Lake Maria State Park and William O'Brien State Park offer prime tent camping options for those seeking overnight wilderness experiences near White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Both parks are within a 30-mile radius of White Bear Lake, with William O'Brien located northeast along the St. Croix River and Lake Maria positioned northwest near Monticello. The region features primarily deciduous forest terrain with rolling hills, glacial features, and wetlands, creating diverse camping environments ranging from shaded woodland sites to open prairie settings.
What to do
Trail exploration at Afton State Park: With multiple terrain types in one park, hikers can experience diverse ecosystems within a single day. "Less than an hour drive from Minneapolis this is a good get away. As expected it has many walk trails. Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk," notes a visitor at Afton State Park Campground.
Birding along the Crow River: The wetland areas and river corridors provide excellent bird watching opportunities year-round. "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" reports an outdoor enthusiast at Crow Hassan Park Reserve.
Swimming at designated beaches: Several parks offer swimming areas during summer months when water temperatures reach comfortable levels. "Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath," mentions a reviewer about Afton State Park, though they caution that reaching the beach requires a short walk from parking areas.
What campers like
Secluded backpacking sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy of hike-in sites that offer a more authentic wilderness experience. A camper at Lake Maria State Park Campground notes, "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."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The diverse habitats support abundant wildlife observation possibilities from campsites. At William O'Brien State Park Campground, a visitor observed, "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
Mixed terrain options: Campers appreciate having choices between wooded or prairie sites within the same park. At Afton State Park, a reviewer explains, "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."
What you should know
Insect preparation is essential: Minnesota's lakes and forests create ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies. A visitor to Lily Springs Regenerative Farm advises, "I would definitely recommend all sorts of bug survival gear to make your life less slappy if you are camping at this site in the summer."
Campsite accessibility varies: Some of the best tent camping near White Bear Lake requires physical effort to reach. A camper at Lake Maria State Park cautions, "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 considerations: Spring and fall offer cooler temperatures and fewer insects, but some facilities may be limited. At William O'Brien State Park, a visitor noted, "The river side of the park had been closed for months for construction, but had just opened two days before our stay. The Riverside campground appeared quite full, too."
Tips for camping with families
Select appropriate difficulty sites: For families with young children, choose sites with shorter access trails. "We planned this weekend with friends to camp in our matching teardrop trailers. We have never really camped with friends before, so the point was to just go, not to really travel far. We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths," explains a visitor to William O'Brien State Park.
Consider camper cabins for beginners: Several parks offer cabin options that provide shelter while maintaining a camping experience. A reviewer at Elm Creek Horse Camp mentions, "If you're the kind of camper who measures a site by how many tail wags it inspires, then Campsite 2 at Elm Creek Horse Camp is barking up the right tree. Tucked away near the archery range, this campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire."
Pack for variable weather: Minnesota weather can change rapidly, particularly in spring and fall. "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," reports a Lake Maria State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options near White Bear Lake: Most tent camping areas have few or no RV accommodations. At William O'Brien State Park, a visitor commented, "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 (especially the non-electric ones), but still able to take advantage of a weekend day."
