Best Tent Camping near White Bear Lake, MN
The White Bear Lake region of Minnesota offers several established tent camping options within 30 miles, including William O'Brien State Park and Lake Maria State Park, both providing secluded tent sites with natural surroundings. Afton State Park offers backpack-in tent camping on a ridge overlooking the St. Croix River, requiring approximately a one-mile hike from the parking area. These parks feature primitive tent setups that provide a more isolated camping experience while remaining relatively close to the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Most tent sites at these parks include basic amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and nearby vault toilets. William O'Brien State Park provides both drive-in and walk-in tent camping options with drinking water available. Lake Maria State Park offers exclusively hike-in tent camping with sites positioned approximately a mile from the parking area along forested trails. A camper noted that Lake Maria's backcountry sites "feel like a secret woodland sanctuary — set up on a slight rise, tucked beneath a cathedral of towering oaks and maples." Campers should be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks, particularly during summer months, and bring their own toilet paper as vault toilets may not be stocked.
Tent campers at these parks benefit from relative seclusion compared to larger campgrounds. At Afton State Park, tent sites are positioned on a ridge with some offering views of the St. Croix River when leaves are down. Each tent site provides different surroundings - some overlook the valley, others are situated in meadows, and some feature partial to full shade. A review mentioned that "the sites are mapped out on a wide open prairie ground with some sites tucked back in the trees along the trail." Sites at Lake Maria State Park are scattered throughout the park, providing more privacy between campers, though some may be visible from the trail. Many tent sites feature level, designated tent pads and access to nearby hiking trails, creating good bases for day hikes or wildlife observation.
