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