Forest camping near Waconia

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97% (687 reviews)
97% (687 reviews)

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11 top forest campgrounds near Waconia

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Prairie Woods Farm Vineyards

1 site · RV, Tent15 acres · Lonsdale, MN
The Cannon River valley near Northfield is mostly flat, but as you move west towards Lonsdale, the topography becomes beautiful rolling hills that are the perfect setting for some of the first vineyards in Minnesota. Today, many vineyards dot our local landscape. In addition to the vineyards, our land contains a forest which is part of the original "Big Woods". When pioneers first came to the area, this large forest covered much of southern and central Minnesota. "Big Woods State Park" is just 35 minutes from us in Nerstrand. Our hiking trails on the property bring you from vineyard to woods to the wildflowers in summer. We love it and hope you will too. Learn more about this land: Just one site means relaxed, quiet camping! Pitch a tent and recharge at Prairie Woods Farm! 35 minutes south of the Twin Cities, 7 miles west of I-35 at the Northfield exit. The site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and an amazing vineyard view with incredible sunsets most evenings. Retreat to the screened "She shed" or roam the vineyards or woods. Firewood is available for purchase. Camp is a very short walk from the parking area and you may drive in to load and unload. (conditions permitting - Summer and Fall) or use the gear-hauling wagon if you want the exercise. You are welcome to park one vehicle at camp. On your way to Prairie Woods Farm, you'll quickly notice the change in topography from flat farmland into rolling hills. The views are spectacular and the camp offers a chance to enjoy the vineyard, wildlife, amazing sunsets, and peace & quiet. Each guest receives a welcome packet containing information on the area which is highlighted with some of our favorite things to see and do. If you chose to go exploring on your way, here are some ideas to get you started: Vineyards and Wineries: We are in the heart of Minnesota's wine-growing country where some of Minnesota's very first vineyards began. Within a few square mile area, there are 4 different vineyards growing over 30 tons of grapes for local wineries. Visit some winery tasting rooms within a short drive like Next Chapter in Montgomery, Vintage Escapes in Killkenny, Mousse sparkling wines in Jordan or Cannon Valley in Cannon Falls. A little farther is Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery in Kasota (near Mankato). All have a very different appeal and are worth a visit.  Enjoy the many Craft beers, cider, or spirits. If you love craft beers, visit Montgomery Brewing, Giesenbrau Bier Company, Imminent Brewing, Tanzenwald brewery, or Chapel Brewery. Prefer a homemade cocktail? Loon Liquors Distillery in Northfield specializes in hand-crafted gourmet cocktails made from their own spirits distilled on site.  Chankaska also offers hand-crafted cocktails from their distillery as well. For ciders, we highly recommend Keepsake Cidery, a lovely spot 15 minutes away that creates wonderful craft ciders and has excellent food! Boating and Fishing: If you enjoy boating or fishing, we are minutes away from many southern Minnesota Lakes.  Bring your canoe and explore the Cannon River! We are happy to help shuttle you if we are around. You can also tube the Cannon River with a shuttle service from Welch. Golf: Play the famous Willingers only 6 minutes away, Creeks Bend outside of New Prague, or public courses in Montgomery or New Prague, both of which offer a great day of golf. Local Places to explore: Our personal favorite diversion is the historic river town of Northfield. This quaint community on the Cannon River reminds us of a small European village with several walking bridges crossing the river with shopping, good restaurants, and pubs on both sides. Many feature live music or weekly jam sessions.  It's our favorite place to grab a drink and enjoy sitting by the river. There is even a downtown falls!  Listed on the National Historic Register, Northfield is home to two nationally known liberal arts colleges (Carleton and St Olaf), giving you a chance to catch a play, a recital, concert, or art show almost any day of the week. This is not a rowdy college town and prides itself on higher learning  (At over $50k per year to attend with high admission standards, they attract the best and brightest) . Traveling west from camp will take you to "Czech country" a collection of towns founded by those of Bohemian heritage. Explore historic St. Wenceslaus Church in New Prague; stop for a Kolachy (Czech sweet roll) at a bakery (Frankies Bakery in Montgomery are the best) or a bowl of authentic Vomachka soup at the Fish Tale Grill. Make sure to tune to KCHK radio (95.5 FM / 1350 AM) to know where the local polka bands are playing or to listen to polka music on the air!   Camping: Of course, most just stay onsite and hang out in the vineyard or walk our on-site hiking trails. (Trail maintenance in the woods varies each year due to the wet conditions)  Take in the amazing views while hiking the quiet country roads that stretch on for miles. Relax on the screen porch "She shed" and enjoy watching the lightning bugs or butterflies put on their air show! The most important thing to us is to stop rushing and enjoy the quiet solitude.  For you newbies, we are here for you! We are seasoned and active sea kayakers, canoeists, and backpackers who love to camp and teach.  Make sure you check out our additional options if you are interested in learning new skills or want to try out some gear you have been curious about. We look forward to meeting you and giving you a flavor of the amazing landscape and beauty of southern Minnesota wine country.  Motorcycles: An important note, you will need to drive on 1.5 miles of gravel road to reach our property.
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Prairie Creek Forest Campground

