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Best Tent Camping near Spring Valley, MN

434 Reviews

The rolling bluffs and forested valleys surrounding Spring Valley, Minnesota offer several tent-only camping options within a short drive. Schmidt Farm by Forestville provides secluded hike-in tent campsites with creek access and proximity to Forestville State Park trails. Whitewater State Park's Gooseberry Glen features cart-in tent sites that balance accessibility with privacy, while Aefintyr offers hike-in tent camping on scenic bluffs approximately 35 minutes from Rochester. Houston Nature Center provides tent-only walk-in sites at the trailhead of the Root River State Bike Trail.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at established sites, though water access varies significantly between locations. Schmidt Farm's primitive tent sites require campers to pack in their own water, while Houston Nature Center provides clean restrooms and showers. Whitewater State Park's cart-in sites offer a middle ground with nearby water sources but require a short walk from parking areas. Seasonal considerations affect availability, with most tent campgrounds operating from May through October. Reservations are recommended for Whitewater State Park and Aefintyr, while other locations may operate on a first-come basis.

Fall brings exceptional tent camping conditions to the area. According to visitors at Whitewater State Park's cart-in sites, "The sites were quiet, woodsy and secluded... We could see site 4 from our site, but all we could hear was the stream." At Schmidt Farm, campers report spacious tent sites that accommodate multiple tents with natural sound barriers. One visitor noted, "The peace and quiet allowed me to have one of the best nights of sleep while camping that I've had." Houston Nature Center receives praise from tent campers for its "spacious, level, well kept, quiet" sites that provide direct access to the Root River Trail system. Walk-in tent sites throughout the region typically offer greater privacy than standard campgrounds, with natural buffers between sites and reduced vehicle noise.

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Best Tent Sites Near Spring Valley, Minnesota (19)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Spring Valley, MN

23 Photos of 19 Spring Valley Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Spring Valley, MN

434 Reviews of 19 Spring Valley Campgrounds

  • C
    Aug. 8, 2021

    White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park

    Nice state park

    This is a rustic state park with limited amenities. There are no water or electric hook ups. However clean water is available in the park. The park does have flush toilets and showers. We found these to be in good condition and clean. The showers had warm water. The water stream is on a timer and so are the lights. The shower stalls are Individual stalls. The interior roads are dirt roads with a few potholes they are very narrow. The camping sites are nice sized and relatively private. There is a gravel pad on each site and some have a tent pad. Each site had a picnic table and a fire ring. There are plenty of walking and biking trails and there are walk-in tent camp sites. However, you cannot see the lake from the campground and there is no access to the lake from the campground. We were able to drive through the campground with our 40 foot fifth wheel. But just barely, be careful! 

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2024

    Minneiska Campground — Whitewater State Park

    Nice state park

    Stayed here for a couple nights on a mini state park road trip. Nice place, like most of the MN state parks. Spotty cell service. Hiked a trail with lots of steps. Fire ring and picnic table are provided at each site. Restroom with showers also available in campground. Site was large and easy to back into and offered some tree cover for shade during certain times of the day. Was unable to hang hammock in specific site we stayed at, but some of the sites looked like they would be suitable.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2019

    Prairie Island City Campground

    Great introductory campground

    Prairie Island has all of you basic amenities without being too far from town. This campground isn’t for everybody -- if you’re looking for extreme adventure and wilderness, this is not the place for you. If you’re interested in getting into camping and not investing the money into all the gear or having direct river access, this is the place for you! They seriously rent it all. Paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and dutch ovens. The camp store sells all of the basics and fishing supplies. The shower house has flush toilets and pit toilets are located throughout the campground.

    Personally, this campground is not the type that I like to stay at but it is really great for the type that wants to get into camping or the camper trailer type. Unfortunately, not enough activities to do besides boating on the river.

  • K
    Sep. 5, 2020

    Hidden Meadows RV Park

    Hidden Gem

    This is very convenient if you have Mayo Clinic appointments. The campground was nice with grassy sites along with electric and water hook ups, there was a dump station also. Portable toilets spaced around and a centralized bath house by the office. There are seasonal guests and everyone was friendly. We saw deer by the primitive camp areas and had nightly campfires in our fire ring. We will return the next time we are up in MN.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 14, 2022

    White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park

    Delayed Autumn

    We tent camped at Myre-Big Island State Park in Minnesota from September 30 to October 3, 2022. The weather was warmer than usual at this time of year, and the fall color development was a couple weeks behind normal. It was cool but beautiful during the daytime (light jacket/sweater weather). The temperature dropped at night but didn’t require anything more than our sleeping bags to keep us warm. The earlier sunset meant meal cooking and cleanup needed to be a bit earlier, but it also meant longer time for beautiful campfires in the evenings.

    The trails were in great shape and beautiful with past-peak grasses and developing colors in the trees. Most of the wildflowers were done for the year, but some were still in bloom. Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and lots of birds were active near the trails and campgrounds.

    We have camped here previously, in early summer. Then the bugs were abundant and aggressive on the Big Island trails. During this fall trip, there were very few.

  • Chloe T.
    Oct. 14, 2024

    Myre State Park Campgrounds

    Beautiful and easy to get to backpacking sites

    Sites are approximately 2 miles from parking and the hike it relatively easy with minimal elevation change. You have a choice between a grassy walk or walking mainly on tar and gravel as part of the Blazing Star Trail. They are also accessible by boat.

    There are 4 backpacking sites and they are well-spaced so you each have privacy. #3 and #4 are close enough that you could be in a group together but #1 and #2 are pretty isolated. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, wood cabinet/fish cleaning table, at least 1 flat spot for a tent, and a nearby porta potty.

