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Best Tent Camping near Pine City, MN

498 Reviews

The St. Croix River valley near Pine City, Minnesota offers tent campers several primitive and established campground options within a short drive. Robinson Park Camping provides riverside tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and designated tent pads, while William O'Brien State Park Campground features two distinct tent camping areas—Riverway and Savanna—about 35 miles south near Scandia. Both locations provide access to trails and water recreation along the St. Croix River, making them popular options for weekend tent camping trips from the Twin Cities.

Most tent campsites in the Pine City region include basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, though campers should bring their own water or filtration systems as drinking water access varies between locations. Robinson Park offers primitive tent-only sites that are first-come, first-served, with payment required via an honor system at the nearby Sandstone village office. Vault toilets are available at most locations, though shower facilities are limited to the larger established campgrounds like William O'Brien State Park. Tent campers should be prepared for varying site conditions, with many locations having uneven terrain and limited flat areas for setting up larger tents.

Areas farther from main campground loops typically offer more seclusion for backcountry tent camping experiences. A camper noted that at Robinson Park, "I enjoyed this little spot in early April. We camped at spot 4 right along the river. Picnic tables, fire rings, and a tent pad at every spot. Realistically, each site was only big enough for one tent." Tent-only sites in both parks tend to be smaller but often provide better privacy than the mixed-use camping areas. The region's tent campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends, especially those closest to the Twin Cities, but mid-week visits often allow tent campers to enjoy peaceful sites with fewer neighbors. Fall and spring shoulder seasons provide excellent tent camping opportunities with reduced crowds and comfortable temperatures, though early spring can bring wet conditions and mosquitoes at riverside locations.

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Best Tent Sites Near Pine City, Minnesota (49)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Pine City, MN

26 Photos of 49 Pine City Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Pine City, MN

498 Reviews of 49 Pine City Campgrounds

  • LaMina H.
    May. 13, 2022

    Ann Lake

    My favorite spot in MN!!!

    Lake Ann Campground, located in the Sand Dunes State Forest north of Big Lake, MN is great for a weekend getaway with the family or a solo walk in trip. There are RV sites, tent sites, handicap accessible, walk in sites and group sites. Camping here is primitive with few amenities you get a fire ring and a picnic table, its great camping too be one with nature. There are several water spickets located around the campground along with outhouse type restrooms. There are no hookups or electric. Camping is on a first come first serve basis and you register at the kiosk located at the front of the campground acrid from the camp host site. There are several trails and Amaya something to do.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2018

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Ranger Review of Alki Twilight Thermal Mattress Topper at Father Hennepin State Park, MN

    I've been to campgrounds in MN and other places that were nicer, but there isn't anything wrong with this campground at all. And at this time of year, the ice on the lake was breaking up, so it made for a beautiful sunset! Since it is still that time of year when it's warm during the day and cool at night, it was the perfect chance to test out the Twilight Thermal Mattress Topper by Alki while staying at Father Hennepin State Park in MN.

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW:

    We've been to this campground before, but not during this season or time of year. The campground is nice, but not terribly fancy. What it does have going for it is that it's a decent bit off the road, so there isn't much road noise. And although all the sites are fairly close together, there are tons of trees that (if it were summer) offer a buffer between them. It's possible to car camp at these sites or tent camp. They also have RV sites. Unfortunately, the RV sites are pretty close to the others, so if there are parties going on or radios playing, everyone can hear them, but that is to be expected at a campground where sites are close together. It wasn't terribly bothersome, though, and the scenery outweighed the mild disturbance.

    They do have showers and flush toilets (during warmer seasons) and vault toilets the rest of the time. There is also a dump station for RVs.

    Many of the sites are lakeside, for no additional cost. Benches dot the lakeside, and you get a gorgeous site of the sunset from here. There is also a paved path that runs near the water, so it's a pretty stroll late in the eve. This leads to a floating dock (not floating this time of year, though, because of the ice). Pretty space to chill and take in the breeze.

    PRODUCT REVIEW:

    As a Ranger for They Dyrt, I have the amazing opportunity to review incredible products in exchange for an honest review. This time, I received a Twilight Thermal Mattress Topper by Alki in a queen size. This is the first time I've ever tried something like this, so when I found it on Kickstarter, I was intrigued. The idea of a thermal layer built into a quilt-like blanket (think about the silver reflective stuff that everyone who camps talks about). But this isn't your typical mylar-type foil sheet. It's quiet. It's soft. It makes absolutely no noise at all. Now, this isn't something you are going to put in a backpack because it's big and it's not going to fit the bill of the ultralight hiker, but that's not what it's meant for. I emailed with the owners of the company and they intended it to be an addition to a car camping excursion or used on a bed as extra insurance from the night air. So I was intrigued. We are getting a teardrop trailer soon and I thought it might be a great way to stay warm without adding a heater to the mix.

