Best Campgrounds near Hastings, MN

Campgrounds near Hastings, Minnesota provide a mix of established sites along the St. Croix River and nearby waterways. Afton State Park Campground and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park offer developed camping with varied accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin options. Several parks in the area feature amenities such as electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities, with most campgrounds open seasonally from spring through fall. The region includes both Washington County park facilities and Minnesota state park properties within a 30-minute drive of Hastings.

Seasonal operations affect most campgrounds, with many sites available from April through October. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park provides water and electric hookups at most sites, while Afton State Park requires visitors to hike into their campsites, typically about a mile from parking areas. Bathroom facilities vary, with some campgrounds offering modern restrooms and others providing vault toilets. Reservation requirements exist at nearly all established campgrounds, and both Washington County parks (Lake Elmo and St. Croix Bluffs) prohibit pets and alcohol. One visitor noted, "We camped over MEA break in mid-October at site #4 and liked how close it was to the bathroom building. There is a lot of open space behind the parking/tent pad on this site."

Campers consistently rate the St. Croix River access as a significant highlight of the region. St. Croix Bluffs features boat launch facilities and beach areas along the river, making it popular for water activities. Tent and RV sites at several campgrounds provide electrical hookups and picnic tables, with many offering fire rings and access to firewood. The area's trail systems receive positive mentions in user reviews, particularly at Afton State Park where backpacking-style campsites offer more seclusion. A camper described Afton State Park as "a perfect backpacking experience" noting that "the campsites are nicely spaced and diverse. Some are more wooded and others in the open prairie." Several visitors mentioned that campgrounds can become crowded during summer weekends, particularly at waterfront locations.

Best Camping Sites Near Hastings, Minnesota (123)

    1. Afton State Park Campground

    37 Reviews
    Afton, MN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 436-5391

    $22 - $85 / night

    "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks."

    "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."

    2. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park

    20 Reviews
    Denmark, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8240

    "Minnesota is beautiful and there is so much to do here. The bathrooms are spotless and everything is new here."

    "Washington County, which manages campgrounds at both the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St Croix Bluffs Regional Park, does a great job of maintaining campgrounds, trails, and bathroom facilities at both parks"

    3. Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    43 Reviews
    Apple Valley, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 480-7773

    $24 - $42 / night

    "Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation"

    "We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. it has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps."

    4. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    37 Reviews
    Lake Elmo, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8370

    $23 - $80 / night

    "For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."

    "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."

    5. Willow River State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Hudson, WI
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 386-5931

    "Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"

    "Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."

    6. Lake Byllesby Regional Park

    13 Reviews
    Cannon Falls, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 263-4447

    "Near lake and excellent bike path. Great brewery and winery close by."

    "Lakeside sites are close together, with W/E hookups, but they’re right in the lake with a wonderful view. The facilities are very clean and well-kept."

    7. Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins

    4 Reviews
    Rosemount, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 891-7000

    $85 / night

    "There is a fire ring outside of each cabin, along with a table. No cooking is allowed inside the cabins, which can make things rough if the weather isn't cooperating. "

    "There is no cooking inside the cabin so you have to use the fire ring outside. Shower facilities are really nice and match the cabins. Plan ahead as these are hard to come by."

    8. Cannon Falls Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cannon Falls, MN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 263-3145

    "Close to the Twin Cities yet out in the country. Mostly grass sites. Beautiful pool. Susan and Brad are wonderful hosts and very accommodating. We took our grandkids and they had a blast!"

    "Nearby are bike trails, a winery, and a brewery."

    9. Lake Byllesby Campground

    7 Reviews
    Cannon Falls, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 480-7770

    $39 - $60 / night

    "We didn’t get to swim at the lake because it was shut down due to a chemical spill at the time, but we did walk over and check it out. The views are great! We stayed in a RV spot next to the lake."

    "Sites were so easy and the bike trails were awesome! Lots of nature paths too."

    10. Greenwood Campground

    1 Review
    Hastings, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 437-5269

    "Very popular due to location to the Twin Cities. There is a swimming pool. Campground is well maintained."

