Campgrounds near Bloomington, Minnesota offer diverse experiences across various county and regional parks within a 25-45 minute drive. The terrain features a mix of deciduous forests and prairie landscapes with elevations ranging from 800-950 feet above sea level. Most area campgrounds remain operational from April through October, with overnight temperatures typically dropping into the 40s by late September.
What to do
Kayaking on nearby lakes: Cleary Lake Regional Park provides access to a small lake perfect for paddling. "I really like the hike in sites. Short walk from the car and right by the water yet spaced nicely for privacy," notes a visitor to Cleary Lake Regional Park.
Tubing on the Rum River: Country Camping RV Park organizes river tubing trips with shuttle service. "Tubing! They have a bus that takes you into town float back to the campground, love it," shares one camper at Country Camping RV Park.
Biking on paved trails: Baker Park Reserve offers extensive paved bike paths connecting to other trail networks. "There is a nice 6+mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes," recommends a visitor to Baker Park Reserve.
What campers like
Private wooded tent sites: Some parks offer secluded tent camping away from RV sections. "Our 'hike in' spot was very close to the car but hidden in a forest. Gorgeous spot. We walked around and looked at all the other sites and each was unique and pretty," explains a camper at Cleary Lake Regional Park.
Clean, modern facilities: Lebanon Hills consistently receives praise for its well-maintained bathrooms. "The bathrooms were among some of the nicest I've used at a campground. The shower stall was big enough for a meaty human like myself to shower comfortably. And you can tell the staff takes good care of the facilities," reports a visitor to Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Family amenities: Several campgrounds feature splash pads and playgrounds. "We love this place. The kids enjoyed the heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room," notes a camper at Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises a Lebanon Hills camper.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. "We would probably choose a site further from one of the main roads into Mystic Lake Casino. We heard a lot of traffic coming and going well into the wee hours of the night," reports a camper at Dakotah Meadows RV Park.
Limited privacy at some sites: RV sections typically have less separation between sites. "It's a nice park but very close compact. Everyone is squeezed in like sardines. Very tight quarters on roads and sites," notes a visitor to Town & Country Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for parks with multiple recreation options: Some parks offer both water and land activities. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," shares a visitor to Baker Park Reserve.
Consider campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Newer playgrounds can be found at several parks. "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," explains a Lebanon Hills camper.
Check for water recreation options: Swimming beaches and splash pads are available at some parks. "The lake is nice. There are 2 swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors. You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards," mentions a Baker Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Select sites based on your hookup needs: Available connections vary by campground and loop. "Dakotah's website has an incomplete campsite map showing only the lower sites between the pond and road. What the map doesn't show is the three rows of pull-through and additional 10 back-in sites at the top of the hill," advises an RVer at Treasure Island RV Park.
Be prepared for various site surfaces: Some RV parks have paved sites while others are gravel. "The sites are paved and level, the utilities were in good working order. It was quite and easy to get in and out of," notes a visitor to Treasure Island RV Park.
Check site dimensions carefully: Not all "big rig friendly" sites accommodate large RVs equally well. "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," shares a Dakotah Meadows RV Park visitor.
