Ann Lake

Took my son on his first overnight camp outside of backyard. During the week so not as many people and not busy at all. Plenty of sites to choose from and the sites have a decent separation between them. You need a state parks pass to stay here plus the overnight fee. 15.00 a night is worth it for the size of your site and room to enjoy. Sites close to water or deep in the woods, sites for hammocks and group sites can be reserved. just about everything you need.

Remote and quiet

This is a great little rustic campground within an hour's drive of the Twin Cities! It has several potable water sources throughout the campground, but no running water for toilets or showers. There are several vault toilets. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. You can buy firewood &amp; ice at the Sand Dunes Stop gas station, just a 10 minutes drive away.

This is a first-come, first-served campground, so no reservations required. This does mean that there is a chance you won't be able to get a site, but I've only had that happen one time when I got there at 6pm on a Saturday. There are usually sites available.

I love going to this campground - it's family friendly, and there is a swimming beach a quick 3 minute drive away! The hiking trails aren't half bad, either! I love coming here to relax for a weekend, spend some time at the beach, and just enjoy nature. If you go in the early to mid summer, you'll also hear local whip-poor-wills serenade you to sleep.

Overall, 4 stars. The only downsides are no running water and no ice &amp; firewood at the campground itself.

Rustic & Family Friendly

Have stayed at this campground numerous times and will stay again. Love that it's only an hour from the metro area! Very rustic campground, clean facilities, and water spigots throughout. Really enjoy how quiet it is!

Best rustic campground in the area

I've been camping here since I was a little kid. My family used to host large family camping trips here. Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love. Show up early on weekends if you want one of the better spots. 
Pluses: The trails are a lot of fun.. lots to see. The outhouses are kept up well and pump water road side. 
Minuses: People leave their camps a mess a lot of the time. I usually spend the first hour cleaning up. TONS of poison ivy. Sand fleas. 

I still get up once a year, early summer. 

Camping here for 30 years.

We went on a Monday so there was Just a few others. It was very peaceful. The lot we picked was big and on a hill. It was very clean and well maintained. We picked this spot as we had dogs with and liked that  there was a row of trees where we could tie them away from the fire . Would be a GREAT lot for multiple hammocks. ￼


Peaceful & big lot 

Lake Ann Campground, located in the Sand Dunes State Forest north of Big Lake, MN is great for a weekend getaway with the family or a solo walk in trip.  There are RV sites,  tent sites,  handicap accessible,  walk in sites and group sites.   Camping here is primitive with few amenities you get a fire ring and a picnic table,  its great camping too be one with nature.  There are several water spickets located around the campground along with outhouse type restrooms.  There are no hookups or electric.  Camping is on a first come first serve basis and you register at the kiosk located at the front of the campground acrid from the camp host site.  There are several trails and Amaya something to do. 