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Best Tent Camping near Goodview, MN

467 Reviews

Tent campsites throughout the bluff country surrounding Goodview, Minnesota offer campers diverse experiences along the Mississippi River valley and its tributary waterways. Houston Nature Center provides tent-only sites with picnic tables and fire pits at the trailhead for the Root River State Bike Trail. Whitewater State Park, located within 30 minutes of Goodview, features cart-in tent sites at Gooseberry Glen Campground that provide more seclusion than standard campgrounds while maintaining access to facilities.

Most tent campgrounds in the area feature well-maintained, level sites with varying degrees of shade and privacy. At Whitewater State Park's cart-in sites, campers can utilize provided push carts for a short walk from the parking area to secluded woodland sites that offer the feeling of backcountry camping without the extended hike. Houston Nature Center provides clean bathrooms and free showers for tent campers. Several sites include fire rings and access to drinking water, though primitive tent camping areas like Oak Ridge in R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest offer more rustic experiences without amenities. Sites typically require reservations during peak season from May through October.

The tent camping experience near Goodview varies significantly by location, with riverside sites offering water sounds and wildlife viewing opportunities. Walk-in tent sites at Whitewater State Park provide secluded camping with the sounds of flowing water. A reviewer described these cart-in sites as "quiet, woodsy and secluded... We could see site 4 from our site, but all we could hear was the stream." For tent campers seeking darker skies and fewer neighbors, the primitive sites at R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest provide more isolation, though with minimal facilities. Houston Nature Center's campground offers a family-friendly atmosphere with flat tent sites and access to a natural playground featuring a zip line and tree house, making it particularly appealing for tent campers with children who still want basic amenities.

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Best Tent Sites Near Goodview, Minnesota (18)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Goodview, MN

41 Photos of 18 Goodview Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Goodview, MN

467 Reviews of 18 Goodview Campgrounds

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2024

    Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    Nice state park

    Stayed here for a couple nights on a mini state park road trip. Nice place, like most of the MN state parks. Spotty cell service. Hiked a trail with lots of steps. Fire ring and picnic table are provided at each site. Restroom with showers also available in campground. Site was large and easy to back into and offered some tree cover for shade during certain times of the day. Was unable to hang hammock in specific site we stayed at, but some of the sites looked like they would be suitable.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2019

    Prairie Island City Campground

    Great introductory campground

    Prairie Island has all of you basic amenities without being too far from town. This campground isn’t for everybody -- if you’re looking for extreme adventure and wilderness, this is not the place for you. If you’re interested in getting into camping and not investing the money into all the gear or having direct river access, this is the place for you! They seriously rent it all. Paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and dutch ovens. The camp store sells all of the basics and fishing supplies. The shower house has flush toilets and pit toilets are located throughout the campground.

    Personally, this campground is not the type that I like to stay at but it is really great for the type that wants to get into camping or the camper trailer type. Unfortunately, not enough activities to do besides boating on the river.

  • ERolf P.
    Aug. 29, 2016

    Perrot State Park Campground

    Group Camping, Hiking, and Water Sports

    Wonderful time in Perrot State Park. Camped in the group campground, site A. Plenty of room for many tents, and nice level ground to pitch tents on. Huge fire ring for large group fires, and both a large grill on the fire ring, and freestanding charcoal grill. Lots of options for hiking and walking in the park with more than 13 miles of trails. We did a 5 mile hike up and over two of the more popular bluffs. We also did a two-three hour canoe/kayak trip and had a blast.

    There is not a swimming beach at the park, so if you're into that, you'll have to leave the park, but there is more than enough to do at Perrot State Park.

  • 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.

  • R
    Aug. 30, 2019

    Merrick State Park Campground

    Nice Walk-In site but bring your bug spray!

    Very nice walk-in site right on the river. LOTS of bugs to the point it was uncomfortable so make sure to bring bug spray. Tent pad, fire ring and picnic table available. Trees available that are good for those who hammock.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2018

    Houston Nature Center

    Great location!

    The Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the Root River State Bike Trail. Trail Head Park is a nice tent only campground with walk-in sites. A majority of the sites have picnic tables and fire pits. The Nature Center has clean bathrooms and free showers. They recommend donations for the use of the showers.

    $20 per night camping fee. You can pay inside the Nature Center or at the slot between the restroom mirrors. The sites are first come, first serve. Local firewood is available near the restrooms as well; take what you need and leave the center a donation.

    Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite. When I visited during the week, I only saw a small group of people using the playground. The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more. Inside the Nature Center, they have interactive and interesting displays. The highlight of this campground is the Root River State Bike Trail and the Owl Center in the town of Houston.

    I'd give the campsite 4/5 review. The location, the bluffs, the bike trail, and center get 5/5 review.

  • J
    Oct. 24, 2017

    Sylvan City Park

    Close to bike trail and downtown

    Stayed here in a tent while on a bicycle camping trip and it was adequate. It is located in a city park within a couple minutes walk of the downtown area. The bike trail crosses the south end of downtown so close to that too. This would not be a good place to camp if you'd like to be out in nature

    Biggest gripe is the slope of the tent sites. The majority of the tent sites are on an incline around a pond. There are also a lot of ducks that aren't very afraid of humans. None got into my gear though. There are fire rings at the tent sites. No picnic tables at the individual sites but there are some nearby in the park and there's also a covered picnic shelter. Hammocks would be difficult to impossible as the tent area is a strip of grass between pond and bluff, which has mostly brush or too whimpy of trees to hang from at the base. There are a couple huge oaks but none in pairs.

    Quarter showers and clean restrooms are available. $20/night/tent which seemed a bit steep to me considering how slanted the sites were and quarter showers. It is cheaper than the other places within immediate biking distance which were $25/night.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2023

    Castle Mound Campground — Black River State Forest

    Solid campground

    Camp sites were good. Plenty of room for multiple tents & some hammocks. Came with picnic table and fire pit. Fire wood was only $5 on site for a decent sized bundle. Campground was quiet and well kept. Vault toilets in most of the campground (smelly and not the cleanest but this is expected with vault toilets) there was a main shower/restroom area at the entrance to the campground which was very clean. Drinking water available by the showers. Added bonus - the hiking trail was within the campground and was very scenic. Cool rock formations and a decently easy hike.

  • J
    Jun. 23, 2019

    Sparta Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail

    Good for light/bike camping

    This is a walk-in campground intended for very light camping, particularly for those biking the Elroy-Sparta or Lacrosse Trails, as it is right on the Elroy-Sparta trail and only a 10 minute bike ride into the town of Sparta. We are a family of 4 that camped from Friday through Sunday while we attended a swim meet in Sparta. We had site 3 (103 on the DNR campground map), which was about a 600 yard hike in from the parking lot, down a trail that can get quite muddy, especially during rain (which it did while we were breaking camp). Some of the sites are even further down the trail. The site was small, but we did manage to fit a 4-person tent, two 2-person tents, a screen-house, and 5 bikes. I was advised by our camp neighbor that their site was equally small. Water, trash, and bathroom access was great and clean. No noise from other campers, and there was even a boy scout troop on site while we were there. The most disappointing factor for me was the highway noise. I had read about that from another reviewer, and it was indeed bad, all weekend long. I had to wear noise-cancelling headphones to drown out the noise in order to sleep. So, it is a great site for someone biking in and/or carrying a very light load into the campsite and, I would say (only because of the highway noise), if there are no other camping options. I should mention that although there are no showers here, I saw that the Sparta Aquatic Center (10 minute bike ride) allows shower access for $3 (at time of this review). Also, the Sparta Family Restaurant is a great place to eat, having good food, service, and prices.

Guide to Goodview

Tent camping near Goodview, Minnesota offers a variety of scenic spots and activities for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • The Houston Nature Center is located at the trailhead for the Root River Bike Trail, perfect for cycling and exploring the beautiful surroundings.
  • At Aefintyr, campers can enjoy hiking in the stunning Whitewater area, known for its breathtaking views and diverse wildlife.
  • Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground offers access to numerous hiking trails, allowing visitors to experience the vibrant fall colors and serene landscapes.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Houston Nature Center features clean showers and toilets, along with picnic tables and fire pits for a comfortable camping experience.
  • At Aefintyr, each site comes equipped with its own fire pit and firewood, making it easy to enjoy cozy campfires under the stars.
  • Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground provides a private and quiet atmosphere with reservable sites, ensuring a peaceful retreat in nature.

Explore these specific local attractions

  • The Houston Nature Center is home to the International Owl Center, offering unique educational experiences for visitors of all ages.
  • Nearby Aefintyr is just a short drive from White Water State Park, a popular destination for trout fishing and scenic hikes.
  • Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground allows easy access to the park's extensive trail system, perfect for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Goodview, MN is Aefintyr with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Goodview, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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