T S.
Guide
GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Loved it!
Nice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
Best Campgrounds near Buffalo, MN
State parks and county reserves around Buffalo, Minnesota provide a mix of camping experiences within an hour's drive of the Twin Cities. Lake Maria State Park in Monticello features walk-in tent sites and cabins that offer more seclusion than typical campgrounds, with all sites requiring short hikes from parking areas. Baker Park Reserve near Maple Plain provides more developed camping with full hookup options, cabin rentals, and beach access on Lake Independence. For those seeking primitive experiences, the Sand Dunes State Forest area offers both established camping at Ann Lake and dispersed sites along forest roads south of the main recreation area, where campers can find more isolation but fewer amenities.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping conditions in the region. Most developed campgrounds operate from late April through October, with Baker Park's season running April 30 to October 20. Summer brings dense mosquito and tick populations, particularly in wooded areas like Lake Maria State Park. As one camper noted, "We went in the middle of Summer. High bug season... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos." Cell service varies significantly across the area, with Sand Dunes State Forest having particularly limited coverage. Poison ivy is prevalent in many natural areas, especially in the Sand Dunes region, requiring careful site selection and appropriate clothing.
Family-friendly amenities distinguish many campgrounds in the Buffalo area. Baker Park Reserve receives consistent praise for its clean facilities and recreational options. According to one visitor, "This is one of the cleanest camps I've ever stayed at. It was crowded with RVs and tents alike but it never seemed loud or cramped." Sites at most developed campgrounds tend to offer limited privacy, with reviewers frequently mentioning the open layout at Baker Park. Lake Maria provides more secluded sites but requires carrying gear from parking areas. Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground, a newer addition to the area, offers modern amenities with high ratings from early visitors, making it a promising option for those seeking a balance of comfort and natural surroundings.
Best Camping Sites Near Buffalo, Minnesota (90)
1. Lake Maria State Park Campground
34 ReviewsSilver Creek, MN10 milesWebsite+1 (763) 878-2325$22 - $80 / night
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
2. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
38 ReviewsMaple Plain, MN16 milesWebsite+1 (763) 694-7662$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."
3. Ann Lake Campground — Sand Dunes State Forest
23 ReviewsZimmerman, MN19 milesWebsite+1 (763) 878-2325$50 / night
"Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."
"Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy"
4. Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground
3 ReviewsMonticello, MN8 milesWebsite+1 (763) 295-0409"Meadow setting where the campsites are, but then TONS of hiking trails with significant trees& shade. Really beautiful. Nice people staying in adjacent sites. We would return."
"There was some suggestion that there was some drive in sites that were not reservable, that is. They were first come first serve. But I was unaware or unable to find those."
5. South of Sand Dunes State Forest
15 ReviewsZimmerman, MN19 miles"For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn’t expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly."
"I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock."
6. Schroeder County Park
5 ReviewsAnnandale, MN12 milesWebsite+1 (763) 682-7693"Lots of walking trails , well groomed. Camping spots were large and specious."
"There is also a fishing pier and boat launch available, great lake for water ski and other water sports. Fishing is mostly pan but you can catch large bass and northern on this lake."
7. Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
3 ReviewsRockford, MN10 milesWebsite"Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home😁"
"When I first pulled in I checked out the single track trail area first and the parking lot was full of mountain bikers. "
8. Minneapolis Northwest KOA
11 ReviewsMaple Grove, MN17 milesWebsite+1 (763) 420-2255"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."
9. Crow Hassan Park Reserve
3 ReviewsSt. Michael, MN12 milesWebsite$15 / night
"Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer."
"I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!"
10. Three Rivers Park District Baker Campground
3 ReviewsMaple Plain, MN14 milesWebsite+1 (763) 694-7662"Tons of trails and camping. 🏕"
Recent Camping Photos near Buffalo, MN
99 Photos of 90 Buffalo Campgrounds
Joanna B.
Lake Maria State Park Campground
Bill K.
Olsons Campground
Wade H.
Three Rivers Park District Baker Campground
John P.
Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
Zach H.
Minneapolis Northwest KOA
Skip H.
South of Sand Dunes State Forest
Chris B.
Ann Lake Campground — Sand Dunes State Forest
S L.
St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park
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Collinwood County Park
Missy B.
Carver Park Reserve - Three Rivers Park District
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Lake Auburn Campground
Joslyn H.
Bunker Hills Regional Park
Recent Reviews near Buffalo, MN
455 Reviews of 90 Buffalo Campgrounds
Greg M.GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Good spot for a night
Got in late on a Sunday night and there was plenty of space. Most sites are right along the gravel road so not super private. Wouldn’t recommend for large trailers/RVs as sites are small. Found a couple sets of deer bones right next to my site, not sure if it’s from hunters dumping their waste or coyotes but keep an eye out either way.
