Camping options near Vadnais Heights, Minnesota range from rustic tent-only areas to full-hookup RV sites within a 30-mile radius of this suburban community. The terrain consists primarily of glacial moraine with numerous small lakes, wetlands, and second-growth hardwood forests at elevations between 900-1,100 feet. Most campgrounds in the area feature sandy soil with good drainage, though sites near shorelines can remain damp following the region's frequent summer thunderstorms.
What to do
Hiking trails year-round: William O'Brien State Park Campground offers diverse trail options even in winter months. "My site was level, had decent privacy, and was more spacious than some of the other sites (could have put up a 3-5 person tent and a bug house). The fire pit was clean and had a grate on top. There were trees to hang a hammock. The hiking trail was about 500' away," notes one camper who visited during off-season.
Archery activities: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve maintains an archery range alongside other recreational options. A visitor mentioned, "Great campground, sites are spacious and spread out, electric hookups at all sites, swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic for kids."
Disc golf courses: Several area parks feature dedicated disc golf facilities, including Bunker Hills Regional Park. "Stayed here for an overnight stop through MN. Close to downtown which was nice for us coming through. Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)," reports a reviewer who appreciated the accessibility.
What campers like
Private sites at budget prices: Rice Creek Campgrounds offers economical camping with good separation between sites. "I booked this on a whim since we needed an overnight close to the State Fair. I loved the look of the 'TENT ONLY' loop - you don't see this often - so it was a good fit. In the morning, when I could see everything, I was thoroughly impressed by the space, the maintenance of the property, the size of the campsites."
Waterfront access: Willow River State Park Campground provides water-based recreation options. A visitor noted, "I've camped here a few times. You can't even tell you're in Hudson. Nice hiking trails, nice lake that rents kayaks and canoes, and a beautiful waterfall at the end of the hiking trail. They do empty out the lake every so often, so be aware of that."
Clean facilities: Most campers comment positively on facility maintenance. "Facilities are great no complains, the beach is a bit over run by goose so is a little dirty, there is a great spot below the dam to cool off if needed," shared a tent camper at Willow River State Park, highlighting the attention to cleanliness despite some wildlife challenges.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some camping areas. At Interstate State Park, "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. Construction is scheduled to the end of 2025."
Reservation timing: Weekend spots fill quickly, especially during summer months. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advised a camper at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Insect conditions: Lebanon Hills Regional Park and other area campgrounds experience significant mosquito and tick populations in summer. "The family had an absolute blast! Fire ring was a little shallow for my liking so had to get some solid coals going to get dinner on the table. Nice clean site, community water pump worked great! The mosquitoes were absolutely nuts!" reported a camper who stayed at a drive-in site.
Tips for camping with families
Nature center activities: Bunker Hills Regional Park provides educational resources. "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," explained a camper who found indoor alternatives during inclement weather.
Swimming options: Many area campgrounds feature swimming beaches or constructed pools. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," commented a visitor to Lake Elmo County Park Reserve about their unique swimming facility.
Kid-friendly loops: Select camping areas with playground access and safety features. "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. Our spot was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area. The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose appropriate loops based on RV size requirements. "The campground map does a good job of providing visual indicators of what a site provides. The upper loop (sites 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site," noted a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Generator restrictions: St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park and other campgrounds have designated quiet areas. "And the fact that this loop (F LOOP) was 'tent only' meant no generators! It was very quiet!" appreciated a camper who valued the peaceful environment at Rice Creek Campgrounds.
Hookup limitations: Even at RV-friendly parks, full hookups may be limited. "This is a nice, quiet campground with activities nearby. The sites are decently private and there are nice bathrooms/showers. We camped here while our friends used a camper cabin and they loved it too," mentioned a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park, highlighting the amenities available despite hookup restrictions.
