Camping spots near Hastings, Minnesota offer a mix of prairie and forest settings along the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. The region sits at the confluence of these two major waterways, creating diverse ecosystems for camping at elevations between 675-800 feet. Winter camping options remain available at select parks, with temperatures typically ranging from 10-30°F during colder months.
What to do
Hike to hidden waterfalls: At Willow River State Park Campground, just 30 minutes from Hastings, trails lead to impressive waterfalls not marked on official maps. "There is a beautiful little hidden waterfall that isn't on any of the park maps and you have to go off the trail to find it," notes one visitor.
Explore varied landscapes: Afton State Park Campground offers hiking through multiple terrain types in one visit. A camper shared, "Lots of trails with a wide variety of landscapes. Prairie, forest, river, it's got it all."
Water recreation options: When algae isn't present, lakes near Hastings provide swimming and boating opportunities. Lake Byllesby Regional Park features boat launch facilities for easy water access. During summer months, algae can be problematic as one camper noted, "The lake had a bad smell with blue green algae not recommended to swim."
What campers like
Modern bathroom facilities: St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park receives consistent praise for clean facilities. "Spacious sites and very clean restrooms!" mentioned one reviewer. Another noted it has "fantastic bathrooms zoned showers."
Specialized camper cabins: Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins provides climate-controlled options for off-season camping. "The cabins in the woods are great in winter with snow on the pine trees. I would probably prefer the prairie cabins in the summer, especially with mosquitoes," explains one winter visitor.
Site privacy variations: Privacy between sites varies significantly across parks. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, a camper observed, "We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. We liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays."
What you should know
Alcohol and pet restrictions: County parks have different rules regarding pets and alcohol. Washington County parks prohibit both, while Dakota County parks typically allow them. A visitor to St. Croix Bluffs noted, "My only wish is that my little dog could join us and they had full hook ups."
Seasonal water challenges: Some parks face water issues during certain periods. At Afton State Park, a camper warned, "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."
Hike-in requirements: Certain campsites require physical effort to reach. At Afton, a reviewer described the experience: "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers camping near modern play areas. "The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with," shared a family camper.
Swimming options: Some parks offer swimming alternatives to natural lakes. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features a chlorinated swimming pond. As one visitor described it, "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming."
Group site availability: For larger family gatherings, look for designated group areas. St. Croix Bluffs has two group sites of different sizes. A visitor explained, "Our site has a large picnic shelter with 6 picnic tables two grills and its own volleyball place."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Lake Byllesby Campground provides level sites for easier setup. Recent renovations have improved the campground, with one RVer noting, "Sites were so easy and the bike trails were awesome! Lots of nature paths too."
Full hookup limitations: Many campgrounds offer water and electric but lack sewer connections. Treasure Island RV Park provides full hookups in a more developed setting. A camper observed, "It is basically a parking lot with mostly pull through sites. The last row consists of 'deluxe' back-in sites with a few trees."
Site selection strategy: For RVers seeking more privacy, interior loop sites often offer more space. At Lebanon Hills, a camper advised, "We stayed in site 72 which is at the beginning of the loop. This site isn't as secluded by trees as the other sites."
