The southern suburbs of Burnsville, Minnesota feature a diverse range of camping options within a 30-minute drive. Lebanon Hills Regional Park in nearby Eagan stands out with highly-rated sites operating from April through October, offering both tent and RV camping with modern amenities. Dakotah Meadows RV Park in Prior Lake caters primarily to recreational vehicles with full hookups, while Cleary Lake Regional Park provides a mix of accommodation types including glamping options. Town & Country Campground in Savage remains open year-round, making it one of the few winter camping destinations in the area. Several campgrounds balance suburban convenience with natural settings, as one camper noted about Lebanon Hills: "Camping in Minnesota suburbs with miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails, perfect for a weekend stay-cation."
Most campgrounds in the Burnsville area operate seasonally from late April through mid-October, with reservations strongly recommended during summer weekends and holiday periods. The region experiences typical Minnesota seasonal variations with humid summers that bring mosquitoes and occasional thunderstorms, while spring can bring muddy conditions to trails and campsites. Winter camping options are limited but available at select locations. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though some more remote sites may have spotty coverage. Many campers appreciate the balance of seclusion and accessibility, as one Lebanon Hills visitor explained: "We liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays. Our spot was spacious and close to the bathrooms and play area."
Family-friendly amenities distinguish many campgrounds near Burnsville. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, though slightly farther northeast, exemplifies this trend with its "filtered swimming pond" and "giant playground" that visitors consistently praise. Campsites throughout the region vary in privacy levels, with Lebanon Hills offering more tree coverage between sites than open-layout parks like Baker Park Reserve. Recreational opportunities abound with hiking and biking trails connecting many campgrounds to larger trail systems. Proximity to urban amenities remains a key advantage, with most sites within 15-20 minutes of shopping and restaurants. Noise levels vary by location, with some campgrounds experiencing highway sounds or, as one reviewer noted about Sakatah Lake State Park, "residents that live on the lake that can be noisy."
$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."
$40 - $50 / night
"The grass around the lots is very green, lush and well maintained. Campground is right next to the hotel/casino and very much within walking distance."
"Shuttle bus comes through the camp if you want to go to the casino and play- it’s also within walking distance."
$16 - $50 / night
"I imagine in the middle of summer, it might feel slightly less secluded as there are 3 other sites relatively close by, one of which you have to walk through to get to this one, but in early September,"
"The access to water is really nice and a couple sites were perfect. The hike in sites are super close to the car so it doesn’t even require much work. Plan to come here again!"
"It’s an easy on and off the interstate, super close to a gas station and RV wash bay. Also super close to some very large power lines. The kids enjoyed the compact playground and pool."
"Some road noise, but you are in the city so expected, but yet still quieter then in some areas being close to things. I recommend this park."
$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."
$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."
$22 - $85 / night
"Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks."
"It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees."
$85 / night
"There is a fire ring outside of each cabin, along with a table. No cooking is allowed inside the cabins, which can make things rough if the weather isn't cooperating. "
"There is no cooking inside the cabin so you have to use the fire ring outside. Shower facilities are really nice and match the cabins. Plan ahead as these are hard to come by."
"A couple weeks ago we spent some time at the Northwest koa...that one had private tent sites surrounded on 3 sides by trees, quiet spaces etc."
ScoutGot a nice spot by the water, big parking spot, little below the spot is an opening towards water with a fire pit. 2-3 bars of service but never had an issue. Worked well. Very private. Bugs weren’t bad either
ScoutThis was our first camping experience and it was a great one! I would highly recommend this for anyone’s first or fifth camping adventure!
ScoutI was able to find a campsite not on the road. There was a trail from the parking spot so keep an eye out. Lots of animals saw a turkey and coyote so just be aware. Very pretty and calm. Had to pick up some trash from other campers just a reminder to leave no trace.
GuideThis place is spectacular,u have to walk down to the creek. God's work. Beautiful
TravelerWe stayed here from about 10pm to 6am. There were a ton of people there so it was hard finding somewhere to sleep. Once we did, it was very quiet and we got a good nights rest. There were a couple of cars that passed us in the morning when we left but nothing too crazy. The scenery was very beautiful. This is definitely a great free option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot in the woods to sleep!
TravelerI stayed there with my RV. Most all of the campsites were too small to park it, but I found one at the very end of the park to stay. Although the land itself is beautiful, the locals were reporting me to the DNR officer, who were clearly his friends, and accusing me of things I was not doing. Also, there’s a lot of traffic in and out of there and they fly through there day and night, as well as a lot of gunfire going off a lot of the time. I use T-Mobile service and I was on SOS most of the time. Not very impressed.
