Camping spots near Hinckley, Minnesota primarily span across state parks, county parks, and private campgrounds in Pine County. The region features glacially-formed lakes, dense northern forest, and two major river systems—the St. Croix and Kettle Rivers. Elevation varies from 950 to 1,050 feet above sea level, creating diverse camping environments from riverfront sites to higher wooded areas. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, with occasional thunderstorms common from June through August.
What to do
Explore sandstone quarry history: At Robinson Park Camping, visitors can discover the remnants of a historic sandstone quarry. "This park boasts a waterfall, so that sold me. Park is close to Sandstone for any last minute needs," notes HollyRose M. "Hike along the Quarry Loop Trail (the hiking club trail) for some interesting facts about the old quarry and stone workers. The ruins are worth an explore for sure!"
Rock climbing: Robinson Park offers exceptional climbing opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. "This campground is really great, the main downside is that in order to pay the fee you have to drive to City Hall which is about 2 miles away," explains Les R. "Rock climbing including the state's best 12a/b!!! Sigma lives up to the hype."
Winter outdoor activities: Banning State Park Campground provides excellent opportunities for winter recreation. "This is a great place for winter camping! The campsites are large enough (despite the snow) to set up suitable winter tents, and each site has a picnic table and fire pit," explains Alexa S. "In the park, there's a lot of ice climbing and cross country skiing. If you take a short walk from the main parking area towards the bathroom, and follow the trail alongside the bluff, you'll find awesome spots to climb."
Golf and swimming: Pokegama Lake RV Park And Golf offers recreation beyond just camping. "They have golf, a pool, lake nearby, and seasonal camping," notes Dan B. The park provides a boat launch directly across the road for those looking to get out on the water.
What campers like
Fall colors viewing: Campers consistently praise the autumn experience in the area. "10/11/19-10/13/19. #9. We booked a site in advance and hoped to catch the fall colors. It was our first time camping at Banning. Fall came early in MN and it was just past peak. Most of the leaves were yellow (or on the ground), but it was still pretty," writes Joanna B. "The campsites were fairly well spaced, wooded and offered some privacy."
Private, secluded camping: Snake River County Park Campground offers quieter camping options. "This is a pretty nice little self service first come first served campground on the edge of Chengwatana State Forest. Clean toilets and nice shady spots, most of which are quite private," reports Don C. The $17 nightly fee makes it an affordable option within 90 minutes of Minneapolis.
Off-grid experience: Paint Rock Springs Campground provides a chance to disconnect. "Felt nice to spend a weekend without cell service about an hour away from home," writes Tori K. "Nice campground. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There are flush toilets and showers and the office has a store for any last minute needs."
Waterfall access: Multiple campgrounds feature scenic waterfalls. "We stayed here as a layover en-route to Wisconsin. This park may be right off of the interstate, but it's quaint and the sites are roomy," notes Dave G. about Banning State Park. "Not far from the tent sites is Wolf Creek Falls, about a 1.2 mile hike (worth it!)."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "We decided to try an extend the camping season by staying here in the first weekend of October, and we were rewarded greatly!" shares Bryan S. about Banning State Park. "The colors were near peak and the water was really high, so there were many kayakers going down the river as we hiked along the parallel trails."
Insect conditions: Bug populations vary widely by season and location. "Riverview campground on site 36 (no hook ups). Sites were pretty open but small. There were HOARDS OF MOSQUITOS. We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites," reports RK M. about Riverview Campground.
Site privacy levels: Privacy between sites varies significantly across campgrounds. "State Forest Campground with some sites close to the shoreline of the Snake River. Firewood can be gathered from the forest. It's a nice small campground, first come first served," notes Daniel H. about Snake River County Park. Meanwhile, Riverview Campground features "very open and on top of one another. Very little shade," according to Amanda R.
Bear presence: Wildlife encounters are possible in the region. "Beautiful site, wish the river was higher for fishing. Just a mile or so walk to the Saint Croix River. Camp grounds have restrooms, water (have to boil or purify it)," mentions Chrystina G. "Watch out for bears though."
Tips for camping with families
Seasonal activity planning: Consider timing your visit based on activities. "We camped with our in laws and 3 kids this past weekend at St. Croix state Park. The paved walking trails were nice. The swimming beach is a couple mile drive but the water was nice and cool," shares RK M. "We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!"
Educational opportunities: Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park offers learning experiences. "This is Minnesota's largest state park and has over 200 camp sites. But where we were, we were secluded from most people," notes Justin R. The park features historical CCC buildings, interpretive trails, and ranger-led programs that appeal to children.
Pet-friendly facilities: Multiple campgrounds accommodate family pets. "This park had nice spots - grassy with level tar to park on. The pool had a perfect temperature and nice lounging area. Shuttle took you to the casino 24 hours a day," explains Lisa D. about Grand Casino RV Resort. Several campgrounds feature designated pet areas, with Banning RV Park even offering a complete dog agility course.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds present navigation difficulties. "The designers of this park have clearly never spent a night in an RV. Virtually every site in the park is a blind back in from the driver seat," cautions Adrian G. about Grand Casino RV Resort. "The site number pedestals for each site are right against the corner of the driveway where you have to back around them without being able to see them."
Hookup considerations: Water connections can be problematic at some locations. "We were quick to learn that water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots," explains Sam C. about Banning RV Park. "Our source ended up being 75' plus from our RV. Thankfully I just happened to be carrying the extra hose for several years but never had to use it before."
Size restrictions: Check campground specifications before arrival. "Medium sized class A 30' RV's can be used on these sites. Larger RVs would probably have a hard time getting around the road. Similar to St Croix State Forest Campground," advises Daniel H. about Snake River County Park.
