Get Back to Nature at 5 Great Campgrounds Around the Twin Cities

Camping is one of the best ways to get away from it all, literally and figuratively. Whether you're hard-core or you prefer a few amenities, there's something for everyone at these great sites near Springs at Apple Valley and Springs at Egan Drive.

Springs at Apple Valley

Lebanon Hills Regional Park
12100 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd, Apple Valley
651.480.7773
5.0 miles from Springs at Apple Valley

Lebanon Hills is only a 10-minute drive, but this 2,000-acre tree-studded park will make you feel like you're in another world. The park includes on-site restrooms, showers and laundry facilities along with hiking trails and a kids' playground. Leashed dogs are welcome. There is an $8 nonrefundable fee per reservation and tent sites start at $20 per night.

Afton State Park
6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings
651.436.5391
33.7 miles from Springs at Apple Valley

If you enjoy rugged backpack camping, Afton State Park gets high marks from visitors for its 20 miles of trails featuring breathtaking views of the St. Croix River. Activities include swimming and fishing and there is a visitor center with interpretive displays. Choose between standard campsites with bathrooms and showers or rustic campsites with primitive toilets and no showers. Fees start at $15 per night and there are also two seven-person yurts available starting at $50 per night.

William O'Brien State Park
16821 O'Brien Trail N, Marine on St Croix
651.433.0500
49.6 miles from Springs at Apple Valley

Tall white pine trees and dramatic limestone bluffs make O'Brien State Park a stunningly scenic place to camp. The park provides access to both the St. Croix River and Lake Alice for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. Campsite fees start at $15 per night, or if you prefer a roof over your head there are four cabins starting at $55 per night.

Springs at Egan Drive

Cleary Lake Regional Park
18107 Texas Ave, Prior Lake
763.694.7777
5.0 miles from Springs at Egan Drive

With no showers or electricity, Cleary Lake is a relatively rustic site, but the beautiful grounds and wide range of activities make this one of the more popular destinations around the Twin Cities. The park features a nine-hole golf course, a lake for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, hiking and biking trails, and an off-leash dog area. Fees are $16 per night and if you reserve a night between Sunday and Thursday, the next night is half-price.

Ham Lake Campground
2400 Constance Blvd, Ham Lake
763.464.5337
46.9 miles from Springs at Egan Drive

Lively Ham Lake is one of the more family-friendly campgrounds in the area. Kids will love the on-site petting area where they can feed goats, llamas and emus as well as enjoy the two playgrounds, swimming beach and fishing dock. Free crafts, face painting and games including Candy Bar Bingo are offered each non-holiday weekend. Row boats, canoes and bikes are available for rental. Campsites are $28 per night for tent-only and $37 including water and electric.

Do you have a funny camping story to share? Tell us in the comments!