Tent camping near St. Paul, Minnesota offers a mixture of prairie and woodland experiences within an hour's drive of the metro area. The region sits at elevations ranging from 700-1,100 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for hiking trails. Local state parks can experience temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night during spring and fall camping seasons.
What to do
Trail running adventures: Afton State Park provides excellent terrain for runners, with one visitor noting, "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" The park's elevation changes create challenging workouts with rewarding views.
Beach access: Less than an hour from St. Paul, Afton State Park offers swimming opportunities. A camper mentions the "beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk."
Mushroom identification: During summer and fall months, Lake Maria State Park becomes a fungal wonderland. One camper noted, "We were all entertained by the plethora of mushroom varieties that surrounded the camp."
Winter activities: Several parks offer winter camping for cold-weather enthusiasts. A visitor to William O'Brien State Park described their experience: "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent."
What campers like
Scenic variety: William O'Brien State Park showcases diverse landscapes. A camper observed, "This is a great place to see all the various landscapes of the St. Croix River Valley. The surroundings were stunning, and really unexpected for a park so close to the Twin Cities."
Wildlife encounters: Snake sightings add excitement to camping trips. One visitor to Afton shared, "We went to Afton for a day trip filled with hiking, picnicking and scoping out future camping sites. Then I saw the snake. I literally grabbed my husband to hold him back from stepping on it."
Prairie camping: Tent sites at Afton balance openness with privacy. A camper described, "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion."
Fall colors: Nerstrand Big Woods State Park offers exceptional autumn camping. One visitor recommended, "This is a great campground for Fall camping. The color's are amazing. Nice hiking trails."
What you should know
Water availability varies: Water access can be limited at some parks. One Afton camper 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."
Firewood situation: Prepare to cut your own wood at some locations. An Afton camper advised, "They do have firewood available however it is long slab wood, so you do need to cut it yourself. Hand hacksaws are provided, but we're not great quality which made cutting the wood difficult."
Bug preparation: Crow Hassan Park Reserve and other area parks have varying bug conditions. A visitor observed, "The best place to be bug-free happens to be the sandy prairie trails, the wooded areas are nice but you may want to hustle out of there if you don't have enough bug protection."
Hike-in challenges: Some tent camping sites require physical effort to reach. A Lake Maria camper cautioned, "I camped here back in 2020 of November. Overpacked, along with not packing the right gear and didn't have a cart. Buddy and I parked at the southeast parking lot so the hike was about a mile and also hilly."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve offers excellent facilities for children. A visitor called it "The best kids park at any campground I've been to" and highlighted its "amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking."
Camper cabins: For families new to tent camping near St. Paul, cabin options provide comfort. An Afton visitor described their experience: "Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!"
Yurt options: Alternative shelters suit families in cooler weather. A camper noted, "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks. These have some great amenities and are perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring."
Site selection: When tent camping with children, choose sites with natural features. At Nerstrand Big Woods, a visitor mentioned, "Sites 2 and 4. Though they were right next to each other, they felt very secluded. Site 4 felt a bit more private from the main road because the campsite slightly slopes downward."
Tips from RVers
RV site spacing: William O'Brien State Park provides reasonable sites for RVs but expect neighbors. One camper observed, "We are close to your neighbor here, but really enjoy it."
Equipment restrictions: Prepare for limited hookup options at most area parks. A camper at Nerstrand Big Woods noted, "Some sites are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back."
Sanitation facilities: Dump stations are available but limited. A visitor reported, "The bathroom/shower building was new and clean, the camp host was friendly and helpful" while another mentioned "Nice dump station" at Nerstrand.
Cell service concerns: Connectivity varies greatly by park. A camper at Nerstrand shared, "Cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible. There's WiFi at the office, which is just a short hike from the campground."
