Best Tent Camping near Richmond, MN
Tent campsites in the Richmond, Minnesota area provide a mix of established campgrounds and boat-in primitive sites scattered throughout the region. Lake Maria State Park, located about 20 miles southeast of Richmond, offers secluded walk-in tent sites with varying distances from parking areas. Cozy Corners provides boat-in tent camping on Long Lake within the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes, while numerous water-accessible tent sites are scattered along the nearby waterways, including Oak Island Watercraft Campsite and Putnam's Pasture Canoe Campsite.
Most tent campsites near Richmond require visitors to pack in their essential supplies. Lake Maria's backcountry sites typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and nearby vault toilets, though campers should bring their own toilet paper. Water access varies significantly between locations, with established campgrounds like Cozy Corners offering drinking water, while primitive watercraft sites along the Mississippi River corridor have no potable water sources. Sites at Lake Maria State Park range from 0.25 to over 1 mile hikes from parking areas, requiring careful planning for equipment transport. Seasonal considerations include heavy mosquito and black fly activity during summer months.
The backcountry tent sites at Lake Maria State Park offer exceptional privacy compared to standard campgrounds. The walk-in nature of these sites creates a more immersive woodland experience, with most sites positioned on small lakes or ponds. Tree cover provides ample shade at most locations, with sites like B6 situated on a cliff overlooking a pond with visible wildlife. Areas accessible only by water, such as Oak Island, provide even greater seclusion. A camper who stayed at Oak Island Watercraft Campsite mentioned that "This island on the Mississippi has a picnic table and a very primitive toilet. It's a great spot to take a rest while cavorting the Mississippi."
