Best Tent Camping near Maple Grove, MN
State parks and nature reserves within 40 minutes of Maple Grove, Minnesota offer several backcountry tent camping options with varying levels of accessibility. Lake Maria State Park, located northwest of Maple Grove near Monticello, features exclusively walk-in tent sites ranging from a quarter-mile to over a mile from parking areas. Afton State Park, though slightly farther at about an hour's drive, provides tent-only backcountry sites with views of the St. Croix River. Crow Hassan Park Reserve and Elm Creek Horse Camp also accommodate tent campers with more accessible sites closer to Maple Grove.
Most tent campsites in the area feature level dirt or gravel tent pads with basic amenities. Lake Maria's backcountry sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and food lockers, with vault toilets distributed throughout the camping areas. Campers should bring their own toilet paper, as this is not always provided. Water access varies significantly between parks - Lake Maria offers water pumps in parking areas but not at individual sites. At Afton State Park, a solar-powered well provides year-round water access near the campground. Summer brings significant mosquito activity, particularly on trails leading to backcountry sites, so insect protection is essential from late spring through early fall.
According to one Lake Maria visitor, "The sites are about a mile hike in on wide trails without much elevation change," making them accessible for beginners to backcountry camping. Another camper noted that Site B6 at Lake Maria features "a level tent pad, solid fire ring, and picnic table with vault toilets and water access not too far by backcountry standards." At Afton State Park, the walk-in sites require more effort, with one camper reporting, "The hike is mostly uphill and includes a couple of switchbacks, so packing light is a good idea." Fall brings particularly pleasant camping conditions with reduced bugs, cooler temperatures, and colorful foliage, especially at Lake Maria where October showcases vibrant yellow leaves around the lakes.