DIANNE T.GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Girl on first car camping trip
Kind of confusing for first time. Was not sure where I could camp. But then found out it's the spots right along road. Beautiful. Some good spots. Ended up in a pull thru around w view.
Cindy
TravelerAvatan Family Nudist Campground
"Family-Friendly" in Name Only: A Cautionary Tale from a Disillusioned Par
We 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.
- Lex G.Traveler
Love's RV Hookup-Rockville MN 842
Only place open in the state
If you’re just passing through especially in the off-season, this is an extremely convenient location. Propane run out in the middle of the night? They got you. Need more beer? They got you. 10/10 if you just need a place to sleep. View is irrelevant
David R.GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Quick overnight
Nice 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.
Lance L.GuideCleary Lake Regional Park
Large campground with plentyy of activities!
They 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.
- HHeather V.
ScoutBaker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
First time camping!
For 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!
- CCaleb T.Scout
Ann Lake Campground — Sand Dunes State Forest
Quite camping just out of town
Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy
Guide to Buffalo
Dispersed camping sites near Buffalo, Minnesota range from lakeside spots to forested retreats with varying degrees of isolation and access. The Sand Dunes State Forest area south of the main recreation zone contains multiple pull-off sites along gravel forest roads, offering primitive camping options with no facilities. Some of these sites can accommodate small trailers, though the rough terrain requires careful navigation. Seasonal road conditions affect access, with spring thaws and heavy rain periods sometimes limiting travel to higher-clearance vehicles.
What to do
Hiking on diverse trails: Lake Maria State Park's network of hiking trails winds through mature hardwood forests and past lakes, offering backpackers varying difficulty levels. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," notes reviewer Tori K. at Lake Maria State Park Campground.
Paddling and fishing: Ann Lake in the Sand Dunes State Forest provides direct water access for paddling and fishing, with a small beach area. "We stayed at Site 30. Wonderful State Park. Great beach access, easy to find. Multiple group sites. Lots of trees great for hammock camping," writes a camper at Ann Lake.
Mountain biking: Bring mountain bikes to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve for dedicated biking trails. "Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to," reports Daniel R., highlighting the mix of technical sections and family-friendly trails.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: For backpackers seeking seclusion, Lake Maria's hike-in sites offer true isolation. "Site B6 feels like a secret woodland sanctuary—set up on a slight rise, tucked beneath a cathedral of towering oaks and maples. The site is private, quiet, and wonderfully shaded, with just enough open sky for stargazing by the fire," describes Alison O.
Clean facilities: Baker Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Bathrooms were close and well kept. There were lots of other campers there but the sites are large and plentiful so it was not crowded," notes Wade H., reflecting the standard of facilities throughout the campground's loops.
Accessibility to trails: Multiple campgrounds feature direct access to hiking and biking trails. At Crow Hassan Park Reserve, a reviewer notes, "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" This connectivity to trail systems is particularly valuable for multiday stays.
What you should know
Insects can be overwhelming: Summer brings substantial bug populations, particularly in wooded and lakefront sites. At Lake Maria, one camper explains: "When we pulled up to the parking lot we knew we were in trouble. The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon."
Poison ivy prevalence: Several campgrounds, particularly in the Sand Dunes area, have significant poison ivy growth. A camper at South of Sand Dunes State Forest warns: "Plenty of spots. Lots of poison Ivy. Weak cell service but manageable."
Variable cell coverage: Cell reception varies dramatically across the Buffalo area. In dispersed camping areas, service becomes particularly unreliable. "Bring a journal and some good company—your phone's chances are slim," notes a recent visitor to the Sand Dunes dispersed camping area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with children, select campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "For 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," reports Heather V. at Baker Park Reserve.
Hiking distance considerations: When camping with young children, pay attention to walk-in distances. "Backpackers Be Warned (BP7)... If you're new to hiking, I suggest doing some research if you're going to attempt stuff like this," advises a Lake Maria camper, noting the hilly terrain when carrying camping gear.
Beach options: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming beaches with varying amenities. "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. The best kids park at any campground I've been to," writes a visitor to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, highlighting the integration of water access and play areas.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Several campgrounds can accommodate RVs but with varying size limitations. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, a reviewer notes: "More space than many other KOA locations. Clean showers and bathroom," which is particularly relevant for larger rigs requiring more room to maneuver.
Hookup availability: Electricity and water hookups vary across the region. "The sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot," shares Justin R. about the KOA, which offers full hookup options.
Road access considerations: Access roads to more remote campgrounds can present challenges. At South of Sand Dunes State Forest, a camper advises: "Good for straight vehicles or very small trailers," indicating the limitations for larger RVs on the narrow, sometimes rough forest roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Buffalo, MN?
What camping is available near Buffalo, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Buffalo, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 90 campgrounds and RV parks near Buffalo, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Buffalo, MN?
Which is the most popular campground near Buffalo, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Buffalo, MN is Lake Maria State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Buffalo, MN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Buffalo, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Buffalo, MN.
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