Best Campgrounds near North St. Paul, MN

Campgrounds near North St. Paul, Minnesota range from highly developed county and state parks to more primitive sites along waterways. The area features Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, William O'Brien State Park, and several regional parks with varied accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Lebanon Hills Regional Park provides electric campsites in a setting that feels removed from urban areas despite its proximity to the Twin Cities, while Interstate State Park along the St. Croix River offers dramatic river gorge scenery. Most developed campgrounds maintain shower facilities, drinking water, and electric hookups, though amenities vary significantly by location.

The camping season in this region typically runs from April through October, with some parks like William O'Brien State Park and Afton State Park remaining open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when campgrounds frequently reach capacity. Winter camping requires additional preparation as water systems are typically winterized and facilities reduced. Many campgrounds feature both secluded wooded sites and more open group areas with varying levels of privacy. As one camper noted about Lebanon Hills, "We liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays."

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the area, with several parks offering swimming areas, boat launches, and fishing opportunities. Lake Elmo Park Reserve features a filtered swimming pond that receives high praise from visitors. A reviewer highlighted: "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. This man-made pond is a sandy bottom and surrounded by a nice sand beach." The St. Croix River corridor provides additional water-based recreation, with Interstate State Park offering dramatic river gorge views and rock climbing opportunities. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to natural features, with varying difficulty levels from family-friendly paths to more challenging terrain along river bluffs and through forested areas.

Best Camping Sites Near North St. Paul, Minnesota (118)

    1. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    37 Reviews
    Lake Elmo, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8370

    $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."

    2. Willow River State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Hudson, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 386-5931

    "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."

    3. Afton State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Denmark, MN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 436-5391

    "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."

    4. Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    43 Reviews
    Apple Valley, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 480-7773

    $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."

    5. William O'Brien State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Marine on St. Croix, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 539-4980

    $16 - $250 / 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."

    6. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

    17 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 324-3340

    $20 - $75 / night

    "Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday.   The campground is neat and well managed."

    "We have lived in the Twin Cities for two decades and have never visited Rice Creek Chain of Lakes before. We will again!"

    7. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park

    20 Reviews
    Denmark, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8240

    "Minnesota is beautiful and there is so much to do here. The bathrooms are spotless and everything is new here."

    "Washington County, which manages campgrounds at both the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St Croix Bluffs Regional Park, does a great job of maintaining campgrounds, trails, and bathroom facilities at both parks"

    8. Rice Creek Campgrounds

    8 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 324-3340

    $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."

    9. Bunker Hills Regional Park

    16 Reviews
    Coon Rapids, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 862-4970

    $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"

    10. Interstate State Park — Interstate State Park

    52 Reviews
    Taylors Falls, MN
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 483-3747

    $24 - $34 / night

    "This is a state park on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix River, which is mirrored by a comparable but smaller state park in Minnesota on the wrst side of the river, both being part of the wild and scenic"

    "Now that I live in Minnesota, I find myself frequenting the Taylors Falls side. Here you have the amazing "Pot Holes" from glacial waters and some pretty spectacular rock climbing."

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Recent Reviews near North St. Paul, MN

776 Reviews of 118 North St. Paul Campgrounds


  • Sarah D.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Wild River State Park Campground

    Secluded Backpack/Canoe Site with Sunrise Views

    I 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!!!

  • Sarah D.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Secluded Site and Great Views Close to the Twin Cities

    We did a one night camping trip for my birthday at Cart-In Site 1 the second to last weekend of September.

    We loved the hiking at Frontenac State Park - walking along the lake and then walking along the bluffs at sunset was magical! Fantastic views. I imagine if we had gone two weeks later, we would have had a fantastic display of fall color. We went a little too early to catch the changing leaves.

    We loved how easy Frontenac was for a casual weekend getaway. It was an easy, scenic one hour drive from St. Paul that was very enjoyable. The park was also nice with great bathrooms at the main campsite, nice trails, and they even had board games to check out at the front office for a rainy day- a great idea!

