Tent camping near Landfall, Minnesota presents accessible wilderness options between 20-50 miles of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The St. Croix River Valley defines much of the camping terrain, with elevations ranging from 675 to 980 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall campers should prepare for overnight temperatures that can drop into the 40s.
What to do
Hiking waterfall trails: Nerstrand Big Woods State Park campground offers trails leading to hidden waterfalls within a 1.5-mile loop. "The trails were great and at the end of the trails there were beautiful falls. The falls weren't huge but they were pretty. A lot of things to photograph," notes reviewer Halie B.
Beach swimming: William O'Brien State Park offers a beach area for campers seeking water recreation. "Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk," explains reviewer Alison.
Trail running: The varied terrain at Afton State Park makes it ideal for trail runners looking for elevation changes. "We will definitely be back for trail running!" shares Emily G., who noted the steep terrain and diverse wildlife during her visit.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Crow Hassan Park Reserve provides excellent opportunities for birding along designated trails. "Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" reports Alison O. The prairie sections of the park are particularly good for spotting native bird species.
What campers like
Private camping spots: William O'Brien State Park campground offers two distinct campground areas with varied privacy levels. "We stayed at Savannah campground because the sites are slightly bigger and more private than Riverway," explains Dani K., adding that "compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites."
Walk-in tent sites: Nerstrand Big Woods features walk-in sites that provide a better camping experience. "The walk in site was great - close to parking with plenty of tree shade," shares Matt C. These sites offer a balance between accessibility and seclusion.
Prairie vs. wooded options: At several parks, campers can choose between open prairie sites and shaded forest sites. "The pines tower over you, and the understory is full of beautiful ferns," describes Krista T. about the White Pine Meadow site at Lily Springs Farm.
Winter camping options: Backpacking tent sites remain open year-round at some parks for winter camping opportunities. "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. As you can imagine, this meant snow was everywhere in the heart of winter in Minnesota," shares David K.
What you should know
Water supply issues: Several parks experience occasional water supply problems during peak summer months. "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 before trekking around the park's beautiful hiking trails!" advises Warren H.
Site drainage concerns: Heavy rain can affect tent sites differently based on their location. "Nerstrand Big Woods features pea gravel tent pads that drain well during rain, though some sites can experience flooding during heavy precipitation," noted one reviewer.
Campsite spacing: Proximity to neighboring campsites varies widely between parks and specific sites. At Lily Springs Regenerative Farm, "Both the White Pine Meadow and the Lakeside Serenity sites are amazing and large," reports Krista T., adding that "the site is mowed, but we still managed to pick up one tick walking through the trail that leads to it."
Reservation demand: Weekend reservations at state parks near Landfall fill quickly, especially during summer months. "Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop," explains Dani K.
Tips for camping with families
Beach accessibility planning: When camping with children at William O'Brien, allow extra time for the beach walk. "Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk. Campgrounds are nearby beach and require further walk," advises Alison.
Wildlife education opportunities: Camping at Crow Hassan Park Reserve provides excellent wildlife viewing for children. "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" writes Alison O.
Food storage requirements: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife that requires proper food storage. "Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away," warns Tim about his stay at William O'Brien State Park.
Bug preparation: Insect activity varies significantly by location and season. "Deer flies were thick around the water filling station," notes one William O'Brien camper, while another adds, "We had a battle with mosquitoes. We went through a lot of bug spray and coils."
Tips from RVers
Site sizing limitations: Many tent camping areas near Landfall have limited space for larger RVs. "The sites in the main campground are very close in there and were small," notes Tim about William O'Brien State Park.
Electric site availability: Electric hookups are limited at most campgrounds and should be reserved well in advance. "Some Electric sites. Nice dump station," notes Tim B. about Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, indicating the limited availability.
Branch clearance issues: Several campgrounds have tree branches that need trimming for RV clearance. "There were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back," explains Deb M., noting this would have helped with backing trailers into sites.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds offer dump station facilities, but access can be limited during busy periods. "Nice dump station," reports Tim B. about Nerstrand Big Woods, though availability depends on seasonal use patterns.
