Tony Y.
Scout
ScoutCannon Falls Campground
Great for Kids!!
This was our first camping experience and it was a great one! I would highly recommend this for anyone’s first or fifth camping adventure!
Best Campgrounds near Hudson, WI
Located near the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, the camping landscape around Hudson provides a mix of state parks and county facilities with diverse site options. Willow River State Park Campground serves as a primary camping destination, featuring over 100 sites including electric hookups and spacious, wooded sites across three campground loops. The St. Croix River valley contains several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive of Hudson, most offering accommodation for tents and RVs, with some facilities like Afton State Park and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park also providing cabin options. Campground density increases along the river corridor where state and regional parks maintain developed camping areas.
Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays, particularly during the peak season from May through October when campgrounds regularly reach capacity. Most campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though winter camping brings reduced services with limited bathroom access and no shower facilities. Electric sites are common throughout the region, but full hookups with sewer connections are less prevalent, available primarily at private campgrounds and select county parks. Cell service varies by location and carrier, with several reviewers noting good 5G coverage in the newer campground loops at Willow River State Park. According to one visitor: "T-mobile reception was good in the 100 loop. No reception in the other two loops as they are down the hill farther."
The waterfall at Willow River State Park represents a key attraction for campers, with hiking trails connecting campground areas to scenic overlooks and swimming areas. Campers frequently mention the balance of natural amenities and modern conveniences, with multiple reviews highlighting the park's well-maintained facilities. Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds and specific loops, with the 300 loop at Willow River described as having better lake access but more foot traffic. Several visitors commented on the convenient proximity to the Twin Cities, making these campgrounds popular for weekend getaways. A review mentioned: "It's a great park conveniently located near the twin cities making it a great spot for a quick getaway." Families particularly appreciate the combination of hiking trails, swimming opportunities, and playground facilities found at many of the established campgrounds in the area.
Best Camping Sites Near Hudson, Wisconsin (122)
1. Willow River State Park Campground
62 ReviewsHudson, WI4 milesWebsite+1 (715) 386-5931"Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."
"You can’t even tell you’re in Hudson. Nice hiking trails, nice lake that rents kayaks and canoes, and a beautiful waterfall at the end of the hiking trail."
2. Afton State Park Campground
37 ReviewsAfton, MN7 milesWebsite+1 (651) 436-5391$22 - $85 / night
"It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees."
"Afton state park is a 1700 acre park just outside Woodbury that has excellent river views from the campground."
3. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
37 ReviewsLake Elmo, MN8 milesWebsite+1 (651) 430-8370$23 - $80 / night
"Well placed sites nestled near lovely walking trails - Very nice water hook ups and electric- well maintained! Loved this Camping Site!"
"For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."
4. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
20 ReviewsDenmark, MN12 milesWebsite+1 (651) 430-8240"Washington County, which manages campgrounds at both the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St Croix Bluffs Regional Park, does a great job of maintaining campgrounds, trails, and bathroom facilities at both parks"
"A great location along the St. Croix River, easily accessible from the Twin Cities or from West-Central Wisconsin. "
5. William O'Brien State Park Campground
39 ReviewsMarine on St. Croix, MN18 milesWebsite+1 (651) 539-4980$25 - $90 / night
"Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."
"Our site was a non-electric site on the outside ring, with just a thin slip of woods and a hiking trail between us and the St. Croix river."
6. Lebanon Hills Regional Park
43 ReviewsApple Valley, MN26 milesWebsite+1 (651) 480-7773$24 - $42 / night
"We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. it has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps."
"We camped in the East Loop and were close to the bathrooms & playground. Our camp site was very private/secluded."
7. Apple River Family Campground
6 ReviewsMarine on St. Croix, MN12 milesWebsite+1 (715) 247-3600$30 - $150 / night
"This this is an amazing Campground with two heated pools one up top and one down below they're also campsites located right alongside the river the campground offers tubing disc golf and many other activities"
8. Hoffman City Park
4 ReviewsRiver Falls, WI9 milesWebsite+1 (715) 425-0924$10 - $20 / night
"There is a dumping station at the exit. There are no fire pits, bring your own. Great wooded hiking trails."
