Camping options near North St. Paul, Minnesota span across three counties, with elevations ranging from 840 to 1,100 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of prairie, woodland, and river valley terrain with camping locations typically open from April through October. Winter camping availability varies by location with some sites closing when temperatures consistently drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking and trail exploration: Baker Campground offers extensive paved paths for biking and hiking, with connections to larger trail networks. "The nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities (which were very nice)," notes one visitor to Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.
Fishing and water activities: Cleary Lake Regional Park provides access to shoreline fishing with multiple lake access points. A camper mentioned, "Site 13 is the only one right on the water and it's HUGE with lots of trees and absolutely beautiful scenery," making it perfect for anglers and water enthusiasts at Cleary Lake Regional Park.
Winter recreation: Wild River State Park maintains groomed ski trails throughout winter months. "We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails," reports a winter camper at the park.
Stargazing opportunities: Areas away from city light pollution provide excellent night sky viewing. "The star gazing area was great!" reports a visitor to Wild River State Park, which maintains a dedicated viewing area for astronomy enthusiasts.
What campers like
Site privacy and layout: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes offers spacious sites with natural separation. "Wonderful site! Feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities. Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!" shares a visitor to Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
Beach access and swimming: Lake Auburn Campground features a swimming beach with shade structures. A camper noted, "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," making it ideal for families seeking water recreation opportunities during summer months.
Year-round cabin options: Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins provide heated accommodations during winter. "Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!" reports a visitor staying in the Eastern Bluebird cabin at Afton State Park.
Trail system diversity: Different terrain types create varied hiking experiences. At Wild River State Park Campground, a camper emphasized the ecological variety: "This is a big park with a diversity of hiking, equestrian, and canoeing options. Since the park runs along the St. Croix, there are beautiful river-side walks to be had. There are also Oak Savanna trails."
What you should know
Water availability challenges: Some parks experience seasonal water issues. At Afton State Park, a visitor warned, "None of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center before trekking around the park's beautiful hiking trails!"
Winter facility limitations: Shower facilities may have restricted hot water in cold months. A winter visitor to Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins reported, "There was maybe 2 minutes of hot water. Basically enough to wash your body quickly... The shower room is also set to a cool 58 degrees in the winter."
Cell service variability: Connection quality differs across campgrounds. "Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance," notes a camper at Wild River State Park, helpful information for those needing to stay connected.
Reservation timing strategy: Popular sites book quickly, especially for yurt camping near North St. Paul. "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve," advises a visitor about Whitetail Woods.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Bunker Hills Regional Park offers multiple play areas throughout the campground. A visitor noted, "Something for everyone here! The facilities are well kept, the park is patrolled by rangers and the local sheriff after closing hours. Very safe place to camp. Perfect for kids, they have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails."
Short-distance campsites: Lake Auburn Campground provides walk-in sites that are easily accessible for families with young children. "This campground even has 2 walking/hike-in campsites to give your avid campers a real out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind of feel... Only this campground is just minutes from the major city (Minneapolis)!" reports a camper.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers at regional parks offer interactive programs. At Rice Creek, a visitor mentioned, "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours."
Beach amenities: Swimming areas often include added comforts. "The beach area looks nice" notes a Lake Auburn visitor, with other campers mentioning the "shade umbrellas and a fishing dock" that enhance the swimming area experience for families.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Bunker Hills Regional Park offers sites with varied electrical service. A camper points out, "There are both primitive (tent) non-electric sites, and sites with electricity, even some 50 amp."
Site layout considerations: Minneapolis Northwest KOA provides dedicated RV areas with varying degrees of privacy. "The sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot," reports one RVer who appreciated the maintenance standards.
Winter accessibility: Some parks maintain plowed access to winter camping areas. At Wild River State Park, a winter camper noted, "The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent," indicating roads are maintained for RV access during snowy conditions.
Utility considerations: Water and sewer connections may not be available at all sites. "Many sites could support an RV. The campground map does a good job of providing visual indicators of what a site provides," explains a visitor to Cleary Lake, highlighting the importance of checking site amenities before booking for yurt camping or RV stays in the North St. Paul, Minnesota area.
