Camping options around Circle Pines, Minnesota include both established campgrounds and regional parks within a short drive of the city. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park in Centerville and Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids offer developed camping with amenities like electric hookups, showers, and drinking water. Both parks accommodate tent camping, RVs, and cabin rentals. Several campgrounds in the area feature water access, including Rice Creek Campgrounds which provides boat-in sites along with traditional drive-in camping areas. William O'Brien State Park, located about 30 miles northeast, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV spots, and camper cabins.
Most campgrounds in the Circle Pines area operate seasonally from April or May through September or October, with a few exceptions like William O'Brien State Park which remains open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend camping during summer months when sites fill quickly. The region experiences typical Minnesota seasonal variations with humid summers and cold winters that limit camping options. Many campgrounds provide electric hookups to accommodate temperature extremes, and shower facilities are common at the established sites. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though coverage may vary at more remote locations. One camper noted that "Lebanon hills has everything for the family. Schultz Beach for summer fun. Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs."
Campers consistently mention the accessibility of outdoor recreation as a highlight of the region's campgrounds. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve receives praise for its filtered swimming pond, sandy beach, and extensive trail system. The park's combination of water access and hiking opportunities makes it particularly popular with families. Several visitors highlighted the proximity to urban amenities while still feeling removed from city life. A reviewer of Lake Elmo noted it "has an impressive list of amenities" including "a sandy bottom and surrounded by a nice sand beach." Bunker Hills and Baker Park campgrounds are recognized for their cleanliness and well-maintained facilities. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are commonly reported at campgrounds throughout the area, adding to the natural experience despite the relatively developed setting of many sites.
$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"We have lived in the Twin Cities for two decades and have never visited Rice Creek Chain of Lakes before. We will again!"
$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."
$20 - $32 / night
"I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."
"It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"
$25 - $90 / night
"Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."
"We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."
"Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"
"Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."
$20 - $32 / night
"Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
"When Rice Creek Campground opens up again in April I'd highly recommend going there if all you want is a simple camping experience to get away from the city grind."
$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."
$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."
$54 - $999 / night
"The map provided was accurate which made locating the cruiser a breeze. There were further instructions inside as well. The RV was immaculate."
TravelerWe stayed here with a group of hot tent campers in early January. The site is large and had a couple of fire pits. Includes a few picnic tables, and a pit toilet. It's a beautiful open area not far from the parking lot with a gorgeous view of the St. Croix River.
ScoutWe visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
RangerSo, I think you know what you are signing up for here when you stay camp at the backpacking site at Afton, but let me fill in some of the blanks. #1 yes, the hill climb is as big of an effort as other people have said. You will feel like you earned your dinner. I may have found a hack for this, but more in that later. #2 the site are mostly private. I stayed on site #12. I could see (and they could have seen me) site #9, but thankfully no one was there. That would have been a bummer to have other looking into my site. There is even a semi-worn path between 12 and 9. They would make a good combo if you have a group. Other than that, totally secluded. As far space at #12, you could build as big of a tent structure there as you would need, easily room for a massive 16’x24’ palace (if you would dare to carry it) or anything smaller. An Eagle Scout project built hammock posts at this site, so it is ideal for that set up. #3 the campground amenities are very nice. The solar powered water works great year round, the two pits toilets (if you can even call them that) are very new and nice. And the coolest campground feature is the cut your own firewood station. I went a little overboard since it was so nice and had a way bigger fire than I needed. Bring your own saw and you will love it too. #4 After walking around the park, I discovered a possible hack. There is an unmarked entrance to the park on the north side. Instead of walking all my gear back to the parking lot, I walked the .5 miles to the service entrance, dropped my pack, and then walked the 1.8 miles back to the parking lot. I tend to carry too much. The flat short walk to drop my gear was worth it. Then I drop around the park and picked up my stuff. Probably not MN DNR endorsed way to do it, but I was proud of my discovery. All in, this is a unique and wonderful camping experience. Highly recommend.
GuideNice spot with plenty of space between sites, which gives you some privacy. It’s right off a busy road, so you’ll hear some traffic noise. The hunters were out during my stay, so there were gunshots throughout the day, but that’s to be expected this time of year. Overall, a good spot for a quick overnight stay and it’s conveniently close to the cities.
RangerI was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!
This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.
This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.
This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.
This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!
This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!
GuideThey have two lots for RV and travel trailer use although the first lot only has two spaces and the second one has a total of five. The five space spot has no water or electric hook up but was a great place for me to test out my new solar set up. Word to the wise, gates ACTUALLY close at 10pm, there's no way to contact anyone and I had to walk about a mile in parked outside the gate 😅. The White Pine lot (5 spaces) has a central bathroom/shower building. The park was jam packed Friday/Saturday but a ghosts town the remains sun/mon/tue I stayed.
