Tent camping near Otsego, Minnesota offers access to diverse natural settings where campers can find forested sites and prairie views within a 30-mile radius. The area features several state parks and county reserves with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,100 feet above sea level. Weather typically ranges from lows in the 50s°F to highs in the 80s°F during prime camping season (May-September).
What to do
Hiking trails and wildlife viewing: Lake Maria State Park provides over 14 miles of hiking trails through diverse habitats. "Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," notes reviewer Tori K.
Paddling and water recreation: William O'Brien State Park Campground offers access to the St. Croix River. "We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths. There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling -so many shades of green!" reports Karla J.B.
Mountain biking: Some parks near Otsego feature dedicated biking trails. At Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, "This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels," according to Krista T.
What campers like
Secluded backpacking sites: Afton State Park Campground offers walk-in sites that provide privacy. "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," shares Andrew C.
Variable hike-in distances: Sites range from quick walks to longer treks. At Lake Maria State Park, a camper noted that "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites."
Quiet weekday camping: For tent campers seeking solitude, timing matters. "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," reports Dani K.
What you should know
Bug preparation essential: Summer brings mosquitoes and black flies. At Lake Maria State Park, Steph H. warns, "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon. We prepared the kiddos for a quick grab and run and jumped out of the car. First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Reservation systems and timing: Most state parks require advance booking. At Crow Hassan Park Reserve, group sites cost "$70-$80 a night, which is ridiculously cheap considering that you can fit quite a bit of horse trailers on here," according to Krista T., though availability may be limited.
Water access considerations: Not all tent sites have convenient water access. 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!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families camping near Otsego, several parks feature play areas. At A J Acres Campground, "Best playground is at the top of the hill from office," notes Nettie W., providing a recreation option for children.
Beach recreation: Water activities can entertain children. At A J Acres Campground, "The beach area is nice, but the only problem is that boaters and kayaks are in the same general area so you have to be careful so you don't get hit. There is a dock for fishing as well," reports Joe S.
Storage solutions: For families hiking to tent sites, proper preparation is crucial. At Lake Maria State Park, a camper suggests, "If you're new to hiking, I suggest doing some research if you're going to attempt stuff like this... Carrying firewood, food, water, gear, on a hilly trail through the woods can become real tough real fast for anyone that isn't physically active."
Tips for RVers
Site limitations: Many tent-focused campgrounds have limited RV accommodations. At Mississippi Riverwood RV Park, a camper explains, "This hidden gem is a PRIVATE RV Park where each lot is individually owned and most owners live South in the winter. Individual owners can rent their lot with restrictions."
Tree navigation challenges: RV campers should research site layouts before arrival. At A J Acres Campground, "Navigating around trees was not so fun with our 5th wheel. We got the slideouts to fit in between the trees," warns a reviewer.
Seasonal considerations: Many nearby RV sites are seasonal rather than short-term. One camper noted of A J Acres, "There aren't many campsites that you're able to reserve. The majority of the campsites are seasonal campsites. There are a lot of mature trees that help with the shade!"
