Campgrounds near New Brighton, Minnesota range from county parks to regional reserves, with most facilities located within a 30-minute drive of the city. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups and drinking water, while Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park provides more diverse accommodation including cabins and glamping options. Several parks in the area maintain campgrounds with varying levels of development, from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV pads, with most concentrated along waterways like the St. Croix River and local lakes.
The camping season in this region typically runs from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Lebanon Hills Regional Park operates from April 30 to October 12, while Baker Park Reserve extends slightly longer from April 30 to October 20. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when sites fill quickly. Most campgrounds offer amenities such as drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities, though specific features vary by location. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with occasional weak spots in more remote sections. One camper noted, "Lebanon hills has everything for the family. Schultz Beach for summer fun. Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with several parks offering swimming beaches, boat launches, and fishing opportunities. Baker Park Reserve provides access to Lake Independence, popular for both fishing and recreational boating. Campsites at William O'Brien State Park and Afton State Park offer proximity to the St. Croix River, with hiking trails connecting camping areas to scenic overlooks. While most campgrounds feature relatively open sites with limited privacy between neighbors, the natural settings and recreational opportunities compensate for the lack of seclusion. A visitor described Baker Park as having "open sites and beautiful lake with a swimming beach," noting that while privacy is limited, the park offers "very nice shower buildings and a nice office." Families particularly appreciate the playgrounds, swimming areas, and multi-use trails found throughout the regional park system.
$23 - $80 / night
"For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."
"Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."
$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"It was very easy to find, close to the twin cities, and clean. There was good access to kindling for a fire in the nice fire pit that has a grill."
$20 - $32 / night
"I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."
"It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"
$24 - $42 / night
"Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation"
"We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. it has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps."
$21 - $29 / night
"Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."
"The beaches are some of the best in Minnesota. The bike trails are nearby and plentiful."
"Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"
"Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."
$20 - $32 / night
"Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
"When Rice Creek Campground opens up again in April I'd highly recommend going there if all you want is a simple camping experience to get away from the city grind."
$25 - $90 / night
"Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."
"We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."
$22 - $85 / night
"Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks."
"It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees."
"The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."
"Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground."
TravelerWe stayed here with a group of hot tent campers in early January. The site is large and had a couple of fire pits. Includes a few picnic tables, and a pit toilet. It's a beautiful open area not far from the parking lot with a gorgeous view of the St. Croix River.
ScoutWe visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
RangerSo, I think you know what you are signing up for here when you stay camp at the backpacking site at Afton, but let me fill in some of the blanks. #1 yes, the hill climb is as big of an effort as other people have said. You will feel like you earned your dinner. I may have found a hack for this, but more in that later. #2 the site are mostly private. I stayed on site #12. I could see (and they could have seen me) site #9, but thankfully no one was there. That would have been a bummer to have other looking into my site. There is even a semi-worn path between 12 and 9. They would make a good combo if you have a group. Other than that, totally secluded. As far space at #12, you could build as big of a tent structure there as you would need, easily room for a massive 16’x24’ palace (if you would dare to carry it) or anything smaller. An Eagle Scout project built hammock posts at this site, so it is ideal for that set up. #3 the campground amenities are very nice. The solar powered water works great year round, the two pits toilets (if you can even call them that) are very new and nice. And the coolest campground feature is the cut your own firewood station. I went a little overboard since it was so nice and had a way bigger fire than I needed. Bring your own saw and you will love it too. #4 After walking around the park, I discovered a possible hack. There is an unmarked entrance to the park on the north side. Instead of walking all my gear back to the parking lot, I walked the .5 miles to the service entrance, dropped my pack, and then walked the 1.8 miles back to the parking lot. I tend to carry too much. The flat short walk to drop my gear was worth it. Then I drop around the park and picked up my stuff. Probably not MN DNR endorsed way to do it, but I was proud of my discovery. All in, this is a unique and wonderful camping experience. Highly recommend.
GuideNice spot with plenty of space between sites, which gives you some privacy. It’s right off a busy road, so you’ll hear some traffic noise. The hunters were out during my stay, so there were gunshots throughout the day, but that’s to be expected this time of year. Overall, a good spot for a quick overnight stay and it’s conveniently close to the cities.
RangerI was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!
This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.
This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.
This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.
This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!
This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!
GuideThey have two lots for RV and travel trailer use although the first lot only has two spaces and the second one has a total of five. The five space spot has no water or electric hook up but was a great place for me to test out my new solar set up. Word to the wise, gates ACTUALLY close at 10pm, there's no way to contact anyone and I had to walk about a mile in parked outside the gate 😅. The White Pine lot (5 spaces) has a central bathroom/shower building. The park was jam packed Friday/Saturday but a ghosts town the remains sun/mon/tue I stayed.
GuideThis is a good campground. Very well kept. Fishing from shore and there is a boat launch. Nice playground for kids. Sites are fairly close. Many have no privacy from others, but some do. No water at the sites and pit toilets are the biggest weaknesses. Nice paths for walking and biking.
ScoutFor our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids. We will be back!
TravelerNever again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin
Campsites near New Brighton, Minnesota offer year-round recreational opportunities despite the region's seasonal temperature variations that range from below-freezing winters to humid 80°F summer days. The area's terrain features a mix of prairie landscapes and wooded areas surrounding numerous lakes and waterways. Most camping facilities operate from April through October, with a few locations providing winter cabin options when temperatures typically drop below freezing.
