Camping sites near Woodbury, Minnesota generally operate from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months except for select year-round operations like Afton State Park. While located within 30 minutes of the Twin Cities metro area, these campgrounds offer varied terrain including bluffs, prairies, and river access with elevations ranging from 700-900 feet above sea level. Overnight temperatures can drop significantly even during summer months, often falling 15-20 degrees below daytime highs.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrains: William O'Brien State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks with varying difficulty levels. "We loved the falls. Our family spent a week here. Went in town to some great places to eat. Stop by the office and get suggestions," notes one visitor who appreciated the combination of natural features and nearby amenities.
Water recreation: Multiple lakes and river access points provide swimming, fishing and paddling opportunities. The filtered swimming pond at Lake Elmo receives particular attention, with one camper noting, "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming."
Disc golf and playgrounds: Hoffman City Park includes recreational facilities beyond traditional camping. "The park has a few playgrounds, skate park, disc golf, and clean bathrooms. Only one shower, and it's not the greatest, but for $20/night this is a fantastic place to stop and explore the area!"
What campers like
Proximity to city with seclusion: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers surprising privacy despite urban proximity. "Lebanon Hills is a great park and has a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Our family selected this camp ground to test out some gear—if we had problems or if we forgot something it was a short drive home. Turns out this is a wonderful camp ground and offers a lot of seclusion."
Midweek tranquility: Several campgrounds report significantly lower occupancy Sunday through Thursday. "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."
Clean facilities: Regional parks maintain modern facilities that receive regular maintenance. "The bathroom facility near the ranger station was very well maintained and cleaned several times a day," reports a Lebanon Hills camper who appreciated the attention to cleanliness.
What you should know
Water availability varies: Afton State Park Campground may have issues with water access at certain times. "This may be an ongoing issue but none of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center before trekking around the park's beautiful hiking trails!"
Firewood quality considerations: Some campgrounds provide better firewood than others. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, one camper reported, "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
Insect preparedness: Biting insects can affect camping experiences, especially near water. "The mosquitoes were absolutely nuts!" noted one Rice Creek camper, while another reported significant horsefly issues during hot weather.
Tips for camping with families
Filtered swim areas: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers a unique swimming experience safer for children. "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."
Indoor options for unpredictable weather: Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins provide alternative accommodations during challenging conditions. "Each cabin has four sleeping spots: 2 bunk beds, and the 2 couches convert to beds. There's a heater inside, but no AC, which makes these the most suitable during the spring and fall."
Playground proximity: When selecting campsites, consider distance to play areas. At Lebanon Hills, one family noted, "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 strategy: Willow River State Park Campground offers varied sites with different privacy levels. "We stayed at Site 133 and found it to be fairly spacious. One downside was that there's a trail running just behind the site, and several campers cut through our area to access it, which disrupted the sense of privacy."
Generator-free zones: Some campgrounds designate quiet areas without generator noise. "We appreciated being in a no-generator loop, which kept things peaceful—though highway noise was noticeable in the evenings," notes a Willow River camper.
Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds offer electric but limited water or sewer connections. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, sites have "Large campsites, most with thick wooded areas between the sites. Most of the trail heads start at the campground. No water at the site. Water nearby at stations."
