Best Tent Camping near Taylors Falls, MN
Tent campsites near Taylors Falls, Minnesota range from established state park grounds to more primitive walk-in sites along the St. Croix River. William O'Brien State Park Campground offers tent-specific sites in both its Riverway and Savanna campgrounds, with the latter providing more spacious and private tent areas. Straight Lake State Park Campground in Wisconsin, approximately 20 miles northeast of Taylors Falls, features hike-in and walk-in tent sites with more secluded camping experiences.
Most tent camping areas provide basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary significantly between locations. William O'Brien's tent sites include access to drinking water, showers, and toilets, while more remote areas like Trade River Equestrian Camp in Governor Knowles State Forest offer no facilities whatsoever. Tent campers should note that many walk-in sites require carrying gear between 0.75 and 1.5 miles from parking areas. Several campgrounds, including Afton State Park located about 40 minutes south, feature backpacking-style tent sites that require a moderate uphill hike to reach the camping area.
The tent camping experience near Taylors Falls offers varying levels of seclusion depending on location and season. Sites at William O'Brien's Savanna campground provide more privacy for tent campers, especially in the non-electric loops where RVs are less common. A visitor noted, "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites. I wouldn't want to stay here when the loop is fully reserved." For those seeking more isolation, Straight Lake State Park's tent sites are set farther from roads and civilization, though a camper commented that "the amount of mosquitos seemed higher than other Wisconsin locations." Winter camping options exist at several parks, including Afton State Park, where trails and sites are marked for winter tent campers.