7 sites · Tents60 acres · Nerstrand, MN
Pitch your tent at one of our Walk-in campsites on 60 acres of forest or hilltop prairie along Prairie Creek in Rice County, MN. Explore the creeks, trails, forest, our enormous granite "split rock", a 60 acre county park featuring a waterfall and more trails, including a single track mountain bike course. That's 120 acres of exploring outside your tent; this campground truly offers a large amount of remote forest for recreation right on site. Big Woods State Park is less than 2 miles away. Faribault is 8 miles and Northfield is 9 miles from our driveway; they offer dining, boutiques, and all other amenities. Nerstrand is 4.5 miles east and has a gas station and a fantastic meat market. Numerous Cannon River put-ins are within 10 miles. Vehicles: Our main parking area by sites 1, 2, & 3 is easily accessible. The road to the secondary parking area beside site 4 is up a very steep hill. Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing. Sites are priced for one tent, please let us know if you need to have more than one tent. A map of the land is in the photos and shows locations of sites, parking and more. All Sites are Walk-In! We have a cart you may use to haul gear in. Site 1 is near the creek. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table. Site 2 is in the pines. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 3 is by the creek. Approximately 300 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring, steel grill ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 4 is on the hilltop. Approximately 150 feet from the secondary parking area Steel fire ring with grill grate, stone fire ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. This site has parking very near to the site (when weather permits). This campground is managed by Stephen and Molly on land owned by them and their father Ted. In 1961, Ted's parents bought this farm. Over the years, the arable land has been sold but we retained the wooded area which is crossed twice by a stream. About 20 years ago, a 60 acre county park was created to the south and west. The property is bordered on two sides by this county park. When Ted was in high school, the family sold the dairy cows and started a bare bones horseback riding ranch using trails in these woods as riding trails. We are very excited to host campers as a way to preserve and share this beautiful property.
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Paquin Farm

4 sites · RVs, Tents14 acres · Nowthen, MN
Spring has arrived and the farm is ready to enjoy! We are a small hobby farm that's located within one hour from Minneapolis/St. Paul. Our farm has wooded trails, bonfire pits, is quiet and very peaceful. Our little town is 10 minutes from most shopping, with multiple restaurants minutes away. We offer multiple locations to camp on the property. There is a concrete pad with (2) 30-amp electric and (2) water hookups. The 2 sites with hookups are very level and easy to park on. There are many other areas to park and camp, with access to water for filling up tanks, and an outhouse for bathroom needs. Beanbag toss, basketball hoop, and ladder game are available upon request. Firewood available for a small fee. The sunrises and sunsets are absolutely amazing with wildlife all around to gaze at and enjoy.
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Champion Valley

4 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Lakeville, MN
Champion Valley is a 150-acre outdoor adventure park in Lakeville, MN featuring ax-throwing, airsoft, paintball, escape rooms & archery tag. We are located 5 minutes off of Interstate 35W. It is situated on 150 acres of beautiful hills and waterways covered with thousands of trees.
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The Oaks at Oakwood Farm

