Given our state’s famously cold winters, it may be hard to imagine spending much time outside in the winter. But the truth is, Minnesota is full of activity during the cold and snowy months. From hockey games to ice fishing to skiing and snowboarding, there are plenty of activities to fill our time. So it should be too surprising that there are some places in Minnesota where you can even go camping year-round. There’s a riverside state park in Minnesota where, believe it or not, you can camp in any month of the year. Sound good? Read on below to learn more.

Afton State Park is a beautiful park near Hastings, Minnesota. It’s about 35 miles southeast of Minneapolis, along Minnesota’s border with Wisconsin.
BVELock/TripAdvisor
One of the most prominent features of the park is its proximity to the St. Croix River. There’s even a sandy beach that you can swim at during the summer!
Wyatt Penke/Google
Summer at Afton is great, but do not write it off during the winter. The park is filled with beauty. There are 12 miles of snowshoe trails dedicated to snowshoers, hikers, and runners.
Tony Webster/Flickr
These snowy trails through the quiet woods are a wonderful way to get some winter sunshine. Because the park is quiet during this season, you’ll likely have the place to yourself for the most part.
aossanna/Flickr

Related Stories

For Peaceful Hikes With Beautiful Views, Pay A Visit To Minnesota's Little-Known Beaver Creek Valley State Park

For Peaceful Hikes With Beautiful Views, Pay A Visit To Minnesota's Little-Known Beaver Creek Valley State Park

 Explore Minnesota's Lake Country At This Underrated State Park

Explore Minnesota's Lake Country At This Underrated State Park

 The Popular Kamp Dels May Just Be The Disneyland Of Minnesota Campgrounds

The Popular Kamp Dels May Just Be The Disneyland Of Minnesota Campgrounds
The view of the frozen river is also a sight to behold. The usual rush of water is quiet, making this a perfectly peaceful place to stop and stay awhile.
Cho/TripAdvisor
Visitors who want to spend more time at Afton can stay the night - even in the winter! There are two options. First, there’s a large group camp that is accessible throughout the winter, depending on snow levels.
aossanna/Flickr
You can also stay in an Afton State Park yurt in the winter! There are two yurts total, each able to hold up to seven people. Firewood is included in winter stays. One yurt even has access to a covered outdoor cooking shelter!
Deb R/TripAdvisor
A winter stay at Afton State Park is a wonderful way to see Minnesota’s natural landscape in a whole new light. The quietly beautiful park is sure to become a new place to visit when the weather gets cold!
Asa Morral/Google

For more information about Afton State Park, including maps, availability, and booking a stay, visit the park’s page on the Minnesota DNR website. And if you’re looking for other great state parks to stay at in the winter, check out our past list of other state parks where you can camp year-round.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Minnesota

Featured Addresses
Afton State Park, Peller Avenue South, Hastings, MN, USA