Camping near Bloomington, Minnesota provides options within 30 minutes to an hour of the metropolitan area. The terrain ranges from prairie landscapes at Cleary Lake Regional Park to the river bluffs of Afton State Park, with elevations varying by up to 300 feet across camping locations. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity levels from June through August.
What to do
Kayaking on site lakes: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers a small lake for paddling right at the campground. "Nice little lake to kayak on," notes Chris S., who frequently camps at Lebanon Hills.
Biking on paved trails: Baker Park Reserve features a 6+ mile paved biking trail that connects to other regional routes. "There is a nice 6+mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes," recommends Jennifer H.
Beach swimming in filtered water: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers a unique swimming experience with its filtered swimming pond. "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.
Golf access: Cleary Lake Regional Park includes a golf course adjacent to camping areas. "The park also has a golf course and is very well kept," notes Lili R., who appreciates the variety of recreational options.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Many campers value the separation between sites at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. "The sites are nice and level, with plenty of space between each one. This feels very much like a nice state park," writes Joanne M.
Casino access with shuttle service: Dakotah Meadows RV Park offers a convenient shuttle to Mystic Lake Casino. "Shuttle takes you to casino, but sometime we don't even go there and just enjoy the area," shares Lisa D., who stays at the park multiple times each summer.
Clean facilities: Campground facilities throughout the region receive high marks for cleanliness and maintenance. "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," comments Joanne M. about Lebanon Hills.
Walk-in sites close to parking: For tent campers seeking a more remote experience without a long hike, Cleary Lake Regional Park offers accessible walk-in options. "I really like the hike in sites. Short walk from the car and right by the water yet spaced nicely for privacy," writes Jeff C.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially Lebanon Hills and Baker Park. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises Blair about Lebanon Hills.
Urban noise considerations: Despite wooded settings, some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. "The only criticisms we have are that you can hear road noise — and depending on your site you'll hear the alarm of one of the access gates for the Minnesota Zoo," explains Blair about Lebanon Hills.
Varying bathroom facilities: Bathroom amenities range widely across campgrounds. "Amazing bathroom/Showers. Quiet, lots of flies, good spot overall," reports Truly W. about Cleary Lake Regional Park, while other parks may offer only vault toilets.
Site selection for tent campers: Afton State Park offers more secluded tent camping but requires hiking. "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites. The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion," describes Andrew C.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks feature modern playground equipment. "The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with," shares Angela L. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Swimming options for children: Lake Auburn Campground offers family-friendly water activities. "The beach area looks nice," notes Erik R., while Amy K. adds that "the beach is very nice" and the campground has a "great playground and green space for the kids."
Recreational variety: Baker Park Reserve includes multiple activities to keep children engaged. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," explains Bryan S.
Convenient location for test trips: Lake Auburn serves as an ideal location for families testing new gear. "I bought new camping gear and this campground, given its proximity to our house, made for an easy weekend getaway to give the gear a trial run," shares Erik R.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Town & Country Campground offers year-round RV sites with full hookups. "Very nice people. Kid friendly, clean and they even recycle," explains David B.
Concrete parking pads: Dakotah Meadows RV Park features level concrete pads for RVs. "Beautiful campground with cement parking pads with full hookups. The grass around the lots is very green, lush and well maintained," shares Jim M., who appreciates the site quality.
Site selection and length: For RVers concerned about site size, Lebanon Hills offers helpful information. "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," explains Davis D.
