Best Tent Camping near Hastings, MN
Tent campgrounds near Hastings, Minnesota offer backpacking-style experiences and secluded sites within a short drive of the Twin Cities. Afton State Park Campground, located approximately 6 miles from Hastings, provides walk-in tent sites that require a one-mile hike to reach the campground area. Several other tent camping options include Cannon River Wilderness Area and William O'Brien State Park, both offering primitive tent camping within 30 miles of Hastings.
Most tent sites in the area feature level gravel or dirt pads with fire rings and picnic tables. Afton State Park's tent sites require campers to hike uphill for approximately one mile to reach the campground, making proper pack weight essential. The park provides a solar-powered water pump year-round and self-serve firewood for $6-8 per bundle that campers must cut themselves with provided saws. Vault toilets are available at most sites, though shower facilities are limited. Some campgrounds operate seasonally, with Cannon River Wilderness Area open only from May through October.
The hiking-focused nature of tent camping near Hastings creates more secluded and quieter experiences compared to drive-in sites. Tent campsites at Afton State Park are well-spaced, with some nestled in wooded areas and others situated in open prairie terrain, providing varying levels of privacy. The campground connects to an extensive trail network with routes following river bluffs, crossing prairies, and winding through forests. Wildlife sightings including deer, wild turkeys, and eagles are common near campsites. According to one visitor, "The sites are nice and private, and the campground was quiet the whole time. Sites were clean and maintained, though the hike in wasn't the easiest."