Tent camping near Zumbrota, Minnesota offers accessible options within a rural landscape dominated by rolling farmland at elevations between 800-1,200 feet. The area sits at the northern edge of the driftless region, characterized by steep bluffs and river valleys cut through limestone. Most campgrounds remain open from May through October, with seasonal closures due to Minnesota's harsh winters.
What to do
Trout fishing opportunities: The Whitewater River near Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground provides excellent fishing spots. "A lot of great trout fishing spots along the river. Very peaceful campground, great view of the stars on clear nights!" according to a reviewer who stayed at nearby Aefintyr.
Hiking varied terrain: The trail system at Afton State Park Campground offers significant elevation changes and diverse ecosystems. "Lots of trails with a wide variety of landscapes. Prairie, forest, river, it's got it all," writes Adam P. Another camper noted they "hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!"
Winter activities: Several parks in the region maintain winter accessibility. At Afton State Park, a visitor reported: "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks. These have some great amenities and are perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring."
What campers like
Secluded cart-in sites: Campers praise the cart-in sites at Gooseberry Glen for their privacy. "The sites were quiet, woodsy and secluded... We could see site 4 from our site, but all we could hear was the stream," writes Sarah D., who recommends "site 4 because it was the most private and right next to the water."
Nature viewing opportunities: Aefintyr campground provides excellent stargazing opportunities. A camper mentioned it's "a great place to view the stars. Each site has a bundle of firewood so you can roast your s'mores and cook your food." The location sits away from major light pollution sources.
Lake access: The beach at Roberds Lake Resort and Campground provides water recreation options. One visitor noted, "The sunsets were spectacular at the private beach, boat rental availability for a whole day, flexible and friendly."
What you should know
Site accessibility varies: The cart-in sites at Gooseberry Glen require minimal effort. "Right when you park you see the push carts and it is a very short walk to the campsite," reports Molly Y. In contrast, Afton's sites demand more work: "The hike to the campground is short and grueling."
Seasonal considerations: Fall colors attract many visitors to the area. At Gooseberry Glen, a camper reported, "Several people recommended Whitewater State park for fall colors close to the twin cities, and I cannot thank all the people who recommended it enough!"
Firewood availability: Different parks handle firewood differently. At Hok-Si-La City Park, standard cut firewood is available for purchase. At Afton, "they do have firewood available however it is long slab wood, so you do need to cut it yourself. Hand hacksaws are provided, but we're not great quality which made cutting the wood difficult."
Tips for camping with families
Look for tent-only campgrounds: Hok-Si-La offers a family-friendly environment with no vehicle traffic. "The security and family friendly atmosphere make it worth the extra cash," writes Emily H., adding that "It limits traffic driving through the campground, and is really nice to not have vehicles driving through at all hours."
Consider accessibility needs: When camping with children, factor in hiking distances. At Gooseberry Glen, "The cart in sites felt woodsy and secluded, but it was a fairly short walk back to the parking lot, bathrooms, and water," making it manageable for families with young children.
Book group sites when available: For larger family gatherings, Hok-Si-La offers spacious group sites. "The group sites are spacious and well spaced out... you definitely don't feel like you are on top of each other or another group," notes Beth W. Another camper adds, "G4 or G5 right on the lake for group sites" are recommended.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Cannon River Wilderness Area technically allows RVs but has significant limitations. "Not sure about camping in the parking lot overnight. Love the park, just not for camping," cautions Tim B., who explains the campground is primarily designed for "hiking and winter snowshoeing and cross country skiing."
Hookup availability: At Roberds Lake Resort, electrical hookups are available, though "Hook ups a bit squished together," according to Jaime N. Water and sewer hookups are also available, making this one of the few full-service options for RVers in the area.
Site spacing considerations: Most RV-friendly campgrounds near Zumbrota have limited privacy between sites. As one camper at Roberds Lake Resort noted, the density of sites combined with humidity can create "a very thick smoky haze due to the density and humidity" on busy weekend nights.