"Right next to the freeway, so you will hear that at night. There are a lot of restaurant options near by if you don’t want to cook."
9. Interstate State Park Campground
52 ReviewsTaylors Falls, MN30 milesWebsite+1 (715) 483-3747$24 - $50 / night
"This is a state park on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix River, which is mirrored by a comparable but smaller state park in Minnesota on the wrst side of the river, both being part of the wild and scenic"
"Interstate State Park is situated along the St Croix River just outside the small town of Taylor Falls, MN."
10. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park
17 ReviewsLino Lakes, MN22 milesWebsite+1 (763) 324-3340$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"We took a 30 minute drive north of the cities for a quick get away, and were rewarded with a very nice campground! The check in staff was friendly, helpful and efficient."
Recent Camping Photos near Hudson, WI
254 Photos of 122 Hudson Campgrounds
leif D.
Willow River State Park Campground
Erik R.
Afton State Park Campground
Kelly H.
Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
Daryl L.
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
Bryce R.
Apple River Family Campground
Nicole R.
William O'Brien State Park Campground
Amy G.
Rice Creek Campgrounds
Krista T.
Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Krista T.
Lily Springs Regenerative Farm
Jeff F.
Highland Ridge
Benjamin
Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir
Anna M.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Recent Reviews near Hudson, WI
757 Reviews of 122 Hudson Campgrounds
- TTom
RangerStockholm Park Campground
Nice site on Mississippi River
Beautiful setting along the Mississippi River. A few campsites right on the river edge. Also sites with Electric.
Across the railroad tracks is the nice little village of Stockholm which is famous for the PIE Shop. The village also has a wonderful bakery and other small shops and cafes.
A very nice Nature Center outside of town with great prairie trails and views overlooking the Mississippi River up high in the bluffs.
The campground does NOT have showers.
Campground does not have sewage dumping station.
The campground is located close to the railroad tracks but the trains go through fast and were not as bad as we expected.
- PPad F.
GuideFrontenac State Park Campground
Bluffs overlooking Lake Pepin
Clean level campsites, many overlooking Lake Pepin. Sites are short but there are separate areas to park your vehicle if needed. Not many electric sites. Many sites have tent pads and there are frequent pit toilets and well as a new restroom and shower building. Quiet except for the low rumble of frequent trains from both the Wi and MN sides. Lots of great trails! Of varying difficulties.
T
TravelerLake Byllesby Regional Park
Nice beach
Well maintained. Nice beach.
- TTraveler
Cannon River Wilderness Area
Year round free camping
Been camping here year round for 20+ years. Free, first come first served rustic hike/cart in sites with steel fire ring/grill. There are 4 official sites and 2 more unofficial sites with no fire ring.
If you camp with animals: Sites all sit directly off walking trail very popular with dog walkers.
Christine H.TravelerTurtle Lake City Park
Not free
Electric hookup, dump station on site. Sites are a little close together. $25/night with a 7 day max stay.
Jay W.
LegendInterstate State Park — Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
Great park, plenty around the area...BUT THE NOISE!!!
Interstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35. The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby. There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.
The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin. The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age. The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.
There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites. The South is a bit more rustic. The showers are located at the North campground.
For amenities there are flush toilets and showers. There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities.
This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area. You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options. If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.
Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the hwy crossing over the river. The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.
Blake K.ScoutFrontenac State Park Campground
Beautiful Views
You have clear views of the River and Valley from the campgrounds.
