Tent camping near North St. Paul, Minnesota ranges across diverse landscapes from river valleys to prairie settings. The region sits within the St. Croix River Valley with elevations between 700-900 feet above sea level, creating varied camping microclimates. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with mosquitoes most active from June through August in wooded camping areas.
What to do
Hiking diverse trails: At Crow Hassan Park Reserve, campers can explore sandy prairie trails which offer a respite from insects. "This is an all-time favorite park... The best place to be bug-free happens to be the sandy prairie trails, the wooded areas are nice but you may want to hustle out of there if you don't have enough bug protection."
Beach access: While tent camping North St. Paul, Minnesota, visit the beach at Afton State Park Campground for swimming during summer months. "Less than an hour drive from Minneapolis this is a good get away. As expected it has many walk trails. Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk."
Seasonal waterfall viewing: Spring is the optimal time to see water features while tent camping in eastern Minnesota. "We went there last July just go hiking for the day. The trails were great and at the end of the trails there were beautiful falls. The falls weren't huge but there were pretty. A lot of things to photograph."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At William O'Brien State Park Campground, campers appreciate the spacing between non-electric sites. "Per others' advice, I stayed at Savannah campground because the sites are slightly bigger and more private than Riverway. Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites."
Prairie camping: For a different tent camping experience near North St. Paul, some sites offer open meadow settings. "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."
Fall colors: Autumn transforms the camping landscapes in this region. "This is a great campground for Fall camping. The color's are amazing. Nice hiking trails. Little area to get wet but not swimming. Sites are good and some can handle bigger RVs. Some Electric sites."
What you should know
Water availability: Access to drinking water varies by campground and season. At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, "This may be an ongoing issue but 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!"
Firewood requirements: Some campgrounds have specific firewood policies. "They do have firewood available however it is long slab wood, so you do need to cut it yourself. Hand hacksaws are provided, but we're not great quality which made cutting the wood difficult."
Cell coverage limitations: Signal strength varies throughout the area. "Cell reception for T-Mobile was minimal to non-existent. Wifi is available in the visitor center parking lot."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly sites: Some locations specifically cater to new campers with children. "Great place to take kids, good 1st camping experience for bonfires and single night camping."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy spotting local animals while tent camping in Minnesota. "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
Cabin alternatives: For families transitioning to tent camping, Elm Creek Horse Camp offers alternatives. "If you're the kind of camper who measures a site by how many tail wags it inspires, then Campsite 2 at Elm Creek Horse Camp is barking up the right tree. Tucked away near the archery range, this campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: RV campers suggest specific loop selections for better privacy. "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites. I wouldn't want to stay here when the loop is fully reserved."
Reservation timing: Weekday arrivals provide better camping experiences. "My first time solo camping was at William O'Brien State Park on a Sunday evening. Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop."
Site size limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV length and maneuverability. "Also, there's some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back."
