Tent camping near Wayzata offers diverse natural settings within a short drive of the Twin Cities metro area. Located in Hennepin County at an elevation of about 950 feet, the area features a mix of oak woodlands, restored prairies, and small lakes that reflect Minnesota's transition zone between deciduous forest and prairie. Late spring through early fall typically provides the most comfortable camping conditions, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during the day.
What to Do
Mountain biking at Elm Creek: The park offers 13.25 miles of single track trails with varying difficulty levels. "The newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels," notes one visitor to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve.
Swimming and beach activities: Several parks have designated swimming areas for summer recreation. "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to," shares a camper about Lake Rebecca Park Reserve.
Bird watching opportunities: The diverse habitats support numerous bird species. "Big park! Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home," reports a visitor to Lake Rebecca. Similarly, at Crow Hassan Park Reserve, a camper notes "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!"
What Campers Like
Secluded backcountry sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy of hike-in sites. At Lake Maria State Park Campground, one reviewer shared: "If you're looking for a peaceful escape where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birdsong, and frogs singing at dusk — Site B6 at Lake Maria State Park is the one."
Short hiking distances to sites: Most backcountry sites require only brief hikes. "BP7 didn't have much dead wood around so we had to reserve the firewood we purchased. Carrying firewood, food, water, gear, on a hilly trail through the woods can become real tough real fast for anyone that isn't physically active," notes a Lake Maria camper, emphasizing the importance of packing light.
Availability of amenities: Even remote sites typically include basic facilities. Another Lake Maria visitor explains: "Site comes with a fire ring, picnic table, and bear locker. Site 1 is my favorite despite the road noise due to the location of the tent pad and being on almost a peninsula offering lots of lake views."
What You Should Know
Reservations fill quickly: Popular sites book early, especially for summer weekends. At William O'Brien State Park Campground, a camper observed: "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."
Bug protection is essential: Minnesota's warm-weather months bring significant insect activity. "When we pulled up to the parking lot we knew we were in trouble. The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon," reports a Lake Maria visitor.
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more seclusion than others. At William O'Brien, a camper noted: "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites. I wouldn't want to stay here when the loop is fully reserved."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly amenities: Several parks have excellent facilities for children. One Lake Rebecca visitor mentioned: "The best kids park at any campground I've been to."
Choose sites with easier access: For families with small children, consider walk-in distances. At Afton State Park Campground, a camper 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."
Consider camper cabins: For families new to camping, cabins provide comfort with outdoor access. "Camper Cabin (Eastern Bluebird)🏡🐦 Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!" shares an Afton State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection is crucial: RV sites vary in size and accessibility. At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, a camper advises: "Also, there's some sites that are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance - there were LOTS of branches that needed to be trimmed back."
Check facilities before booking: Not all parks offer full RV hookups. "Sites are good and some can handle bigger RV's. Some Electric sites. Nice dump station," notes another Nerstrand visitor.
Consider weekday stays for more space: Parks are less crowded midweek. A William O'Brien camper suggests: "We planned this weekend with friends to camp in our matching teardrop trailers... Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop."