    We stayed at Cart-In Site 1. I would rate the site itself a 3. It was very secluded and spacious, which was fantastic! We could not see any other campsites from our site, which was fantastic. We only occasionally saw some hikers on a nearby trail. We could hear some other noisy campers, but it wasn't too much of a disturbance. Very wooded, nice, spacious site. There is not water at the Cart-In parking lot, so be aware that you will have to fill up prior to parking and heading to your site (easiest place to do so is the main office/ visitor center).

    I also slept poorly because of a nearby train that kept going past and honking at least until midnight. So if you're a light sleeper, be aware of persistent train noise at these sites!

    Overall good site and an easy, fun, and relaxing weekend getaway from the twin cities.

  • Lance L.
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Cleary Lake Regional Park

    Large campground with plentyy of activities!

    They 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.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Great hiking trails NICE Bathrooms

    The campground is well maintained, all of the sites are clean and laid out nicely. Some sites are kinda close but there is brush growing between sites.

    There are a LOT of NICE TRAILS at this park. Many nice prairie trails and some fun trails in the bluffs along the Mississippi River too. One trail down along the River can be challenging because of MANY STAIRS.

    Large drive in picnic areas away from the campground that many people drive in to us and had a nice overlook on the Mississippi River. There are 2 nice overlooks that are great to walk to in the dark and watch the calmness and peaceful nature of the river and forest.

    The men’s bathroom and showers are GREAT! There is also very nice large full handicap bathrooms. The SHOWER WATER IS VERY HOT so be careful!

    Dump station is sloped so it makes it easy to drive in either direction to help dump waste water easily. Also fresh water at the dumping station.

    Always Plenty of firewood in the shed next to the office.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Byllesby Regional Park

    Very nice campground

    This 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.

  • H
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    First time camping!

    For 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!

  • Larry K.
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Willow River State Park Campground

    Never again

    Never 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

  • Maria D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Cleanest Campground Bathrooms Ever!

    Frontenac State Park had some of the nicest campground bathrooms and showers I’ve ever seen—clean, and modern. The ranger station was small and charming, stocked with board games to rent, and it’s clear the staff cares about creating a positive camping experience. I also loved the little free library outside the bathrooms.

    The downsides are that the campsites run small, usually only fitting two tents at most, and there aren’t many trees for hammocking. It’s also a popular park, so it can get pretty loud at times.

    Favorite sites: 37 – Shady and on the edge with just one neighbor (though the main road is on the other side). Decent privacy and potential for hammocking.

    21 – Nice views, but likely best for just one tent/car.

    22 – Very private, though the ground looked a little uneven.

    Other solid tent sites: 36, 25, 48, 49, 51. Site 57 also looked spacious with no neighbors, but it does border the visitor parking lot.

  • Maria D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Interstate State Park — Interstate State Park

    Lovely River, Too Much Hustle

    Interstate State Park has some nice features, but overall it wasn’t my favorite. Many of the exterior loop sites have river access, which was a highlight, and we didn’t have to deal with mosquitoes thanks to being right on the water. The nearby towns are also very charming and worth exploring.

    That said, the campground is small and very crowded, likely because it’s so close to the Cities and popular with canoe rentals. Expect a lot of traffic noise, and in the fall, migrating geese can be very loud (which didn’t bother me, but might for some). The ranger office had limited hours, and since firewood is locked up, there’s no self-serve option. Another downside: a riverboat cruises by frequently, blasting music in the evenings and giving tours during the day.

    The sites are close together, with RVs and tents mixed on one loop, so generator noise is common. It wasn’t a terrible stay, but just too small and busy for my preference—I don’t think I’d return.

    Best sites seemed to be 21 (great river views, less private), 23 (fun detached tent pad), and 18 (most private). Sites 4–5 were also lovely but close to the bathrooms and camp host, so expect more foot traffic.


Guide to North St. Paul

Camping near North St. Paul, Minnesota offers diverse terrain from prairie settings to riverfront locations within a 45-minute drive radius. The region receives approximately 32 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush summer landscapes but also contributing to seasonal mosquito activity from June through August. Most campgrounds in this area sit between 700-950 feet elevation, providing relatively flat terrain suitable for campers of all experience levels.

