The Twin Cities natural appeal is among our preferred features of living here, and what much better method to check out nature than with an outdoor camping journey?
And who stated that trip had to be very far?
While there’s technically just one camping area within the Minneapolis and St. Paul city limits (we’ll get to that!), there’s tons of gorgeous campgrounds within a brief drive of the metro.
If you’re like us and enjoy both outdoor camping and the Twin Cities, here are the 11 finest areas to go camping near Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Map of Campgrounds near Minneapolis and St. Paul
All-Around Winner– William O’Brien State Park Found about a one hour drive from Minneapolis and St. Paul, William O’Brien State Park ranks as our top option for go-to outdoor camping near the Twin Cities.
Positioned on the St. Croix River banks just north of Stillwater, the park is home to two large camping sites and lots of acres to spread out and take pleasure in a fast get-away. Of the 114 sites (with 71 consisting of electrical connections), lots of use panoramas of the location and are close to hiking trails.
Protip: The Riverway Camping area provides the very best campsites in the park, with some right on the St. Croix riverfront.
The Closest Outdoor Camping in The Twin Cities– Lebanon Hills Camping Area
Looking to access the closest camping site to the Twin Cities City? Look no further than the Lebanon Hills Camping area on the border of St. Paul and
Eagan. Simply 15 minutes from downtown St. Paul, it’s our suggestion for anyone aiming to camp while they explore the rest of the Twin Cities area.
While Lebanon Hills provides a lot of hiking, paddling, and cycling choices, this is metropolitan outdoor camping at its finest. Expect a little more traffic and airplane noise from MSP than the other camping sites on this list.
Best for Treking– Willow River State Park
If you’re like me, camping does not just involve sitting in a lawn chair for the weekend. When provided the choice, our camping team prefers terrific treking along with our outdoor camping destinations.
Located 25 miles east of downtown St. Paul just outside Hudson, Wisconsin, Willow River State Park is among the top treking locations in the Twin Cities location. You’ll discover 13 miles of hiking tracks leaving directly from the campground area, the most popular of which takes a trip along Willow River to Willow Falls.
However, Twin Cities campers must note that Wisconsin State Parks charge parking and higher charges for non-residents. So expect your stay in the camping site here to be a bit more expensive if you live across the border.
Finest for Testing New Gear or for Trying Backpacking– Lake Maria State Park
Have a new tent that you’re not too sure about? Searching for a spot to check out some brand-new hiking boots? Required to find out if you and your partner are up for a multi-day backpacking trip? Lake Maria State Park near Monticello is about 45 miles northwest of downtown Minneapolis, making it the best area to evaluate your new gear or your new outdoor camping buddy!
All websites here are hike-in and simply far enough to evaluate out your sense of over night adventure.
Protip: We specifically enjoy the lakeside websites along Bjorkland Lake!
Best for Fall Colors– Frontenac State Park
Located 1-hour drive south of the Twin Cities metro along the Mississippi River near Red Wing, you’ll discover tiny (but mighty) Frontenac State Park.
The stunning limestone bluffs here ignore Lake Pepin and are among our favorite locations to see fall colors. From the river ignores, you can see miles of Mississippi River bluffs and appreciate the foliage across the method into Wisconsin.
The campground here has 58 woody sites that are expanded far enough you may even forget there are other campers around.
P.S.– We like this spot a lot that we included it in both our best field trip from Minneapolis/ St. Paul short article and our best journey article.
Best for Camping with Youngsters– Lake Elmo Park Reserve
One of the closest camping sites to the downtown metro area, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, becomes part of the Washington County Park System.
There’s 2 main reasons the 80 modern camping areas and five hike-in websites snag our elect the very best camping with youngsters:
- First, if the wheels fall off on your outdoor camping experience in the middle of the night, it’s not too far to leave and head home.
- Second, the wheels are not likely to fall off due to the fact that there are lots of ways for kids to have a good time at the park here!
Campers here have access to among the very best beaches in the Twin Cities, new playground devices, access to cycling and hiking trails, and park activities on weekends all summer season long.
Finest Area to Camp with Family Pets– Cleary Lake Regional Park
We understand lots of furry good friends that like to camp simply as much as their people. Cleary Lake Regional Park near Prior Lake is just a short 30-minute drive south from downtown Minneapolis and snags our choose the very best spot to camp with pets.
The park has a 28-acre off-leash pet dog park (among the very best canine parks in the Twin Cities!) near the campground and a location for Fido to take a swim in the lake.
Plus, at only $16 per night, there’s plenty of additional cash left in the wallet for extra canine deals with!
Best for Paddle Trips– Wild River State Park
Located 50 miles northeast of the downtown Twin Cities city location, Wild River State Park is a water lover’s paradise. The camping area here lines the banks of the St. Croix River and is one of the very best kayaking and canoeing destinations in the Twin Cities.
You’ll have the choice to rent paddling devices, including shuttle bus service up the river for half-day and full-day float trips back to the camping area.
Best for Boating & Fishing– Ham Lake Camping Area
Among the couple of personal camping sites on this list, Ham Lake Campground, is about thirty minutes drive north of downtown Minneapolis & St. Paul.
The 95 campgrounds here are a popular location for campers who prepare to invest simply as much time in the boat as in the camping site.
You’ll also discover resort occasions and themed weekends all summer season long.
- Address: 2400 Constance Blvd NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304
- Website: Ham Lake Resort
- Bookings:( 800) 231-0425
Best for Wildlife -Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park was one of our very first camping destinations when we relocated to the Twin Cities and still among our favorite areas to bring first-time camper good friends.
Found 50 minutes south of the Twin Cities near Northfield, MN, we enjoy coming here for the hiking, fall colors, and the opportunity to see wildlife. We often see white-tailed deer on our drive into the camping site and discover the birdwatching here to be first-class!
Best for recreational vehicle’s– Minneapolis Northwest KOA
It wouldn’t be a list of camping sites without mentioning a KOA.
Twin Cities Minneapolis Northwest KOA is located about 20 minutes outside the Twin Cities metro near Maple Grove. It has everything travelers enjoy about KOA options– big areas for RVs, an outside pool, mini-golf, and weekend resort activities for the kids.
If you remain in the south city, the Twin Cities has a KOA choice near Jordan, MN too.
A local to the Twin Cities shares her favorite and best locations to go camping near Minneapolis and St. Paul!