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Recent Reviews near Hastings, MN

766 Reviews of 123 Hastings Campgrounds


  • Tony Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2026

    Cannon Falls Campground

    Great for Kids!!

    This was our first camping experience and it was a great one! I would highly recommend this for anyone’s first or fifth camping adventure!

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 10, 2026

    Stockholm Park Campground

    Nice site on Mississippi River

    Beautiful setting along the Mississippi River. A few campsites right on the river edge. Also sites with Electric.

    Across the railroad tracks is the nice little village of Stockholm which is famous for the PIE Shop. The village also has a wonderful bakery and other small shops and cafes.

    A very nice Nature Center outside of town with great prairie trails and views overlooking the Mississippi River up high in the bluffs.

    The campground does NOT have showers.

    Campground does not have sewage dumping station.

    The campground is located close to the railroad tracks but the trains go through fast and were not as bad as we expected.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 2, 2026

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Bluffs overlooking Lake Pepin

    Clean level campsites, many overlooking Lake Pepin. Sites are short but there are separate areas to park your vehicle if needed. Not many electric sites. Many sites have tent pads and there are frequent pit toilets and well as a new restroom and shower building. Quiet except for the low rumble of frequent trains from both the Wi and MN sides. Lots of great trails! Of varying difficulties.

  • T
    Apr. 26, 2026

    Cannon River Wilderness Area

    Year round free camping

    Been camping here year round for 20+ years. Free, first come first served rustic hike/cart in sites with steel fire ring/grill. There are 4 official sites and 2 more unofficial sites with no fire ring.

    If you camp with animals: Sites all sit directly off walking trail very popular with dog walkers.

  • Jay W.
    Apr. 12, 2026

    Interstate State Park — Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

    Great park, plenty around the area...BUT THE NOISE!!!

    Interstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35.  The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls.  St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby.  There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.

    The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin.  The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age.  The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.

    There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites.  The South is a bit more rustic.  The showers are located at the North campground.

    For amenities there are flush toilets and showers.  There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities. 

    This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area.  You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options.  If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.

    Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the  hwy crossing over the river.  The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.

  • Cindy
    Feb. 17, 2026

    Avatan Family Nudist Campground

    "Family-Friendly" in Name Only: A Cautionary Tale from a Disillusioned Par

    We visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.

    But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.

    What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.

    And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.

    Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.

  • Erik R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2025

    Afton State Park Campground

    A true year-round backpack camping experience

    So, I think you know what you are signing up for here when you stay camp at the backpacking site at Afton, but let me fill in some of the blanks. #1 yes, the hill climb is as big of an effort as other people have said. You will feel like you earned your dinner. I may have found a hack for this, but more in that later. #2 the site are mostly private. I stayed on site #12. I could see (and they could have seen me) site #9, but thankfully no one was there. That would have been a bummer to have other looking into my site. There is even a semi-worn path between 12 and 9. They would make a good combo if you have a group. Other than that, totally secluded. As far space at #12, you could build as big of a tent structure there as you would need, easily room for a massive 16’x24’ palace (if you would dare to carry it) or anything smaller. An Eagle Scout project built hammock posts at this site, so it is ideal for that set up. #3 the campground amenities are very nice. The solar powered water works great year round, the two pits toilets (if you can even call them that) are very new and nice. And the coolest campground feature is the cut your own firewood station. I went a little overboard since it was so nice and had a way bigger fire than I needed. Bring your own saw and you will love it too. #4 After walking around the park, I discovered a possible hack. There is an unmarked entrance to the park on the north side. Instead of walking all my gear back to the parking lot, I walked the .5 miles to the service entrance, dropped my pack, and then walked the 1.8 miles back to the parking lot. I tend to carry too much. The flat short walk to drop my gear was worth it. Then I drop around the park and picked up my stuff. Probably not MN DNR endorsed way to do it, but I was proud of my discovery. All in, this is a unique and wonderful camping experience. Highly recommend.


Guide to Hastings

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."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hastings, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hastings, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 123 campgrounds and RV parks near Hastings, MN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hastings, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hastings, MN is Afton State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 37 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hastings, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Hastings, MN.