Best Campgrounds near Lent, MN

Camping areas near Lent, Minnesota range from developed state parks to rustic forest sites along the St. Croix River valley. Interstate State Park and Wild River State Park provide established campgrounds with amenities like showers, electric hookups, and reservable sites. Both parks accommodate tent and RV camping, while Wild River also offers cabin rentals. Several county parks including Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park and Bunker Hills Regional Park expand the options with family-friendly facilities and seasonal availability from May through October.

Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly across the region's camping destinations. Most established campgrounds maintain paved or well-maintained gravel roads suitable for standard vehicles and RVs, though some of the more remote areas in state forests may require higher clearance vehicles. Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences, with many campgrounds operating year-round but offering reduced services during winter months. Cell service can be unreliable in more remote areas, particularly in the state forests and along river valleys. A camper noted that at Wild River State Park, "Cell service was incredibly spotty on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting."

The St. Croix River corridor defines many camping experiences in the region, with several campgrounds offering river access and scenic views. Campsites at Interstate State Park provide opportunities to explore unique glacial potholes and enjoy rock climbing along the river bluffs. Many campgrounds in the area feature hiking trails that showcase the region's diverse landscapes from pine forests to river valleys. Privacy between sites varies considerably across campgrounds, with some offering well-spaced, secluded spots while others have more open layouts. According to one visitor at William O'Brien State Park, "Camp sites were very clean and easy to access. Didn't feel like you were camping right next to others despite a lot of spots surrounding us." For those seeking more solitude, dispersed camping options exist in nearby state forests, though these primitive sites lack amenities and require proper preparation.

Best Camping Sites Near Lent, Minnesota (127)

    1. Interstate State Park — Interstate State Park

    52 Reviews
    Taylors Falls, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 483-3747

    $24 - $34 / night

    "This is a state park on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix River, which is mirrored by a comparable but smaller state park in Minnesota on the wrst side of the river, both being part of the wild and scenic"

    "Now that I live in Minnesota, I find myself frequenting the Taylors Falls side. Here you have the amazing "Pot Holes" from glacial waters and some pretty spectacular rock climbing."

    2. Wild River State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Taylors Falls, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 583-2125

    $35 / night

    "Stayed for two nights at a drive-in double site here and found it ideal for autumn camping."

    "We stayed in campsite 29 in the drive in campsite over Labor Day weekend."

    3. William O'Brien State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Marine on St. Croix, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 539-4980

    $16 - $250 / night

    "Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."

    "We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."

    4. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

    17 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 324-3340

    $20 - $75 / night

    "Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday.  

    The campground is neat and well managed."

    "It was very easy to find, close to the twin cities, and clean. There was good access to kindling for a fire in the nice fire pit that has a grill."

    5. Kozy Oaks Kamp

    5 Reviews
    Lent, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 674-8471

    $22 - $38 / night

    "Nice pool and a lake.  Room between campsites and some tree coverage.  All in all a nice place to camp."

    "Great little family camp non-motorized lake great for kayaks or canoes couple decent spots for group camping, new owners only four years inand working hard to make it better"

    6. Bunker Hills Regional Park

    16 Reviews
    Coon Rapids, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 862-4970

    $20 - $32 / night

    "I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."

    "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(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"

    7. Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River

    7 Reviews
    Cambridge, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 444-9626

    $40 - $75 / night

    "Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."

    8. Rice Creek Campgrounds

    8 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 324-3340

    $20 - $32 / night

    "Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."

    "When Rice Creek Campground opens up again in April I'd highly recommend going there if all you want is a simple camping experience to get away from the city grind."

    9. Willow River State Park Campground

    61 Reviews
    Hudson, WI
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 386-5931

    "Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"

    "Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."

    10. Ham Lake Resort

    4 Reviews
    Andover, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 434-9492

    $54 - $999 / night

    "The map provided was accurate which made locating the cruiser a breeze. There were further instructions inside as well. The RV was immaculate."

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Recent Reviews near Lent, MN

707 Reviews of 127 Lent Campgrounds


  • Maria D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Interstate State Park — Interstate State Park

    Lovely River, Too Much Hustle

    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. The nearby towns are also very charming and worth exploring.

    That said, the campground is small and very crowded, likely because it’s so close to the Cities and popular with canoe rentals. Expect a lot of traffic noise, and in the fall, migrating geese can be very loud (which didn’t bother me, but might for some). The ranger office had limited hours, and since firewood is locked up, there’s no self-serve option. Another downside: a riverboat cruises by frequently, blasting music in the evenings and giving tours during the day.

