122 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping opportunities near Woodbury, Minnesota include a variety of established campgrounds within a short drive of the Twin Cities metro area. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, located just minutes from Woodbury, provides modern and rustic camping with electric hookups, spacious sites, and water access. Several other developed campgrounds within 30 minutes of Woodbury include Afton State Park, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, offering a mix of tent camping, RV sites, and cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in this region maintain dedicated sites for different camping styles with varying levels of amenities.
Seasonal operation affects most camping areas around Woodbury, with many facilities operating from April through October. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekends and holidays during the peak summer season. Washington County parks like Lake Elmo require a daily or annual vehicle permit in addition to camping fees. While most campgrounds offer electric hookups, not all provide full water or sewer connections. Modern campgrounds typically feature showers and flush toilets, while more primitive sites may only have vault toilets or portable facilities. A recent review noted, "We stayed 12 nights here in April to May. It was so peaceful and quiet. Saw deer almost every day."
Campers frequently mention the surprising amount of privacy at sites in the Lake Elmo area despite being close to urban areas. The region's mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various outdoor interests with extensive trail systems, fishing opportunities, and swimming areas. Lake Elmo's filtered swimming pond receives particular praise from families with children. Most campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption, and pet policies vary significantly between parks. Several visitors highlighted the spaciousness of campsites at Lake Elmo, with one review stating, "The sites are spacious and far enough away from others to feel like there was enough privacy." Lebanon Hills Regional Park earned high ratings for its clean facilities and access to recreational activities, while Afton State Park provides more rustic camping options with hiking trails leading to scenic river overlooks.
"For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."
"Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."
from $23 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"
"Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."
from $25 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Afton state park is a 1700 acre park just outside Woodbury that has excellent river views from the campground."
"Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks."
from $22 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation"
"We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. 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."
from $24 - $42 / night
Check Availability"Minnesota is beautiful and there is so much to do here. The bathrooms are spotless and everything is new here."
"Washington County, which manages campgrounds at both the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St Croix Bluffs Regional Park, does a great job of maintaining campgrounds, trails, and bathroom facilities at both parks"
"Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."
"We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."
from $25 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"It was very easy to find, close to the twin cities, and clean. There was good access to kindling for a fire in the nice fire pit that has a grill."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"There is a fire ring outside of each cabin, along with a table. No cooking is allowed inside the cabins, which can make things rough if the weather isn't cooperating. "
"There is no cooking inside the cabin so you have to use the fire ring outside. Shower facilities are really nice and match the cabins. Plan ahead as these are hard to come by."
from $85 / night
Check Availability"There is a dumping station at the exit. There are no fire pits, bring your own. Great wooded hiking trails."
"Right next to the freeway, so you will hear that at night. There are a lot of restaurant options near by if you don’t want to cook."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
"Beach was closed but we still got some good walks in. Fire ring was a little shallow for my liking so had to get some solid coals going to get dinner on the table."
from $20 - $32 / night
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GuideI've stayed here twice now. I love that it's close to home. The park has a cute little waterfall that's fairly close to the main campground. They also have a whole different section of the park with hike in and cart in sites.
GuideIt's definitely not my favorite campground because it doesn't feel like you are in the woods. But I like it because it's close to the cities and I love the regional park for hiking, swimming, boating, etc.
There are three sections... First is the main rv section. The sites are very close together, like a lot of rv parks. Then there is the primitive camping loop which is where I stay. The sites are further apart and separated by trees and bushes. I don't love that recently they added a ton of mulch to each site, basically like a playground. It just doesn't fit the camping vibe.
There's another loop that's for both tents and rvs that also has a little more space and a playground in the center.
The staff is generally very friendly but they do have a lot of rules so beware.
ScoutThe Veterans Campground is by far the best campground we have ever been to! The people are amazing The grounds are well kept, very clean. This is our home away from home. It's the perfect place for your kids to be kids like we did in the 90's home by the time the street lights come on. Us parents can finally relax!
ScoutThis was our first camping experience and it was a great one! I would highly recommend this for anyone’s first or fifth camping adventure!
RangerBeautiful setting along the Mississippi River. A few campsites right on the river edge. Also sites with Electric.
Across the railroad tracks is the nice little village of Stockholm which is famous for the PIE Shop. The village also has a wonderful bakery and other small shops and cafes.
A very nice Nature Center outside of town with great prairie trails and views overlooking the Mississippi River up high in the bluffs.
The campground does NOT have showers.
Campground does not have sewage dumping station.
The campground is located close to the railroad tracks but the trains go through fast and were not as bad as we expected.
GuideClean level campsites, many overlooking Lake Pepin. Sites are short but there are separate areas to park your vehicle if needed. Not many electric sites. Many sites have tent pads and there are frequent pit toilets and well as a new restroom and shower building. Quiet except for the low rumble of frequent trains from both the Wi and MN sides. Lots of great trails! Of varying difficulties.
TravelerWell maintained. Nice beach.
TravelerBeen camping here year round for 20+ years. Free, first come first served rustic hike/cart in sites with steel fire ring/grill. There are 4 official sites and 2 more unofficial sites with no fire ring.
If you camp with animals: Sites all sit directly off walking trail very popular with dog walkers.
LegendInterstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35. The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby. There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.
The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin. The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age. The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.
There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites. The South is a bit more rustic. The showers are located at the North campground.
For amenities there are flush toilets and showers. There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities.
This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area. You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options. If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.
Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the hwy crossing over the river. The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.
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.
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!"
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.
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.
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Woodbury, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Woodbury, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 122 campgrounds and RV parks near Woodbury, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Woodbury, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Woodbury, MN is Lake Elmo County Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Woodbury, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Woodbury, MN.
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