Tent campsites near Waconia, Minnesota range from primitive walk-in sites to established campgrounds with dedicated facilities. The area sits within Minnesota's deciduous forest biome at elevations between 900-1000 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping season. Mosquito activity is heaviest from June through August, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for many tent campers seeking more comfortable conditions.
What to do
Beach activities at Lake Rebecca: The park maintains a swimming beach that's popular during summer months. According to Daniel R., "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to."
Wildlife observation at Lake Maria State Park Campground: The park offers excellent birding opportunities along its trails. Tori K. notes, "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites."
Hiking at Afton State Park Campground: The park features multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. Mike K. shared, "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" The trails include prairie, woodland, and riverside routes with substantial elevation changes.
Mountain biking at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve: The park features a 13.25-mile single-track trail system designed for varying skill levels. Krista T. mentioned, "When I first pulled in I checked out the single track trail area first and the parking lot was full of mountain bikers. This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city."
What campers like
Private tent pads with lake views: Several backcountry sites at Lake Maria State Park provide excellent water access. Lydia N. reported, "Only about a mile from the parking lot. This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness."
Secluded walk-in sites at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground: The park offers walk-in tent sites with good shade coverage. George W. shared, "Did a overnight in The rain at one of the walk ins. Great area. Everything you need close at hand. Wonderful trails and waterfall too."
Prairie camping with natural boundaries: Afton State Park offers tent sites in both wooded and prairie sections. Andrew C. noted, "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. The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion."
Dog-friendly trails near Elm Creek Horse Camp: The park allows dogs on trails, though owners should be mindful around horses. Alison O. mentions, "This campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire. The ground is mostly level—perfect for a tent and a sturdy dog bed—and the trails? Chef's kiss."
What you should know
Tent site accessibility varies significantly: Many tent campsites require hiking with all gear. At Lake Maria State Park, cheeming Y. warns, "I camped here back in 2020 of November. Overpacked, along with not packing the right gear and didn't have a cart. Buddy and I parked at the southeast parking lot so the hike was about a mile and also hilly."
Seasonal bug considerations are crucial: Bug activity is extremely high during summer months. Steph H. described her experience at Lake Maria: "Running and also planning out how to set up camp the quickest. Little tent first, throw the kids in, big tent second and then everyone in there while dinner was being made."
Water availability at Crow Hassan Park Reserve: Limited water access points mean planning ahead. Krista T. points out, "Pit toilets are available and there is water available at the entrance off of Park drive, not sure about the other locations."
Firewood considerations: Some parks provide firewood with specific limitations. At Nerstrand Big Woods, campers can "pick up firewood from the park office at the entrance" according to Hannah Y., while Adam P. notes that at Afton State Park "They do have firewood available however it is long slab wood, so you do need to cut it yourself. Hand hacksaws are provided, but we're not great quality."
Tips for camping with families
Select sites based on hiking distance: For families with young children, consider hiking distances carefully. Brian K. says about Lake Maria State Park, "Appreciated the camper cabin and the clean sites. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves. Good trails and a fun experience."
Playground access at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve: The park features an exceptional playground for children. Daniel R. specifically mentions it as "The best kids park at any campground I've been to."
Wildlife encounters as educational opportunities: The secluded nature of many tent sites increases wildlife sighting chances. Alison O. at Lake Maria notes sites where "you can sit on a log and watch wood ducks paddle past and listen to the frogs in full chorus at night. We saw pileated woodpeckers, red squirrels, and a chorus of chorus frogs."
Water safety planning: No lifeguards monitor swimming areas, requiring direct supervision. Krista T. observed at Lake Rebecca, "There are also boat rentals available... There are also two fishing docks located not too far from the main beach area. I didn't get in the water so I have no idea how clean it is, but there were many happy swimmers. Keep in mind that there are no lifeguards on duty."
Tips from RVers
Group site considerations for RVs: Most tent-focused campgrounds have limited RV accommodations. At Lake Rebecca, Krista T. notes, "There are two group campsites that are available, but considering that my friends aren't big campers I wasn't willing to pay $85 a night for a campsite."
Road access limitations: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. Krista T. warns about the Riverbend group site at Crow Hassan: "Be aware that the road into this group site only is wide enough for one vehicle at a time, so far I've been lucky to not encounter another vehicle as I'm entering or leaving."
Alternative cabin options for non-tent campers: Several parks offer cabins as alternatives to tent camping. Jordan L. mentions about Lake Maria, "Its a nice quiet park and so are the campgrounds!!! They also have little cabins to stay in that id like to try out!"