    Views of the lake are amazing with a variety of birds making appearances. Harvesting season may bring some farm sounds but otherwise, aside from the occasional train, you'll mainly hear the sounds of nature around you.

    If you can make the walk carrying everything, including water, on your back, definitely check out one of these sites.

  • R
    Aug. 30, 2019

    Merrick State Park Campground

    Nice Walk-In site but bring your bug spray!

    Very nice walk-in site right on the river. LOTS of bugs to the point it was uncomfortable so make sure to bring bug spray. Tent pad, fire ring and picnic table available. Trees available that are good for those who hammock.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2018

    Houston Nature Center

    Great location!

    The Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the Root River State Bike Trail. Trail Head Park is a nice tent only campground with walk-in sites. A majority of the sites have picnic tables and fire pits. The Nature Center has clean bathrooms and free showers. They recommend donations for the use of the showers.

    $20 per night camping fee. You can pay inside the Nature Center or at the slot between the restroom mirrors. The sites are first come, first serve. Local firewood is available near the restrooms as well; take what you need and leave the center a donation.

    Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite. When I visited during the week, I only saw a small group of people using the playground. The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more. Inside the Nature Center, they have interactive and interesting displays. The highlight of this campground is the Root River State Bike Trail and the Owl Center in the town of Houston.

    I'd give the campsite 4/5 review. The location, the bluffs, the bike trail, and center get 5/5 review.

  • J
    Oct. 24, 2017

    Sylvan City Park

    Close to bike trail and downtown

    Stayed here in a tent while on a bicycle camping trip and it was adequate. It is located in a city park within a couple minutes walk of the downtown area. The bike trail crosses the south end of downtown so close to that too. This would not be a good place to camp if you'd like to be out in nature

    Biggest gripe is the slope of the tent sites. The majority of the tent sites are on an incline around a pond. There are also a lot of ducks that aren't very afraid of humans. None got into my gear though. There are fire rings at the tent sites. No picnic tables at the individual sites but there are some nearby in the park and there's also a covered picnic shelter. Hammocks would be difficult to impossible as the tent area is a strip of grass between pond and bluff, which has mostly brush or too whimpy of trees to hang from at the base. There are a couple huge oaks but none in pairs.

    Quarter showers and clean restrooms are available. $20/night/tent which seemed a bit steep to me considering how slanted the sites were and quarter showers. It is cheaper than the other places within immediate biking distance which were $25/night.

Guide to Spring Valley

The bluff country surrounding Spring Valley, Minnesota features scattered tent camping areas at elevations between 1,000-1,300 feet, creating natural drainage and reduced mosquito populations compared to lowland areas. Sites typically receive 32 inches of annual rainfall with summer highs averaging 80°F and spring/fall temperatures between 45-65°F. Most sites can't accommodate RVs due to limited access roads and tent-only designations.

What to do

Trout fishing access: At Aefintyr, campers appreciate the proximity to prime fishing spots. According to Mike L., "Short drive to White Water State Park. A lot of great trout fishing spots along the river."

Hiking forested terrain: The Schmidt Farm by Forestville location offers multiple trail options directly from campsites. Karen S. notes, "This location offers the opportunity to explore both private trails and less traveled areas of Forestville State Park."

Bike trail exploration: Tent campers can access the Root River State Trail directly from several sites. As one Houston Nature Center camper states, "This bike trail is so awesome and by far the best in the tri-state area!"

What campers like

Dark sky viewing: Clear nights reveal exceptional star visibility due to minimal light pollution. A camper at Aefintyr mentioned, "Very peaceful campground, great view of the stars on clear nights!"

Sound barriers: Natural terrain creates audio privacy between sites. At Schmidt Farm, camper Amos K. reported, "I didn't hear a person or a vehicle the whole night and the crickets, frogs, and occasional hooting owl just added to the nighttime experience."

Water features: Many sites feature creeks or streams nearby. At Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground, Molly Y. appreciated that "it was very private and quiet" with campsites positioned near flowing water.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Many tent-only sites require advanced booking. Tiffany B. recommends for Aefintyr: "If you are up in the bluff, be sure to wear good shoes for the hike up."

Shower availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. Steve S. notes that Houston Nature Center has "spotless showers and bathrooms, access to drinking water," while primitive sites require packing in water.

Equipment transportation: Cart-in sites require additional planning. At Gooseberry Glen, "Right when you park you see the push carts and it is a very short walk to the campsite."

Tips for camping with families

Natural playgrounds: Some locations offer child-friendly features beyond standard playgrounds. One visitor noted, "Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite... The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more."

Educational opportunities: Look for sites with learning components. A visitor to Chimney Rock County Park noted the geological features make "great fishing" spots that double as science lessons.

Accessible tent sites: For families with young children, select sites with minimal hiking. April S. observed at Houston Nature Center that sites are "wonderfully quiet and safe. Had bathrooms and showers. Singing toads at night. Very flat. Sites are spread out."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV accommodation: Most sites near Spring Valley restrict vehicle types. At Little Turkey Campground, Douglas M. notes the "clean shower free wood staff is friendly" but space limitations apply for larger vehicles.

Electric hookup options: RVers should verify electrical availability before arrival. While Northend Campground offers electric hookups, one visitor observed "Small lil park that they allow people to camp in. I've seen RV's and tents here."

Low clearance challenges: RV travelers should check road conditions and clearances. One camper mentioned steep access points make many bluff campsites "at the end of narrow roads that larger vehicles can't navigate."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Spring Valley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Spring Valley, MN is Schmidt Farm by Forestville with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Spring Valley, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Spring Valley, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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