119 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Red Wing, Minnesota range from developed state parks to riverside camping areas along the Mississippi River. Frontenac State Park Campground, located on the bluffs overlooking Lake Pepin, provides tent and RV sites with electric hookups and drinking water. Haycreek Valley Campground offers access to biking trails with full hookup sites for RVs and tent camping areas. Several facilities in the region feature cabin accommodations, including Hok-Si-La City Park and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, which sits approximately 30 miles northwest of Red Wing along the St. Croix River.
Camping season generally runs from April through October, with most campgrounds closing water systems during winter months. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and fall color season. One camper noted, "We went the last weekend in October for a last hoorah with the fall colors, and the only bathrooms open were the pit toilets which were ok." The Mississippi River valley creates unique weather patterns, with spring flooding sometimes affecting riverside camping areas. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near towns and limited reception in valley areas. Terrain ranges from river bottomlands to dramatic bluffs, with some campgrounds situated directly on Lake Pepin, a natural widening of the Mississippi River.
Campers frequently mention the scenic river views and proximity to recreational opportunities as highlights of the area. Several visitors appreciate the bike trail access from Haycreek Valley Campground, with one review stating, "Very nice ride to Red Wing right from our site!" Wildlife viewing opportunities include eagles, particularly at Hok-Si-La City Park where a reviewer reported "watching eagles from our campsite." The campgrounds near Red Wing balance natural settings with proximity to town amenities, making them popular for weekend getaways from the Twin Cities. Noise levels vary by location, with some riverside sites experiencing occasional train or highway noise, while bluff-top locations tend to be quieter but may have less shade coverage.
"Red Wing is extra quaint, and worthy of at least a day trip if you live in the metro area. Frontenac state park technically isn’t in Red Wing, but you basically drive by the pretty prison(yes!)"
"Quiet, pretty hiking trails, nice people, close to home but tucked away enough to be away from everything"
from $24 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $22 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground outside of Red Wing, MN with a bar/restaurant and other features. Access to trials for bikes and horses. I stayed in the horse camp without a horse but it was a nice area."
"Our standard water hose and electrical cord wouldn’t reach so we ended up backing up the hill to get next to the water and filled our tank for the weekend."
"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"
"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."
from $25 - $90 / night
Check Availability"We have dogs so the fact that it’s all asphalt and rock is a bit of a bummer but we are close to the exercise area and they do love little walks."
"No grassy areas so if you have animals you need to walk a bit to get to the grass"
"This is one of my favorite campgrounds in Southern Minnesota! It is only 1 1/2 hours away from the TwinCities which makes it an ideal getaway."
"The lake view was spectacular and the park manager, Joanne was so humble! Joanne lives on the grounds so it made for easy access to any answers we needed while camping."
from $22 - $132 / night
Check Availability"Near lake and excellent bike path. Great brewery and winery close by."
"Lakeside sites are close together, with W/E hookups, but they’re right in the lake with a wonderful view. The facilities are very clean and well-kept."
"Close to the Twin Cities yet out in the country. Mostly grass sites. Beautiful pool. Susan and Brad are wonderful hosts and very accommodating. We took our grandkids and they had a blast!"
"Nearby are bike trails, a winery, and a brewery."
from $25 - $2500 / night
Check Availability
TravelerWe stayed for a weekend in the East Loop and had such a nice time! They have many trails to a pretty well-kept bathroom and the sites themselves are private nooks in the trees. They had firewood available that we took advantage of, and we overall had a great time!
ScoutMy two boys and I camped here for one night on a weekday in late August. It was a great place to relax and spend time together. We chose the cart in campsite and we had the area all to ourselves. The vault toilets near the campsite were clean, and the main bathrooms and showers in the main campground were also very nice and clean. We enjoyed a great hike around the park and had a successful birding outing. The trails closer to the water had more mosquitoes, although their numbers decreased the closer we got to our campsite. From our campsite, we saw five new bird species without even having to get out of our chairs. All in all, I would definitely come back.
