Do you enjoy camping but don't want to rough it? Glamping is a great option. Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. The Dyrt makes it easy to find glamping for your Eau Galle Lake adventure.
Located on the St. Croix River, just 20 miles east of Saint Paul, Afton State Park is great for those looking for camping near Minneapolis and is 1600 acres of rolling prairies, oak woodlands, and limestone river canyons amid an ancient glacial landscape. The land for the park was acquired in 1967, but it took almost 15 years of planning revisions and compromises with local residents before the park finally opened in 1982. Little development has gone into Afton State Park in an effort to maintain its natural characteristics, and former farmland atop the bluffs are continuously being restored to their original state. This makes Afton an ideal destination for campers looking to experience the outdoors in a wilder setting.
Load up your backpack with all you’ll need for your stay, as camping at Afton State Park requires a hearty, 0.75-mile hike in from the parking area. The year-round campground offers 27 rustic sites with picnic tables and fire pits, with options for pitching your tent in either open or wooded areas. There is drinking water, a vault toilet and firewood is supplied within the camp area. There is also three boat-in campsites, and two group campsites that can accommodate up to 60 people each. If you’d rather not rough it, the park also offers four camping cabins and two yurts, some of which are wheelchair accessible. There are also several picnic areas and restrooms within the park. Campsite rates range from $15–$23/night; cabins range from $55–$70/night, and yurts $50–$65/night.
When you’re ready to explore, start at the park’s Nature Store where you can pick up information about the park’s flora and fauna, or join a nature walk. Then choose from more than 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, as well as a short barrier-free path. If you’re visiting in winter, many of these trails are open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Bring your GPS and go on a geocaching treasure hunt, or bring your binoculars and go on safari for a variety of migratory birds, waterfowl, and wildlife, including deer, foxes and badgers. And little ones will love becoming Junior Park Naturalists and learning about bugs, birds, plants and other critters. If you’re looking for a real outdoor adventure, Afton State Park has what you’re looking for.
Reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape. Located 7 miles South of Menomonie off of Hwy 25 and 1 mile North of Downsville. Whether you're looking to get away and relax amongst the trees, adventure on the trails, or hop into town to check out local restaurants and breweries you're in the right place. Located just one mile from the Red Cedar Bike Trail. If you enjoy camping and want the nature experience, but without the hassle, glamping is for you! Come visit us!
Things to do on our beautiful property:
- Hike and wander the marked trails leading to beautiful views of the Red Cedar River
- Relax around a bonfire in the provide fire rings
- Bike or walk the historic trail Red Cedar State Trail located 1 mile South on Hwy 25 in Downsville.
- Visit Scatterbrain Cafe for breakfast, lunch, and coffee (Downsville)
- Visit Dunn Pottery for one of a kind pottery gifts (Downsville)
$69 - $120 / night
$20 - $75 / night
$38 / night
Kruger Management Unit campground is adjacent to the Zumbro River Water Trail. The campsites are considered primitive, designed to furnish only the basic needs of the camper. Each has a cleared area, fire ring, and table. Vault toilets, garbage cans, and drinking water are available. All sites are on a first-come, first-served basis for a fee. Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m. (this includes no generator use). Please be considerate of others around you.
$14 / night
$85 / night
Legend
The cabins in the woods are great in winter with snow on the pine trees. I would probably prefer the prairie cabins in the summer, especially with mosquitoes.
The wooded cabins have what seems like full-sized bunk beds built into the wall. Each bunk has its own reading light. The storage in this place is amazing. Storage under the bed, one doubter with ample storage under it, and even the windows are so deep that I was able to store most of my food on the sill.
The cabins are well-built and heated. The only downside is the trek to the bathroom. The bathroom is heated and open year round. There is a year round shower as well. There are two shower rooms and I don’t believe either has an outlet. You will need to dart across to the bathroom to blow dry your hair if you’re staying here and showering in the winter. Close enough to town if you need something, far enough away for peace and quiet.
You can use a slow cooker and a coffee pot in the cabin. Otherwise you can cook over the fire as well. They have potable water in the bathroom for washing your dishes in the cabin with.
Legend
NE of Chippewa Falls, offers secluded campsites, hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, picnic and playground areas and a swimming beach on a man-made lake. Boating, canoeing, kayaking and water skiing are popular summer activities on the lake. Showers and flush toilets in the campground. Firewood for sale at the park office. Picnic table and fire ring at each site. Sites are wooded and fairly secluded.
