Tent campsites near Hopkins, Minnesota range from walk-in sites requiring a hiking effort to more accessible car camping options. The area offers camping opportunities across prairie landscapes and dense forests with several sites available from spring through fall. Most campsites in the region require reservations, with fees typically between $16-30 per night depending on amenities and location.
What to do
Waterfront activities: At William O'Brien State Park Campground, the St. Croix River provides excellent recreation opportunities. "There are also miles of walking and hiking trails throughout the park," notes a camper. The surrounding landscape offers varied terrain for outdoor enthusiasts.
Wildlife viewing: The prairie restoration at Crow Hassan Park Reserve makes it ideal for spotting native birds and animals. One visitor mentioned, "Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" The open prairie sections create opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
Fall hiking: Explore the trails at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground during autumn for spectacular foliage. A camper reports, "This is a great campground for Fall camping. The colors are amazing." The park features a network of hiking trails through old-growth trees with seasonal color changes.
What campers like
Easy access to beaches: Many campsites near Hopkins offer water recreation. At Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, visitors appreciate the swimming options. One camper noted, "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to."
Equestrian facilities: Horse owners value the camping options available at specialty sites. A camper at Crow Hassan Park Reserve shared, "Horse camping is available in two locations in the park" and "The barn stalls are available for use, otherwise there are overhead horse hitch lines."
Cabin alternatives: For those seeking tent alternatives, Lake Maria State Park Campground offers camper cabins. One visitor remarked, "Appreciated the camper cabin and the clean sites. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves."
What you should know
Water availability varies: Some parks experience water supply issues during peak seasons. 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."
Construction impacts: Always check current park conditions before booking. A camper at William O'Brien State Park noted, "The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids."
Bug pressure: Minnesota camping often involves dealing with insects. One visitor to Lake Maria State Park reported, "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Choose campgrounds with dedicated children's facilities. At Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, a camper stated it has "The best kids park at any campground I've been to," making it ideal for families with young children.
Winter camping options: Afton State Park Campground provides year-round opportunities for family adventures. A camper noted, "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks. These have some great amenities and are perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies significantly between camping areas. A camper at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park mentioned, "Cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible. There's WiFi at the office, which is just a short hike from the campground," which can be important for families needing connectivity.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: William O'Brien State Park provides electric connections for RVs. A visitor explained, "There bathrooms/showers on site and they are, for the most part, clean and in working order," which is beneficial for RV campers who prefer having shower facilities nearby.
Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste disposal needs. At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, a camper noted it has a "Nice dump station," which is essential for longer RV stays.
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. At Nerstrand, a camper mentioned, "There's some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back."
