Campgrounds near Hugo, Minnesota offer diverse camping experiences from wooded sites to prairie terrain with elevation changes up to 300 feet in some areas. The region has sandy soil that drains well after rain, but can also mean firmer tent stakes are needed. Campsites generally range from primitive walk-ins to fully developed sites with 50-amp electrical service.
What to do
Hiking trails for all levels: At Wild River State Park, trails follow the St. Croix River with options for star gazing. "We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails," notes one winter camper.
Water activities beyond swimming: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers multiple water-based recreation options. "Great walking paths and clean restrooms. Great for a quick weekend camping trip," reports a visitor who appreciated the park's accessibility.
Winter camping options: Several parks maintain year-round operations with special winter activities. A camper at Wild River State Park mentioned, "2/8/20-2/9/20. The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent... The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing."
Archery practice: Some parks maintain archery ranges for target practice. "They have awesome sites that fit the needs of just about anyone. They have beautiful hiking trails and a swimming beach for the hotter days. They also have an archery range," explains a camper at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
What campers like
Private campsites with natural boundaries: Bunker Hills Regional Park offers secluded sites despite urban proximity. "This campground was big with privacy between the camp spots. There were nice trails to help explorer the regional park. The bathrooms were nice and clean," shares a visitor who appreciated the unexpected seclusion.
Filtered swimming ponds: Clean swimming areas with filtered water systems provide family-friendly alternatives to natural lakes. A camper notes, "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming."
Accessibility from the Twin Cities: Many campers value quick access to nature without long drives. "Just east of st. paul - 2000 acres with 2 lakes and a swimming pond," explains a camper who appreciated Lake Elmo's proximity to urban areas.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds feature diverse habitats supporting wildlife. A visitor to William O'Brien State Park shared, "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Campsites range from extremely private to more communal settings. At Willow River State Park, a camper noted, "We stayed at Site 133 and found it to be fairly spacious. One downside was that there's a trail running just behind the site, and several campers cut through our area to access it, which disrupted the sense of privacy."
Firewood quality issues: Multiple campgrounds have received feedback about firewood. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, a visitor warned, "Only recommendation is to get the firewood from down the road and not at the campground."
Seasonal insect populations: Bug activity varies tremendously by location and time of year. "My husband and I paid for one night at a non electric drive in tent site... As we slowly whined down a gravel road the trees became more dense, our site seemed perfect for the two of us! Picnic table and fire pit centered and to our left a designated tent landing area... that is when we started noticing the horseflies were making it known that we were 'trespassing on their turf'."
Entry fees beyond campsite costs: Some parks charge additional day-use fees. A visitor noted, "Your reservation fee does NOT include the daily parks fee of 7 dollars just FYI."
Tips for camping with families
Look for filtered swimming ponds: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers swimming facilities with treated water. "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families. There are a bunch of things to do including hiking, horseback riding, swimming in their filtered pond, boating and an insane playground."
Consider camper cabins: Several parks offer cabin options for easier family camping. A visitor to Afton State Park shared, "Camper Cabin (Eastern Bluebird)🏡🐦 Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!"
Seek parks with evening programs: Some parks offer structured activities. One visitor noted, "They also have a campgound program for the kids and families to watch. Very organized and clean facilities."
Check noise levels: Sound carries between campsites at many parks. A visitor to Wild River State Park mentioned, "Noise seemed to travel between sites, I had some loud neighbors during the day but they settled down before quiet hours."
Tips from RVers
Water and electric access: Interstate State Park offers hookups, but site quality varies. "Interstate State Park has some nice features, but overall it wasn't my favorite. Many of the exterior loop sites have river access, which was a highlight, and we didn't have to deal with mosquitoes thanks to being right on the water."
Site size considerations: Many parks have limited space for larger rigs. "The lower loops are definitely better for tent campers, even though quite a few spots could support an RV. The upper loop(sits 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs."
Generator restrictions: Some campgrounds have designated no-generator loops. "We also appreciated being in a no-generator loop, which kept things peaceful—though highway noise was noticeable in the evenings."
Dump station access: Most parks with RV camping offer sanitary dump stations. "Stayed here due to its proximity to Minneapolis airport...had an early flight the next morning. Really convenient location. We stayed the last night of their camping season and were able to utilize water and electric hookups."