GuideI just stayed here one night because I was passing through the area. It worked out really well. I entered the campground late in the day. It was almost dark. They had a QR code that I used to make a reservation on the spot. I had a great night there. There's a hiking trail that completely goes around the campground. So I was able to walk my dog on that. I'm not sure how it would have been to stay as a vacation Target spot. Probably pretty fine. But it certainly was great on the shoulder season for a stopover.
Legend
Nice campground
ScoutVery no frills camp site. Sites are decently sized, has some good views. It's missing a sculley.
Traveler
Good pricing, great trails for all different skill levels and nice staff. Our site was mighty large and for the most part secluded from those near and on the path. $22 for the site, $8 for reservation. $8 for wood (all you can chop) and $7 for the overnight and next day parking pass for one car. Beautiful surroundings and clean bathrooms and grills one mile mostly uphill hike from parking lot but not to difficult and some paved parts. Definitely coming back.
ScoutGreat camp site, the ground was a little rocky so it was a little difficult to get the stakes in but we were able to get them in. Hiking trail right next to the campsite. Bathrooms and showers are nearby as well. Great place to stay!
TravelerBest trails and lots of wildlife.The park staff is great also. Love the price to camp along with the camping areas.
Guide
We stayed here a week. I have been here before. It's a great campground if you can get in. We came late in the season and got the one spot open for a week. BTW Camping Worlds huge store is just north on 35E. Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday.
The campground is neat and well managed. Aside from that no issues except being so close to a large city (Urban campgrounds are not for wilderness campers) and county airport (noise) occasionally. Close to the Twin Cities it is. Access to anywhere is easy. The Three rivers campgrounds triangulate the northern suburbs. Baker park, Bunker Hills Park, and Rice Creek are all close to the major parts of town.
TravelerGreat campground with all the amenities one might need, including showers, nice bathrooms, a park, a beach, trails. Right next to lakes and a nature preserve. Close enough to town in case you forget some things like we did. A county parking pass is required, they don't like people parking on the grass, and they have staff making rounds to enforce the shortest list of rules I've seen in the last couple of years. My only complaint is that the location of the porta-potties didn't match what the maps showed, so my seemingly perfect plan to be somewhat far from them failed and I ended up right next to one; it was clean and didn't smell, but we heard the door close every time. They have the campsites spaced out better than most other places I've camped and have trees and brush between the sites whenever possible. We tent camped and plan to bring our travel trailer next year. Definitely plan to stay here at least once a season.
TravelerNice spot to camp. Clean bathrooms and showers. Usually super busy in the summer and big family gatherings, but spots in the back are quiet
GuideSo I love goin to this campground. It has nice lakeside sites on a bluff above the water and they are fairly well laid out. There is a trial along the bluff connecting the two main loops of the campground. Showers and restrooms work, but are showing their age. They are scheduled to be rebuilt in the next couple of years...hopefully. One of the best parts of this is its proximity to breweries. Not talking Lienies, that's generally ok beer, but the Brewing Projekt, that's amazing beer. It's in downtown Eau Claire, but worth the drive. Also, if you want pizza, which is something we like to do on the day we arrive Chippewa Falls has pretty much anything you need within 20 of the campground. Nice hiking and biking trails as well. I've camped here in Spring, Summer and Fall and multiple sites.
GuideLake is huge with alot to explore. Not an overabundance of boat traffic. Camp facilities are brand new. Sites a level, plenty of shade. Hiking trails are awesome.
GuideNew facilities and hot showers. Great hiking trails, mountain biking. Equestrian trails also. Lake is huge, walleye are prevalent. Kayaking is great with other boat ramps available. Sites heavily wooded, low noise and light pollution. Easy access to all activities.
Guide
We really liked this campground. The paved trail around the area is really nice for walking the pups. Very clean and well kept campground.
The campground gets booked up fast, so book early!
The sites on and close to the water are long, but not very wide. The sites further back have alot more room at each site.
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're so happy to have this property on our platform. With comfortable beds, firewood, firewood starters, and trails, this property has it all. Secluded but close to town. Book them today and leave them a review here!
LegendSuper simple camping cabins. They each have 4 spots and have contactless entry as you get sent a code to use. 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.
GuideIf you’ve been anywhere in Minnesota or Wisconsin, you know about all the trees! As other reviews mention, this campground has a large grassy area - that gives a 100% clear obstruction for Starlink. We work full time, so this was important for us. HOWEVER, the other half of the campground is within a super treed area, so we got to pick!
The bathrooms were sparkling clean. The showers were hot and the laundry was reasonably priced. Had I known how much we liked the area, we would’ve stayed longer. 10/10 would recommend.
