The best camping near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Nerstrand Big Woods State Park adventure.

75% (2 reviews)

Discover the serene beauty of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Book externally

Public campgrounds in the park
Book externally

Stay at a public campground in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

96%

(281)

The Edge

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents160 acres · Rochester, MN

This 160 acre farm used to be a sod farm, and then a Christmas tree farm. Camping provided is in the remnants of the uncut Christmas tree forest.

93%

(43)

Lionheart

3 sites · RVs, Tents36 acres · Millville, MN

Our land is a unique find with a little bit of everything. With river access, you can enjoy swimming/water activities and wind down with the wildlife sounds and campfire crackle. We have a few standup paddle boards, and river tubes available to rent and farm fresh eggs to purchase and enjoy with your morning campfire breakfast. The best on the Zumbro! Come experience life outdoors on the river :). *Please Note: there is an active shooting range to the north of the sites which you may hear 9:00am - 6:30pm. The shots are loud and echo in the valley. **While our property and our campsites are private, the river is not. Please expect tubers, kayakers and water lovers of all ages to be on the river at anytime.

100%

(160)

Whippletree Farm & Nature Trail

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Lake Elmo, MN

Welcome to Whippletree! This is our sixth-generation family farm, and while it's more of a hobby farm now, it has been in continuous agricultural production since 1869! Besides tillable farm land, we are stewards of native prairie, small wooded areas, a remnant of an oak savanna and wetlands, with trails throughout. We consider this our sanctuary and enjoying sharing it with others looking for a place of retreat to connect with the natural world. Stop by for a visit!

98%

(72)

Golden Maple Camp, Trails & Biking

1 site · Lodging60 acres · Beldenville, WI

Our beautiful property has been farmed by our family for many years. We have enjoyed preserving the woods with our mountain biking trails turned snow shoe trails in the winter. The woods are full of golden maple trees which is where we got the name for our personal campground. Come visit to see for yourself! Learn more about En Gedi, your tent site: You'll be staying in a private safari tent overlooking a 100 year old maple tree above a secluded hollow in our woods. With access to over 2 miles of marked out mountain bike trails and hiking trails here on the property. Outhouse, picnic table, fire pit with 4 chairs and 4 cots are provided (2 extra large, 2 large), sheets are provided for the 2 extra large cots. Drinking water is provided (2 gallon jug). Firewood is available for purchase at the campsite ($5/ten pieces of wood). You can also use whatever has fallen in the woods. Located at the end of a well worn field road access you'll need to hike in if you have a low clearance vehicle. Its about .25 mile long hike with a 100' ascent. Access in 4x4 can be limited in wet and muddy weather. We also have access to a class A trout stream about 1 mile away to enjoy swimming, fishing and lounging. We are a short 10 minute drive to many great local activities like Whitetail mountain bike trail in River Falls or Kinnickinnick river kayaking. Fantastic local Forestville Winery is less then 2 miles away with great wine and food options. Add on an experience to your stay like mountain bike classes or feeding our baby cows! Get the full country experience while you're camping!

99%

(57)

Honeyberry Minnesota working farm

2 sites · RVs25 acres · Stillwater, MN

Small working farm of 25 acres with roughly 1/3 wooded. Bring cash if you want to buy fresh produce. Half-way between Hudson WI and Stillwater MN. Tons of activities to do, including the St Croix River. Mowed trails on the property, campfire wood provided. Walk up to our two-acre Haskap orchard.

97%

(48)

field view campsite

3 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Northfield, MN

Learn more about this land:You"ll camp right next to the Horse pasture and on our field drive with wonderful views and sunsets. The field is surrounded on three sides by Rice County Wilderness Park so it is very private and quiet.

98%

(21)

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.

89%

(49)

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.

100%

(10)

Private entrance Apple Orchard

1 site · RV3 acres · Shakopee, MN

Learn more about this land:Private entrance and parking for campers on the back sections of our 3.5 acre property. Grassy area near woods and amongst our apple trees. Fire pit for your use. Great location, just a mile off the freeway. Within walking distance to Bar & Grill and bowling alley. Within 10 minutes to all the local attractions, including: Valley Fair, Renaissance Festival, Mystic Lake Casino, Wilds Golf course, Stonebrooke Golf course, Canterbury Park, Lake O'dowd, Prior Lake, downtown Shakopee, downtown Chaska, downtown Jordan, as well as many shops, bars and restaurants.