GuideThis is a good campground. Very well kept. Fishing from shore and there is a boat launch. Nice playground for kids. Sites are fairly close. Many have no privacy from others, but some do. No water at the sites and pit toilets are the biggest weaknesses. Nice paths for walking and biking.
ScoutFor 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!
TravelerNever again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin
Camping sites near Circle Pines, Minnesota cluster around the Anoka County region where elevations average 890-920 feet above sea level. The area sits within Minnesota's humid continental climate zone with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping months. Most campgrounds maintain operations from April through October, with mid-summer weekends regularly reaching full capacity by early May.
Paddling opportunities: Rice Creek Campgrounds offers both boat-in and traditional camping sites along Rice Creek Chain of Lakes. One camper noted "We took a 30 minute drive north of the cities for a quick get away, and were rewarded with a very nice campground!" Another visitor mentioned the "gorgeous beach area with tables, a pavilion, changing rooms and a well equipped playground."
Mountain biking trails: Lebanon Hills Regional Park provides extensive trail systems designed for various skill levels. A reviewer mentioned it has "Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure" while another noted "Great hiking. Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines."
Water recreation: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features a specially designed swimming pond. One camper described it as "a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming." Another visitor noted it "has an impressive list of amenities" including "a filtered swimming pond, boating and an insane playground."
Spacious, wooded sites: Campers consistently praise the site layout at Bunker Hills Regional Park. One visitor described it as "surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious. There are both primitive (tent) non-electric sites, and sites with electricity, even some 50 amp." Another camper mentioned, "this is a nice, quiet campground with activities nearby. The sites are decently private and there is nice bathrooms/showers."
Escape from urban areas: Many campers value the proximity to nature while remaining close to urban amenities. A Rice Creek Chain of Lakes visitor remarked, "We love to camp here as it's so close to home. Decent amenities, however NOT the feel of a State Park. Think suburbia meets nature." Another camper stated, "Feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities."
Clean facilities: Baker Park Reserve receives consistent praise for maintenance. One camper mentioned, "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" Another noted, "It was fairly busy, but we still felt secluded despite a full campground. There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities."
Seasonal factors: Most campgrounds around Circle Pines operate from May through October, with peak mosquito season in June-July. One camper at William O'Brien State Park mentioned, "We had a battle with mosquitoes. We went through a lot of bug spray and coils. Deer flies were thick around the water filling station."
Reservation requirements: Weekends book rapidly, especially for electric sites. Sites open for reservation 120 days in advance through the Minnesota DNR system or county websites. One Baker Park visitor advised, "You'll need to book for at least two nights and 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."
Site privacy levels: Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds and loops. A Lebanon Hills camper reported, "Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen, and we didn't hear them either." Conversely, at Bunker Hills, a visitor noted the "upper loop is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site."
Campground activities: Willow River State Park offers family-friendly amenities just 30 minutes from Circle Pines. A visitor mentioned, "Willow River falls is definitely a beautiful site to see. Definitely a place to camp if you like to be active and explore the trails. Winter, summer or fall!" Another noted, "Huge park, you can climb the cliffs surrounding the falls and there are plenty of trail both paved and unpaved."
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated swimming facilities. At Lake Elmo, "The swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic for kids." Bunker Hills provides "a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved."
Playground access: Most campgrounds within 30 minutes of Circle Pines feature modern playground equipment. A Baker Park visitor noted, "Nice park for kids just a small hike away" while another mentioned it's "Perfect for kids, they have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds."
Electric hookup options: Most campgrounds offer electrical sites with varying amperage. At Ham Lake Resort, located just 15 minutes from Circle Pines, "There are pull-through sites, back ups, 50 and 30 amp hook ups, and tent sites, covered pavilions, picnic tables and fire pits."
Site selection strategy: Review the campground maps carefully before booking. At Bunker Hills, "The lower loops are definitely better for tent campers, even though quite a few spots could support an RV. The campground map does a good job of providing visual indicators of what a site provides."
Accessibility information: Most campgrounds in the area provide accessible sites and facilities. At Lebanon Hills, "Our site was level, had decent privacy, and was more spacious than some of the other sites. The fire pit was clean and had a grate on top. There were trees to hang a hammock."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Circle Pines, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Circle Pines, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 123 campgrounds and RV parks near Circle Pines, MN and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Circle Pines, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Circle Pines, MN is Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Circle Pines, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Circle Pines, MN.
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