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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
