Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers accessible outdoor recreation options within 20 minutes of the Twin Cities. The campground sits at an elevation of 950 feet above sea level with hiking trails that range from flat terrain around Jensen Lake to more challenging hills throughout the 2,000-acre park. Spring and fall temperatures fluctuate significantly, with overnight lows sometimes dropping below 40°F even in early summer.
What to Do
Kayaking opportunities: Lebanon Hills features multiple lakes for paddling experiences. "Nice little lake to kayak on," notes Chris S. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Biking trails: The regional parks offer extensive paved and unpaved paths. "Great biking and hiking trails," reports Rico R., who found Lebanon Hills particularly suitable for cycling enthusiasts of various skill levels.
Fishing spots: Lake Byllesby provides excellent fishing access directly from campsites. The lake at Lake Byllesby Regional Park is "nice for fishing, boating or swimming," according to Carla A., with shoreline fishing opportunities just steps from many campsites.
Waterfall hikes: Several parks feature scenic falls that make excellent destinations. At Nerstrand Big Woods, "the hike to the hidden falls did not disappoint," says Deb M., referring to the popular 1-mile trail leading to a picturesque cascade.
What Campers Like
Convenience to urban amenities: Many campgrounds offer natural settings with easy access to city attractions. "Close to home and an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities," writes Katie C. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park, highlighting its dual appeal as both a retreat and convenient base.
Modern facilities: Clean, well-maintained bathrooms and showers are frequently mentioned in reviews. The bathrooms at Cleary Lake Regional Park are described as "amazing bathroom/showers" by Truly W., who appreciated the maintenance standards at this dog friendly campground near Apple Valley.
Diverse site options: Campgrounds offer varied experiences from secluded to social. Dakotah Meadows provides "cement parking pads with full hookups" and "green, lush and well maintained" grass, according to Jim M., creating a comfortable base for exploring the region.
Spacious campsites: Many parks provide ample room between sites. Adam P. found his site at Afton State Park "perfect" with "woods that made it very secluded" while still being conveniently located near water sources and bathrooms.
What You Should Know
Reservation timing: Popular sites book quickly during peak season. For Lebanon Hills, Blair advises, "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have proximity to roads or other noise sources. Davis D. notes that at Lebanon Hills, "Sites are a little close with little to no privacy in most," something to consider when selecting specific campsites.
Water quality changes: Lakes can experience seasonal algae growth. At Lake Byllesby Regional Park, Kayla O. points out "the only thing disappointing is the lake becomes green with algae as the summer goes on," which may affect swimming plans in late summer.
Variable cell service: Connectivity differs significantly between parks. Deb M. reports that at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, "cell service (both AT&T and TMobile) was terrible," though Wi-Fi access is available at the park office.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience with children. Angela L. appreciated that her site at Baker Park Reserve was "close to the bathrooms and play area," adding that "the play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with."
Water activities: Many parks offer rentals for family water recreation. Chris S. notes that Cleary Lake has "a lake with a beach that rents kayaks (single and double), canoes, and paddle boards," providing options for family water entertainment.
Trail difficulty considerations: Assess trail steepness when planning hikes with children. At Afton State Park, Emily G. observed that "the hike in sites looked awesome, but a bit of a steep climb to get there," which might be challenging for families with young children or much gear.
Multi-day entertainment options: Look for parks with diverse activities to keep children engaged. According to Owen H., Lebanon Hills has "some fun hiking trails and there is a lot to do!" which helps maintain children's interest throughout longer stays.
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: Pay attention to actual site dimensions versus listed sizes. At Lebanon Hills, Davis D. discovered that "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."
Hookup variations: Campgrounds offer different levels of service at different loops. At Willow River State Park, Keith M. found "beautiful campground and hiking" with some sites offering electric hookups, though no sites have water hookups directly at campsites.
Dump station availability: Not all parks provide full sewer hookups. Tim B. noted that Nerstrand Big Woods State Park has a "nice dump station" even though most sites only offer electric hookups, making it suitable for weekend stays.
Level sites: Many RV sites in the region are well-prepared for larger units. Jim M. appreciated that Dakotah Meadows RV Park features "cement parking pads with full hookups," creating stable, level foundations for all types of rigs.
