Camping sites near Andover, Minnesota range from suburban developed grounds to rustic wilderness settings within a 30-45 minute drive of the Twin Cities. The region sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level, featuring a mix of sandy soil and glacial terrain that creates distinctive camping environments. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during peak camping months with frequent evening thunderstorms from June through August.
What to do
Water activities at nearby lakes: Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve offers access to Lake Independence with boating options. "You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards, and many people bring their own boats (although they do charge to park your boat trailer unless you bring it back to the campground and they limit the number of boats on the lake at a time)," notes Jennifer H.
Disc golf courses: Multiple campgrounds feature nearby disc golf opportunities. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, campers find easy access to top-rated courses. One visitor mentioned, "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)," making this location particularly appealing to disc golf enthusiasts.
Winter recreation: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some facilities remain open year-round. William O'Brien State Park Campground maintains winter access for cold-weather camping and activities. "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. As you can imagine, this meant snow was everywhere in the heart of winter in Minnesota. We decided to take a night trek through the park. The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent," explains David K.
What campers like
Unexpected privacy: Many campers appreciate finding secluded sites despite proximity to urban areas. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, visitors enjoy surprising seclusion. "In the morning, when I could see everything, I was thoroughly impressed by the space, the maintenance of the property, the size of the campsites. All of them were impressive and big! A few were only separated by swathes of grass, but most had enough trees you couldn't see your neighbor," writes Amy G.
Seasonal wildflowers: Spring and early summer camping offers unique plant viewing opportunities. "We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths. There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling -so many shades of green!" reports Karla J. B. about her experience at William O'Brien State Park.
Free dispersed camping options: For those seeking truly rustic experiences, South of Sand Dunes State Forest offers no-cost camping options. "Free, legal dispersed camping up to 14 days in summer; 21 in cooler seasons," confirms Alison O., adding that the sites have "Privacy and space—even pull-through spots for low-profile trailers."
What you should know
Seasonal bugs require preparation: Minnesota's warm-season camping comes with insect challenges. "The mosquitoes were absolutely nuts!" reports Justin Q. about Rice Creek Campgrounds, while at Ann Lake campground, a visitor warns "TONS of poison ivy. Sand fleas."
Limited cell service at some locations: Several camping areas have minimal connectivity. At Ann Lake, campers report varying experiences with mobile reception: "2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites. Pay immediately or the camp host will nag you even if you have to walk to higher elevation to get signal."
Firewood considerations: Quality and availability of firewood varies significantly between campgrounds. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, one camper notes "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds offer play facilities for children. At Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River, families appreciate the variety of recreation options. "It's has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites!" explains Spencer C.
Beach options for swimming: Lakes with designated swimming areas provide family-friendly water access. Baker Park Reserve offers multiple options: "There are 2 swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors," notes Jennifer H.
Family-friendly bike paths: Paved trails accessible from campsites provide safe cycling for all ages. "Nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities (which were very nice)," shares ERolf P. about Baker Park Reserve.
Tips from RVers
Site selection algorithm considerations: At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, site assignments may require special requests. "There is an algorithm that determines the site selection and if I wanted one with trees I needed to put a note on my reservation. He also suggested calling the office and requesting a site with trees," advises one camper who learned this lesson the hard way.
Low clearance warnings: RV drivers should note potential obstructions at some campgrounds. At Ann Lake campground, Andy L. warns "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides."
Electrical amenities vary significantly: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of electrical service. Baker Park offers limited options while others like Bunker Hills provide more comprehensive hookups. "The sites a Baker Park Reserve are larger than average. This is a big campground with a lot of paved bike trails and a nice lake a short walk away," reports one visitor.
