The northern suburbs of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota provide convenient access to a variety of camping experiences within a 30-45 minute drive. Regional parks and county reserves dominate the camping landscape, with Baker Park Reserve in nearby Medina and Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids offering well-maintained facilities for tent and RV camping. Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Maple Grove provides a commercial camping option closer to the city, while Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park features both drive-in and walk-in sites. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from late April through mid-October, closing during Minnesota's harsh winter months. The proximity to Minneapolis makes these locations popular weekend destinations for city residents seeking quick outdoor escapes.
Most campgrounds near Brooklyn Park require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. As one camper noted about Baker Park Reserve, "It was crowded with RVs and tents alike but it never seemed loud or cramped. You'll need to book at least two nights and book as soon as you can." Cell service remains reliable throughout most established campgrounds in the region, though coverage may vary in more remote areas. The camping season typically runs from late April through October, with some facilities closing earlier depending on weather conditions. Mosquitoes and ticks can be problematic during summer months, particularly in wooded areas and near water features, making insect repellent essential equipment.
Family-friendly amenities distinguish many campgrounds in the region. Lebanon Hills Regional Park receives consistent praise for its recreational options, with one visitor noting it "has everything for the family. Schultz Beach for summer fun, professional built mountain bike trails for adventure, camping in Minnesota suburbs." Sites at most regional parks offer electrical hookups, with water available at central locations. Privacy between campsites varies considerably, with Baker Park described as having "not much privacy between camp sites" but compensating with "some of the best beaches in Minnesota." Winter camping options are limited, though William O'Brien State Park and a few others offer year-round camping and cabin rentals for those prepared to handle snow and freezing temperatures.
$21 - $29 / night
"Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."
"The beaches are some of the best in Minnesota. The bike trails are nearby and plentiful."
$20 - $32 / night
"I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."
"It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"
$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"We have lived in the Twin Cities for two decades and have never visited Rice Creek Chain of Lakes before. We will again!"
"The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."
"Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground."
$24 - $42 / night
"Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation"
"We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. it has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps."
$23 - $80 / night
"For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."
"Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."
$20 - $32 / night
"Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
"When Rice Creek Campground opens up again in April I'd highly recommend going there if all you want is a simple camping experience to get away from the city grind."
"Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"
"Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."
$25 - $90 / night
"Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."
"We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."
$54 - $999 / night
"The map provided was accurate which made locating the cruiser a breeze. There were further instructions inside as well. The RV was immaculate."
TravelerWe stayed here with a group of hot tent campers in early January. The site is large and had a couple of fire pits. Includes a few picnic tables, and a pit toilet. It's a beautiful open area not far from the parking lot with a gorgeous view of the St. Croix River.
ScoutWe visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
RangerSo, I think you know what you are signing up for here when you stay camp at the backpacking site at Afton, but let me fill in some of the blanks. #1 yes, the hill climb is as big of an effort as other people have said. You will feel like you earned your dinner. I may have found a hack for this, but more in that later. #2 the site are mostly private. I stayed on site #12. I could see (and they could have seen me) site #9, but thankfully no one was there. That would have been a bummer to have other looking into my site. There is even a semi-worn path between 12 and 9. They would make a good combo if you have a group. Other than that, totally secluded. As far space at #12, you could build as big of a tent structure there as you would need, easily room for a massive 16’x24’ palace (if you would dare to carry it) or anything smaller. An Eagle Scout project built hammock posts at this site, so it is ideal for that set up. #3 the campground amenities are very nice. The solar powered water works great year round, the two pits toilets (if you can even call them that) are very new and nice. And the coolest campground feature is the cut your own firewood station. I went a little overboard since it was so nice and had a way bigger fire than I needed. Bring your own saw and you will love it too. #4 After walking around the park, I discovered a possible hack. There is an unmarked entrance to the park on the north side. Instead of walking all my gear back to the parking lot, I walked the .5 miles to the service entrance, dropped my pack, and then walked the 1.8 miles back to the parking lot. I tend to carry too much. The flat short walk to drop my gear was worth it. Then I drop around the park and picked up my stuff. Probably not MN DNR endorsed way to do it, but I was proud of my discovery. All in, this is a unique and wonderful camping experience. Highly recommend.
GuideNice spot with plenty of space between sites, which gives you some privacy. It’s right off a busy road, so you’ll hear some traffic noise. The hunters were out during my stay, so there were gunshots throughout the day, but that’s to be expected this time of year. Overall, a good spot for a quick overnight stay and it’s conveniently close to the cities.
RangerI was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!
This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.
This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.
This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.
This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!
This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!
GuideThey have two lots for RV and travel trailer use although the first lot only has two spaces and the second one has a total of five. The five space spot has no water or electric hook up but was a great place for me to test out my new solar set up. 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 😅. The White Pine lot (5 spaces) has a central bathroom/shower building. The park was jam packed Friday/Saturday but a ghosts town the remains sun/mon/tue I stayed.
TravelerThis is a good campground. Very well kept. Fishing from shore and there is a boat launch. Nice playground for kids. Sites are fairly close. Many have no privacy from others, but some do. No water at the sites and pit toilets are the biggest weaknesses. Nice paths for walking and biking.
ScoutFor our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids. We will be back!
