Camping spots near Apple Valley, Minnesota range from county parks to regional reserves within a 30-minute drive. The area sits at approximately 950 feet elevation in Dakota County, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F from June through August. Winter camping options remain available at select locations like Afton State Park, where temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Hiking network trails: At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, visitors can explore extensive trail systems. "We love Lebanon Hills! Close to home and an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities. Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines. Great hiking," notes Katie C.
Kayaking and water recreation: Multiple parks offer water activities within a short drive. "Nice little lake to kayak on," reports Chris S. about Lebanon Hills, while Cleary Lake Regional Park features a lake perfect for paddling.
Swimming in filtered ponds: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers a unique swimming experience. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," explains Timothy S. The swimming pond is maintained throughout the summer season.
Mountain biking: Several parks maintain dedicated biking trails with varying difficulty levels. The office at Lebanon Hills remains open until 9 pm, making it convenient for evening arrivals after work. As Rico R. notes, it has "Great biking and hiking trails. Great amenities. Close to the zoo as well as the city."
What campers like
Secluded sites near urban areas: Cleary Lake Regional Park offers a wilderness feel despite its proximity to Apple Valley. "I really like the hike in sites. Short walk from the car and right by the water yet spaced nicely for privacy," says Jeff C. The hike-in sites require minimal walking from parking areas.
Clean bathroom facilities: Most campgrounds maintain modern restrooms. At Willow River State Park Campground, "Facilities are modern and clean. Trees galore. Clearly the locals use this park a lot," reports MalibuDave42 L.
Easy access to city attractions: Campers appreciate the balance between nature and urban conveniences. As Suzanne B. says about Lebanon Hills, "lots of things in the area to do, and the 'city' isn't that far to drive to." Most camping areas maintain cell service coverage due to their proximity to metropolitan areas.
Spacious sites with natural privacy: Many campgrounds design sites with natural vegetation barriers. "Lots of good trees and space between campgrounds which isn't always the case at the regional parks," Scott M. says about Cleary Lake Regional Park. These privacy barriers help maintain a wilderness feel despite urban proximity.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most camping spots near Apple Valley, Minnesota fill quickly during peak season. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises Blair about Lebanon Hills.
Gate closing hours: Some parks strictly enforce entry times. At Cleary Lake, Lance L. cautions: "Word to the wise, gates ACTUALLY close at 10pm, there's no way to contact anyone and I had to walk about a mile in parked outside the gate."
Alcohol policies: Restrictions vary by park. Dakota Meadows RV Park allows alcohol, while Lake Elmo and Afton State Park prohibit it. Always check individual park rules before packing.
Winter operations: Afton State Park Campground maintains year-round access. Warren H. notes visitors should "fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center before trekking around the park's beautiful hiking trails" as water sources along trails may be shut off seasonally.
Accessibility variations: Campgrounds offer varying levels of accessibility. St. Croix Bluffs provides accessible sites, while hike-in locations at Afton require navigating terrain. "The hike to the campground is short and grueling," explains Andrew C.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with young children, select campgrounds with play areas. Angela L. shares about Lebanon Hills: "Our spot was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area. The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with."
Educational programs: St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park offers seasonal nature activities. "They do have 3 different areas to camp but we always use the full hook-ups. The people at check-in are always so friendly, and very helpful," reports Suzanne B.
Test camping trips: Lebanon Hills serves as an ideal location for trial camping experiences. "Our family selected this camp ground to test out some gear -- if we had problems or if we forgot something it was a short drive home," explains Blair, noting that "Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen, and we didn't hear them either."
Swimming options: Multiple parks provide swimming access appropriate for different age groups. John H. says Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers "sites [that] are spacious and spread out, electric hookups at all sites, swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic for kids."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Dakotah Meadows RV Park provides complete services for RVs. "This is a really nice campground with cement parking pads with full hookups. The grass around the lots is very green, lush and well maintained," reports Jim M.
RV site dimensions: Lebanon Hills accommodates various RV sizes but requires clarification. Davis D. advises: "Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All rv sites are the listed length plus 16' for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out."
Utility connections: Multiple parks offer electric-only sites with water stations nearby. Tom D. explains about Dakotah Meadows: "We last stayed in side 25, a back in up on the hill. We have also stayed in the pull through sites, but not really a fan of those."
Winter RV options: Some parks maintain limited winter RV access. Check with specific campgrounds about winter utilities, as water systems may be winterized during freezing months. Dakotah Meadows maintains year-round operations with full hook-ups.