Hiking through varied terrain: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park features trails through diverse ecosystems. "There are a bunch of things to do including hiking, horseback riding, swimming in their filtered pond, boating and an insane playground," mentions one visitor about Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Several parks maintain purpose-built bike paths for various skill levels. "Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure" can be found at Lebanon Hills, while Bunker Hills offers "plenty of trails both paved and unpaved."
Water recreation beyond swimming: Beyond basic beach access, campers can rent various watercraft. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, "there is a large water park with wave pool" adjacent to the campground, providing additional aquatic options for families looking to cool off during summer months.
Winter activities: When snow covers the ground, several parks transition to winter recreation. William O'Brien State Park maintains trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. One visitor noted exploring "William O'Brien in the middle of February" where "the moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent" during a night trek through the snow-covered landscape.
Natural privacy barriers: Certain campgrounds offer more seclusion than others. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, "sites are spacious and spread out" with one visitor noting that "the tent only loop" is particularly appealing because "you don't see this often." Another camper observed that "tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen."
Proximity to urban amenities: Many campers appreciate the balance of wilderness and convenience. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious," reported one camper at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Another visitor called it "an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities."
Well-maintained facilities: Consistent cleanliness ranks high in camper satisfaction. "The bathrooms were among some of the nicest I've used at a campground. The shower stall was big enough for a meaty human like myself to shower comfortably," commented one Lebanon Hills visitor. Another camper at Baker Park noted the "nice clean bathrooms" and "very nice shower buildings."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak times. For William O'Brien State Park Campground, one visitor advised that "you might want to" make reservations immediately when returning home as "most weekends were already reserved by mid May."
Bug preparation: Insect activity varies by season and location. "The mosquitoes were absolutely nuts!" reported one camper at Rice Creek Campgrounds, while another described their experience as "Horsefly Camping Trip From Hell" where "to not get bite we had to run around like chickens with our heads cut off!"
Firewood considerations: Quality and availability of firewood differs between parks. "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere," advised one Rice Creek visitor. At Afton State Park, "they do have firewood available however it is long slab wood, so you do need to cut it yourself."
Site selection strategy: Research specific site numbers before booking. At Afton State Park, "a few of the sites are in wooded areas" while others are in prairie settings. One visitor to Baker Park Campground noted site C14 had "the fire ring placement... doing its own thing like 30 feet from the tent pad—felt like I needed a shuttle to roast a marshmallow."
Explore specialized family amenities: Several parks feature kid-friendly facilities. At Afton State Park Campground, "Camper Cabins" offer an alternative to tent camping with "heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds" plus a "screened in porch." These provide comfortable options for families with young children.
Consider swimming alternatives: When beach access is limited, seek other water options. At Lake Elmo Park Reserve, "they have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," according to one visitor. Another notes that "the swim pond is great for kids."
Look for educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs specifically designed for younger visitors. One Baker Park visitor mentioned that "on Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch."
Full hookup availability: For campers requiring complete utilities, specific campgrounds offer comprehensive services. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, "the sites are well maintained" with "nice hookups" including water, electric, and sewer connections. Another visitor noted the "level sites" which are important for larger RVs.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary considerably in privacy levels. One KOA visitor cautioned that "your packed in on top of each other like sardines in a can," while another noted sites are "on the small side" unless you secure "an end site."
Accessibility for larger vehicles: Some campgrounds accommodate bigger rigs better than others. At Baker Park Campground, "modern sites" are available with sufficient space for larger RVs, while William O'Brien has more limited options for oversized vehicles, particularly in the Savanna Campground section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in New Brighton, Minnesota?
While New Brighton itself doesn't have campgrounds within city limits, several excellent options are available nearby. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers drive-in and walk-in sites with water and toilet facilities just minutes away. Lebanon Hills Regional Park is another fantastic option offering family-friendly camping in the Minneapolis suburbs with amenities like Schultz Beach, mountain bike trails, hiking paths, and cross-country skiing in winter. Both parks provide a convenient camping experience close to the Twin Cities while maintaining a natural setting.
Are there tent camping resorts in New Brighton, Minnesota?
While New Brighton doesn't have tent camping resorts within city limits, several excellent options exist nearby. William O'Brien State Park Campground offers clean, accessible tent sites with easy walking trails and proximity to Stillwater for day trips. For a more rustic experience, Cannon River Wilderness Area provides free tent camping sites next to the river, perfect for hammock camping. Both locations are within easy driving distance from New Brighton and offer the tent camping experience you're looking for, with varying levels of amenities and natural settings.
Can I rent an RV in New Brighton, Minnesota for camping?
Yes, you can rent an RV near New Brighton for camping trips. While there aren't rental facilities directly in New Brighton, several RV rental companies operate in the greater Twin Cities area. After securing your rental, Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve is an excellent, inexpensive option for RV camping near Minneapolis. It's well-managed by Three Rivers Parks with clean facilities. Another option is Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, which offers modern sites with hookups. For rental information, check RV dealerships in nearby Blaine, Coon Rapids, and Minneapolis.
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