Best Campgrounds near South Saint Paul, MN

South Saint Paul, MN is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Camping Sites Near South Saint Paul, Minnesota (112)

    1. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    37 Reviews
    Lake Elmo, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8370

    $23 - $80 / night

    "For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."

    "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."

    2. Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Apple Valley, MN
    11 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"

    "We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. it has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps."

    3. Afton State Park Campground

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

    "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks."

    "It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees."

    4. Willow River State Park Campground

    61 Reviews
    Hudson, WI
    19 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. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park

    20 Reviews
    Denmark, MN
    13 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"

    6. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

    17 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    19 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 have lived in the Twin Cities for two decades and have never visited Rice Creek Chain of Lakes before. We will again!"

    7. William O'Brien State Park Campground

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

    $16 - $250 / night

    "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."

    "We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."

    8. Tony’s Backyard

    2 Reviews
    Bloomington, MN
    12 miles
    +1 (612) 751-0908

    $45 - $60 / night

    9. Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins

    4 Reviews
    Empire, MN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 891-7000

    $85 / night

    "There is a fire ring outside of each cabin, along with a table. No cooking is allowed inside the cabins, which can make things rough if the weather isn't cooperating. "

    "There is no cooking inside the cabin so you have to use the fire ring outside. Shower facilities are really nice and match the cabins. Plan ahead as these are hard to come by."

    10. Rice Creek Campgrounds

    8 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    19 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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Recent Reviews near South Saint Paul, MN

758 Reviews of 112 South Saint Paul Campgrounds


  • Krista T.
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

    Nice metro get away

    This is a beautiful park and the campsites for the most part all seem spacious, and the loop we were in (whichever one site 52 is in) all had decent tree cover.

    The bathroom facility has seen better days. The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours.

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground

    Really nice campground!

    Really nice campground! Meadow setting where the campsites are, but then TONS of hiking trails with significant trees& shade. Really beautiful. Nice people staying in adjacent sites. We would return.

  • Lance L.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Acres Campground

    Cozy Lakeside Sitr

    Great pricing and friendly staff. Nice beach. A few spots are pull through which is nice for larger RVs and travel trailers.

  • D
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Butternut Park

    Well maintained city park

    About a dozen sites with picnic tables on a grassy large circle. About half or more have electric hookups. Toilets are a short walk past the campground entrance.

  • Andy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Ann Lake

    Nice, quiet, rustic

    30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Sites range from open and flat to secluded and a little hilly. Most sites are fairly private and well spaced. Higher elevation sites for air tv reception. 2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites. Pay immediately or the camp host will nag you even if you have to walk to higher elevation to get signal. Very beautiful and lots of deer on the trails.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Camp Waub-O-Jeeg

    Waub O Jeeg- Tent camping

    Checking was easy with owner on site. A little steep getting up to x Some of the site. Bathroom and shower house were great

  • Deb M.
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Lake Byllesby Regional Park

    Great park

    Lakeside sites are close together, with W/E hookups, but they’re right in the lake with a wonderful view. The facilities are very clean and well-kept. Cannon Falls is a nice town to explore, and it’s close to home and work. Cell service was good also.

  • Ludwig H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Willow River State Park Campground

    Tent camped here

    Facilities are great no complains, the beach is a bit over run my goose so is a little dirty, there is a great spot below the dam to cool off if needed.

  • Dan O.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Mississippi Riverwood RV Park

    A hidden gem - PRIVATE RV Park

    This hidden gem is a PRIVATE RV Park where each lot is individually owned and most owners live South in the winter. Individual owners can rent their lot with restrictions and those rentals are between the owner and the renter. The owners association is not involved in these rentals or the disputes that sometimes arise.  That said, we own a riverside lot and absolutely love it here.


Guide to South Saint Paul

Camping near South Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, it’s a perfect getaway for families, friends, and solo adventurers alike.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Willow River State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area."
  • Water Activities: At Interstate State Park, you can rent canoes and kayaks. A reviewer shared, "Canoe and kayak rentals for more adventures on the river."
  • Wildlife Watching: Wild River State Park Campground is known for its wildlife. One camper noted, "Secluded spots. Plenty of hiking trails. Great views."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites. A visitor at Lebanon Hills Regional Park said, "We were very surprised at the privacy of our site."
  • Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the restrooms. A review for Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve stated, "Shower facilities are very nice."
  • Convenient Location: William O'Brien State Park Campground is close to the Twin Cities, making it a great spot for a quick escape. One camper said, "It’s a great park conveniently located near the twin cities."

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Some campgrounds, like Interstate State Park, have strict rules against alcohol. A reviewer pointed out, "NO alcohol allowed."
  • Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like Lake Maria State Park may not have full amenities. One camper noted, "There is no adjusting the shower temperature."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A visitor at Lake Maria State Park warned, "Be prepared with bug spray/repellant!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Wild River State Park Campground. A family shared, "The sites are secluded by sumac trees."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One parent at Afton State Park Campground mentioned, "Good pricing, great trails for all different skill levels."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A camper at Lebanon Hills Regional Park said, "The maintenance staff is excellent."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve noted, "RV pads are gravel."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups, like Willow River State Park Campground. One camper said, "The sites are level, electric power and fire ring."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Keep the volume down, especially at night. A visitor at Interstate State Park mentioned, "People in RVs tend to not recognize their voices penetrate tent walls with incredible ease."

Camping saint paul, mn, and its surrounding areas provide a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed adventure, there's something for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options exist in the southern Minnesota region near South Saint Paul?

Southern Minnesota offers diverse camping experiences within easy reach of South Saint Paul. Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground is a favorite spot about 1.5 hours away, featuring wooded campsites, minimal noise, and beautiful views of Lake Pepin with swimming access. For nature enthusiasts, Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground provides a surprising woodland oasis in farm country with excellent walking trails, especially popular during fall foliage season. Free primitive camping is available at Cannon River Wilderness Area, where you can set up hammocks riverside after a short 10-minute hike from parking. Frontenac State Park also offers cart-in sites with spacious, though not completely secluded, camping options.

What are the best RV parks near South Saint Paul?

For RV camping near South Saint Paul, Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers impressive amenities, including a filtered swimming pond with sandy beach, hiking trails, and spacious sites with modern facilities. Another good option is Highland Ridge which features clean facilities, spotless bathrooms and showers, plus nearby firewood available at roadside stands. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park is also RV-friendly with full hookups and beautiful river views, making it ideal for bigger rigs. Most of these parks require reservations, especially during peak summer months.

What camping is available near South Saint Paul, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, South Saint Paul, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 112 campgrounds and RV parks near South Saint Paul, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near South Saint Paul, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Saint Paul, MN is Lake Elmo County Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Saint Paul, MN?

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