    The sites are close together, with RVs and tents mixed on one loop, so generator noise is common. It wasn’t a terrible stay, but just too small and busy for my preference—I don’t think I’d return.

    Best sites seemed to be 21 (great river views, less private), 23 (fun detached tent pad), and 18 (most private). Sites 4–5 were also lovely but close to the bathrooms and camp host, so expect more foot traffic.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Ann Lake

    Quite camping just out of town

    Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    Not a bad stay

    Sites are a little close with little to no privacy in most. Fun little trails nearby for an afternoon walk. Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All rv sites are the listed length plus 16’ for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Rum River State Forest

    Free parking in solitude.

    No potable water, grey dump, nor trash cans, but it's rugged wilderness along a gravel road with plenty of space to park.

  • Krista T.
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

    Nice metro get away

    This is a beautiful park and the campsites for the most part all seem spacious, and the loop we were in (whichever one site 52 is in) all had decent tree cover.

    The bathroom facility has seen better days. The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours.

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground

    Really nice campground!

    Really nice campground! Meadow setting where the campsites are, but then TONS of hiking trails with significant trees& shade. Really beautiful. Nice people staying in adjacent sites. We would return.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park

    Nice campsite

    Friendly staff, quiet during the week and busy on the weekends. Nice pool, laundry facility, nice restrooms with showers. Stayed for a little more than a month after selling my house. (End of Aug-Sept)
    Recommend!!

  • Andy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Ann Lake

    Nice, quiet, rustic

    30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Sites range from open and flat to secluded and a little hilly. Most sites are fairly private and well spaced. Higher elevation sites for air tv reception. 2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites. Pay immediately or the camp host will nag you even if you have to walk to higher elevation to get signal. Very beautiful and lots of deer on the trails.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Camp Waub-O-Jeeg

    Waub O Jeeg- Tent camping

    Checking was easy with owner on site. A little steep getting up to x Some of the site. Bathroom and shower house were great


Guide to Lent

Camping near Lent, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Enjoy the scenic trails at Willow River State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area." The park also features stunning waterfalls that are a must-see.
  • Water Activities: At Interstate State Park, you can rent canoes and kayaks. A reviewer shared, "The friendly folks at the park office helped me plan a fun day of hiking that included seeing glacial potholes and sandstone bluffs."
  • Wildlife Watching: Wild River State Park Campground is great for spotting deer and other wildlife. One camper noted, "We spotted three white-tail deer during our hike."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers at Wild River State Park Campground. A visitor said, "Great campground. Clean bathrooms, and friendly at office."
  • Secluded Sites: Many enjoy the privacy of the sites at Willow River State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The sites are secluded by sumac trees."
  • Convenient Location: Bunker Hills Regional Park is close to the Twin Cities, making it a popular choice. A camper noted, "It's actually a pretty good value for the money."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds, like Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, can be noisy due to nearby urban areas. A visitor mentioned, "It's a great campground if you can get in... Urban campgrounds are not for wilderness campers."
  • Limited Amenities: At Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, there are no showers or toilets. One camper pointed out, "Only portapotties. I think the best camping opportunity I saw was the group campgrounds."
  • Crowded Sites: Some campers found sites at William O'Brien State Park Campground to be close together. A reviewer said, "The sites are all very close to one another with very little foliage dividing the sites."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for larger sites at Wild River State Park Campground that can accommodate tents and kids. One family shared, "It was very buggy so we got a screen tent."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to check out the hiking trails and water activities at Interstate State Park. A parent mentioned, "This was a great spot for our first time camping with our kids!"
  • Pack Bug Spray: Mosquitoes can be a problem, especially at William O'Brien State Park Campground. One camper noted, "We went through a lot of bug spray and coils."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure the sites can accommodate your RV at places like Lake Elmo County Park Reserve. A reviewer mentioned, "The sites for the most part are not spacious or private."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Some campgrounds, like Ann Lake, have limited amenities. A visitor said, "Camping here is primitive with few amenities."
  • Stay Close to Facilities: Choose sites near restrooms and showers for convenience, especially at Bunker Hills Regional Park. A camper noted, "Clean bathrooms and quiet private lots."

Camping near Lent, Minnesota, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Lent, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lent, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 127 campgrounds and RV parks near Lent, MN and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Lent, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lent, MN is Interstate State Park — Interstate State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 52 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lent, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Lent, MN.

What parks are near Lent, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Lent, MN that allow camping, notably Saint Croix National Scenic River and St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.