Best Campgrounds near St. Paul, MN

St. Paul is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. St. Paul is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near St. Paul, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near St. Paul, Minnesota (109)

    1. Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Apple Valley, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 480-7773

    $24 - $42 / night

    "Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation"

    "Lebanon Hills is a beautiful county park only a few minutes from Minneapolis / St. Paul. We stayed three nights. Most of the sites are not shady, but there are woods and shade nearby."

    2. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    36 Reviews
    Lake Elmo, MN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8370

    $23 - $80 / night

    "Well placed sites nestled near lovely walking trails - Very nice water hook ups and electric- well maintained! Loved this Camping Site!"

    "just east of st. paul - 2000 acres with 2 lakes and a swimming pond"

    3. Afton State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Denmark, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 436-5391

    "This park is close to St. Paul, and has the best hiking trails! Highly recommend."

    "It's a mere 40 minutes or so from Minneapolis-St. Paul and it's a great beginner campground for backpackers."

    4. Willow River State Park Campground

    59 Reviews
    Hudson, WI
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 386-5931

    "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."

    5. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

    16 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 324-3340

    $20 - $75 / night

    "Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday.  

    The campground is neat and well managed."

    "We took a 30 minute drive north of the cities for a quick get away, and were rewarded with a very nice campground!

    The check in staff was friendly, helpful and efficient."

    6. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park

    20 Reviews
    Denmark, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8240

    "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"

    7. William O'Brien State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Marine on St. Croix, MN
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 539-4980

    $16 - $250 / night

    "We bike from St. Paul to William O. It is a nice 40 mile ride mostly on paved or limestone trails. You are close to your neighbor here, but really enjoy it."

    "Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."

    8. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    35 Reviews
    Maple Plain, MN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 694-7662

    $21 - $29 / night

    "Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."

    "The beaches are some of the best in Minnesota. The bike trails are nearby and plentiful."

    9. Bunker Hills Regional Park

    15 Reviews
    Coon Rapids, MN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 862-4970

    $20 - $32 / night

    "I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."

    "It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"

    10. Rice Creek Campgrounds

    8 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 324-3340

    $20 - $32 / night

    "Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."

    "When Rice Creek Campground opens up again in April I'd highly recommend going there if all you want is a simple camping experience to get away from the city grind."

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Showing results 1-10 of 109 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near St. Paul, MN

772 Reviews of 109 St. Paul Campgrounds



Guide to St. Paul

Camping near St. Paul, MN, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, you can enjoy nature without straying too far from the city.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Willow River State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area."
  • Water Activities: Check out Interstate State Park for canoeing and kayaking. A visitor shared, "Canoe and kayak rentals for more adventures on the river."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Wild River State Park Campground, you might spot deer and other wildlife. One camper noted, "We spotted three white-tail deer."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. A reviewer said, "We were very surprised at the privacy of our site."
  • Clean Facilities: Campers at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve enjoy the well-maintained restrooms. One visitor remarked, "Shower facilities are very nice."
  • Family-Friendly: Afton State Park Campground is great for families. A parent shared, "Good pricing, great trails for all different skill levels."

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Many campgrounds, like William O'Brien State Park Campground, have strict no-alcohol policies. A camper mentioned, "NO alcohol allowed."
  • Limited Amenities: Some sites, such as those at Lake Maria State Park, lack water hookups and showers. One visitor noted, "There is no adjusting the shower temperature."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Lake Maria State Park warned, "The mosquitos were awful."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites like Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground. A family shared, "Larger and more private than most state parks."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One camper at Afton State Park Campground said, "Great trails for all different skill levels."
  • Pack Bug Spray: Be ready for insects. A visitor at Lake Maria State Park advised, "Be prepared with bug spray/repellant!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: RV campers at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve appreciate the spacious sites. One RV owner said, "The grounds are absolutely gorgeous."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups, like Lebanon Hills Regional Park. A reviewer noted, "RV portion has full hookups."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some RVers at Interstate State Park mentioned noise from nearby sites. One camper shared, "People in RVs tend to not recognize their voices penetrate tent walls with incredible ease."

Camping near St. Paul, MN, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a family getaway or a peaceful retreat in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near St. Paul, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, St. Paul, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 109 campgrounds and RV parks near St. Paul, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near St. Paul, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. Paul, MN is Lebanon Hills Regional Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near St. Paul, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near St. Paul, MN.

What parks are near St. Paul, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near St. Paul, MN that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.