Baker Campground near Brooklyn Center sits about 20 miles west at an elevation of 980 feet in Hennepin County's rolling woodland terrain. Most campgrounds in this region open from May through mid-October, with peak mosquito activity occurring from June through August. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, making seasonal camping the norm for most facilities.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Lake Maria State Park offers trails that connect to nearby disc golf courses. One traveler mentioned, "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)," making it an ideal spot for disc golf enthusiasts during a camping trip.
Horseback riding: Crow Hassan Park Reserve provides dedicated equestrian trails and camping facilities. A regular visitor noted, "This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed." The park features horse stall barns and overhead hitch lines for equestrians.
Winter activities: Several parks remain open for winter camping, particularly for those seeking yurt camping near Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Lake Maria State Park stays open year-round, with camper cabins that one visitor described as "appreciated the camper cabin and the clean sites. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves."
What campers like
Secluded backcountry sites: Lake Maria State Park Campground attracts visitors looking for more remote experiences. A camper described site B6 as "a peaceful escape where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birdsong, and frogs singing at dusk." The backcountry sites require hikes ranging from half a mile to over a mile from parking areas.
Dog-friendly areas: The off-leash dog area at Crow Hassan Park Reserve receives consistently positive reviews. One visitor stated, "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" The park allows pets throughout most areas.
Swimming beaches: Lake Auburn Campground features a well-maintained beach area that campers frequently mention in reviews. A camper noted, "The beach area looks nice" while another mentioned, "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," providing refreshing relief during summer months.
What you should know
Bugs can be intense: Minnesota's woodland campsites frequently battle mosquitoes and black flies, particularly in wooded areas. At Lake Maria, one camper warned, "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos." Bringing appropriate repellents is essential.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for yurts and cabins near Brooklyn Center. Minneapolis Northwest KOA often fills quickly during peak season. Plan ahead, as one camper noted, "You'll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can."
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more separation between sites than others. A visitor to Lake Auburn noted, "While the park is nice and has mature trees, the sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites. The only separation is the driveway where you park your car."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve provides excellent facilities for children. A family camper mentioned, "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Beginner-friendly locations: Minneapolis Northwest KOA serves as a gateway camping experience for families new to camping. One visitor shared, "This is the closest campground to our home, so it has the distinction of being the place where my kids had their love of camping kindled!"
Easy access amenities: Campgrounds with nearby bathrooms and water sources matter for families with young children. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes offers convenient facilities, as noted by a visitor: "Campground management is helpful and friendly, and even has little fire starting bundles if you're having a rough time getting that fire getting going."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, RVers should note the terrain variability. One camper mentioned, "While some sites are a little uneven and better suited to RVs than to tents, all sites are spacious and clean." Request specific site types when making reservations.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have limited access roads that can challenge larger rigs. A camper at Crow Hassan observed, "Be aware that the road into this group site only is wide enough for one vehicle at a time, so far I've been lucky to not encounter another vehicle as I'm entering or leaving."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups or dump stations. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, RV campers can find sanitary dump stations on-site, with one visitor noting, "Water fill stations readily available so we loaded up prior to continuing out west."
