Tent camping options near Mendota Heights extend beyond the well-known Afton State Park, with multiple state parks and reserves within an hour's drive offering diverse terrain and facilities. The area sits at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, creating unique river valley camping environments with elevations ranging from 700 to 940 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with cooler nights that make tent camping comfortable throughout the season.
What to do
Trail exploration: Lake Maria State Park offers extensive hiking opportunities through hardwood forests and prairie landscapes. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" notes Mike K., who gave the park a 5-star review. The park features both short and long hiking options, with trail loops connecting to backcountry campsites.
River activities: William O'Brien State Park provides access to the St. Croix River for paddling and fishing. "Tons of hiking, fishing, and great picnic area next to the river!" shares Michelle S. The park sits 45 minutes northeast of Mendota Heights and maintains boat launches throughout the summer months.
Wildlife observation: Early morning and dusk provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Lake Maria State Park mentioned seeing "pileated woodpeckers, red squirrels, and a chorus of chorus frogs" during their stay. The park's wetlands and mature forests create habitat for diverse animal populations.
Winter camping: For cold weather enthusiasts, William O'Brien State Park maintains year-round access. David K. recalls, "The cabin we stayed in felt very welcoming. The cabin offered Wi-Fi access that ended up not working for us anyway, so that at least allowed for a bit more of a rustic experience in the end."
What campers like
Private walk-in sites: At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, campers appreciate the secluded tent areas. According to Andrew C., "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion." Walk-in sites typically require a hike of 100-400 yards from parking areas.
Diverse terrain: The region offers camping experiences ranging from prairie to forest settings. "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," notes one visitor at Afton State Park. This topographical variety provides options for sun or shade preferences.
Dark skies: Areas further from the Twin Cities provide better stargazing. At Lake Maria State Park, Alison O. mentions the "darkness here is wild and beautiful" and recommends bringing a headlamp. Many campsites in the region have minimal light pollution compared to parks closer to the metro area.
Off-season solitude: Visiting during spring or fall weekdays offers significantly more privacy. "Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop (especially the non-electric ones), but still able to take advantage of a weekend day," shares Dani K. about William O'Brien State Park.
What you should know
Bug preparation: Minnesota's summer months bring mosquitoes and black flies. "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon," warns Steph H. about Lake Maria State Park. Bringing permethrin-treated clothing and quality repellent is essential from June through August.
Water availability varies: Not all parks maintain reliable water sources throughout the season. "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!" notes Warren H.
Firewood limitations: Policies on firewood collection and availability differ between parks. Adam P. reports, "They do have firewood available however it is long slab wood, so you do need to cut it yourself. Hand hacksaws are provided, but we're not great quality which made cutting the wood difficult."
Reservation timing: The best tent camping near Mendota Heights requires advance planning, particularly for weekends. Sites in popular parks like Afton and William O'Brien often book 3-4 months in advance for summer weekends. Weekday availability typically remains open 2-3 weeks before arrival dates.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve offers excellent swimming facilities for children. "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to," shares Daniel R. The beach area includes a designated swimming section without lifeguards.
Short hike options: For families with young children, choose campsites with minimal carrying distance. Matt C. notes that at Nerstrand Big Woods, "The walk in site was great - close to parking with plenty of tree shade." The park's shorter trail loops (under 1 mile) work well for families with small children.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for possible wildlife sightings with safety guidelines. "We went to Afton for a day trip filled with hiking, picnicking and scoping out future camping sites. Then I saw the snake. I literally grabbed my husband to hold him back from stepping on it," recounts Emily G., highlighting the importance of teaching children to observe but not approach wildlife.
Cabin alternatives: For families new to camping, Crow Hassan Park Reserve and other parks offer cabin options. "The campground is nicely maintained and has nice mature trees that a lot of people set up hammocks in," notes Krista T. Cabins typically cost $50-80 per night and require reservations 6-12 months in advance.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When RV camping near Mendota Heights, choose sites carefully based on accessibility. According to Deb M. at Nerstrand Big Woods, "There's some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back."
Amenities awareness: Cell service varies widely across campgrounds. "Cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible. There's WiFi at the office, which is just a short hike from the campground," reports Deb M. Many parks offer limited or no hookups, so arriving with fully charged batteries and filled water tanks is recommended.
Off-peak visits: For RVers seeking more space, scheduling mid-week stays provides advantages. "This park has a nice, small campground. The sites have quite a few trees separating them, but most of the sites on the C loop back up almost into the sites on the right side of the B loop," notes one reviewer about weekend congestion at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.