CindyTravelerAvatan Family Nudist Campground
"Family-Friendly" in Name Only: A Cautionary Tale from a Disillusioned Par
We visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
Guide to Hudson
Camping spots near Hudson, Wisconsin offer a mix of riverside and wooded sites with varying levels of privacy. The St. Croix River valley forms the natural boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota, creating a unique landscape of bluffs, rolling hills, and riverside camping opportunities. Winter camping remains available at several parks in the area, though temperatures typically drop below freezing from December through February with average snowfall of 45-50 inches annually.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Willow River State Park Campground, trails connect directly to the park's main attraction. "Huge park, you can climb the cliffs surrounding the falls and there are plenty of trail both paved and unpaved," notes Arielle P. Multiple trail difficulties accommodate different hiking abilities.
Kayaking and canoeing: Lake access is available at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, offering water recreation within 20 minutes of Hudson. According to Timothy S., "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming." The park also rents kayaks for those without their own equipment.
River tubing: Somerset provides river recreation options with tubing along the Apple River. A visitor describes the experience: "We did a ride to 3 hour tubing right back to the campground," with transportation provided upstream and floating back to your campsite. The river's current varies by season, moving faster in spring and early summer.
What campers like
Proximity to Twin Cities: Many campers appreciate the accessibility from Minneapolis/St. Paul. According to one reviewer at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, the park offers "Beautiful trails. Easy boat launch. Clean facility. The staff is super nice. Great hiking trails, bike trails, nearby horseback riding. Quick trip to Afton for lunch at Afton House Inn."
Site privacy: Lebanon Hills provides more secluded options despite metropolitan proximity. "Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines," writes Katie C., highlighting the range of privacy options. Another camper notes, "Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen, and we didn't hear them either."
Winter camping options: While many parks reduce services in winter, Afton State Park Campground offers year-round camping including camper cabins and yurts. Jason S. explains, "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 you should know
Cell service variations: Coverage depends on specific campground loops and carriers. At Willow River State Park, Maria D. reports, "We stayed at Site 133... One downside was that there's a trail running just behind the site, and several campers cut through our area to access it, which disrupted the sense of privacy."
Potable water access: Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. Some sites require bringing water from communal spigots or fill stations. During holiday weekends, Adam P. warns, "These sites do require a hike from parking. Would strongly discourage big coolers or lots of weight."
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. At William O'Brien State Park Campground, Dani K. shares, "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."
Firewood regulations: Parks typically sell firewood onsite ranging $6-8 per bundle. Lebanon Hills campers mention "self-pay available at site 74e if the ranger station is closed. Bring exact change since you'll be paying by envelope." Outside firewood may be prohibited to prevent spreading invasive species.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with varying amenities. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, a reviewer mentions, "Wonderful site! Feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities. Great beach & sunrise." Some swimming areas include lifeguards during peak summer months.
Playground facilities: Many campgrounds include play areas for children. In Interstate State Park, Brian C. notes, "A nice spot for families. The campers were very friendly and welcoming to us parents and our toddler. A beautiful spot, right along the river, there are trails for all levels."
Educational programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities during summer months. According to one visitor at Lake Elmo, "They also have an archery range and on Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch. Very organized and clean facilities."
Tips from RVers
Site sizes: RV lengths accommodated vary widely between campgrounds. At Apple River Family Campground, one visitor cautions, "The road to get to our water view site (69) was narrow and tricky with the camper but it was worth it for that peaceful view!"
Hookup availability: While electric sites are common, sewer connections are limited. At St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, one RVer notes, "My only wish is that my little dog could join us and they had full hook ups." Several reviewers recommend calling ahead to verify exact hookup availability before booking.
Dump station locations: Most parks provide dump stations near entrances. At Hoffman City Park, Mary H. points out, "This campground has electric but not water hook up. There is a dumping station at the exit." Dump stations may close seasonally during winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hudson, WI?
What camping is available near Hudson, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hudson, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 122 campgrounds and RV parks near Hudson, WI and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hudson, WI?
Which is the most popular campground near Hudson, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hudson, WI is Willow River State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 62 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hudson, WI?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hudson, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Hudson, WI.
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