J
Jon E.
Guide
GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Tents or small truck camper only
Small pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
Best Campgrounds near Oakdale, MN
Numerous campgrounds surround Oakdale, Minnesota, with established facilities located within a 10-30 minute drive. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, just east of Oakdale, features spacious campsites with electricity and water hookups alongside primitive walk-in sites. The Washington County park system provides modern campground options with William O'Brien State Park and Lebanon Hills Regional Park offering tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park north of the city includes glamping accommodations alongside traditional camping areas. Most campgrounds in this region maintain paved access roads suitable for passenger vehicles and RVs.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability, with many campgrounds operating from April through October. Lake Elmo's modern sites require reservations and feature electrical hookups, though no sewer connections are available at individual campsites. Washington County parks typically require vehicle permits for day use and overnight parking. Public campgrounds across the region enforce quiet hours beginning at 10:00 PM, with no alcohol permitted in several of the state and county facilities. Cell coverage remains strong throughout most camping areas due to proximity to the metropolitan area. "The sites are spacious and far enough away from others to feel like there was enough privacy. Good hiking and geocaching. We would go back to this campground," noted one Lake Elmo camper.
Family-friendly amenities represent a common feature among campgrounds near Oakdale. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve includes a filtered swimming pond with sandy beach, extensive hiking trails, and playgrounds that receive consistent mentions in user reviews. Several visitors highlighted the park's appeal for children. "There is a lot to do in this country park reserve: hiking, walking, horseback riding, playgrounds, swimming, fishing," wrote one camper. Lebanon Hills and Rice Creek facilities provide water recreation opportunities alongside forested campsites. Despite proximity to the Twin Cities metropolitan area, many campers note the feeling of seclusion at these parks. Most campgrounds feature modern restroom facilities with showers, though primitive camping areas may offer vault toilets only. Tent pads and picnic tables are standard at developed sites throughout the region.
Best Camping Sites Near Oakdale, Minnesota (125)
1. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
37 ReviewsLake Elmo, MN3 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsHudson, WI14 milesWebsite+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
37 ReviewsAfton, MN12 milesWebsite+1 (651) 436-5391$22 - $85 / night
"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 ReviewsApple Valley, MN19 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsMarine on St. Croix, MN19 milesWebsite+1 (651) 539-4980$25 - $90 / 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 ReviewsLino Lakes, MN14 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsDenmark, MN15 milesWebsite+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
7 ReviewsLino Lakes, MN13 milesWebsite+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."
"Beach was closed but we still got some good walks in. Fire ring was a little shallow for my liking so had to get some solid coals going to get dinner on the table."
9. Bunker Hills Regional Park
16 ReviewsCoon Rapids, MN22 milesWebsite+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 Campground
52 ReviewsTaylors Falls, MN31 milesWebsite+1 (715) 483-3747$24 - $50 / 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."
Recent Camping Photos near Oakdale, MN
250 Photos of 125 Oakdale Campgrounds
Kelly H.
Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
Erik R.
Afton State Park Campground
Amy G.
Rice Creek Campgrounds
Elissa W.
Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Mitch R.
Willow River State Park Campground
Daryl L.
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
Bryce R.
Apple River Family Campground
Tim
William O'Brien State Park Campground
Jason S.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Joslyn H.
Bunker Hills Regional Park
Jennifer H.
Town & Country Campground & RV Park
Krista T.
Lily Springs Regenerative Farm
Recent Reviews near Oakdale, MN
791 Reviews of 125 Oakdale Campgrounds
Christine H.
TravelerTurtle Lake City Park
Not free
Electric hookup, dump station on site. Sites are a little close together. $25/night with a 7 day max stay.
Jay W.
LegendInterstate Park — Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
Great park, plenty around the area...BUT THE NOISE!!!
Interstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35. The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby. There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.
The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin. The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age. The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.
There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites. The South is a bit more rustic. The showers are located at the North campground.
For amenities there are flush toilets and showers. There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities.
This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area. You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options. If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.
Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the hwy crossing over the river. The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.
T S.GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Loved it!
Nice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
Greg M.GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Good spot for a night
Got in late on a Sunday night and there was plenty of space. Most sites are right along the gravel road so not super private. Wouldn’t recommend for large trailers/RVs as sites are small. Found a couple sets of deer bones right next to my site, not sure if it’s from hunters dumping their waste or coyotes but keep an eye out either way.
DIANNE T.GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Girl on first car camping trip
Kind of confusing for first time. Was not sure where I could camp. But then found out it's the spots right along road. Beautiful. Some good spots. Ended up in a pull thru around w view.
Blake K.
ScoutFrontenac State Park Campground
Beautiful Views
You have clear views of the River and Valley from the campgrounds.
Corinna Y.TravelerOld Railroad Bridge
Great little getaway spot for winter camping!
We stayed here with a group of hot tent campers in early January. The site is large and had a couple of fire pits. Includes a few picnic tables, and a pit toilet. It's a beautiful open area not far from the parking lot with a gorgeous view of the St. Croix River.
