Afton State Park Campground offers camper cabins and yurts for glamping close to Woodbury, Minnesota. These accommodations sit within a 1,700-acre park along the St. Croix River at elevations ranging from 675 to 800 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below zero, while summer highs typically reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity and occasional thunderstorms from June through August.
What to do
Trail exploration: The extensive network at Afton State Park Campground offers varying difficulty levels with significant elevation changes. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" shares Mike K., while another visitor notes watching wildlife: "Then I saw the snake. I literally grabbed my husband to hold him back from stepping on it."
Winter activities: When temperatures drop, Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins transform into cold-weather bases. "The cabins in the woods are great in winter with snow on the pine trees," explains Krista T. The park's winter preparations include "heated cabins with what seems like full-sized mattress bunk beds built into the wall. Each bunk has its own reading light."
Water recreation: Pack water gear for Lake Byllesby Regional Park, which offers lakeside sites with direct water access. "The lake is nice for fishing, boating or swimming," reports Carla A. Kayaking opportunities abound for those bringing their own watercraft, with multiple access points around the reservoir.
What campers like
Modern facilities: The shower buildings at several parks receive high marks for cleanliness and maintenance. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, campers appreciate that "the bathrooms were nice and clean. The only down fall was there was no trash cans in the campground only with you were leaving the campground."
Site privacy: Many visitors praise the spaciousness between sites at Wild River State Park Campground. "The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees," notes Stephanie H. For those seeking complete seclusion near Woodbury, the park's backpack sites offer solitude: "Secluded, River Front Buck Hill Site is right on the river, beautiful view to the east. Circled by flowers, brush and trees. End of the path so zero foot traffic."
Natural features: The parks surrounding Woodbury showcase diverse ecosystems. At Cleary Lake Regional Park, site 13 stands out as "the only one right on the water and it's HUGE with lots of trees and absolutely beautiful scenery." Similar landscape variety appears throughout the region's glamping options, with one Cleary Lake visitor noting "I really like the hike in sites. Short walk from the car and right by the water yet spaced nicely for privacy."
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Many glamping sites near Woodbury require advance planning. At Cleary Lake Regional Park, premium sites book quickly: "We camped here last minute when the rain held off and we could only find this campground with availability." For Whitetail Woods, "Plan ahead as these are hard to come by."
Seasonal considerations: Water access varies by season. At Wild River State Park, one visitor cautions: "Outside water is shut off during some parts of the year, so bring your own drinking water if you are camping close to/during winter." Similarly, facilities may be limited during shoulder seasons at many parks.
Distance from facilities: Some sites require significant walking to reach bathrooms or amenities. At Whitetail Woods, "The biggest downside is the middle-of-the-night trek to the bathroom." And at Afton, a visitor warns "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."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Families appreciate having swimming options during summer visits. Bunker Hills Regional Park offers "a large water park and wave pool" within the park boundaries. One parent shares: "We went with a ground of friends (all families with young kids). It was the perfect place to easily get in, set up, hangout, and just relax."
Playground availability: Baker Campground provides excellent recreational facilities for children. "This campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities. With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," notes a family visitor.
Site selection strategy: When booking at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, families should consider proximity to amenities. "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours," explains one visitor. Another adds that the park is "close enough to town if you need something, far enough away for peace and quiet."
Tips from RVers
Electric options: For RVers seeking power, Baker Campground provides reliable electric hookups in a pleasant setting. "We spent two nights in the campground. It was fairly busy, but we still felt secluded despite a full campground. There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities."
Site accessibility: RV campers report good access at Lake Byllesby Regional Park: "Very nice water front sites, clean, clean restrooms and showers, dump station." Another RVer notes they're "adding a bunch new sites. Should be ready for next season."
Seasonal availability: Most RV-friendly glamping options near Woodbury have limited operating seasons. Lake Byllesby operates from "April 30 to October 12," while Baker Campground runs "Apr 30 - Oct 20." Plan accordingly, as most water and electric hookups are winterized outside these periods.
