Tent campsites near Medina, Minnesota extend beyond the immediate area to include nearby county parks, wilderness retreats, and state recreation areas. The region sits at approximately 980 feet above sea level within the Mississippi River watershed, characterized by rolling hills, hardwood forests, and numerous small lakes. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity levels from June through August, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with overnight lows that can drop into the 40s.
What to do
Beach access and swimming: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve offers an "amazing beach" that serves as a popular draw during summer months. Daniel R. notes it has "great trails" and the "best kids park at any campground I've been to."
Mountain biking: Single-track opportunities exist for riders of various skill levels. Krista T. mentions Lake Rebecca's "newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels."
Hiking and trail exploration: William O'Brien State Park features diverse terrain for day hiking. According to Karla J. B., "We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths. There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling - so many shades of green!"
What campers like
Backpacking site selection: Lake Maria State Park Campground offers multiple backpacking options with varying distances from parking. Tori K. explains, "Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites."
Privacy levels: Many campers appreciate the seclusion available at certain sites. Lydia N. describes her Lake Maria experience: "Only about a mile from the parking lot. This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness."
Campsite layout and amenities: Brian C. details his Lake Maria site: "The hike itself is rather hilly, and the site is about a quarter mile off of the main path...You could see the occasional car from the site, which is surrounded by a small pond. You could hear voices, but not see anyone."
What you should know
Seasonal bug intensity: Insect activity can vary dramatically by season and site location. At Afton State Park Campground, one camper notes, "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites. The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion."
Site access challenges: Many backpacking sites require physical preparation. Cheeming Y. warns about Lake Maria: "If you're new to hiking, I suggest doing some research if you're going to attempt stuff like this... Overpacked, along with not packing the right gear and didn't have a cart. Buddy and I parked at the southeast parking lot so the hike was about a mile and also hilly."
Firewood availability: Securing adequate firewood can be an issue at some sites. Cheeming Y. adds: "BP7 didn't have much dead wood around so we had to reserve the firewood we purchased. Carrying firewood, food, water, gear, on a hilly trail through the woods can become real tough real fast."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible options for beginners: For families new to camping, choose sites with shorter access trails. At Crow Hassan Park Reserve, Alison O. notes it has "tons of beautiful trails" and is "great for birding," making it suitable for nature-focused family activities.
Noise considerations: Select sites based on expected campground activity levels. Tim from William O'Brien State Park comments, "Several people seemed to be there in groups, but we had no issues with noise. The pit toilets were cleaned and stocked with TP and sanitizer."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for potential animal sightings. Tim warns about William O'Brien: "Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away."
Tips from RVers
Group site options: For RV groups traveling together, special sites exist with accommodations. At Elm Creek Horse Camp, Alison O. describes Campsite 2 as offering "a solid patch of peace" while mentioning "there's not much privacy between sites, so if your dog's a talker, your neighbors might get a serenade."
Setup and site selection: Krista T. notes the Riverbend group equestrian campground at Crow Hassan Park Reserve: "In normal times you can rent this group campsite for $70-$80 a night, which is ridiculously cheap considering that you can fit quite a bit of horse trailers on here."
