Looking for the best Glenwood City tent camping? Finding a place to camp in Wisconsin with your tent has never been easier. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
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.
For the adventurers spending the weekend climbing at Interstate State Park, the cyclists on a bike tour, or anyone wanting to spend the night amidst the stars and owls, rent a campsite at Lily Springs Farm and pitch your tent on the lakeshore! Bring your tent or your hammock and set up a cozy nest on the lakeshore. Campsites have easy swimming access.
$70 / night
Tent only campground.
$22 - $132 / night
$15 / night
Camping is available at Straight Lake State Park. There are 10 hike-in campsites at the park, with the distance to the sites ranging from a few hundred feet to 0.3 miles.
Campers need to practice carry-in/carry-out and should bring their own water. Glass containers are prohibited at Straight Lake. Supplies are available in the village of Luck.
We have a country quiet atmosphere surrounded by woods and natural habitat.
$35 - $1200 / night
A unique peninsula with over 1 mile lake frontage. Our vacation homes and campsites are well-spaced, red cedar trees give the resort its name.
On the Water Pets Welcome/Inquire WI-FI
$30 - $45 / night
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.
Scout
15% Profit Share in the Challenge Stage https://instantfundingnow.com/#
TravelerThis is a smaller Corps of Engineers park, lots of primitive sites and lots electric sites too. A smaller lake but no gas motors. Cell service with Verizon was ok.
Guide
This is a solid state park offering. The sites are decently spaced with good tree cover. Noise seemed to travel between sites, I had some loud neighbors during the day but they settled down before quiet hours. The grass was easy to get tent stakes into. Bathrooms were your basic state park situation. Clean with warm showers so no complaints from me. The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance.
Legend
Nice campground
ScoutThis campground is closed permanently
Guide
Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area. The water itself is ok, lots of geese and algae. The falls are wonderful though. The bathrooms are fine. I could not find a garbage bin to save my life, not near the bathrooms or anywhere in campground 200 or by the park ranger post. If there were garbage cans dispersed throughout the campground, I would have given 5 stars. Especially along the trail to the waterfalls because there was garbage all along the trail unfortunately. Not the camps fault, but maybe people would be more responsible if garbage bins were placed along the route.
GuideCreek,lake,showers,laundry,full hookups,camp store,arcade,kids play areas,beach and more. Pricey! Plan on 60$/day
Guide
The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids. Constructing is scheduled to the end of 2025.
We stayed in a group site but there was no way 35 people could have camped in W3. Vaulted toilets need help and a good cleaning.
The shower house needed a cleaning as well. There is no adjusting the shower temperature. Push the button and you get what you get.
Wood was $8 bundle. This was steep in my opinion. They do not all any gathering of firewood.
If your vehicle permit is not properly displayed, you will receive a notice on your windshield and have to talk with the office.
The dumpster was overflowing the whole time we were there.
Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away.
Lastly we had a battle with mosquitoes. We went through a lot of bug spray and coils. Deer flies were thick around the water filling station.
Although we did not stay in the main campground the sites are very close in there and were small.
Scout
This was a great experience overall. The sites are spacious and far enough away from others to feel like there was enough privacy.
The one negative thing was that some neighbors watched a movie each night — starting just after quiet hours. We could hear their movie from across a road and through some trees (and tents).
But overall it was great. Good hiking and geocaching.
We would go back to this campground.
TravelerLots of RV campers, but none were obnoxious. T-mobile service is almost non-existent depending on location. The showers and bathrooms were spotless. Firewood is available at several roadside stands just outside the entrance.
Guide
Well used county park on a nice clear lake. The sites are close together with little privacy and close to the road which is noisy during the morning and evening but quiets down at night. Lots of kids! Nice to see families camping and having fun! Swimming, fishing, riding bikes, playground. Clean bathrooms (at least the women’s). Not our cup of tea but fine for a one night stopover. Loons calling at night and in the morning!
ScoutVery no frills camp site. Sites are decently sized, has some good views. It's missing a sculley.
ScoutReally enjoyed the experience! It’s beautiful and good mix of quiet and lots of activity’s. Can tube down the creek, very shallow so even littles can do it too. Site 133 was super small, so much so I thought he was kidding. Saw site 204 was open and switched to that one instead. Dogs welcome which was super nice!
TravelerPlenty of sites and hiking to do. Very cool area. The falls are awesome!
GuideI have been coming to Wild River since I was a kid. Nice park, scenic trails, horses on the way in.
Traveler
In June 2024 we had a one day primitive spot on sperry lane you can drive over a tight steel bridge “crossing a small creek. There’s only 3 sites here but are spacious and separated from the rest of the campground but still having walking distance to exceptional bathroom and showers which you can enter into a bar for a cocktail. We enjoyed our spot #3 but bring mosquito spray there were terrible but we had a screened tent which helped. Will definitely return again.
Scout
Through a short weekend trip the camp site was a great size for us. Everyone was nice and friendly especially camp staff. The kayaking/ canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6.
Guide
Enjoyed this island campground. There is a RV focused and a tent focused camping loops. This is a nice location for fisherman and kayaks/canoes. There are a few hiking trails that are loaded with mosquitoes (given the location and amount of water). There is a small beach to play in the water, playground and ball field. The bathrooms are nicely kept but dated. Great location to go with kids.
Guide
This campground is a great option close to the Twin Cities. There are small number of hike in camp sites with nearby water (Straight Lake). The park offered carts to help pack in camping supplies. The Ice Age Trail also runs next to this park. The amount of mosquitos seemed higher than other Wisconsin locations. The lake shore, when we visited, was blocked by lots of vegetation, geese droppings with one small access point which would be great for kayaks; however you can't expect much more since it is a rustic campground.
GuideStayed here for our first camping of the season. It's a great park that has hiking, mountain bike trails, water features and good mix of electric and non electric sites.
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.
ScoutIt’s a great park conveniently located near the twin cities making it a great spot for a quick getaway.
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!
GuideWe were here for a night to see a concert at the amphitheater and everyone was super friendly. It was easy to check in, and we were able to do laundry and shower which was great. It’s mostly gravel but they have some tent sites on the grass. They are dog friendly and have some grassy areas to walk your pets which was great.
Scout
Being from Alberta my campground standards are high but I also prefer a neat and simple campsite. When Rice Creek Campground opens up again in April I'd highly recommend going there if all you want is a simple camping experience to get away from the city grind. I had my tent, fire and books to read and was the happiest camper in the world. I went there no joke because my driver from tow truck red deer recommended it and I stopped while in the area. So glad I did!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Glenwood City, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Glenwood City, WI is Afton State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Glenwood City, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
