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Camping options around Hinckley, Minnesota encompass several established campgrounds along the St. Croix River and surrounding state parks. Banning State Park Campground provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with boat-in access along the Kettle River. Grand Casino RV Resort in Hinckley offers year-round camping with full hookups for RVs along with tent sites and cabin rentals. St. Croix State Park, located about 20 miles east of Hinckley, contains multiple campground loops including Old Logging Trail and Paint Rock Springs, which accommodate everything from basic tent camping to RV sites with electrical hookups and cabin rentals. The region includes both privately operated and state-managed camping areas with varying levels of amenities.
Seasonal considerations heavily influence camping experiences in the Hinckley area, with most state park campgrounds operating from April through October. Winter camping is limited primarily to the Grand Casino RV Resort, which maintains year-round operations. Mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months, particularly in forested and riverside camping areas. Cell service varies considerably throughout the region, with spotty coverage in state parks. Several campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays. The terrain around Hinckley features rivers, forests, and some elevation changes that create diverse camping environments. "Cell service is fairly spotty here so come with podcasts or shows downloaded ahead of time! But if you don't, you can always run into Hinckley for some WIFI or cell service to download some things," noted one camper at St. Croix State Park.
Riverside camping stands out as a particular highlight in the Hinckley area, with sites along both the St. Croix and Kettle Rivers receiving positive mentions in user reviews. Banning State Park earns recognition for its scenic river views and historical features, though reviews mention the campground can be "busy and buggy" during peak seasons. St. Croix State Park, as Minnesota's largest state park at 34,000 acres, provides extensive recreation opportunities including hiking trails, a paved bike path, and canoe/kayak rentals. Several campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy between sites, with some visitors noting that certain campground loops have more vegetation and separation than others. Many campers appreciate the proximity to outdoor activities while still being close enough to Hinckley for essential services. Reviews consistently mention the clean facilities at most established campgrounds, particularly noting when new bathroom and shower buildings have been constructed.
"Bawning park is a walk through the history of the area the self guided tour is both informative and entertaining and the hike along the river is one to remember featuring the only class 5 rapids in Minnesota"
"There are miles of trails to hike, including along the river and to a waterfall, all kinds of paddling and rafting possibilities(bring your own, or join a trip sponsored by a local outfitter), or go bouldering"
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"We booked our stay at the RV Resort so we wouldn't have to drive two and a half hours back and forth during the two day Grand RockTember Music Festival."
"Adjacent to a large casino with hotels and restaurants. Less than two miles from I35. Best thing is that when we arrived at our spot, there was a tree that needed trimming."
"And, actually, it may be your go-to option even if campsites at Banning are available, because this RV campground is located only½ mile from the Banning State Park entrance, and because it is at a higher"
"Close to stores and town but surrounded by enough of the outdoors to feel secluded. Would highly recommend this campground."
from $25 - $60 / night
Check Availability"I wanted to be close to Banning State Park without the reservations. Early spring in Minnesota left us little cover between sites, but we were the only ones there."
"Ropinion park is a historic walk through time with year around activities your bound to find something to interest you from hiking and rock climbing to fishing and boating this little park has something"
from $10 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent. The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St."
"This is Minnesota’s largest state park and has over 200 camp sites. But where we were, we were secluded from most people. Not from the mosquitos. You had to defend against them. But clean park."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Just a mile or so walk to the Saint Croix River. Camp grounds have restrooms, water (have to boil or purify it) Camp ground manager comes around and has firewood for sale."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"This is one of my favorite state parks for last minute camping trips due to its proximity to home."
"There is a modern restroom and shower, it is also located near a nature store."
from $25 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Reserved this site through the Minnesota dnr state park phone line, having been turned away from full camp grounds by two other state parks."
"Felt nice to spend a weekend without cell service about an hour away from home. Forgot to take my usual photos and video of the site all set up but had a few random to share. Nice campground."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Close to Hinckley if you're looking for things to do!"
"They have golf, a pool, lake nearby, and seasonal camping."
GuideWas a nice place. I didn’t see any truly private sites. All are stacked on top of each others. I didn’t look around too much, it was just a quick overnight stop.
ScoutWe have been going up to Camp Holiday for about 5 years now and staying in the same campsite. We just love this place. We have the same neighbors every year so it is like having a family reunion each time. It is so clean and quiet and the sunsets are absolutely beautiful. It is so nice just sitting by the lake listening to the loons. It is hard to leave at the end of the week! Thank you Camp Holiday for giving us such a great week every year!
ScoutOutpost building up and coming with games, beer, Wine and other favorites.clean sites with ample room. Seasonal sites and transient.
RangerVisiting family in the area and got a spot here. Spaces are snug, not big rig friendly, but overall a nice park. Power and water hookups, and dump station. Little pricey at $80/night but it’s in a great area.
