Camping options near Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, offer varying degrees of privacy and natural surroundings despite being in or adjacent to suburban areas. Many campgrounds in this region experience peak mosquito activity during summer months, particularly in July and August when temperatures average 75-85°F. Sites in the northern suburbs tend to feature mature tree coverage and access to regional trail systems that connect multiple parks.
What to do
Hiking extensive trail networks: At William O'Brien State Park Campground, trails cater to different hiking abilities. "We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths. There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling -so many shades of green!" notes Karla J.B.
Swimming at waterparks: The Bunker Hills Regional Park campground sits adjacent to a large waterpark with wave pool. As Tiffany W. notes, there's a "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails" making it ideal for families seeking water recreation beyond natural lakes.
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds in the area maintain winter accessibility. David K. describes his experience at William O'Brien: "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates... We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape and happened upon a railroad that passed above our trail with a beautiful tunnel-overpass."
Disc golf courses: Many regional parks feature disc golf courses within driving distance. Lynsey M. mentions being "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing" when staying at Bunker Hills Regional Park.
What campers like
Unexpected seclusion: Despite proximity to suburban areas, campers appreciate the privacy at certain sites. Amy G. describes Rice Creek Campgrounds: "In the morning, when I could see everything, I was thoroughly impressed by the space, the maintenance of the property, the size of the campsites. All of them were impressive and big!"
Campground layouts: Well-designed campgrounds create better experiences. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Angela L. notes: "We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. We liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays."
Tent-only camping options: Dedicated tent camping areas offer generator-free experiences. Amy G. appreciates that at Rice Creek Campgrounds: "The fact that this loop (F LOOP) was 'tent only' meant no generators! It was very quiet!"
Clean facilities: Modern bathrooms and well-maintained grounds stand out to visitors. Joanne M. comments on Lebanon Hills: "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."
What you should know
Seasonal construction impacts: Some parks undergo extended maintenance. One camper noted about William O'Brien: "The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids. Construction is scheduled to the end of 2025."
Wildlife encounters: Expect nocturnal visitors at many campgrounds. Tim mentions: "Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away."
Horse-friendly camping areas: Elm Creek Horse Camp welcomes dogs but requires awareness of equine neighbors. "This is a horse camp first and foremost. So if your dog isn't a fan of our four-hooved friends, you might want to steer clear," advises Alison O.
Firewood quality varies: Bruce M. warns about Rice Creek: "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
Tips for camping with families
Best playgrounds: Newer playground equipment exists at select campgrounds. Angela L. reports about Lebanon Hills: "The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with."
Weekday versus weekend stays: Busy summer weekends affect the camping experience. Dani K. suggests: "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."
Water features for kids: Minneapolis Northwest KOA offers pool facilities, though reviews suggest checking condition before booking. "The pool area was clean and without issue. There were no extra walk ways or special features in those regards but the roads had enough of a country feel that they were fun for walking around with my kids and dog," notes Jessica M.
Family-friendly hiking: Bryan S. recommends Baker Park for "the active family," mentioning "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, one RVer warns: "When I asked why I was given such an undesirable site when I booked so far in advance and he told me that there is an algorithm that determines the site selection and if I wanted one with trees I needed to put a note on my reservation."
Testing new equipment: Lebanon Hills serves as an ideal location for equipment trials. Blair notes: "Our family selected this camp ground to test out some gear -- if we had problems or if we forgot something it was a short drive home."
Highway noise considerations: Some sites experience more road noise than others. At Willow River State Park Campground, Maria D. reports: "highway noise was noticeable in the evenings" despite being in a no-generator loop that "kept things peaceful."
Dumping station access: For pet-friendly camping near Brooklyn Park, Minnesota with RVs, note that some campgrounds like Rice Creek offer dump stations while others require off-site disposal. Check campground websites for current dump station status and fees before booking.