GuideClean level campsites, many overlooking Lake Pepin. Sites are short but there are separate areas to park your vehicle if needed. Not many electric sites. Many sites have tent pads and there are frequent pit toilets and well as a new restroom and shower building. Quiet except for the low rumble of frequent trains from both the Wi and MN sides. Lots of great trails! Of varying difficulties.
TravelerWell maintained. Nice beach.
TravelerBeen camping here year round for 20+ years. Free, first come first served rustic hike/cart in sites with steel fire ring/grill. There are 4 official sites and 2 more unofficial sites with no fire ring.
If you camp with animals: Sites all sit directly off walking trail very popular with dog walkers.
Minnesota's camping spots near Burnsville offer four-season options with varied terrain across Dakota County's 13 lakes and 4,000+ acres of parkland. Campgrounds range from 650 to 950 feet in elevation, creating diverse microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year. Most sites require reservations 3-4 months in advance for summer weekends, with some campgrounds accepting bookings up to 120 days before arrival.
Hiking at Afton State Park: The trail system offers significant elevation changes uncommon in the Twin Cities area. "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites. The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion," notes Andrew C. about Afton State Park Campground.
Mountain biking and trail running: Lebanon Hills features extensive trail networks suitable for various skill levels. "Lebanon Hills is a great park and has a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking. 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," explains Blair in their review.
Water recreation: Many parks offer kayaking and canoeing opportunities from spring through fall. "Nice little lake to kayak on," writes Chris S. about the lake at Lebanon Hills, while Cleary Lake Regional Park provides "a private dock and the whole site is private and on a little point so the lake is surrounding you," according to Teresa O.
Modern bathroom facilities: Baker Park Reserve earns praise for exceptional facilities. "The bathroom/showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" says Jennifer H. about Baker Campground. This makes it ideal for campers who want outdoor experiences with clean facilities.
Proximity to urban amenities: Campers appreciate the balance between nature and accessibility. "Great place to stop and rest when traveling through the twin cities. Great price for full hookup," notes Jon C. about Dakotah Meadows RV Park. Another reviewer mentioned "We enjoy this park a lot. We stay here 2-3 times per summer. Shuttle takes you to casino, but sometime we don't even go there and just enjoy the area."
Site privacy varies significantly: Campgrounds offer different levels of seclusion. "Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen, and we didn't hear them either," writes Blair about Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Meanwhile, campers at Minneapolis Southwest KOA note "Campsites are all cramped together with zero privacy."
Weather considerations: Spring camping often means dealing with water challenges. "The only criticisms we have are that you can hear road noise — and depending on your site you'll hear the alarm of one of the access gates for the Minnesota Zoo," mentions Blair about Lebanon Hills.
Reservation timing is crucial: Popular spots fill quickly, especially for unique accommodations. "Plan ahead as these are hard to come by," warns Scott M. about Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins. Another reviewer notes: "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve."
Urban noise intrusions: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby infrastructure. At Minneapolis Southwest KOA, one camper reported "It's right off a highway so you hear cars flying by 24/7," while Cleary Lake visitors mention more natural sounds with "Quiet, lots of flies, good spot overall."
Swimming options: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers a unique swimming experience. "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.
Kid-friendly facilities: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with," shares Angela L. about Lebanon Hills. Another visitor to Lake Elmo notes it "has awesome sites that fit the needs of just about anyone... a swimming beach for the hotter days."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer structured activities. "They have events planned for kids," notes Chris H. about Minneapolis Southwest KOA, while Tina H. mentions that Lake Elmo has "Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch."
Site surfaces: RV sites vary in quality and levelness across campgrounds. "The sites are paved and have well-maintained grass. We were located near the casino road, which has an occasional loud car, even at night," notes Chris F. about Dakotah Meadows RV Park. Another visitor appreciated "level cement parking area and grassy spots."
Hookup reliability: Water and electric service quality differs between locations. "The water wasn't turned on yet, but we were able to fill our fresh water tank with a hose from their laundromat," shares Michelle A. about Dakotah Meadows. At Town & Country Campground, one visitor mentioned "It's a nice park but very close compact. Everyone is squeezed in like sardines."
Off-season considerations: RV camping extends into colder months at some locations. "The site had a nice picnic table, which we used to help sort out our new (to us) trailer storage. We didn't use the fire ring, but it would have made for a nice campfire. We had full hookups, even though we only needed water and electric," explains Joanne M., highlighting the practical amenities available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Burnsville, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Burnsville, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 112 campgrounds and RV parks near Burnsville, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Burnsville, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Burnsville, MN is Lebanon Hills Regional Park with a 4.8-star rating from 43 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Burnsville, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Burnsville, MN.
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