GuideEasy check in. Self serve. Staff and hosts are great.
ScoutPretty much in the middle of nowhere surrounded by small towns.
ScoutGreat campsites. Have camped here 8 times this summer in 7 different sites and have loved every one of them. Bathrooms are good, showers are good, just very well kept.
ScoutFHU campground right on the edge of town. Nice level sites. Sprinklers come on every morning and soak the center area. If you come here don’t take a site in the center or you will get sprayed. Grass and weeds are over grown and mosquitos are bad.
ScoutAs a newer resident on Roberds Lake I decided to walk my son in his stroller down to the resort. It looked like a tropical paradise. The water is treated, there were tons of kids splashing around, his age.. It was the hottest day this year so far. It was packed! Lots of welcoming smiles on the beach...I saw the sign saying "Public Not Allowed." I was like aw that's disappointing ,and I understand completeley, why they do this. I have worked in the food and bev/entertainment industry for all of my life. Im 44...
I went into the little eatery to ask permission from what appeared to be the owner or manager. I asked her and she replied with " NO!" in the rudest way you could say it, and pointed her finger at the door....I mean, come on. Im my opinion, I think she could have handled it a little more professionally and suggest somewhere else, offer a cup of ice water, anything kind....no. All she was, was straight up cruel and I had to rush the first 2 blocks before I lost it. My son, didn't make a peep..anyways. . .I dont like saying negative things about people but in the case, I cant hold back. If you cant be kind and hospitable to EVERYONE that walks in that door, find a new profession like a prison guard or something....
ScoutI picked this site for the proximity to the golf course that I’m playing in the morning. A lot of people, a lot of noise being next to the highway but, I can’t sleep in my own house let alone being outside. When I came in and set up at the RV spot instead of the tent. Kurt was kind enough to help me relocate to the correct location. Kudos!
ScoutVery clean and level sites. Small park close to lovely historic towns. Sites feel very private . There is road noise and possibly a shooting range near by so it is not quiet in the day.
Camping opportunities near Red Wing, Minnesota extend beyond standard state park options to include several lesser-known locations with unique features. The area sits at the convergence of the Cannon and Mississippi Rivers, with elevations ranging from 696 feet at river level to over 1,200 feet on surrounding bluffs. Fall camping typically experiences temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night, requiring proper layering and cold-weather gear.
Biking from camp to town: Haycreek Valley Campground provides direct access to paved trails. "We really enjoyed the bike trail that was so close, paved and had lots of tree cover to keep us cool," notes one visitor who appreciated "the very nice ride to Red Wing right from our site."
Waterfall hiking: Willow River State Park Campground offers challenging waterfall trails about 40 miles from Red Wing. "We did SO many miles hiking! And at certain points in the river, you are able to get in and swim," explains a camper, while another mentioned "the hill was a bit grueling" but worth the effort.
Bird watching: Bird enthusiasts find Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground ideal for spotting eagles along Lake Pepin. A visitor shared their experience: "On our last stay, we were able to watch eagles from our campsite, which was amazing."
Lake Pepin views: The Mississippi River widening known as Lake Pepin creates scenic vistas from several campgrounds. At Frontenac State Park Campground, a camper raved "Site 20 has an absolutely outstanding view of Lake Pepin and fall colors."
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the sense of seclusion at various campgrounds. "The campsites are wooded and have enough distance between them that noise is minimal," reported a visitor to Hok-Si-La, while at Frontenac, a camper noted that "there are some trees in between" sites, though privacy levels vary.
Proximity to breweries and wineries: Cannon Falls Campground offers easy access to local craft beverages. "Nearby are bike trails, a winery, and a brewery," mentions one reviewer who found it "an excellent getaway."
Water limitations: Some campgrounds restrict water access seasonally. At Afton State Park Campground, a visitor warned: "None of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center before trekking around."
Train noise: Riverside locations often experience train disturbances. At Frontenac State Park, "When the wind died down, you could easily hear trains—there are several that run nearby," reports one camper.
