If you want to explore the beauty of New Hope, glamping is an excellent option. The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic New Hope experience while glamping. The Dyrt's camping photos, reviews, and tips are an easy way to find the right Minnesota glamping spot for you.
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.
$20 - $32 / night
$20 - $75 / night
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.
$15 - $18 / night
Cleary Lake Regional Park has 20 sites for tents only and 2 RV sites with full hookups.
$16 - $50 / night
$15 / night
Ham Lake Resort is in Minnesota, just 30 minutes from the Twin Cities. We love that we are close enough to home, but far enough away to escape. We are proud to offer 114 RV sites with some full hook-up options, tent camping, and cabins! We have something for everyone!
Ham Lake offers so many activities including swimming, fishing, a beach, horseshoes, boating, planned activities throughout the weekends, a playground for the kids and so much more. We also feature many great amenities like shower houses, laundry facilities a picnic area, and a dog park!
There are so many things to do and see near our resort; go horseback riding, visit the beautiful state parks, take the kids to Bunker Beach Waterpark, or spend the day sipping wine at Willow Tree Winery.
Whether you want a vacation filled with rest and relaxation or want to add a little adventure, we have something for everyone! We can't wait to see you!
Must be over 25 to reserve a campsite at this campground.
$49 - $999 / night
Guide
Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks. These have some great amenities and are perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring.
ScoutI have stayed multiple times in the hike in camp sites and also in the yurt! The hike in sites were beautiful with a view looking over the St. Croix River. It was a shaded site perfect for our hammocks, it was quiet and very secluded. The Yurt was very cool! Very comfortable beds and plenty of space for the 6 of us to stay and sleep. The fire pit and picnic table wasn't far from the yurt which made it nice to not have to walk too far since we camped in the winter. I highly suggest the expeeience of the yurt!
ScoutAfton is a gorgeous park. There's beautiful trails that take you through dense woods and prairie, and then you take a pretty decline to get to the St Croix River. It was foggy when we were there but still gorgeous. We also managed to get a yurt and it was so much fun. Comfy beds, room for 7 and it was clean and well built. This is a great park!
Ranger
Interesting place, you can read about it here
Guide
My partner and I scheduled a 3 day / 2 night stay in a new Vintage Cruiser RV for $39.99, in exchange for attending a presentation on private membership.
We checked in Wednesday evening, and the nicest staff I've ever met helped us acclimate to RV living. We are new to this game. They patiently described how to utilize the grey and black water tanks, as well as encouraged us to check-out the canoes, row boats, bikes, horseshoes, ladder golf and many other entertainment items - for FREE!
The map provided was accurate which made locating the cruiser a breeze. There were further instructions inside as well. The RV was immaculate. Provided for our use were all linens (a public very clean bath and shower was just across the road), dish soap, dish towels, paper towels, flat wear, plates, bowls, mugs and pans.
The campground has a couple of ponds, as well as access to Ham Lake where the watercraft is launched. There is a petting arena with goats, ponies, and a llama who gave my partner the stink eye, but fell in love with me rubbing the fence and giving me all googly eyes!
The clubhouse sells bundled wood, ice, snacks, cold drinks, ice cream and provides 24-hour fresh coffee. There is also a small resupply area, and gift shop.
There are pull-through sites, back ups, 50 and 30 amp hook ups, and tent sites, covered pavilions, picnic tables and fire pits.
The campground itself seems remote, secluded and peaceful, however, you are conveniently located to two well-stocked convenience stores, as well as Wal-Mart about 15 minutes away. It's also only about 45 minutes from the Minnesota Twin Cities.
One note: We visited in August and needed gallons of bug spray.
We very much enjoyed our get away!
Scout
Nice hosts. Nice sites. Trees and level sites. Bigger than i thought.
GuideSites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground.
TravelerThis is the closest campground to our home, so it has the distinction of being the place where my kids had their love of camping kindled! The sites are stacked on top of each other, but there is a pool (unheated) and a cute little camp store.
