Best Tent Camping near Mound, MN
Tent campers near Mound, Minnesota have several established options within a 30-minute drive, with Lake Maria State Park and Afton State Park offering the most secluded tent experiences. Lake Maria features backpack-only tent sites located approximately one mile from parking areas, providing a true wilderness experience without the long-distance hiking required at more remote parks. Crow Hassan Park Reserve also offers tent camping with more accessible walk-in sites that maintain a natural setting while requiring less hiking distance.
Most tent sites in the area feature level ground with dirt or gravel tent pads. Lake Maria State Park provides bear-proof food lockers at each site, fire rings, and picnic tables, though campers must carry in all supplies. Water access is typically available near parking areas but not at individual sites. Vault toilets are strategically placed throughout camping areas, though some sites require a short walk to reach facilities. According to one visitor at Lake Maria, "The sites that I have stayed at have good places to set up a hammock, and all sites have a fire ring, picnic table and food locker."
Tent camping in these parks offers significantly more privacy than standard campgrounds. Sites at Lake Maria are well-spaced along trails, creating natural buffers between campers. A camper wrote that Lake Maria "feels like a secret woodland sanctuary — set up on a slight rise, tucked beneath a cathedral of towering oaks and maples." The hike-in requirement naturally limits crowding and noise levels. Afton State Park's tent sites are positioned on bluffs with some offering views of the St. Croix River valley. The terrain throughout these areas features a mix of hardwood forests, restored prairie, and small lakes or ponds. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer, various bird species, and smaller mammals frequently observed from tent sites. Most locations maintain a natural setting with minimal development beyond basic amenities.
