Best Tent Camping near Jordan, MN
Tent campsites near Jordan, Minnesota include both established campgrounds and walk-in areas suitable for various camping preferences. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground offers tent-specific sites with flat tent pads that have been upgraded to pea gravel. The Cannon River Wilderness Area provides more primitive tent camping options with free sites tucked away along the riverbank, approximately 15 miles southeast of Jordan.
Tent camping facilities vary significantly throughout the region. At Nerstrand Big Woods, tent campers have access to clean shower facilities and bathrooms, with separate shower stalls that provide privacy. Water sources are limited to the main campground and picnic areas, requiring hikers to plan accordingly for full-day excursions. The walk-in tent sites at Nerstrand feature spacious clearings among the trees with minimal distance from parking areas. Cannon River Wilderness Area offers a more rustic experience with sites requiring a 10-minute hike from the parking area to reach, and only basic amenities like toilets are available.
The forested settings create distinctive experiences for tent campers in the Jordan region. The walk-in sites at Nerstrand Big Woods provide more privacy than the main campground area while still maintaining proximity to amenities. A recent review noted that the walk-in sites are "larger and more private than most state parks, especially so close to the cities." For those seeking solitude, Cannon River Wilderness Area offers more secluded options. One visitor mentioned finding "a site tucked away from people which is what we like. We set up hammocks right next to the river." Fall brings spectacular colors to Nerstrand Big Woods, making it particularly appealing for autumn tent camping. Trail systems connect directly to many tent camping areas, allowing convenient access to natural features like Hidden Falls at Nerstrand without requiring campers to relocate their vehicles.