Campground layouts: Site configurations vary significantly between parks. One camper at Lake Byllesby Regional Park observed: "The sites on and close to the water are long, but not very wide. The sites further back have a lot more room at each site."
Playground access: For families with young children, proximity to play areas matters. A visitor to Lake Byllesby Regional Park shared: "The playground is a short walk to the tent area, which was a big hit with our kids. Our girls didn't want to leave!"
Security considerations: Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground limits vehicle traffic through camping areas. "They do allow for drive-up loading and unloading," explains a camper, adding that "it limits traffic driving through the campground, and is really nice to not have vehicles driving through at all hours."
Tent pad quality: Ground conditions impact family camping comfort. At Frontenac, one visitor was pleasantly surprised: "This was the first tent pad I have ever been able to stake down without bending or breaking stakes and needing a mallet."
Site leveling: Many RV sites in the area require minimal adjustment. At Treasure Island RV Park, a camper noted that despite being "basically a parking lot with mostly pull through sites," the "sites are level, the park was clean, and the utilities were in good working order."
Hookup positioning: Some campgrounds have awkward utility placements. A visitor to Haycreek Valley Campground shared: "Our site was rather odd as the electric and water post was on the opposite side of our camper. Our standard water hose and electrical cord wouldn't reach."
Fire pit locations: RVers should check fire pit positioning before setting up. At Haycreek Valley, one camper warned that "the fire pits were located in very odd spots too - basically unusable unless you wanted to light your rig on fire."
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are the nearest camping areas from downtown Red Wing, MN?
Several camping options are available within a short drive from downtown Red Wing. Island Campground and Marina offers the closest option, situated right at the edge of town under Highway 63 bridge with Mississippi River access. Haycreek Valley Campground is located just outside Red Wing with easy access to bike and horse trails. Frontenac State Park Campground is approximately 10 miles away, offering a more natural setting with scenic river views. For those willing to drive a bit further, options expand to include campgrounds around Lake Pepin and the Cannon River area, all within 20-30 minutes of downtown Red Wing.
What amenities are available at Red Wing, Minnesota campgrounds?
Campgrounds around Red Wing offer varied amenities to suit different camping styles. Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park provides clean facilities with running water and free showers, plus spacious campsites. For RV campers, Highland Ridge offers spotless bathrooms and showers with firewood available nearby. Island Campground and Marina provides full hookups for RVs and tent camping options with river access. Some campgrounds like Lebanon Hills Regional Park feature swimming beaches and extensive trail systems. Unique amenities in the area include Haycreek Valley Campground's onsite bar/restaurant and access to bike trails. Amenities typically include water sources, toilet facilities, fire rings, and picnic tables, with many campgrounds offering reservation systems for securing your spot.
What seasonal activities can campers enjoy when staying near Red Wing?
Red Wing offers year-round outdoor activities for campers. Summer brings opportunities for swimming at Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground with its Lake Pepin beach, plus fishing and boating on the Mississippi River. Fall showcases spectacular foliage along hiking trails. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, while spring features wildflower viewing, especially at Carley State Park Campground. The area offers extensive biking trails, with some campgrounds providing direct trail access. Horseback riding trails are available at several locations. Bird watching is excellent year-round, particularly along the Mississippi River flyway, with spring and fall migrations bringing diverse species to the area.
What campgrounds are available in Red Wing, Minnesota?
Red Wing and its surrounding area offer diverse camping options for all preferences. Within close proximity, Frontenac State Park Campground provides spacious sites with some offering views of the Mississippi River. For those seeking a camping experience with direct water access, Cannon River Wilderness Area offers free riverside sites perfect for hammock camping with a short 10-minute hike from parking. Other nearby options include Treasure Island RV Park, Bay City Campground, and Whitewater State Park, which features clean facilities with running water and free showers. The region provides a mix of public park campgrounds, RV parks with full hookups, and more rustic wilderness camping experiences.
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