Best Tent Camping near Northfield, MN
Tent camping near Northfield, Minnesota provides access to several natural areas with dedicated tent sites within a short drive of town. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, located just 10 miles from Northfield, offers both standard and walk-in tent sites with pea gravel tent pads. The park features wooded campsites that provide shade and some privacy from neighboring sites. For more primitive tent camping, the Cannon River Wilderness Area between Faribault and Northfield has two hike-in tent sites that require backpacking all supplies. These sites are positioned along the river, making them ideal for paddlers looking for a riverside tent camping experience or hikers seeking a more secluded spot.
Tent campsites at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park include amenities such as fire rings with grates, picnic tables, and access to drinking water. The walk-in sites require only a short carry from parking, with sites 1 and 3 about "three car lengths" from the parking area. The campground provides clean shower facilities and vault toilets. Seasonal availability runs from April 1 to October 23, with fall being particularly popular for the colorful foliage. The Cannon River Wilderness Area's primitive tent sites are available May through October and feature basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. These sites require a 10-minute walk from the parking area.
The tent camping experience at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park centers around the park's namesake forest and waterfall. According to reviews, the non-electric sites on the outside of the campground loop offer better tent camping experiences with more tree coverage. One camper noted, "Sites are wooded so you don't have neighbor issues. All have large pea gravel tent pads - very nice." The waterfall trail is accessible even for families with children. At Cannon River Wilderness Area, tent campers appreciate the riverside setting. One visitor reported, "We found a site tucked away from people which is what we like. We set up hammocks right next to the river." Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, various bird species, and fireflies in summer months.
