Tent camping near Taylors Falls, Minnesota offers varied topography with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,100 feet along the St. Croix River Valley. The area typically experiences warm summers with highs in the 80s and cool spring nights dropping to the 40s, making proper sleeping gear essential. Most accessible campsites open from April through October, though several parks maintain winter camping options with marked trails.
What to do
Hiking the Ice Age Trail: Straight Lake State Park Campground provides direct access to this historic trail with rustic tent camping options. A camper notes, "The park offered carts to help pack in camping supplies. The Ice Age Trail also runs next to this park."
River fishing: Apple River County Park Campground offers prime fishing spots along with paddling opportunities. A visitor mentioned, "This is a good spot for fishing, and canoeing or kayaking... it might be a good stopover if on a weekend paddling trip."
Wildlife observation: The prairie and woodland settings attract diverse wildlife. At William O'Brien State Park Campground, a camper shared, "We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths. There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling."
Winter camping: Several parks maintain groomed trails for cold-weather exploration. A visitor to William O'Brien recalled, "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent. We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape."
What campers like
Proximity to Twin Cities: Many campers appreciate the short drive from urban areas. One reviewer noted about Afton State Park Campground, "Less than an hour drive from Minneapolis this is a good get away. As expected it has many walk trails."
Diverse landscapes: The region offers varied terrain within short distances. A camper at Afton State Park commented, "Terrific park. Lots of trails with a wide variety of landscapes. Prairie, forest, river, it's got it all."
Secluded sites: Many tent campers seek privacy options. At Lily Springs Regenerative Farm, a visitor observed, "Both the White Pine Meadow and the Lakeside Serenity sites are amazing and large. We wound up staying at the Lakeside site, which has a nice view of Mud Lake and one of the herds of goats."
Local wildlife encounters: The natural setting provides animal viewing opportunities. At William O'Brien, a camper shared, "You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
What you should know
Limited facilities at remote sites: Many backcountry camping options lack amenities. At Trade River Equestrian Camp, a visitor warned, "No potable water or vaults anywhere in site... If you love seclusion and don't mind zero amenities, bugs, mud and brush, go for it!"
Weather preparation: Spring conditions can be particularly challenging. One Trade River camper noted, "Ticks were extremely heavy in the spring. Between the mud and ticks, I would never recommend camping in spring."
Site accessibility: Many tent sites require moderate hiking from parking areas. At Afton State Park, a visitor cautioned, "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites."
Insect considerations: Bug activity varies by location and season. A Straight Lake State Park visitor mentioned, "The amount of mosquitos seemed higher than other Wisconsin locations."
Tips for camping with families
Pack light for hike-in sites: Most tent-focused campgrounds require carrying gear. An Afton visitor advised, "These sites do require a hike from parking. Would strongly discourage big coolers or lots of weight."
Consider camper cabins: For easier family camping, several parks offer cabin options. A visitor to Afton State Park shared, "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!"
Wildlife education opportunities: Many campgrounds offer nature learning experiences. At William O'Brien State Park, a visitor noted, "There is actually some educational tick materials in an informational binder that is located in a little structure by the parking spot."
Be aware of closures: Construction and maintenance can affect available facilities. A William O'Brien camper reported, "The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids."
Tips from RVers
Electric site availability: Limited electrical hookups exist at select campgrounds. At William O'Brien State Park, a camper advised, "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."
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds have tighter spacing than others. A visitor noted, "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites."
Weekend vs. weekday visits: Timing significantly impacts the camping experience. A camper shared, "My first time solo camping was at William O'Brien State Park on a Sunday evening. Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop."