    The owners, Saul and Carolyn, have created this super soft blanket-type mattress topper that can be used several ways. You can put it on the mattress directly and sleep on top of it. You can use it as a blanket, you could wrap up in it and make a mock sleeping bag. It's a microsuede type of fabric on top and feels amazing, but has a brushed polyester bottom that helps to keep it from slipping off your pad. I'm a cold sleeper, so I really wanted to give it a good test. Normally, I use a sleeping pad with an R Value of 4.4 or better so that I don't chill out in the night. This time, I decided to use a pad with an R Value of 1.9 (thank you to my husband for sacrificing his pad). Normally, I'd be frozen from the backside, even in temps that are in the 40's. So I put down my pad in the van, laid the topper over the pad, and then my bag on top of that. And then I was off to la-la land.

    The verdict…a toasty back side. It was truly wonderful to sleep in cooler weather without the typical CBS (cold butt syndrome) that campers talk about. Normally, with a pad that was only 1.9, I'd be frozen from the pad side. And that means tossing and turning all night to figure out how to stay warm. But I didn't have any cold spots from the pad side while sleeping on this topper. I just wish I'd thought to wrap it over my bag as well to insulate from the top as well. Then, I would have had the perfect night of sleep! It reflects back your own body heat to help keep you toasty.

    PROS:

    1. Super soft fabric! It has a great feel against your skin.
    2. No noise! Even though it has similar thermal properties as the crinkly mylar-type blankets, this is absolutely not the same. It feels just like a blanket.
    3. It works! Coming from me (a cold sleeper), I feel like this would be a great addition to your camping arsenal so that you can have a better night of sleep without needing a ton of expensive gear to stay warm.
    4. Machine washable!

    There really isn't anything negative to say about this blanket. Now, it does weigh more than a regular thermal blanket (queen is 4.5 pounds, and twin is 3 pounds), but they don't advertise it as ultra light or for backpacking. Carolyn said that it was designed with car camping in mind, as mentioned before. That said, it works beautifully for that purpose! It would be lovely if they'd consider making a skinny version that would fit in a hammock or under a sleeping bag/pad. As a cold sleeper, I'd seriously consider adding it to my cold weather backpack supplies, even if it meant an extra pound of weight.

    Bottom line, if you want to enjoy a good night sleep in the chilly night air while car camping with your family or friends, take this topper for a spin. It's perfect under a sleeping bag, over a sleeping bag or to snuggle while watching the autumn sunset.

  • Katherine T.
    Oct. 11, 2024

    Wild River State Park Campground

    Solid option with star gazing

    This is a solid state park offering. The sites are decently spaced with good tree cover. Noise seemed to travel between sites, I had some loud neighbors during the day but they settled down before quiet hours. The grass was easy to get tent stakes into. Bathrooms were your basic state park situation. Clean with warm showers so no complaints from me. The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2021

    Rice Creek Campgrounds

    Spaced out nicely and they have a tent only loop!

    I booked this on a whim since we needed an overnight close to the State Fair.  I loved the look of the "TENT ONLY" loop - you don't see this often - so it was a good fit.  Seemed that the whole campground was booked up and I assumed, for a similar reason.  The State Fair.

    Booking was fairly easy through their website, and you can "hover" over the sites to see a photo of it.  I chose the one I wanted and hoped it would be what we wanted it to be.

    You DO need a park pass to stay at the campground.

    We arrived after dark, but in the dark you could still tell it was lovely.  I couldn't see any neighbor on the one side where there was a campsite (the other was a field...which is why I chose it). So we set up a tent, enjoyed the last of the evening and crawled into our bags.

    In the morning, when I could see everything, I was thoroughly impressed by the space, the maintenance of the property, the size of the campsites.  All of them were impressive and big!  A few were only separated by swathes of grass, but most had enough trees you couldn't see your neighbor.  And the fact that this loop (F LOOP) was "tent only" meant no generators! It was very quiet!   There were port-o-potties (cleaned about every 3 days) and a centrally located water source (potable) that was in the middle of everything for easy access by everyone. The spaces seemed fairly level, lots of mature trees, fire rings at all of them (with cooking grates that flipped out of the way) and picnic tables at most (resin tables, not wood).

