Camping near Hugo, Minnesota centers around multiple natural areas that feature wooded landscapes and water access. Located in the east-central region of Minnesota, the area sits at elevations around 900 feet above sea level and features mixed hardwood forest terrain. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F with frequent thunderstorms, making waterproof equipment essential at many local campgrounds.
What to do
Tubing adventures: Country Camping Tent & RV Park offers river recreation options with "Great tubing and canoeing" and features a "river [that] is very clean and sandy bottom," according to a camper who visited recently.
Winter recreation: Wild River State Park Campground hosts special winter events, as noted by a visitor: "We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp... The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing."
Wildlife viewing: The forested areas provide excellent animal watching opportunities. One camper at Wild River State Park reported, "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls."
Trail exploration: Various terrain from prairie to forested paths surrounds the Hugo area. As one visitor mentioned, "We spent an entire day hiking and it was decent hiking along the river, some of the trails where a little confusing and trying to figure out where we at, but we made it."
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Bunker Hills Regional Park offers secluded camping spots despite suburban proximity. A camper noted, "Despite many of these things not being anything that I have a slight interest in, this somehow works for the park and it feels like a hidden paradise... It truly felt like a state park, and it's definitely bigger than some of them."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds feature well-spaced camping areas. At Country Camping, visitors appreciate the "HUGE sites" and one review specifically mentioned that the "spaces were well kept and spaced apart."
Heated amenities: Several glamping locations near Hugo provide comfort-focused features. At Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River, a family noted the "heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room" that makes it "great for everyone."
Secluded tent options: For those seeking more primitive camping experiences, Afton State Park Campground provides hike-in sites with natural terrain separation. A visitor explained, "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion."
What you should know
Site selection strategy: Some campgrounds use automated systems that may not account for preferences. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, one camper warned, "When I asked the owner for another site, he told me they were all taken except for one without a sewer connection... he told me that there is an algorithm that determines the site selection and if I wanted one with trees I needed to put a note on my reservation."
Weather preparation: The area experiences significant seasonal variation. A winter camper at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve reported camping during unexpected cold: "It snowed … in late March. I stayed in the campground in late March, 2025. This is a big park with a diversity of hiking, equestrian, and canoeing options."
Access challenges: Some glamping sites require physical exertion to reach. At Afton State Park, a visitor warned, "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites."
Bathroom facilities: Facility quality varies significantly between parks. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes offers modern facilities, while at Bunker Hills, "The bathrooms were locked up, so no feedback on those at this time. They looked relatively modern though."
Tips for camping with families
Multi-activity options: Bunker Hills Regional Park provides diverse recreation for different age groups. According to a camper, "It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park, several playgrounds, archery, an event center, frisbee golf, and yes a campground."
Educational programs: Several parks near Hugo offer nature learning opportunities. Wild River State Park features informational sessions, with one visitor noting "the nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours."
Playground access: For families with young children, Baker Park offers convenient play areas: "Great park for kids, they have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved."
Water activities: Multiple campgrounds provide swimming options. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, children enjoy the "gorgeous beach area with tables, a pavilion, changing rooms and a well-equipped playground."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Country Camping accommodates large RVs according to a camper who noted, "This place does have 30amp and 50amp hook ups and has pull through spots and sewer sites... Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!"
Power considerations: During peak seasons, electrical systems can be stressed. A visitor at Country Camping mentioned, "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off... it was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max."
Dump station accessibility: While many campgrounds offer dump stations, their locations aren't always convenient. At Bunker Hills, visitors need to plan accordingly as facilities may be at a distance from individual camping loops.
Loop selection: Different camping loops offer varied experiences for RVers. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, site sections have distinct characteristics with one visitor noting, "The upper loop (sits 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site."
