Campsites near Champlin, Minnesota typically close for the season by mid-October, with most reopening in late April when temperatures consistently rise above freezing. The area sits at approximately 860 feet above sea level within the Rum River watershed, creating a terrain that ranges from wooded ravines to open prairie. Most camping facilities in the area maintain gravel camping pads rather than paved ones, which can become muddy during spring thaws or after heavy rainfall.
What to do
Trail exploration: Hiking and biking paths surround nearly every camping destination near Champlin. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, campers can access extensive walking networks from their sites. "We spent a great time walking the trails, it was always kind of exciting to see what random feature was tucked seamlessly into the next bend," notes one visitor. The park maintains both paved and unpaved trails suitable for various skill levels.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes within a 20-minute drive of Champlin offer fishing access. At Ham Lake Resort, visitors can utilize the boat launch to access fishing spots. "The campground has a couple of ponds, as well as access to Ham Lake where the watercraft is launched," explains a reviewer. Species typically caught include bass, crappie and northern pike.
Water activities: Swimming and boating remain popular throughout summer months. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features a unique swimming option that combines natural elements with pool-like features. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," a visitor reports about this distinctive amenity.
What campers like
Privacy variations: Site seclusion differs dramatically between campgrounds, affecting the camping experience. Minneapolis Northwest KOA offers varying levels of privacy based on site location. "We tent camped here for a night while passing through. It's a basic KOA with a few amenities. The lots were really big and we had no one near us, so it was nice and private," writes one camper who stayed in the back section. This contrasts with front area sites that tend to be more densely occupied.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms consistently receive positive mention. Lebanon Hills Regional Park earns particular praise for its restroom upkeep. "The bathrooms were among some of the nicest I've used at a campground. The shower stall was big enough for a meaty human like myself to shower comfortably," shares one visitor. Many facilities receive daily cleaning, sometimes multiple times per day.
Urban access: Proximity to services while maintaining natural settings ranks highly with visitors. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious," notes one reviewer about a local option. Most sites maintain cell service, with campers reporting 3-4 bars at most locations.
What you should know
Seasonal pests: Bug activity can affect camping experiences, particularly during summer months. Rice Creek Campgrounds receives specific mention regarding insect activity. "My husband and I paid for one night at a non electric drive in tent site... As we slowly whined down a gravel road the trees became more dense, our site seemed perfect for the two of us! That is when we started noticing the horseflies were making it known that we were 'trespassing on their turf'," explains one camper who struggled with persistent insects.
Firewood considerations: Quality varies between campgrounds, with availability sometimes limited. "Many campsites are fantastic with good spacing and shade. Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere," advises one visitor about their experience at a local park.
Reservation requirements: Planning ahead becomes essential during peak season. Most campgrounds near Champlin require reservations, particularly for weekend stays. Many campers recommend booking at least 3-4 weeks in advance for summer weekends, with some popular sites filling months ahead.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Recreation areas provide entertainment options at several campgrounds. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve offers multiple play spaces. "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!" reports a first-time camping family.
Educational opportunities: Nature programs operate at select locations during summer months. "On Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch," notes a parent about one local park. These ranger-led activities typically run 30-60 minutes and focus on local wildlife and ecology.
Site selection: Space considerations matter when camping with children. "The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great. With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," explains a family camper who visited Baker Park Reserve.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric access differs between campgrounds, with many offering multiple options. Ann Lake provides varying levels of site development. "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking. Sites range from open and flat to secluded and a little hilly," explains an RV camper. Low-hanging branches can create access challenges for larger rigs at some locations.
Site length accuracy: Reservation systems may not fully account for tow vehicle space. "Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All rv sites are the listed length plus 16' for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out," advises an RVer who stayed at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