What to do

Hiking varied terrain: At Afton State Park Campground, trails accommodate different skill levels across multiple landscapes. "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites. The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion," notes Andrew C.

Kayaking and water activities: Water-based recreation provides summer relief at multiple parks. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," reports Timothy S. about Lake Elmo County Park Reserve. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, one visitor highlighted: "Nice little lake to kayak on."

Trail exploration: Bunker Hills Regional Park offers extensive trail networks for day hiking. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious," explains Doug B. Another visitor adds that despite nearby amenities, "the actual campsite, bike/walking/horse trails make you forget all of that."

What campers like

Site privacy levels: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers varying degrees of seclusion. "We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. Our spot was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area," shares Angela L. Sites with full hookups tend to be more open, while electric-only sites are "more tucked away in the pines."

Filtered swimming areas: Lake Elmo's swimming facilities stand out among regional options. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," notes Timothy S. This provides a unique alternative to natural swimming areas.

Walk-in site options: Rice Creek Campgrounds offers tent-only loops with walk-in sites. "I loved the look of the 'TENT ONLY' loop - you don't see this often... And the fact that this loop (F LOOP) was 'tent only' meant no generators! It was very quiet!" reports Amy G., who appreciated that "most had enough trees you couldn't see your neighbor."

What you should know

Seasonal bug conditions: Insect activity varies significantly by location and timing. "Mosquitoes were absolutely nuts!" notes Justin Q. about Rice Creek. At another campground, a visitor experienced "horseflies and no breeze" during summer months. Consider campgrounds along water bodies like Interstate State Park where one camper noted: "We didn't have to deal with mosquitoes thanks to being right on the water."

Reservation timing: Weekend availability fills quickly throughout summer. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises one Blair at Lebanon Hills. This is particularly true for popular state parks and county facilities closer to the Twin Cities.

Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise despite their natural settings. At Interstate State Park, "The power loop runs right along a 4-lane highway, which you can't really see but for sure will hear," explains John W. Consider inner campground loops or sites further from major roadways when noise is a concern.

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds and activity spaces: Several parks feature kid-friendly facilities. "Great campground, sites are spacious and spread out, electric hookups at all sites, swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic for kids," notes John H. about Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.

Educational opportunities: William O'Brien State Park Campground provides nature-based learning. "You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite," shares Laura E. about the Savanna Campground area.

Cost-effective activities: Budget-conscious families should consider multi-use parks. At Bunker Hills, "the 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," notes Doug B., offering options across price points.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategies: At Willow River State Park Campground, RVers should consider specific loops. "We stayed at Site 133 and found it to be fairly spacious. One downside was that there's a trail running just behind the site, and several campers cut through our area to access it, which disrupted the sense of privacy," reports Maria D.

Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary across campgrounds. "Campgrounds are big with over a hundred sites, some with power. No water at the site. Water nearby at stations," notes leif D. about Willow River. Check in advance for generator restrictions - some parks limit or prohibit generator use in specific loops.

Early season considerations: Spring camping requires additional preparation. "We planned this weekend with friends to camp in our matching teardrop trailers... This was the first really nice spring weather, and the Savanna Campground was quite full," writes Karla J.B. about William O'Brien State Park, noting that "the river side of the park had been closed for months for construction."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near North St. Paul?

Several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive of North St. Paul. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers impressive amenities including a filtered swimming pond with a sandy beach, hiking trails, horseback riding, and modern campsites in open locations with shaded edges. Another great option is William O'Brien State Park Campground, which features easy walking trails and clean, accessible campsites that provide privacy despite being in a popular area. Other notable options include Lebanon Hills Regional Park for family-friendly suburban camping, Baker Park Reserve for inexpensive stays, and Cannon River Wilderness Area for free riverside camping with hammock-friendly spots.

What camping is available near North St. Paul, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, North St. Paul, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 118 campgrounds and RV parks near North St. Paul, MN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near North St. Paul, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near North St. Paul, MN is Lake Elmo County Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near North St. Paul, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near North St. Paul, MN.