    I took a quick look at the other loops.  The tent/small trailer loop didn't appear to have electric either.  And the RV loops obviously did.  All were very nice!  And there is a shower house (didn't go in) that was for all to use if you had a site.

    We'd stay here again in a heartbeat.

    **I've seen the other reviews here which seem to be based on the bugs.  I know that bugs are part of camping, so I don't review based on that, but I'll add details, if needed.  This one didn't have many, but it was raining, so I'm sure that factored in.  When I camp, I come prepared and I try to focus on reviewing the campsite itself, not the bugs, which I can not control.  I can, however, come prepared for them**

  • Annie V.
    Sep. 30, 2020

    Moose Lake State Park Campground

    Nice Stop Along the Way

    I came out of the BWCA near Grand Marais late in the day and so wanted to stop somewhere to camp as I headed south before dark. There were plenty of spots available online at this little park. It was clean and the campsites were fine—could see my neighbors without much tree cover though.

    If the weather had been better when I woke up I would have hiked some trails or paddled the lake. Next time!

  • D
    Sep. 19, 2020

    Wild River State Park Campground

    Great spot for first time camping

    This was my first time camping EVER, and I wanted a balance of car camping ease with quiet wilderness. I stayed in the E loop. No electric sites, which cut down the number of big rig RVs, but there were plenty of small campers and trailers. To me, this means louder guests than tent campers. That said, people tended to quiet down by 9-10p. There was occasional noise during the day from crop dusters and motorized boat traffic on the St. Croix.

    Site 87 had nice privacy — less between sites 87 and 89 and much more between 87 and 85 (see photos). Site 89 is a double site, so be prepared for a little more activity if someone books there. If I went again, I'd try to snag site 85. Large trees and vegetation between sites, especially on the outside loop. Plenty of space for hammocks. The site itself was level and very spacious. We had a five person tent and could have put up a bug house easily. The fire pit was clean and had a grate on top. Pit toilets were clean and had plenty of toilet paper, especially for the end of a holiday weekend. Bugs were minimal, but could have been because the weather was on the cooler side (50s-60s).

    A couple random notes:

    • Firewood is $6/bundle. Self-pay available if the ranger station is closed. Bring exact change since you'll be paying by envelope.

    • The ranger station was open for window service, and they sold fire starters, soda, t-shirts, etc. Not sure when hours are exactly. They were open when I went around 3-4p Sunday and Monday to buy wood.

    • Cell reception for T-Mobile was minimal to non-existent.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 17, 2024

    Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

    Winter camping- very quiet with the electric hookups

    This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping. The beauty of this campground, is that while the campsites available are in a row, there's plenty of space between sites and some of them are even pulled through. Making it easy for RVs to pull in and hook up.

    The vault toilet is not easy to find from where the electric openings are in the winter. While these spaces are right next door to a shower house with toilets, this is closed in the winter. The vault toilet is several rows over and down, making it hard to find if you don't already know where it is. But it was clean, and it was available.

    The campfire rings seemed clean, and each had a picnic table as well. We loved the pull-through site because then we were a little more protected from the road, although it's not busy this time of year at all. So it was very quiet except for our neighbors, and they didn't make much noise at all.

    There are trails nearby that are easily accessible on foot from the campground, and you can make loops that come back to the campground as well.

    There are two campgrounds at this park, but this is the one that has availability in the winter time. Ironically, they also have a couple of walk-in spots that are also open this time of year. If you're willing to brave the temps without an electric hookup. Not hard to find, not hard to access, but no electric hookups at these sites.

  • amber N.
    Sep. 1, 2019

    Wild River State Park Campground

    Secluded, River Front Buck Hill Site

    Backpack site Buck Hill is right on the river, beautiful view to the east. Circled by flowers (goldenrod in the late summer), brush and trees. End of the path so zero foot traffic / passersby. Fine size for us but if you had two tents maybe tight. Fire ring and picnic table of course. No drinking water (we brought a bladder). It’s a great place to star gaze. There’s a teeny somewhat treacherous path to the river- no beach or anything (water was super low when we went) - Just can get your feet wet.

    Down the path a little bit is an unenclosed toilet - not the best. The other direction down the path (only about 20 ft) is a smallish bear box.

    You can harvest your own wood (at this time) and that was really great - bring a backpacking saw!

    Only downside to the site— you can hear cars on both sides (river and opposite side of forest).

    It was a 2.37 mile walk from the parking lot, mostly shaded.

