The St. Croix River Valley surrounds Oakdale, Minnesota, with hardwood forests and shallow lakes typical of the upper Midwest transition zone. Temperatures average 7-83°F annually, with summer humidity creating dense mosquito populations from June through August. Winter glamping accommodations in this region often maintain availability when tent sites close, as overnight temperatures regularly drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Hiking networks with elevation: Wild River State Park offers trails with significant terrain variation. One camper shared, "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." This park features both riverside and oak savanna trails.
Disc golf options: Bunker Hills Regional Park contains a top-rated disc golf course. "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing," noted a visitor to the nearby Minneapolis area. Many courses remain accessible year-round, though winter play requires specialized discs.
Water activities: Afton State Park Campground combines river and beach access. "Less than an hour drive from Minneapolis this is a good get away. 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," explains one visitor.
Winter sports access: Many parks maintain groomed cross-country ski trails during winter months. Cleary Lake Regional Park maintains 4 miles of groomed trails. "In late March, 2025. This is a big park with a diversity of hiking, equestrian, and canoeing options," mentions a camper who experienced late winter conditions.
What campers like
Private sites despite proximity: Bunker Hills Regional Park offers surprising seclusion. "Despite many of these things not being anything that I have a slight interest in, this somehow works for the park and it feels like a hidden paradise," reports one camper. The lower loops provide better options for tent campers seeking privacy.
Bathroom quality: Several campgrounds maintain excellent facilities. At Lake Byllesby, "The facilities are very clean and well-kept. Cannon Falls is a nice town to explore, and it's close to home and work," notes a recent visitor. Most regional parks close shower facilities during winter months.
Lakefront options: Lake Byllesby Regional Park provides water views from most sites. A camper mentioned, "All spots have a lake view and the beach is within walking distance. We love it here." The park offers both tent and RV options with electric hookups.
Star-gazing opportunities: Wild River State Park maintains a designated star-gazing area with minimal light pollution. "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet," reports one visitor. Clear winter nights often provide optimal viewing conditions.
What you should know
Reservation windows vary: Most popular sites book quickly, especially for glamping near Oakdale, Minnesota. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, one camper advises, "Stayed here when we got our first camper and it is nicely shaded large sites. Great walking paths and clean restrooms. Great for a quick weekend camping trip."
Shower water limitations: Hot water supply can be limited. At some cabins, a camper reported, "There was maybe 2 minutes of hot water. Basically enough to wash your body quickly, it was easy enough to avoid getting my hair wet."
Insect pressure: Minnesota summers bring significant mosquito populations. One visitor to Ham Lake Resort warned, "We visited in August and needed gallons of bug spray." Prairie sites generally experience more mosquito pressure than wooded areas.
Fire ring placement: Site layouts sometimes position fire rings inconveniently. A camper at Baker Park noted, "That thing is doing its own thing like 30 feet from the tent pad—felt like I needed a shuttle to roast a marshmallow." Bring extra lighting if planning evening cooking.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Baker Campground offers multiple family amenities. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," shares a family camper. The paved trails accommodate strollers and children's bikes.
Consider waterpark access: Several campgrounds provide water-based recreation. A camper at Bunker Hills mentioned, "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails." Many water facilities close after Labor Day weekend.
Select sites strategically: Family campers should consider proximity to bathrooms. "Our site was also right next to the office which was also the location for bathrooms and showers. The girls loved going inside for ice cream treats when the weather was a little too hot to handle," reports a family at Lake Byllesby.
Check for cabin heating: For early or late-season glamping around Oakdale, confirm temperature control. A Cleary Lake Regional Park visitor noted, "Lots of good trees and space between campgrounds which isn't always the case at the regional parks." Cabins with electrical service typically allow space heaters.
Tips from RVers
Note electric hookup details: Minneapolis Northwest KOA provides various power options. One camper reports, "Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground." Always confirm the specific amp service available.
Water access seasonality: Water systems shut down during freezing months. A visitor noted, "Outside water is shut off during some parts of the year, so bring your own drinking water if you are camping close to/during winter." Many campgrounds maintain year-round potable water at central buildings.
Site leveling considerations: Check site descriptions carefully. "The sites on and close to the water are long, but not very wide. The sites further back have alot more room at each site," advises a Lake Byllesby camper. Regional parks typically maintain relatively level sites compared to state parks.
Booking lead time: Summer weekends require advance planning. A camper observed, "It's not too easy to get spots on the holiday weekends, but somehow we managed it." Most campgrounds accept reservations 3-4 months in advance.
