and a centralized bath house by the office. There are seasonal guests and everyone was friendly. We saw deer by the primitive camp areas and had nightly campfires in our fire ring. We will return the next time we are up in MN.

  • Tracy O.
    May. 25, 2021

    Sakatah Lake State Park Campground

    Close drive to Minneopa!

    We stayed here while visiting Minneopa state park. The campground was nice. It was mid April so no water at the sites but had electric in ours. We were able to get potable water at the entrance. And firewood. Had great trails to walk and bike on. Sites are spaced out. Our 34’ trailer fit easily. Vault toilets on site. Bathrooms were closed (covid). The loops near the entrance had more shade. Spaces are large and accommodating!

  • Steph H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2017

    Afton State Park Campground

    Great spot close to but away from the cities

    Love love love this park! 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. During the late spring, summer and early fall months you can't really see the river but if you do it after the leaves drop or before they come in then you'll have a great view of the river. Our site is off of the main trail so you have a nice little hike in and it feels very secluded and you have a nice even gravel tent pad that's raised up as well as a fire pit and picnic table. There is not a lot of room to play at your campsite but if you just take your trail up to the main trail then it opens up. Off the main trail you will also find vault toilets and firewood that you just have to saw yourself with the saw that is provided. You are surrounded by excellent hiking trails including some great single track as well as a great beach on the St. Croix River that is also very clean. The raccoons are not messing around so make sure to secure your food inside your tent or in a well fortified cooler otherwise you'll be listening to them ravage your site as you try to sleep at night.

  • Alison O.
    Jul. 1, 2025

    Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    Campsite C14: Close to perfect, but bring your hiking boots… for the fire pit. 😅

    Loved this site! Super peaceful vibes, nice tree cover, flat tent pad, and plenty of space to spread out. 🌳⛺️ It’s tucked just enough off the path to feel private, but not so far that you feel isolated. Clean facilities, water nearby, and the kind of birdsong that makes you forget your emails exist. 🐦📵

    Now… the only reason this isn’t a full 5-star banger is the fire ring placement. 🔥 That thing is doing its own thing like 30 feet from the tent pad—felt like I needed a shuttle to roast a marshmallow. 😂 Bring extra lanterns, chairs, and a good sense of humor if you want to hang by the fire after dark.

    Still—would camp again in a heartbeat. Great site for anyone who likes a little distance between their tent and their s’mores. 🍫🔥

    #TheDyrt #CampsiteC14 #CampLife #FirePitTooFar #GlampLikeYouMeanIt #MNCamping #SmoreDistanceRequired #NatureTherapy #AlmostPerfect

  • Scott M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2020

    Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    Perfect City Getaway for the Family

    This campground is one of two in the Regional Dakota County Park system. At Lebanon they have two 3 campgrounds rolled into one. East look within the trees has electrical, North Loop in the trees has no electrical, and West look has full hook ups with water, waste, and electrical. It was really a great set up here. The check in was super smooth...they even give you specific bags for recycling and garbage so that is awesome they are doing their part. There are a ton of hiking trails and little ponds near by. This is the ideal place to come to get away from the city even though you can hear the cars a little. Lots of trails, great playgrounds, and perfect paths for kids to ride bikes. 

    The campsites themselves range from simple out in the open to shaded lots. I chose site 78 in the east loop and I could not see my neighbors when back by the fire ring so it was perfect. Other sites in the east loop are similar. There is one shower/bathhouse per loop and each contain 2 showers and 2 stalls with 2 sinks. 

    This was a great stopover on the way up north.

  • Kelly K.
    Aug. 8, 2018

    Afton State Park Campground

    Secluded backpack-in camping on the bluffs

    Afton State Park is just 30 minutes east of the Twin Cities along the St. Croix river, but feels deep in the wilderness. Camping facilities include hike-in individual sites, group camping, canoe/boat-in sites, and horse sites. The hike-in sites are about a mile from the parking lot. The trail is partially paved and then gravel up to the campground, though it is not an easy hike. It is mostly uphill and includes a couple of switchbacks, so packing light is a good idea!

    There are 26 hike-in sites, each with a different feel. Some overlook the valley, some are in a meadow, and some are partially to fully shaded. Each contains a picnic table, fire ring, and designated space for a tent or two. Water is available and wood can be cut yourself for a small daily fee. There are two vault outhouses in the campground that we’re clean and well-stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Dogs on a 6-foot leash are permitted in all areas of the park.

    There are many trails for all levels of hiker to explore at Afton State Park. There is also a beach for swimming in the St. Croix river, though dogs are not allowed on the beach. The trails go through sunny meadows filled with wildflowers, areas of dense shade with beautifully majestic pines, and everything in between. Watch for wildlife! In addition to squirrels and rabbits, deer and even black bear have been seen regularly in the park.

    Afton State Park is a great choice for camping, hiking, fishing, and skiing!

Guide to Farmington

Farmington, Minnesota, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation in nature.

Tent campers should check out Afton State Park Campground

  • Enjoy spacious and private sites at Afton State Park Campground, where you can also find beautiful trails for hiking and biking.
  • The campground features amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and firewood for a cozy camping experience.
  • With year-round access, this campground allows for camping in all seasons, making it a versatile choice for tent campers.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Explore the scenic trails and diverse landscapes at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, perfect for hiking and wildlife watching.
  • The campground is just an hour from the Twin Cities, making it an ideal spot for a quick getaway while enjoying nature.
  • Experience the peacefulness of the woods with well-maintained tent pads that provide a comfortable camping experience.

Unique features of Cannon River Wilderness Area

  • For a more rugged experience, Cannon River Wilderness Area offers hike-in sites right by the river, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of solitude.
  • This area allows for various activities, including hiking, fishing, and even horseback riding, making it a great spot for adventurous campers.
  • With no permit required and free camping options, it’s a budget-friendly choice for those looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Farmington, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Farmington, MN is Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 35 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Farmington, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Farmington, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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