Tent campsites near Shorewood, Minnesota range from prairie settings to wooded hideaways, with many requiring hikes of varying distances from parking areas. The terrain often features rolling hills and glacial deposits, creating elevation changes of 100-200 feet across some camping areas. Most walk-in sites require campers to transport gear distances ranging from 100 yards to over a mile on unpaved paths that can become muddy after rain.
What to do
Mountain biking at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve: The newly developed single-track trail spans 13.25 miles with multiple loops for different skill levels. "Big park! Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home," notes Alison O. about Lake Rebecca Park Reserve.
Horseback riding at Crow Hassan Park Reserve: Equestrian trails wind through sandy prairie and wooded areas. "This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed," says Krista T. about Crow Hassan Park Reserve.
Water activities at Afton State Park: The park offers swimming, fishing, and boat rentals with multiple water access points. "There are two water access points- one for Lake Rebecca and one for the nearby Crow River. There are also boat rentals available," explains a reviewer about the recreational options available.
What campers like
Secluded backpacking sites: Lake Maria's backpacking sites offer exceptional privacy for tent camping near Shorewood. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," explains Tori K. about Lake Maria State Park Campground.
Unique camping structures: Beyond traditional tent sites, several parks offer alternative accommodations. "Camper Cabin (Eastern Bluebird) - Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!" shares Alison O. about Afton State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple camping locations offer chances to observe local fauna. "The forested setting offers ample shade during summer months... Trail access directly from campsites makes these locations ideal for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts, with opportunities to spot migratory birds, deer, and smaller woodland creatures," notes a camper.
What you should know
Varying hike-in distances: Some campgrounds require significant hiking with gear. "The camp site was pretty awesome. Like others said, nice and secluded. If you're new to hiking, I suggest doing some research if you're going to attempt stuff like this... Buddy and I parked at the southeast parking lot so the hike was about a mile and also hilly," warns cheeming Y. about Lake Maria State Park.
Bug conditions can be challenging: Several campgrounds report heavy mosquito activity, especially in summer. "To be fair I'd like to preface this review with a word of caution. We went in the middle of Summer. High bug season. Take a look at other reviews as they come in and see what time of year they visited," advises Steph H.
Firewood limitations: Restrictions vary by campground regarding collection and availability. "Wood was $8 bundle. This was steep in my opinion. They do not all any gathering of firewood," notes a reviewer about William O'Brien State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specialized facilities for children. "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to," shares Daniel R. about Lake Rebecca Park Reserve.
Short-distance backpacking options: For families new to backpacking, select sites with minimal hiking required. "Stayed here overnight being its so close to my hometown. Its a nice quiet park and so are the campgrounds!!! They also have little cabins to stay in that id like to try out!" explains Jordan L.
Wildlife education opportunities: Many campsites offer chances to teach children about local ecosystems. "Lots of hiking. Nice campsites. Beautiful park," notes Chris S. about camping with children at these locations.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV sites vary significantly in accessibility and size. "Also, there's some sites that 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," warns Deb M. about Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground.
Limited cell service: Communication can be challenging at several campgrounds. "And, through no fault of the park, cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible. There's WiFi at the office, which is just a short hike from the campground," adds Deb M. about connectivity issues.
Dump station and hookup availability: Facilities for RVs vary between parks. "Sites were great but a little wet. Some of the south trails are closed because its too wet... Sites are good and some can handle bigger RV's. Some Electric sites. Nice dump station," reports Timothy S.
