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Best Tent Camping near Hokah, MN

531 Reviews

Several tent campgrounds dot the rolling countryside near Hokah, Minnesota, offering basic accommodations for tent campers in the scenic bluff region of southeastern Minnesota. Houston Nature Center Campground provides walk-in tent sites at the trailhead for the Root River State Bike Trail, featuring picnic tables, fire pits, and access to clean bathrooms and showers. The R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest offers more primitive tent camping at both the Reno Horse Campground and the Oak Ridge/Wet Bark Recreation Area, where visitors can experience greater seclusion.

Most tent sites in the area include fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary widely between locations. The Houston Nature Center provides drinking water, trash disposal, and clean bathrooms with showers, making it popular with cyclists. More remote areas in R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest lack facilities like running water or modern restrooms, requiring campers to pack in supplies. Walk-in sites at Houston Nature Center are accessible via short trails from parking areas, while forest camping may require more rugged access. According to one visitor, "The sites are spacious, level, well kept, and quiet. Spotless showers and bathrooms with access to drinking water make this the best tent campground on the Root River Trail."

Tent camping experiences near Hokah range from developed sites to primitive backcountry options. The tent-only Houston Nature Center campground offers easy access to the Root River State Bike Trail and the International Owl Center in town. For those seeking more isolation, the dispersed camping areas in R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest provide quieter surroundings with hiking trails and natural features to explore. A recent review noted, "We backpacked to the quarry and found a large open area perfect for multiple tents. The sandstone bluffs were in the background. There are multiple hiking trails, including a trail that goes on top of the bluff with views of the forest and of Wisconsin and the Mississippi River."

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Best Tent Sites Near Hokah, Minnesota (19)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hokah, MN

36 Photos of 19 Hokah Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Hokah, MN

531 Reviews of 19 Hokah Campgrounds

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2022

    Camp John Schultz — Yellow River State Forest

    Nice back country state forest site

    Hiked into this Camp that includes 5 primitive sites: fire rings and benches. Lush dense forest with intermediate hiking including typical summer insects. Leave No Trace ethics include: minimizes fire impacts by gathering only dead, down, wood. Sounded by nature atop of hill hike near Fire tower ( only fire tower in Iowa), cell reception is found up here.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2024

    Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    Nice state park

    Stayed here for a couple nights on a mini state park road trip. Nice place, like most of the MN state parks. Spotty cell service. Hiked a trail with lots of steps. Fire ring and picnic table are provided at each site. Restroom with showers also available in campground. Site was large and easy to back into and offered some tree cover for shade during certain times of the day. Was unable to hang hammock in specific site we stayed at, but some of the sites looked like they would be suitable.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2019

    Prairie Island City Campground

    Great introductory campground

    Prairie Island has all of you basic amenities without being too far from town. This campground isn’t for everybody -- if you’re looking for extreme adventure and wilderness, this is not the place for you. If you’re interested in getting into camping and not investing the money into all the gear or having direct river access, this is the place for you! They seriously rent it all. Paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and dutch ovens. The camp store sells all of the basics and fishing supplies. The shower house has flush toilets and pit toilets are located throughout the campground.

    Personally, this campground is not the type that I like to stay at but it is really great for the type that wants to get into camping or the camper trailer type. Unfortunately, not enough activities to do besides boating on the river.

  • Mary S.
    Aug. 19, 2018

    Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

    Small campground has nearby hiking and fishing

    This review is for Yellow River State Forest's Big Paint Campground which consists of sites 35 through 61. Big Paint is a couple miles from Little Paint, a larger campground with 70+ sites. There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included.

    Why did we choose Big Paint instead of Little Paint?

    It's smaller and that's just our personal preference. There were only 4 sites occupied early Friday afternoon and a few more were reserved. We liked site 35, the first site on the left as you enter. This site is like being in a garden with trees and flowers surrounding the site. It had rained and more rain was coming, so the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass.

    Activities

    Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen; see photo of stocking calendar. We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails. This would also be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling. A photo of the trail map is included. Caution: hunting is allowed in the non-campground area of the state forest.

    Amenities

    Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet. There's water at the information center (and a camp host site) outside the campground about 100 yards to the left.

    Cost

    You're not getting much (and that's not a bad thing) so the $9 fee seems fair. Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at last 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee). There are 7 non-reservable sites at Big Paint. I doubt that Big Paint fills up; just check the reservation site to see if they get crowded.

    https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/yellow-river-state-forest/r/campsiteSearch.do?search=site&page=siteresult&contractCode=IA&parkId=610130

  • ERolf P.
    Aug. 29, 2016

    Perrot State Park Campground

    Group Camping, Hiking, and Water Sports

    Wonderful time in Perrot State Park. Camped in the group campground, site A. Plenty of room for many tents, and nice level ground to pitch tents on. Huge fire ring for large group fires, and both a large grill on the fire ring, and freestanding charcoal grill. Lots of options for hiking and walking in the park with more than 13 miles of trails. We did a 5 mile hike up and over two of the more popular bluffs. We also did a two-three hour canoe/kayak trip and had a blast.

