Campgrounds around Andover, Minnesota offer a mix of developed sites and rustic camping options within reasonable driving distance of the Twin Cities metro area. Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids features a popular established campground with both tent and RV sites, plus camper cabins and glamping options. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park provides additional accommodation choices including cabin camping. The camping landscape in this region extends from suburban parks with full amenities to more remote options like the dispersed camping area south of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Camping in this area operates primarily from May through October, with most facilities closing for the winter season. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially for weekend stays during summer months. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious," noted one visitor about Bunker Hills. Developed sites typically provide drinking water, electrical hookups, showers, and flush toilets, though amenities vary significantly between locations. The terrain throughout the region is relatively flat with numerous lakes and wooded areas. Most campgrounds are accessible via paved roads, making them suitable for various camping setups including large RVs at sites like Ham Lake Resort and Minneapolis Northwest KOA.
Campers frequently mention the surprising seclusion available at suburban campgrounds like Bunker Hills, where sites offer good spacing and tree cover despite proximity to urban areas. Several established campgrounds in the region feature water recreation opportunities, with Rice Creek Chain of Lakes and Baker Park Reserve offering boat-in camping options. Mixed-use campgrounds are common, accommodating both tent and RV camping, while many facilities provide cabin rentals for those without camping equipment. Visitor reviews highlight the convenience of having developed campgrounds so close to metropolitan amenities while still providing a natural setting. The region contains a balance of family-friendly camping areas with amenities like playgrounds and swimming facilities alongside more basic sites for those seeking a simpler outdoor experience.
$20 - $32 / night
"I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."
"It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"
$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"We have lived in the Twin Cities for two decades and have never visited Rice Creek Chain of Lakes before. We will again!"
$21 - $29 / night
"Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."
"The beaches are some of the best in Minnesota. The bike trails are nearby and plentiful."
"The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."
"Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground."
"For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn’t expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly."
"I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock."
$50 / night
"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."
"Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy"
$54 - $999 / night
"The map provided was accurate which made locating the cruiser a breeze. There were further instructions inside as well. The RV was immaculate."
$40 - $75 / night
"Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."
$20 - $32 / night
"Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
"Beach was closed but we still got some good walks in. Fire ring was a little shallow for my liking so had to get some solid coals going to get dinner on the table."
$25 - $90 / night
"Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."
"We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."
ScoutI was able to find a campsite not on the road. There was a trail from the parking spot so keep an eye out. Lots of animals saw a turkey and coyote so just be aware. Very pretty and calm. Had to pick up some trash from other campers just a reminder to leave no trace.
TravelerWe stayed here from about 10pm to 6am. There were a ton of people there so it was hard finding somewhere to sleep. Once we did, it was very quiet and we got a good nights rest. There were a couple of cars that passed us in the morning when we left but nothing too crazy. The scenery was very beautiful. This is definitely a great free option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot in the woods to sleep!
TravelerI stayed there with my RV. Most all of the campsites were too small to park it, but I found one at the very end of the park to stay. Although the land itself is beautiful, the locals were reporting me to the DNR officer, who were clearly his friends, and accusing me of things I was not doing. Also, there’s a lot of traffic in and out of there and they fly through there day and night, as well as a lot of gunfire going off a lot of the time. I use T-Mobile service and I was on SOS most of the time. Not very impressed.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
LegendInterstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35. The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby. There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.
The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin. The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age. The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.
There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites. The South is a bit more rustic. The showers are located at the North campground.
For amenities there are flush toilets and showers. There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities.
This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area. You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options. If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.
Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the hwy crossing over the river. The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.
GuideNice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
GuideGot in late on a Sunday night and there was plenty of space. Most sites are right along the gravel road so not super private. Wouldn’t recommend for large trailers/RVs as sites are small. Found a couple sets of deer bones right next to my site, not sure if it’s from hunters dumping their waste or coyotes but keep an eye out either way.
GuideKind of confusing for first time. Was not sure where I could camp. But then found out it's the spots right along road. Beautiful. Some good spots. Ended up in a pull thru around w view.
TravelerWe stayed here with a group of hot tent campers in early January. The site is large and had a couple of fire pits. Includes a few picnic tables, and a pit toilet. It's a beautiful open area not far from the parking lot with a gorgeous view of the St. Croix River.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Andover, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Andover, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 127 campgrounds and RV parks near Andover, MN and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Andover, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Andover, MN is Bunker Hills Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Andover, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Andover, MN.
Keep Exploring