2 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Oak Grove, MN
Enjoy 10 acres shared between 2 sites! The two campsites are large and can accommodate approximately 6 tents comfortably at each. If more is needed let us know we have room and can accommodate. There is a shared bathroom/changing room and trash/recycling between the sites. There is a water point in the barn if you need to fill up on drinking water just make sure you have a container for it. Site includes a picnic table and firepit and many acres with downed trees to salvage. Bundles of firewood can be purchased if needed. This area includes a back pasture and woods with trails throughout for walking/mountain biking. There are many horse trails in the area, if you want to bring your horses that is fine as long as you bring containment for them and clear it with us first. We are approximately 1 mile from a rum river access. There are multiple river trip options from our property. We are also 3 mins from lake george and the Rum River Regional Park for swimming, biking, fishing, boating, and more paddling. There is a Bills gas n grocery as well as a G-will liquors less than a minute from the property. The Ponds golf course is about 4 mins away as well. If you are looking to hit downtown Anoka that is a straight shot and approx 12 mins away. This site is on an active hobby farm that has dogs, cats, horses, chickens, goats, turkeys, and multiple gardens. We have a farm stand by the road where we sell items such as fresh roasted coffee, eggs, BBQ sauce, pickles, maple syrup, hot sauce, and more! We are very pet friendly and like to meet new furry faces, so feel free to bring them along!
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RadRo Farms at Hippie House

2 sites · RVsLakeville, MN
10 acre parcel with a 70’s split level house built by a former state representative. The land used to be a farm but is now mostly tall grasses and goldenrod. We have a large vegetable and berry garden and a large native flower garden. We have a chicken house and blankets of fireflies in the summer and beautiful sunsets that face the campsite. Sometimes it’s really quiet and sometimes you can hear the highway noise.
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Pearsons Century Farm

16 sites · RVs, Tents79 acres · Litchfield , MN
Homesteaded more than 100 years ago this farm is somewhat stuck in time. Once this was a prosperous dairy operation. Location location location, this place is my slice of heaven on earth. Located in the corner of 4 townships on an extremely quiet road. Our farm now raises grass fed beef and wooly pigs pastured along driveway along with the usual cast of a farm, dogs, cats, chickens, guineas and goats
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Heather's Hobby Farm

4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Glencoe, MN
This property will be the future site of The Femme Farm, a retreat and event center primarily for women. Your camping experience and funds will help me get my dream business up and running! Soon, you will experience yurts, glamping and many outdoor events, but I need your help getting started. Thanks so much for your support!Learn more about this land:A quiet grassy area with a small woods. This property contains a large farmhouse and out buildings. Pitch your tent near the woods and enjoy a fire pit and picnic table. Gorgeous field views. Parking is available right on-site. Either near your site or on the gravel. Bird watching, walking through the woods and enjoying the sites and sounds of the country life.
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Dancing the Land Farm Camp

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents56 acres · Clearwater, MN
Dancing the Land Farm is a small, organic farm in Central Minnesota. Owned and operated by Liz and Curtis, and their little daughter Lulu, the farm raises veggies, flowers, medicinal herbs, goats for milk and fiber, sheep, and pigs, as well as lots of chickens, ducks, quail, guineas, and a pair of peacocks. We also have two friendly farm dogs who both believe you all come here just to give them belly rubs. The land is dotted with rolling glacial moraine hills surrounded by marshes. Sandhill Cranes, herons, swans, geese, ducks and all other kind of water loving critters are common sights here. Even otters and beaver have been seen! Eagles are everywhere these days, harriers, and hawks of all kinds. A birders dream! Spring/early summer is baby goat and lamb season, so come prepared for antics and adorableness! From midsummer to frost the gardens and flower fields really start to explode with color and fragrance, and bushels of farm fresh produce. Be sure to book a tour! In the fall the aspens around the farm start shimmering golden, while the oaks deepen to rich, flame-hearted earth tones. Opening early summer of 2022, the Dancing the Land Farm Store will be stocked with all manner of delicious produce, pastured pork (bacon over the campfire!), goat, lamb, eggs, flowers, and dry goods, along with yarn and fiber arts for campers to shop at their leisure. A luxurious glamp PLUS delicious, organically grown food? Yes, please!
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New Story Farm

