Lake Maria State Park offers hike-in sites ranging from 0.5 to 1 mile from parking areas, with varying terrain. Located about 12 miles northwest of Buffalo, Minnesota, the park features backpack-only campsites with most positioned near lakes or in wooded areas. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer camping typically sees highs in the 80s with moderate humidity.
What to do
Hiking trails for all levels: Lake Maria State Park features multiple trail options for day hikers or campers heading to backcountry sites. One camper noted, "Site B6 is about a half-mile walk from the parking area, and the journey in is half the magic: winding wooded trails, wildflowers, and glimpses of the lake through the trees."
Disc golf access: Bunker Hills Regional Park offers camping near one of Minnesota's top-rated disc golf courses. "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)," shares a recent visitor who appreciated this convenient amenity during their stay.
Water activities: Multiple parks offer swimming and fishing opportunities. "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," reports a visitor to Lake Auburn Campground. Many campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with some offering boat rentals or fishing docks.
What campers like
Private sites: Backpackers appreciate secluded options at Lake Maria State Park. "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," explains a frequent visitor who particularly recommends sites 1, 2, and 3.
Clean facilities: Baker Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities. A camper staying at Campsite C1 mentioned, "It offers basic yet essential facilities, including clean showers and well-maintained restrooms. The convenience of these amenities makes it easy to enjoy a longer stay without sacrificing comfort."
Wildlife viewing: Natural surroundings provide opportunities for animal sightings. "I went to this park for the first time last weekend, and I spent the entire time just saying 'wow'," reports a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park, who appreciated the natural setting despite being only 20 minutes from urban areas.
What you should know
Bug protection required: Minnesota's warmer months bring significant insect activity. "Take a look at other reviews as they come in and see what time of year they visited. Maybe they'll have a similar experience, maybe not," advises one Lake Maria camper who encountered heavy mosquito and black fly populations during summer visits.
Varied site placement: Site layouts and features differ widely between campgrounds and within the same park. At Baker Campground, a camper noted about site C14: "The only reason this isn't a full 5-star banger is the fire ring placement. That thing is doing its own thing like 30 feet from the tent pad—felt like I needed a shuttle to roast a marshmallow."
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate from April through October with limited or no winter availability. Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers camping with modern facilities during the main season.
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: "Within the park is large water park and wave pool. There are many paved trails, and an activity center," notes a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park. Several campgrounds near Buffalo offer swimming beaches or developed water features.
Playground options: St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park caters to families with multiple activities. "This a nice family campground. It has a 9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop. They also offer a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade," explains a recent guest.
Yurt camping: For families wanting a unique experience, yurt camping near Buffalo, Minnesota is available at Minneapolis Northwest KOA. These circular tent structures provide a compromise between tent and cabin camping with more weather protection than traditional tents.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Cokato Lake RV Resort offers complete services for RV camping. "RV resort and some lot rentals, Heated pool, lake with beach, boat launch area just block away, tennis/pickle ball, mini golf, resort store with ice cream, goat park, paved roads and much more," reports a visitor detailing the amenities available.
Reservation timing: Popular RV sites book quickly, especially at parks closer to the Twin Cities. Most campgrounds allow reservations up to 120 days in advance, with holiday weekends filling earliest.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations, but not all offer sewer hookups at individual sites. Check specific campground amenities before booking if full hookups are required for your RV camping needs.
