Campgrounds near Chanhassen, Minnesota operate in a climate characterized by warm summers with high humidity and cold winters with significant snowfall. The region sits at approximately 950 feet above sea level, with most camping areas situated within rolling terrain interspersed with numerous small lakes and wetlands. Mosquitoes are abundant from late spring through summer, with campers reporting they're most active at campgrounds near water features in June and July.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers professionally built mountain bike trails for various skill levels. Lebanon Hills Regional Park receives consistent praise for its trail system. One visitor noted it "has a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Our family selected this camp ground to test out some gear." The park maintains separate trail systems for hiking and biking to minimize user conflicts.
Kayaking and canoeing: Several lakes provide calm waters for paddling with rental options available. Lake Auburn Campground features a lake that's particularly suited for beginners. A visitor described, "The lake is nice, smaller with not many motor boats so good for kayaking or canoeing, the beach is pretty clean, some weeds floating in the water and very shallow for kids." Several campgrounds rent equipment on-site for $10-25 per hour.
Fishing: Multiple lakes in the region support fishing with varying species. Many campgrounds provide fishing docks for easy access. At Cleary Lake Regional Park, campers report catching "a few catfish and bass" though fishing success varies. Some campers recommend bringing fishing gear even for short stays as many campgrounds have shoreline fishing access within walking distance of sites.
What campers like
Private campsites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options despite proximity to urban areas. Cleary Lake Regional Park gets high marks for privacy between sites. A camper reported: "I really like the hike in sites. Short walk from the car and right by the water yet spaced nicely for privacy." Another praised site 13 specifically: "it's HUGE with lots of trees and absolutely beautiful scenery."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms consistently receive positive mentions. One camper at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve noted: "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" Visitors appreciate that shower facilities are cleaned multiple times daily during peak season at many parks.
Proximity to Twin Cities: Convenience for quick getaways. Many campers value the accessibility. One reviewer wrote about Baker Park: "This campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities. The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great." Another camper liked that Lebanon Hills feels "secluded in the middle of the Twin Cities" despite its urban location.
What you should know
Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds and within loops. While some parks offer wooded sites, others have more open layouts. A camper at Lake Auburn noted: "While the park is nice and has mature trees, the sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites. The only separation is the driveway where you park your car."
Reservation timing matters: Book far in advance for summer weekends. Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for prime sites. One camper advised: "You'll need to book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I'd say almost all of them were booked."
Noise levels depend on site location. Dakotah Meadows RV Park campers mentioned varied experiences based on site selection: "We would probably chose a site further from one of the main roads into Mystic Lake Casino. We heard a lot of traffic coming and going well into the wee hours of the night."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Several campgrounds have updated play areas. One family at Lebanon Hills commented on "a nice play area that looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play." Most campgrounds have playground areas within walking distance of camping loops.
Educational programs: Look for scheduled nature activities. At Carver Park Reserve, families appreciate the programming: "They have programs every Saturday night, some of the ones we've been to were about bugs, raptors, bees, and snakes, there are usually programs during the day at the nature center as well."
Swimming beaches: Many parks offer designated swimming areas. Minneapolis Southwest KOA provides a "pool that stays open late," while Lake Auburn Campground features "a cute lil beach for swimming" with a "gently sloping and smooth" shoreline that works well for younger children.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Ask about specific sites when booking. Some RVers reported challenges with uneven sites. One camper at Minneapolis Southwest KOA noted: "The site was very unlevel and the water Spicket didn't really work very well." Calling ahead to request level sites can save setup time.
Electric hookups: Most campgrounds offer 50-amp service. At Town & Country Campground, RVers note the convenience of having "clean and convenient" facilities with reliable power. While most campgrounds offer electric, not all provide full hookups, so check specifics when booking.
Accessibility: Roads and site approaches vary. Some campgrounds have tight turns or narrow roads. At Baker Park, campers mentioned the campground is "a big campground with a lot of paved bike trails and a nice lake a short walk away," making it easier to navigate larger rigs while still accessing amenities.