TravelerVery convenient location for users of the Gandy Dancer trail. This tiny campground is next to and is run by the Luck Municipal Golf Course, the clubhouse just up the road. Bathrooms are by the campground with hot water and toilets. Showers available when the clubhouse is open, one each in the restrooms. Clubhouse has a small pro shop with bar. Also small swimming beach, boat launch. Lake is right across the road, swimming beach a short walk away. Drawbacks: management seems to be minimal. No rules posted, no contact information posted. - The only trash cans were in the bathrooms, and were overflowing. The bathrooms had not been thoroughly cleaned in a long time. The young workers at the clubhouse seemed to know little about the campground. When we found someone set up in our sight, the girl told us "just camp anywhere." Registration is online.
RangerGeared towards fishing and tent camping. Space in the lot for my rig and a few cars.
GuideI stayed here last minute because on my previous camping trip my gear was soaked, and I can't dry out my gear in my apartment. So I chose to come here and I'm so glad I did!
The park itself is smaller. The campground only has three loops. There's one loop that is primitive, while the other two have electric hook up.
My favorite part of this campground is the gorgeous trees.
I saw lots of deer and a turtle laying eggs!
It has a small beach and a fishing pier (i think a spot to launch boats too but I could be remembering wrong).
Campground host was super friendly and came by to say hi. At one point, there was a tornado warning and she literally drove to my campsite to let me know and made sure I got to the shelter. (there didn't end up being a tornado, just a gnarly storm).
GuideI stayed here last summer (2025)and am planning on staying here this summer as well.
The park is smaller than it's sister park Mille Lacs Kathio, but it definitely has some things that are better about it!
I stayed in the Maplewood campground, which I recommend if you like quiet and privacy. The sites are further apart and give you a more "in the woods" feel. The other campground (lake view) is more traditional RV style camping where the sites are fairly close. However they have some sites (small and close together) that have views directly of the lake, if that's your thing.
I stayed at site 96 which was verrrrry deep and felt pretty private. It's backed up to the woods so you don't have anyone behind you. It has a nice tent pad, and plenty of space for canopies or other equipment. It's a short walk down to the water too, where there's a fishing pier really close by, and a large beach a little further down. I went in very early June and the mosquitoes honestly weren't terrible yet, but the caterpillars were everywhere! There were caterpillars all over my tent, in my sandals I left outside my tent, on my car, etc. When I found one I just relocated them to a safer area in the woods. Lots of deer, you can hear owls at night, squirrels etc. It is bear country, but I didn't see any bears. I kept my food locked up in my car.
One night it was kind if windy and you could hear the waves on the lake from the tent, so that was kinda cool.
I have t mobile and had decent service here as well.
GuideI had a very...interesting experience at the camper cabins this week! I stayed at the cabin #3 this week, Monday through Thursday (3 nights). Monday and Tuesday were awesome. I was the only one there on the whole side of the road, and it was soooo peaceful.
Early Wednesday morning (around 3am)is where things stopped being peaceful. A really bad storm developed (that I had no idea was coming). It was probably the worst storm I had ever experienced in my life. Five trees fell in the yard, one small one hitting the cabin. One tree even fell a couple of feet behind my car, blocking me in. After taking a short walk when the sun came up, I realized the damage was everywhere in the park. I was seeing downed trees all over every single trial and road. I emailed the park office which opened at 8 that I was trapped, and they cleared all the trees from the office to where I was (almost three miles away) and was getting me out by 9:30. I was so impressed with how fast they worked. Amazing job! They offered to give me a refund if I wanted to go home early (I didn't, because I was still really enjoying my time there). I will definitely be back!
Without the whole storm fiasco, here are some pros and cons:
Pro *the cabins are gorgeous and cozy. *they have electric and heat (a gas burning stove heats the cabin, how cute!) *there's a screened in porch allowing you to enjoy the weather without bugs. *the vault toilet is really close, but there is also flush toilets with a shower in the campground, which is like a five minute walk, or a very short drive. *the mattresses on the bunk beds appear to be newer than some cabins I stayed in, that being said, a foam mattress topper isn't a bad idea if you struggle to sleep *the trails are gorgeous. The cabins aren't far from the lake either. There's a visitor center that's currently closed for renovations (2026) but I think will be open next year. There's a short interpretive trail behind it too. *there's a fire ring and picnic table outside.
Cons (there aren't many!) *I think being separated from the main campground is both a pro and a con, depending on your personality. If you like solitude then it's perfect. If you enjoy being where everyone else is, then it's a con.
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.
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.
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!)."
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."
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hinckley, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hinckley, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 162 campgrounds and RV parks near Hinckley, MN and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hinckley, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hinckley, MN is Banning State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hinckley, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Hinckley, MN.
What parks are near Hinckley, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Hinckley, MN that allow camping, notably Saint Croix National Scenic River and St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
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