Best Tent Camping near New London, MN
Tent campsites near New London, Minnesota range from established campgrounds to more primitive walk-in locations. Lake Maria State Park, located approximately 45 miles east of New London, offers exclusively hike-in tent camping with no drive-up options. Sibley State Park provides group camping areas that accommodate tents, while smaller county parks like Skalbekken County Park and Beaver Falls County Park offer more basic tent camping experiences with fewer amenities but greater seclusion.
The terrain at most primitive tent sites varies from level, wooded areas to spots overlooking small lakes and ponds. Lake Maria's backpack sites require hikes ranging from 0.25 to 1 mile from parking areas, with trails that can become muddy after rain. Most tent sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to vault toilets, though campers should verify toilet paper availability. A camper noted, "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." Water access points are limited, with drinking water typically available only at central locations, requiring campers to transport water to their sites.
Walk-in tent locations provide a more secluded camping experience compared to standard campgrounds. Sites at Lake Maria State Park are particularly private, set back from main trails and often situated near small lakes or ponds. "The backpacking sites are very spread out, we could barely tell anyone else was at the park with us," one visitor reported. Seasonal considerations affect the tent camping experience significantly—summer months bring mosquitoes and black flies, while fall offers fewer insects and vibrant foliage. Many primitive tent camping areas become significantly less crowded during weekdays and shoulder seasons. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting encounters with turtles, frogs, woodpeckers, and owls. Most backcountry tent sites require reservations through the Minnesota State Park reservation system, while some county parks operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
