Dispersed camping options near Cambridge, Minnesota include backcountry sites at Wild River State Park where campers access secluded riverfront locations via hiking trails ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 miles. The area sits at the junction of Minnesota's eastern woodland and prairie ecosystems, creating diverse camping environments across Isanti County. Winter temperatures often drop below 10°F while summer humidity creates challenging conditions for tent campers without proper ventilation.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: The Rum River provides excellent canoeing and tubing options at Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River, where the river features a clean, sandy bottom. "Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," notes David G., while another visitor mentioned, "Great tubing and canoeing."
Wildlife watching: Wild River State Park Campground offers extensive wildlife viewing along its river trails and oak savanna habitats. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," reports Kate H. Multiple trails lead to prime viewing areas along the St. Croix River.
RC tracks and mini golf: Several campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond water activities. According to David E., Minneapolis Northwest KOA provides "easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground." Some locations also offer basketball courts, game rooms, and chess courts for visitors seeking structured recreation.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Bunker Hills Regional Park receives high marks for site privacy despite its suburban location. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious," shares Doug B. The park manages to maintain a natural atmosphere with effective site spacing.
Sandy beaches: Access to swimming areas enhances the camping experience at multiple locations. At Country Camping, one visitor mentioned that "the campground is nice and clean. Good size spaces. The tubing is a plus...the river is very clean and sandy bottom." The combination of clean water access and sandy shores provides valuable recreation during hot summer months.
Night sky viewing: Lake Maria State Park Campground offers dark sky opportunities away from city lights. Katherine T. mentions, "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet." The park's relative distance from major light pollution sources creates opportunities for astronomy enthusiasts.
What you should know
Insect preparation: Minnesota's summer months bring significant insect activity, particularly at wooded sites. One camper at Lake Maria State Park described their experience: "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon. First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos." Permethrin-treated clothing and appropriate repellents are essential from May through September.
Reservation requirements: Peak season fills quickly at many campgrounds. At Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve, availability becomes limited during summer weekends. Sites with electrical hookups typically fill first, with tent-only sites remaining available longer into the reservation window.
Amenities vary significantly: Facilities range from primitive to full-service. Jennifer H. notes about Baker Park: "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" Meanwhile, at more rustic locations, visitors report minimal facilities with vault toilets only.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park provides family-friendly amenities including playground equipment. The park maintains a nature center that offers educational programming, with one visitor noting, "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours."
Swimming areas: Multiple locations feature swimming opportunities for children. At Country Camping, Beasty B. reports, "I stayed here 3 weeks ago with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart 10-10 would most defiantly go again! A ton for the kids to do!"
Bike trails: Paved paths provide safe cycling opportunities for families with children. At Baker Park, one camper mentioned, "There are a lot of paved bike trails and a nice lake a short walk away." These trails typically connect campgrounds with beaches, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing awareness: While many campgrounds advertise RV compatibility, actual conditions vary. At Kozy Oaks Kamp, one visitor cautions, "Branches in way of taller campers and would be tough to back into nightly sites if not used to backing in trailers." Pre-arrival site research prevents challenging situations upon arrival.
Power considerations: During peak summer temperatures, electrical systems can become strained. One camper at Country Camping noted, "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off... Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max." Surge protectors and awareness of circuit limitations help prevent issues.
Dump station logistics: Access and positioning of sanitation facilities impacts departure procedures. At certain locations, visitors have reported challenging dump station configurations, with one noting a station "on an incline and in the way of a main intersection." Planning extra time for these procedures helps reduce departure stress.
