Crow Hassan Park Reserve

Located on the St. Croix River, just 20 miles east of Saint Paul, Afton State Park is great for those looking for camping near Minneapolis and is 1600 acres of rolling prairies, oak woodlands, and limestone river canyons amid an ancient glacial landscape. The land for the park was acquired in 1967, but it took almost 15 years of planning revisions and compromises with local residents before the park finally opened in 1982. Little development has gone into Afton State Park in an effort to maintain its natural characteristics, and former farmland atop the bluffs are continuously being restored to their original state. This makes Afton an ideal destination for campers looking to experience the outdoors in a wilder setting.

 Load up your backpack with all you’ll need for your stay, as camping at Afton State Park requires a hearty, 0.75-mile hike in from the parking area. The year-round campground offers 27 rustic sites with picnic tables and fire pits, with options for pitching your tent in either open or wooded areas. There is drinking water, a vault toilet and firewood is supplied within the camp area. There is also three boat-in campsites, and two group campsites that can accommodate up to 60 people each. If you’d rather not rough it, the park also offers four camping cabins and two yurts, some of which are wheelchair accessible. There are also several picnic areas and restrooms within the park. Campsite rates range from $15–$23/night; cabins range from $55–$70/night, and yurts $50–$65/night.

 When you’re ready to explore, start at the park’s Nature Store where you can pick up information about the park’s flora and fauna, or join a nature walk. Then choose from more than 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, as well as a short barrier-free path. If you’re visiting in winter, many of these trails are open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Bring your GPS and go on a geocaching treasure hunt, or bring your binoculars and go on safari for a variety of migratory birds, waterfowl, and wildlife, including deer, foxes and badgers. And little ones will love becoming Junior Park Naturalists and learning about bugs, birds, plants and other critters. If you’re looking for a real outdoor adventure, Afton State Park has what you’re looking for.



Afton State Park

Backpack sites, located on remote lakes and ponds throughout the park, are one to two miles from the trailhead parking. New log camper cabins, located near lakes and ponds, provide bunk beds for six people and a table and benches for campers who want more of the creature comforts. 

Lake Maria State Park

Lebanon Hills Regional Park is the largest park in the Dakota County park system. Containing almost 2,000 acres, the park offers miles of trails and many lakes for year-round outdoor sports, recreation and environmental education.

The Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, located in the eastern section of the park, offers park information, interactive nature displays, courses and programs, equipment rental and access to all the beauty the park has to offer.

Dakota County Parks is actively restoring more than 1,100 acres of prairie and forest within Lebanon Hills Campground and planting more than 3,000 new trees and shrubs.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Bunker Hills Regional Park



Washington County offers two beautiful campgrounds for a relaxing getaway, one located within Lake Elmo Park Reserve and the other within St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. Find a campsite that suits your needs, from sites with electric and water hook-ups, to group sites, to rustic hike-in sites. Enjoy all the other amenities the parks have to offer, including hiking, fishing, boating, and more.

Washington County Campgrounds are open for the season. Online, in-person, and phone reservations are now being accepted. 

This year, camping season for Lake Elmo Park Reserve will run through October 2 in the modern campground area. Rustic, hike in and group sites will remain open through Oct. 23. St. Croix Bluffs camping season will run through October 23, 2022. Please note that the last nights to book are October 1 and October 22.

Group Campground Features

    Three sites available for groups of up to 50 people
    Wheeled cart available for check-out at park office
    Group Site #2 includes a small picnic shelter
    Picnic table and fire ring/grill provided at each site
    Vault or portable toilets available
    One-day reservations allowed
    Pets are not allowed

Hike-In Campground Features

    Five hike-in tent sites - one tent per site
    Hiking distance from parking lot is approximately 100 to 300 yards
    Wheeled cart available for check-out at park office with a refundable deposit
    Modern bathrooms and water available at the Nordic Center
    Pets are not allowed

Modern Campground Features

    Eighty campsites, suited for tents, trailers, or motor homes - most sites are back-in
    Sites 1-58 have 20/30/50 amp with water. Site 59 is 50 amp only (no water).
    Sites 60-80 are 20/30 amp
    Camp Host/Work Camper sites include sewer hookup
    Picnic table and fire ring/grill provided at each site
    Modern bathroom facilities with flush toilets and hot showers
    Trailer/RV dump station
    Play area
    Handicap accessible
    One camping unit per site
    Pets are not allowed

The entrance gate closes at 10 p.m. A gate code is required for after hour entry, available from the park office.
Rustic Campground Features

    Twenty spacious non-electric back-in sites - one camping unit per site
    Picnic table and fire ring/grill provided at each site
    Horses allowed at each campsite
    Portable toilets available
    Pets are not allowed

Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

Three Rivers Park District Baker Campground

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Top Minneapolis Campgrounds

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

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Crow Hassan Park Reserve

Afton State Park

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