TravelerNever again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin
Camping spots near Brooklyn Park, Minnesota typically operate within the Minnesota state park system's seasonal framework, with most sites closing by mid-October due to early frost conditions. The area sits at approximately 850 feet above sea level in the Mississippi River basin, creating microclimates that affect camping conditions. Weekly temperature swings can be significant during spring and fall transition periods, with overnight lows often dropping 20-30 degrees below daytime highs.
Water activities at Lake Independence: Baker Park Reserve offers multiple water-based recreation options during summer months. "Great biking trails. Nice clean bathrooms. Nice park for kids just a small hike away. Plus a decent amount of rentals," notes Matt H. about Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.
Take advantage of metro-accessible bike trails: Many campgrounds connect to regional trail systems for day trips. According to Doug B., Bunker Hills Regional Park features "many paved trails, and an activity center," making it perfect for cycling enthusiasts looking for Bunker Hills Regional Park camping options within 30 minutes of Brooklyn Park.
Explore waterfall hikes: Located about 40 minutes northeast, Willow River State Park offers moderate hiking trails leading to scenic waterfalls. "Willow River falls is definitely a beautiful site to see. Definitely a place to camp if you like to be active and explore the trails. Winter, summer or fall!" shares Jessica B.
Secluded sites despite suburban location: Many campers appreciate finding unexpected privacy close to the city. Kristin C. describes Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park: "We took a 30 minute drive north of the cities for a quick get away, and were rewarded with a very nice campground! Our site was clear, flat and grassy, and had an established fire pit."
Clean, modern facilities: Campground bathrooms and shower facilities receive consistent praise for maintenance standards. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Joanne M. notes, "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."
Unique swimming options: Several parks offer swimming beyond typical lake beaches. "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. about Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
Reservation timing matters: Most campgrounds require advance planning, especially for summer weekends. According to leif D., who stayed at Willow River State Park: "Unfortunately, I was only able to stay one night as my cross country trip hit this campground on the Thursday before memorial day and the whole weekend was booked."
Wildlife encounters are common: Expect wildlife visitors, particularly after dark. "Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away," warns Tim at William O'Brien State Park.
Insect conditions vary by season and location: Bug intensity depends on rainfall patterns and proximity to water. One camper at Rice Creek Campgrounds noted: "We entered the shower and restrooms to bugs, bugs, BUGS!! Nasty. Neither of us showered there."
Cell service limitations: Coverage can be spotty despite proximity to urban areas. Dani K. reports about William O'Brien State Park: "Cell reception for T-Mobile was minimal to non-existent. Wifi is available in the visitor center parking lot."
Look for tent-only camping areas: Some campgrounds offer dedicated loops without RVs. Amy G. appreciates Rice Creek Campgrounds: "The fact that this loop (F LOOP) was 'tent only' meant no generators! It was very quiet!"
Check playground proximity: Sites near play areas offer convenience but may have more foot traffic. Angela L. at Lebanon Hills Regional Park mentions, "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."
Consider camping near water parks: Several regional parks combine camping with water recreation facilities. Tiffany W. recommends Minneapolis Northwest KOA for families: "The hosts at this campground were very nice. We had a tent site with no hook ups. The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."
Plan for mid-week visits: Weekday camping offers more space and quieter conditions. "Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop (especially the non-electric ones), but still able to take advantage of a weekend day," advises Dani K.
Check electrical service specifications: Not all sites offer the same power capacity. As Justin R. notes about Minneapolis Northwest KOA: "The sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot."
Request specific site features: Call ahead for site preferences rather than relying on automated assignments. One RVer advises: "My suggestion to anyone staying at this campground, be sure to call the office ahead and let them know that you want a site with trees and not one backing up to the road."
Stay aware of seasonal closing dates: Several campgrounds shut water systems down before official closing dates when freezing temperatures approach. Most campground seasons run from late April through mid-October, but utilities may be limited during shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Brooklyn Park, MN?
While Brooklyn Park itself has limited camping options, there are excellent campgrounds within a short drive. Bunker Hills Regional Park in nearby Coon Rapids offers drive-in sites with water and toilets. For a family-friendly option, Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve provides clean, affordable sites managed by Three Rivers Parks. Both locations offer convenient camping options for Brooklyn Park residents and visitors without traveling far from the metropolitan area.
Can I rent a camper in Brooklyn Park instead of bringing my own?
Yes, you can rent a camper in the Brooklyn Park area instead of bringing your own. While no specific rental agencies are located directly in Brooklyn Park, several RV rental companies operate in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area that service Brooklyn Park residents. For a unique camping experience without your own equipment, consider William O'Brien State Park Campground which offers camper cabins along with beautifully groomed trails, making it perfect for families new to camping. Local outdoor retailers occasionally offer rental equipment as well.
Are there private campgrounds in Brooklyn Park for more amenities?
For enhanced amenities near Brooklyn Park, consider Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Maple Grove, offering full hookups, WiFi, and recreational facilities. Another option with excellent amenities is Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, featuring a filtered swimming pond with sandy beach, built-in umbrellas, modern campsites, hiking trails, horseback riding, boating, and an impressive playground. These private and county-run facilities provide comfort-focused camping experiences close to Brooklyn Park.
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