Best Tent Camping near Savage, MN
State parks and wilderness areas within 30 miles of Savage, Minnesota offer a variety of tent-only camping experiences, from walk-in sites to backcountry options. Afton State Park, located about 30 minutes east along the St. Croix River, features 26 hike-in tent sites approximately one mile from the parking area. Lake Maria State Park, though farther at about an hour's drive northwest, provides exclusively backpacking tent sites with no drive-up camping options. Closer to Savage, the Cannon River Wilderness Area offers free primitive tent camping with sites tucked away near the river.
Most tent campsites in the region require some hiking to access, with surfaces ranging from level gravel pads to natural forest floor. At Afton State Park, the trail to the campground includes a challenging uphill section with switchbacks, making packing light advisable. Sites typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and designated tent pads. Vault toilets are available at most locations, though campers should bring their own toilet paper. Water access varies by park - Afton provides a solar-powered well pump near the campsites, while Lake Maria offers water only at the parking area. Summer brings heavy insect activity, particularly at Lake Maria, where campers report intense mosquito populations in July and August.
According to frequent visitors, weekday camping offers the most solitude, especially at Lake Maria where sites feel isolated even when the park is busy. One camper noted that Afton's sites are "nicely spaced and diverse, some more wooded and others in open prairie," providing privacy despite the relatively short hike in. The terrain at Afton includes both sunny meadows and densely shaded areas, with wildlife sightings common. Tent campers at Cannon River Wilderness Area appreciate the short 10-minute walk from parking to the farthest sites, with opportunities for hammock camping along the river. Winter camping is possible at several parks, with some visitors reporting peaceful snowshoeing experiences under full moons at Lake Maria's backcountry tent sites.