CindyTravelerAvatan Family Nudist Campground
"Family-Friendly" in Name Only: A Cautionary Tale from a Disillusioned Par
We visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
Guide to Oakdale
Camping areas near Oakdale, Minnesota range from densely wooded parkland to prairie settings, typically situated 250-500 feet above sea level within the St. Croix River Valley watershed. Most sites experience summer temperatures between 65-85°F from June through August, with frequent evening thunderstorms. Water recreation opportunities on lakes and rivers remain the central attraction for most visitors, though site amenities vary considerably between county and state-managed facilities.
What to do
Pothole exploration at Interstate State Park: Located about 50 minutes from Oakdale, this unique geological area features the world's largest glacial potholes. "The draw here is the potholes... Very cool to take the quick hike through the maze of small trails that show off these crazy formations," notes Erik R. of Interstate State Park Campground.
Fishing at St. Croix Bluffs: Anglers can access the St. Croix River directly from the park with a designated boat launch area for small watercraft. "Beach is great. Easy boat launch. Clean facility... Quick trip to Prescott for bloodies at Muddy Waters," writes Rikki I. from St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.
Trail running at Lebanon Hills: With over 20 miles of unpaved trails through forested terrain, this park offers technical trail running opportunities across varying difficulty levels. One visitor commented, "We love Lebanon Hills! Close to home and an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities... Great hiking," writes Katie C., who frequents the park regularly.
What campers like
Spacious campsites at Bunker Hills: Sites average 40-50 feet between neighbors, offering more privacy than typical metro campgrounds. "This 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," explains Doug B. about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
River views from premium sites: The highest-rated sites back directly onto the St. Croix River, often with small beach access points. "When we first arrived to Interstate State Park our very first thought was 'that this is awful'... And then we came upon our site. With a waterfall on the back side and saint croix river on the other. I could not asked for a better site," shares Nina T.
Filtered swimming at Lebanon Hills: The park's swimming area features a sand-bottomed lake with modern water filtration. "The office was open till 9pm very friendly... Great biking and hiking trails. Great amenities. Close to the zoo as well as the city," notes Rico R. when describing Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
What you should know
Variable site spacing at William O'Brien: Compared to other nearby parks, the campground has tighter site configurations. "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," reports Dani K. about William O'Brien State Park Campground.
Seasonal insect populations: Horseflies become particularly prevalent during July and August at several area campgrounds. One camper at Rice Creek described: "As we slowly whined down a gravel road the trees became more dense... that is when we started noticing the horseflies were making it known that we were 'trespassing on their turf'."
Off-season facility reductions: Many parks reduce water access and close shower buildings during April, early May, and after October 15th. "Firewood is $6/bundle. Self-pay available at site 74e if the ranger station is closed. Bring exact change since you'll be paying by envelope," advises a camper at William O'Brien.
Tips for camping with families
Filtered swimming ponds: Lake Elmo's swimming area offers chlorinated water without the algae or weed growth of natural lakes. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," explains Timothy S. from Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
Archery facilities: Several parks offer beginner-friendly archery ranges with equipment rentals available on weekends. "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," shares John H.
Designated tent areas: Some campgrounds provide dedicated tent pads raised 4-6 inches above ground level for drier camping. "Our site was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area. The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookups but limited sewer: Most parks provide 30-50 amp electric service, but full hookups remain limited. "I stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. It has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps," explains Angela L.
Reservation timing for weekends: Weekend sites at Willow River State Park book 3-4 months in advance during peak season. "Unfortunately, I was only able to stay one night as my cross country trip hit this campground on the Thursday before memorial day and the whole weekend was booked," notes Leif D. from Willow River State Park Campground.
Site length accuracy: Lebanon Hills reservation system lists sites without accounting for tow vehicle parking space. "Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All RV sites are the listed length plus 16' for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out," explains Davis D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Oakdale?
Where are the best campgrounds in Oakdale?
The Oakdale area offers excellent camping options within driving distance. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve stands out with its impressive amenities and family-friendly atmosphere, featuring spacious sites and numerous recreational activities. Another top choice is Lebanon Hills Regional Park, which provides a perfect suburban escape with mountain biking trails, swimming at Schultz Beach, and miles of hiking paths. Both offer a convenient getaway close to the Twin Cities with well-maintained facilities.
What amenities are available at Oakdale campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Oakdale campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Oakdale provide diverse amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. William O'Brien State Park Campground offers clean, accessible sites with surrounding walking trails and proximity to Stillwater for day trips. Highland Ridge provides spotless shower and bathroom facilities, good cell service (though T-mobile can be spotty), and firewood available from roadside stands near the entrance. Most area campgrounds include standard amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water, while many also feature playgrounds, swimming areas, and hiking trails.
Can you tent camp at Oakdale camping areas?
Can you tent camp at Oakdale camping areas?
Tent camping is widely available throughout the Oakdale region. Cannon River Wilderness Area offers free tent sites beside the river, perfect for hammock camping, with a short 10-minute walk from parking to the farthest sites. Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground provides wooded tent sites with good spacing for privacy, plus beautiful views of Lake Pepin and swimming areas, making it an ideal weekend destination just 1.5 hours from the Twin Cities. Island Campground and Marina near Red Wing also accommodates tent campers, though be prepared for noise from the nearby Highway 63 bridge.
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