    Side note: we checked out Deer Creek site which is much closer to the car. It is a hike in / canoe site. It’s wayyy more spacious, and even has two separate clearings. Also has cool stairs down the to water, and a much more expansive view of the river. We will be staying there next time! We want to take a few days to canoe the whole length of the park, camping along the different sites. Next year! :)

  • Steph H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2018

    Interstate State Park — Interstate State Park

    Group site with a view

    Group campsite one is a lovely open site right on the St Croix River. This is a walk in site but fairly close to the parking area. Plenty of grassy space to play and set up several tents. If the 5 group sites it is probably the farthest from the vault toilets but still not that far away. The sites are all right next to each other so there is no privacy and no guarantees another group won’t disturb your group at night or vice versa. The park is not very large but what it offers is lovely. In the river side you’ll enjoy rocky trails and the famous potholes and in the hill side you’ll enjoy views from way up high.

Guide to Pine City

Tent camping options near Pine City, Minnesota extend beyond the main parks, with secluded backpacking opportunities in the surrounding state forests and along the St. Croix River. The area sits at approximately 930 feet above sea level and features a transitional landscape where northern pine forests meet hardwood stands. Summer temperatures typically range from 58°F to 84°F, with higher humidity levels during July and August creating prime conditions for mosquitoes near water sites.

What to do

Rock climbing access: Robinson Park Camping offers unique recreational opportunities beyond standard camping activities. A camper noted, "Robinson Park encompasses much of what was once a sandstone quarry and is now a primo rock climbing destination for folks from throughout the Midwest." The park includes a hiking trail connecting to Banning State Park and routes to scenic Wolf Falls.

Paddling routes: The St. Croix River provides excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities with multiple access points. At William O'Brien State Park Campground, campers can enjoy "tons of hiking, fishing, and great picnic area next to the river!" The park maintains boat launches with convenient parking.

Winter activities: Several campgrounds in the region offer year-round access. While summer remains the peak season, winter camping provides unique experiences. One winter camper at William O'Brien recalled, "We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape and happened upon a railroad that passed above our trail with a beautiful tunnel-overpass."

What campers like

Seclusion opportunities: The Trade River Equestrian Camp in Governor Knowles State Forest provides true backcountry experiences. One camper described it as "Just a nice quiet campground and the sites are fairly private. Lots of hiking and close to the river for some kayaking etc."

Spacious group sites: For larger camping parties, Robinson Park offers dedicated group areas. A camper noted, "There are two group campsites that are very nice, very well maintained, and very conveniently located to both rock climbing areas and water access, and are reasonably priced at $30 a night."

Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently report wildlife encounters throughout the region. At William O'Brien State Park, one visitor to the Savanna Campground mentioned, "You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."

What you should know

Reservation challenges: The best tent camping near Pine City becomes difficult to secure during peak season. At William O'Brien, one camper observed, "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."

Campsite variation: Site quality varies significantly between and within campgrounds. At Cedar Point Resort and Campground, campers find "easy access sites" with a shuttle service to nearby parks, though some note it can be "kind of pricey."

Payment systems: Several campgrounds use self-service payment methods. At Robinson Park, "payment required for camping here, but it is on the honor system and has to be delivered to an office in the village of Sandstone nearby."

Wildlife concerns: Raccoons frequently visit campsites in the region. At William O'Brien, a camper reported, "Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away."

Tips for camping with families

Best timing: For families seeking quieter camping experiences near Pine City, mid-week visits offer significant advantages. As one camper at William O'Brien noted, "On a Sunday evening with only one other site reserved, it felt like I had the place to myself."

Site selection: When camping with children at Robinson Park Camping, choose locations carefully. A camper advised, "As you enter, coming down the hill into the park towards the picnic and boat launch area, you actually have to make a U-turn and go to the far east end of the parking lot to see the campsite sign and access road into the official camping area."

Bug preparation: Families should pack sufficient insect protection, especially for riverside camping. One camper at William O'Brien reported, "We had a battle with mosquitoes. We went through a lot of bug spray and coils. Deer flies were thick around the water filling station."

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: While tent camping options abound near Pine City, RV sites are more restricted. At Robinson Park, RV spaces are limited as "Realistically, each site was only big enough for one tent," making it better suited for small vehicles or tent camping.

Seasonal considerations: The camping season varies by location, with some areas restricting RV access during spring thaw when roads are muddy. Trade River Equestrian Camp operates seasonally from "April 15 to November 15," though early spring conditions can be challenging for larger vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pine City, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pine City, MN is Robinson Park Camping with a 3.4-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Pine City, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 49 tent camping locations near Pine City, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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