ScoutWe have lived in the Twin Cities for two decades and have never visited Rice Creek Chain of Lakes before. We will again! It's a lovely park, a reasonable biking distance from the Twin Cities (a lot on dedicated bike path). Sites are good sized with mix of sun and shade. Swimming beach is nice as well. Staff were very helpful.
GuideThis is our second stay at Lake Wissota SP. Last year we were in an electric site inside one of the loops, this time we’re sans electricity and overlooking the lake. Our site was spacious, level, shady, sandy (not grassy) and we had good cell service (we use Visible). We were here weekdays so lots of empty sites. Walking and biking in the park are nice. There’s single stream recycling dumpsters which is convenient. The shower houses haven’t been renovated like they have at other WI parks but apparently that’ll happen in the next couple of years. It’s a very nice quiet place to stay and the area has much to offer, be sure to visit Irvine Park and the Thai restaurant downtown!
ScoutNice spot! Alot of room for the campsite. Full hook up, and firepit conveniently located . Nice walking path to the river. Staff was friendly, and the grounds were super clean!
TravelerLake Wissota is beautiful and the beach area is very nice and well kept! Tons of nature trails for walking (easy). I like birdwatching and have seen a good variety of species!
RangerContinuing my quest to visit as many Wisconsin state parks as possible. I stopped by here to check out the campsites for potential future camping and look over the park. When I found was a very well-maintained park, love the viewing area of the lake. Campsites looked good as well.
GuideI really enjoyed it here! The campsites were big and spaced out enough (though check the map because some are close together).
Plenty of trails, a scenic out look, a beach, pavilion, volleyball, etc.
Dogs are allowed on leash, but cant be on the beach.
Half of the campground is closed for the off season.
Will ad more info soon!
TravelerWe had a fabulous experience at BJ's this weekend. Mark, Sheri and the staff are good people who work hard to make sure you have a great time. The food is excellent and comes out SO FAST; bravo to the kitchen staff! Bartenders are very attentive; Tasha took excellent care of us! The campsites are well kept and spacious. There are no picnic tables in the sites, but we got along just fine without. We can't wait to go back!
TravelerThis summer we took our 7 year-old here as a trial of backpacking camping with him.
This is a little more than a mile, and so it was super approachable for all of us to hike-in with all of our things. There was a good amount of hiking, some hills up and down and such, but a good length for a little guy.
Back in the campsites, there is A LOT of space. Everyone is super spread out, so we could feel like we had very good privacy. We heard a bit from other campsites, but with the space, we weren't bothered by others' noise nor did we feel like we needed to silence the kiddo to avoid bothering others.
GuideI'll start by saying that I like privacy and quiet and nature when I camp, otherwise I'd be staying in a hotel. But we were looking to get away for a weekend during the COVID times, and site 65E was the only powered site available for that weekend in all of the Wisconsin state parks, so we decided to go for it. If you're the social type with active young kids, that spot is perfect - it backs up to a large open field with cool playground equipment and has a trail to the field right next to the camper. You're also right next to the water faucet (plenty of people will stop to chat there) and across the street from the pit toilets. It's a VERY busy site. If I return, I'll pick site 107E, which is extremely private and far from everything. In general, the 100+ sites looked to be on the quiet, private side of the campground, although not all had power. Some of the unpowered sites. 69-79, had great lake views and were surprisingly spacious, although a hiking trail is between them and the lake. In late July, the loop starting with site 41 is absolutely teeming with ripe blackberries.
The shower houses have little notes on them apologizing for their state and saying they're scheduled for an overhaul soon because they're almost 50 years old. So definitely go in with low expectations. Few of the stalls for the flush toilets had working doors, and while the showers themselves worked ok, there were no hooks, shelves, or anywhere inside to place your belongings. My shower bag randomly has a suction cup and I optimistically tried to use it to stick to the pink tile wall, but even that didn't work. Such is life. Mirrors above the sinks were the polished metal type.
The pit toilets in the campsite have two stalls in each, so don't be surprised if you end up with a buddy.
The hiking trails around the park are great, nice long loops, and the ranger/park employee at the check-in area was very nice and knowledgable. We rented a kayak and paddled around the lake for a couple of hours - single and double kayaks as well as canoes are available for rent for the day. There was a rocky beach with so many signs up warning about different types of algae that we weren't sure if it was safe to swim or not, but definitely too gross to regardless. I didn't see anyone else in the water either.
If it's a clear night, the field with the playground equipment is a great place to sit and stargaze, as the park gets very dark at night. We were even able to catch a few meteors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Eau Galle Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Eau Galle Lake is Afton State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Eau Galle Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 glamping camping locations near Eau Galle Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