1 site · RV, Tent101 acres · Hutchinson, MN
So what's the story with New Story Farm?  Well, it's a farm whose caretakers are working to enact just that…a new story! We believe that virtually all of the problems that come with civilization stem from people believing the predominant cultural story which says we are "above" or "separate" from nature. This story that is omnipresent in our culture tells us that the natural laws of nature are not applicable to us. A "story" is a scenario interrelating man, the world, and the gods."To enact" is to live so as to make a story a reality. "Culture" is a people enacting a story. If you believe that the world belongs to man, you will see all other life as a resource. If you believe that man belongs to the world, you see all other life as partners. On our farm, we are surrounded by annual agriculture and although we grew up eating from this system and have gratitude for that, we also see that annual agriculture is intrinsically unsustainable. Even at it's best, it is extractive and erosive, leading in time to desertification. We want to enact a new story that puts humans back in partnership with all other creation. Learn more about this land:IF YOU ARE ONLY LOOKING FOR A CHEAP PLACE TO CAMP, PLEASE DON'T BOOK If you want to be part of the change we are all hoping for, read further and get in touch if you feel called to. Visit and lend a hand to a regenerative farm fostering an intentional agrarian community for beginning farmers while offering educational & sacred community gatherings!  We need HELP building this community and vision— do you see value in preserving skills of the past? Re-learning how to live and communicate in a thriving and connected community? Consider putting your energy where your values are and spend a few days weaving this story with us.The garden needs tending, animals need rotating, the community building is functional but still in the construction chapter. Earthworks for water spreading and shedding, barn cleaning, thistle chipping, wild harvesting and drying, herbal medicine making and food preserving.Balance work time with rejuvenating time:Feed the cows some apples, cuddle up with a chicken and get some laughs watching the shenanigans of a full-of-character ex-street dog named Burdock. Take a hike through 76 acres of native prairie and hickory/oak forest.  LOTS of wildlife all around, at all times. You will probably hear geese, pheasants, song birds, coyote and see deer, trumpeter swans, mallard and wood ducks, sandhill cranes, leopard frogs, painted turtles, and maybe even a cougar ( one has been sighted here at NSF)! Cool off in the creek or visit Piepenburg Park or Belle Lake which are right around the corner. If you want to learn about wild foraging, medicinal herbs or anything farm-related we can arrange that, just ask. Composting toilet is available for your use. Depending on the time of the year, you may want to bring extra mosquito protection.
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$111
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Countryside full hookups RV site

2 sites · RVs2 acres · Becker, MN
Learn more about this land:New to Hip Camp? Save $10 on your first stay by booking through this link: hipcamp.com/i/alishaa989166 Quiet countryside retreat on 2.5 acres. Easy access to site from street. Electric, Water and sewer hook ups. Large field and fresh eggs from a dozen chickens. All neighbors are on large lots of 2 acres or more. 12 minutes to downtown Becker, 20 minutes to Monticello. 30 minutes to St. Cloud and Elk River.
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Forest camping near Waconia guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping in the United States! If you're looking for a forest adventure near Waconia, Minnesota, you're in luck. We have over 212 options for you to choose from, all nestled in the beautiful forests of the area. Whether you're a seasoned camper or just starting out, our campsites offer something for everyone. Check out our top-rated campsites like Prairie Creek Forest Campground (202 reviews), Bluff Hollow Camp on the Root River (157 reviews), and Stone Creek Farm (116 reviews). From hiking to whitewater paddling to snow sports, there's no shortage of activities to keep you entertained. And with popular amenities like showers, pets allowed, and toilets, you'll have all the comforts of home while enjoying the great outdoors. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

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