73%

(28)

Camp Crimson Turtle

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Hastings, MN

Established by naturalists in the 1920's this parcel features a waterfront cabin (currently being restored), a two acre spring fed pond that is stocked with fish, a small stream and great privacy. We have had this as our family paradise and now we are sharing it with you! We now offer a bohemian wagon if you would prefer to get up off the ground! Available at site 1. Learn more about this land: 8 acres of wooded privacy. Spring fed 2 acre pond, fishing, swimming, boating. Clothing optional if total site is rented. Extremely private. Electric available upon request for site number 2, other sites are quite far from electric hook up. New toilet facilities available!! We now have a flush toilet and exterior shower available for use onsite.

98%

(222)

The Double J

5 sites · RVs, Tents71 acres · Zumbrota, MN

Welcome to the Double J! Of the 71 acres we own, about half is tillable and the other half is woods and pastures for our horses. Within that, there is a beautiful secluded 3-acre meadow nestled down along along a beautiful 1,200 foot stretch of the Zumbro River where we have 5 spacious tent/RV campsites. While the campsites are all adjacent to each other along the river, they are each very spacious (the smallest being 100' wide and 75' deep), with some mature trees scattered around. Each sites (except Site #1) is able to accommodate up to 8 people and more than one tent or RV. There is a small meadow above all the sites where campers can play catch or other games. We provide and maintain a centrally located outhouse and keep the entire area mowed throughout the year. All sites offer great shade trees (perfectly spaced for hanging up a hammock) and access to the river - great for those hot summer days! Water activities to be enjoyed include fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and tubing (equipment not included). Some campers will drop in upstream at the Covered Bridge Park and float down to their campsite. The Zumbro River, especially in the fishing hole, offers great fishing including Trout, Small-mouth, Red-horse, and an occasional Northern or Sauger. Campers are welcome to to meander out into our pastures to pet our two horses, Shiloh and Champ. Also, we are just over a mile from town where you can visit Covered Bridge Park which has a Frisbee golf course and a nice play area for younger kids. Reserving adjacent sites, or all of the sites, makes for the ideal setting for a large family or group camp-out. In order to prevent overcrowding, we do reserve the right to limit number of sites, or campers per site based on overall parties/campers in the camping area. We will notify you if there are any limits at the time of your booking. We enjoy being able to share our property with others, and it is our desire to promote a safe, peaceful, family-friendly environment, therefore, be sure to note, we do have a NO ALCOHOL policy. PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to read the "RV Details" on the site information page as the road to the camping area may limit the type or size of RV due to a couple dips, a sharper curve, and it's steeper slope. Also, keep in mind, we reserve the right to cancel any reservations due to heavy rains or floods that may require our sites some additional time to dry out sufficiently. For updates and notice of last minute cancellations be sure to follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/DoubleJCamping As is customary for most campgrounds, we ask that if you bring in your own firewood that it be kiln dried. Dry firewood can be purchased for $5.00/bundle. TIP - Being we do not reimburse campers in the event of rain (unless campground is flooded or too muddy), we highly recommend campers take advantage of Hipcamp’s Weather Guarantee option when booking. With Minnesota’s unpredictable weather it allows you to get reimbursed for any days it rains over a specified amount, even if you choose to stick out the rain! The cost is very reasonable making it almost a no-brainer! Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions! We look forward to being able to serve you!

100%

(17)

Walker's Ranch

1 site · Tent9 acres · Lakeville, MN

Learn more about this land: Come stay and make memories on the Walker ranch, you can't beat the scenery and location. Explore the Walker trail that leads to the creek and lounge in the woods in the hammock. Possibilities are endless!

The best camping near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park guide

Overview

About

Who says northern Cali gets to have all the big tree fun? At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, huge basswoods tower over you, concealing the aptly named Hidden Falls watering hole. At this wide, shallow rapid on Prairie Creek, limestone bedrock is exposed and the rare dwarf trout lily blossoms all over.

It’s one of Minnesota’s only parks without a major historical site or body of water, which leaves it considerably less buggy than the rest! And unlike the state’s more flashy rec areas, you’ll find seclusion in this rarely-full spot. The main trail to the falls can get crowded, but if you make time to do the two loops that go around it, you’ll likely have the place to yourself.

When to go

The best time to visit Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers lush greenery, but be prepared for busier trails and hotter days. Winter can be magical with snow-covered paths, though some areas may be less accessible.

Know before you go

Highway 67 is closed; follow alternative routes provided by the park for access.
Check the park's website for the latest updates on trail closures and conditions.
Remember to pack essentials, including water, snacks, and a map, as amenities may be limited.
For safety, always stay on designated trails and be aware of local wildlife.
Cell service can be spotty, so plan ahead and inform someone of your itinerary.