Best Tent Camping near Shoreview, MN
Tent campsites around Shoreview, Minnesota concentrate in several established state parks within an hour's drive, offering a mix of wooded and prairie settings for overnight stays. William O'Brien State Park, located along the St. Croix River near Scandia, provides numerous tent-friendly sites with both drive-in and walk-in options. Elm Creek Horse Camp in Dayton offers tent camping with access to extensive trail systems, while Afton State Park provides more secluded tent camping experiences with boat-in and hike-in access points.
Tent sites in the area typically feature flat, cleared areas with fire rings and picnic tables, though privacy varies considerably between locations. Most established tent campgrounds provide access to drinking water and toilet facilities, but amenities differ between parks. William O'Brien's Savanna campground offers more spacious sites with inconsistent vegetation between them, while the Riverway campground sites sit closer to the St. Croix River. One camper noted, "Sites may be level, had decent privacy, and was more spacious than some of the other sites," though many reviewers mention proximity to neighboring campers as a drawback for tent camping. Several campgrounds enforce quiet hours from 10pm to 8am, though enforcement can be inconsistent during busy summer weekends.
The tent camping experience near Shoreview varies with location and season. Riverway campground at William O'Brien provides direct access to the St. Croix River with thin woods separating tent sites from the water, creating both scenic views and potential weather exposure. A visitor commented that "on a hot summer day, the breeze off the river would be welcoming and cooling, but on an abnormally chilly spring day, the wind off the river was bone-chilling." Backcountry tent camping options are limited but available at Lake Maria State Park, which offers hike-in tent sites for a more secluded experience. Weekday camping typically provides more solitude than weekends, especially at popular tent campgrounds closest to the Twin Cities. Sites backing up to natural features like wetlands offer unique experiences, including abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.