Baker Campground at Baker Park Reserve offers camping sites with varying degrees of seclusion within 20 miles of Brooklyn Park. The campground features over 200 sites across several loops, with many campers noting the clean facilities. Loop C provides more wooded privacy, while others are arranged in more open configurations. The area experiences high humidity and mosquito activity during summer months, particularly July and August, making spring and fall potentially more comfortable for tent campers.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: The area features several high-quality disc golf courses near campgrounds, including a top-rated course near Ham Lake Resort. "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)," notes one visitor who stayed at the resort during a cross-country trip.
Beach and swimming options: Lake Auburn Campground provides a well-maintained swimming beach with shade structures. "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," according to a camper who appreciated the refreshing break from summer heat.
Hiking through diverse landscapes: Afton State Park showcases varied terrain within a single park system. "Lots of trails with a wide variety of landscapes. Prairie, forest, river, it's got it all," shares a visitor who stayed at one of the park's secluded carry-in sites. The park's trails accommodate different fitness levels with varying elevation changes.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campgrounds in the region maintain natural tree cover for privacy. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, "This campground was big with privacy between the camp spots. There were nice trails to help explorer the regional park," according to a recent visitor who appreciated the space between sites.
Proximity to trails: The ability to access trails directly from campsites ranks high with visitors. "There are many paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities," notes a camper from Baker Park Reserve, highlighting the convenience of not needing to drive to trailheads.
Modern bathroom facilities: Clean, well-maintained restrooms consistently appear in positive reviews. "The bathrooms were nice and clean. The only down fall was there was no trash cans in the campground only with you were leaving the campground," reports a visitor to Bunker Hills, reflecting the priority campers place on sanitation infrastructure.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Brooklyn Park require advance reservations, especially for weekend stays. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, campers note the importance of booking early during peak season (May-September). "This is a beautiful park and the campsites for the most part all seem spacious, and the loop we were in (whichever one site 52 is in) all had decent tree cover," explains a visitor.
Site selection considerations: Proximity to roads impacts noise levels at several campgrounds. "Site 1 is my favorite despite the road noise due to the location of the tent pad and being on almost a peninsula offering lots of lake views," shares a Lake Maria State Park camper, highlighting the trade-off between location and ambient sound.
Additional fees: Many parks charge both a reservation fee and a daily park entrance fee. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, visitors should anticipate standard KOA pricing with fees ranging from $30-60 depending on hookups and site type. Baker Park campers note the value compared to private campgrounds despite the combined fees.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature modern play equipment for children. Lake Auburn Campground receives high marks for family-friendly amenities: "Great playground and green space for the kids, beach is very nice. Bathrooms are clean."
Educational opportunities: Lake Maria State Park offers nature observation opportunities without overwhelming young hikers. "We saw pileated woodpeckers, red squirrels, and a chorus of chorus frogs. Nature feels close here — in the best way," reports a visitor who stayed at site B6, noting the accessibility of wildlife viewing.
Site selection for tent size: Families should check site dimensions when booking. "The tent pad is level, and there's a solid fire ring and picnic table," notes a Lake Maria camper, emphasizing the importance of adequate space for larger family tents.
Tips from RVers
Limited accessibility at some parks: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "The lower loops are definitely better for tent campers, even though quite a few spots could support an RV. The campground map does a good job of providing visual indicators of what a site provides," explains a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Hookup variations: Minneapolis Northwest KOA offers full hookups but with proximity considerations. "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," notes an RV camper who appreciated the dedicated pet space despite the compact layout.
Dump station accessibility: Most regional parks provide sanitary dump stations, but location and hours vary. Baker Campground users note that weekend check-out times can create waiting lines at the dump station, suggesting mid-week stays for easier departures.
