Best Tent Camping near Long Lake, MN
Several tent campgrounds near Long Lake, Minnesota offer varying primitive camping experiences within an hour's drive of the Twin Cities. Lake Maria State Park Campground provides tent sites with privacy and natural surroundings, featuring walk-in and hike-in access options. Crow Hassan Park Reserve also offers primitive tent camping opportunities with trails connecting to natural areas and riverside locations.
Tent sites at Lake Maria State Park range from easy quarter-mile hikes to more remote one-mile treks from parking areas. Most tent sites include a level tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table, with each backpacking site having its own private latrine. Water access is available but requires planning as it's not directly at tent sites. The park maintains 14 backpacking sites labeled BP1 through BP14, with sites 1-4 frequently cited as preferred options. According to reviews, "Sites are very spread out, we could barely tell anyone else was at the park with us."
Lake Maria's secluded tent sites provide excellent forest immersion with many positioned near small lakes or ponds. Sites BP5 and BP6 offer views over water bodies, while being tucked under mature oak and maple trees for shade. Winter camping is also available for experienced tent campers. A visitor noted that "BP6 was a hilly 1/4 mile hike one way but worth the view. We were right on the edge looking out over a small lake with towering trees all around us." Mosquitoes can be prevalent in summer months, particularly in August, so bringing appropriate repellent is advised. The park's primitive tent settings attract birders and wildlife watchers, with opportunities to spot trumpeter swans and various migratory birds.