We have stayed here several times and found it a great place to cut your teeth on camping and gather with friends if you'd like.
TravelerNot especially welcoming and a little run down. Our site was nice because we had an end site, otherwise sites are on the small side. The playground could use some revamping and the pool area was closed and looked sketchy. The location was perfect for us, but I doubt we will ever go back.
ScoutI made a reservation over 3 months before my stay. When I arrived, I was given a site that backed up to a very busy road. There was also no shade on the site and I was 3 feet or less from my neighbor. Many of the reviews mentioned nice shade trees but not all sites have them. When I asked the owner for another site, he told me they were all taken except for one without a sewer connection. I asked why I was given such an undesirable site when I booked so far in advance and he told me that there is an algorithm that determines the site selection and if I wanted one with trees I needed to put a note on my reservation. He also suggested calling the office and requesting a site with trees. So my suggestion to anyone staying at this campground, be sure to call the office ahead and let them know that you want a site with trees and not one backing up to the road. I can assure the owners that algorithms do not equate to good customer service and I will not be returning or recommending this campground to others.
ScoutMy husband and I picked this spot to try out our new camper (and puppy) for camping and it’s been a lovely place to stay. It’s a normal KOA setup but the staff is wonderfully sweet and the amenities are clean and reliable. Close to lots of state parks and hiking opportunities.
RangerWe tent camped here for a night while passing through. It’s a basic KOA with a few amenities. The lots were really big and we had no one near us, so it was nice and private. Most of the lots near the front were occupied but the back was almost empty, which is where the more wooded lots are. Only 1 bath house and it’s not close to most of the tent sites.
Staff was nice and helpful. It has a small pool and game room but not much else for kids. The bugs are aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area. Definitely more of a place to stay as you are passing through, not really a destination campground.
GuideThe KOA was nice and clean but your packed in on top of each other like sardines in a can
TravelerThe hosts at this campground were very nice. We had a tent site with no hook ups. The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue. There were no extra walk ways or special features in those regards but the roads had enough of a country feel that they were fun for walking around with my kids and dog
GuideThe sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot.
LegendThis is an ok spot for a stop on the way somewhere else. It is a KOA, which is all you need to know. Basic campground with level sites. More space than many other KOA locations. Clean showers and bathroom.
Guide
II've stayed here numerous times. It's actually a pretty good value for the money. Heavily wooded with oak trees, lots of privacy, campsites are spaced out well. Nice trails, facilities down the road, many biking trails, and cool on a hot summer day.
ScoutA nice regional park, clean bathrooms and quiet private lots. Good hiking.
ScoutWent early in the season in the afternoon and had no problems getting a good spot with electric hookups. Better for someone with an RV, and more seemingly a weekend spot for the family.
ScoutAmazing campsites nice trails clean shower's and bathroom's. There's a water park down the road and friendly staff.
ScoutCampsites were nice, good tent pads too! Very clean. Respectful neighbors
TravelerThis is a nice, quiet campground with activities nearby. The sites are decently private and there is nice bathrooms/showers. We camped here while our friends used a camper cabin and they loved it too. The waterpark is a blast and we were able to find discount passes online.
ScoutSite 65. Morning shade, afternoon sunny. This is a nice level site.
GuideA small campground located in the northern suburbs of the twin cities. Allows for horseback riding and a wave pool and water slides within the park. Golfing as well. This is as basic as they come with little to no travel for many. One of my least liked campgrounds.
ScoutI was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay. There are park pavilions and a water park connected to the campsite, a gold course nearby, and shops, too - - but the actual campsite, bike/walking/horse trails make you forget all of that. The temperature was COLD the first night, but perfect the rest of the week. Absolutely loved the experience, and I will go again.
TravelerHuge waterpark, miles of bike trails
TravelerFor being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious. There are both primitive (tent) non-electric sites, and sites with electricity, even some 50 amp.
Within the park is large water park and wave pool. There are many paved trails, and an activity center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near New Hope, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near New Hope, MN is Afton State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near New Hope, MN?
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