    There is not a swimming beach at the park, so if you're into that, you'll have to leave the park, but there is more than enough to do at Perrot State Park.

  • Kim The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2020

    Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground

    Wonderful cart in sites

    The cart in sites are fantastic at Wildcat Mountain! Each site is spacious with most heavily treed for shade. Each site has a nice large flat pad for a tent or two, fire ring, bench and picnic table. Proximity to potable water, vault or modern toilets and designated parking are all within 400 yards of all sites. 

    The park is located in the Kickapoo valley area where the driftless area is amazing to hike. You can kayak or tube down the river that is flanked by high limestone bluffs. The hiking trails are well maintained. There is also extensive horse trails, a beautiful outdoor ampitheater for viewing sunsets and access to the river right in the park. 

    The campers were respectful and quiet. Our campsite was fairly clean when we arrived. Contactless registration due to covid 19. That made getting set up quick and easy!  The cart provided was fairly big for less trips. I would happily camp here again!

  • R
    Aug. 30, 2019

    Merrick State Park Campground

    Nice Walk-In site but bring your bug spray!

    Very nice walk-in site right on the river. LOTS of bugs to the point it was uncomfortable so make sure to bring bug spray. Tent pad, fire ring and picnic table available. Trees available that are good for those who hammock.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2018

    Houston Nature Center

    Great location!

    The Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the Root River State Bike Trail. Trail Head Park is a nice tent only campground with walk-in sites. A majority of the sites have picnic tables and fire pits. The Nature Center has clean bathrooms and free showers. They recommend donations for the use of the showers.

    $20 per night camping fee. You can pay inside the Nature Center or at the slot between the restroom mirrors. The sites are first come, first serve. Local firewood is available near the restrooms as well; take what you need and leave the center a donation.

    Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite. When I visited during the week, I only saw a small group of people using the playground. The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more. Inside the Nature Center, they have interactive and interesting displays. The highlight of this campground is the Root River State Bike Trail and the Owl Center in the town of Houston.

    I'd give the campsite 4/5 review. The location, the bluffs, the bike trail, and center get 5/5 review.

  • J
    Oct. 24, 2017

    Sylvan City Park

    Close to bike trail and downtown

    Stayed here in a tent while on a bicycle camping trip and it was adequate. It is located in a city park within a couple minutes walk of the downtown area. The bike trail crosses the south end of downtown so close to that too. This would not be a good place to camp if you'd like to be out in nature

    Biggest gripe is the slope of the tent sites. The majority of the tent sites are on an incline around a pond. There are also a lot of ducks that aren't very afraid of humans. None got into my gear though. There are fire rings at the tent sites. No picnic tables at the individual sites but there are some nearby in the park and there's also a covered picnic shelter. Hammocks would be difficult to impossible as the tent area is a strip of grass between pond and bluff, which has mostly brush or too whimpy of trees to hang from at the base. There are a couple huge oaks but none in pairs.

    Quarter showers and clean restrooms are available. $20/night/tent which seemed a bit steep to me considering how slanted the sites were and quarter showers. It is cheaper than the other places within immediate biking distance which were $25/night.

Guide to Hokah

Tent camping near Hokah, Minnesota offers a blend of scenic beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers should check out Houston Nature Center

  • The Houston Nature Center features well-kept tent sites with picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for a cozy evening under the stars.
  • Enjoy access to clean showers and bathrooms, ensuring a comfortable camping experience.
  • Located at the trailhead for the Root River Bike Trail, this campground is a great spot for cyclists looking to explore the area.

Tips for tent camping near Hokah

  • Make reservations at the Shady Rest Acres for a unique experience on a hobby farm, where you can enjoy the company of friendly animals.
  • Bring your own water and supplies when visiting the Reno Horse Campground, as it offers a more rustic camping experience without amenities.
  • For a peaceful retreat, consider the Oak Ridge / Wet Bark Recreation Area, which is ideal for those seeking solitude and natural beauty.

Local activities for outdoor enthusiasts

  • The Sparta Campground is conveniently located near the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, perfect for hiking and biking adventures.
  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity of South Bear Creek, known for its trout fishing opportunities along the scenic creek.
  • Experience the charm of the local area by visiting the nearby town of Rushford, where you can enjoy great food and local attractions after a day of camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hokah, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hokah, MN is Houston Nature Center with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Hokah, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Hokah, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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