Best Tent Camping near Woodbury, MN
Tent campers seeking outdoor experiences near Woodbury, Minnesota have several options within a 30-mile radius, including Afton State Park Campground with its secluded hike-in tent sites. Located along the St. Croix River valley, Afton offers backpack-style tent camping in both wooded and prairie settings. William O'Brien State Park Campground, approximately 25 miles north of Woodbury, provides additional tent camping opportunities with walk-in sites that accommodate tent setups in a natural setting.
Most tent campgrounds in the area require some hiking to reach the sites, with Afton State Park featuring a one-mile trail with a steep incline at the end. Many tent sites include basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary by location. At Afton, tent campers have access to vault toilets, a solar-powered water pump, and self-serve firewood for $6 per bundle that requires cutting with provided saws. A recent review noted, "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 to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion."
The tent camping experience near Woodbury offers genuine seclusion not always found in developed campgrounds. Afton's tent sites are strategically placed to maximize privacy, with sites spread far enough apart to create a sense of isolation despite the park's proximity to the Twin Cities. A camper wrote, "The woods made it very secluded. It was close enough to water and bathrooms so it wasn't bad if you planned." The terrain at many tent campgrounds features a mix of wooded areas and open spaces, providing options for campers who prefer shade or sun exposure. Several trails connect the tent campsites to scenic overlooks, river access points, and multi-use trail systems, making these locations ideal for hikers looking to extend their outdoor adventures beyond the campsite.
