Lake Maria State Park and Cokato Lake RV Resort provide backcountry camping options within driving distance of Cold Spring, Minnesota. Most glamping experiences near Cold Spring sit at elevations between 1,050 and 1,100 feet above sea level, with the region characterized by its glacial moraines, kettle lakes, and mixed hardwood forests. Winter temperatures can dip to -10°F while summer averages hover around 80°F with moderate humidity.
What to Do
Hiking through glacial terrain: Lake Maria State Park offers miles of trails winding through mature hardwood forests. As one visitor noted, "It's a nice quiet park and so are the campgrounds! They also have little cabins to stay in that I'd like to try out!" The trails pass by scenic ponds formed by ancient glaciers.
Fishing in Games Lake: Games Lake County Park offers excellent fishing opportunities on its 2,800-acre chain of lakes. "This is a nicely forested family-oriented campground on the shores of Games Lake... set on a nice lake with fishing, boating, and swimming available," reports one reviewer.
Winter recreation: Baker Park Reserve maintains groomed cross-country ski trails during winter months. The park's 6+ mile trail system connects to a larger network. "We love to camp here. Access to Lake Independence. A lot of biking trails. Nice clean bathrooms. Nice park for kids just a small hike away," notes a visitor.
Bird watching opportunities: Watch for pileated woodpeckers, red squirrels, and migratory birds throughout the region. As a camper observed, "I love birding here as well," when describing Baker Park Reserve, making it a prime location for wildlife enthusiasts in all seasons.
What Campers Like
Privacy and seclusion: Lake Maria State Park Campground offers backcountry sites that provide true solitude. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," writes one visitor.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention the clean facilities at parks near Cold Spring. At Baker Park Reserve, a visitor shared, "The bathroom/showers are great... some of the best I've seen at a campground!" Similar comments appear for most parks in the region.
Lake access and beaches: Most parks offer swimming beaches and boat launches. "The beach area is nice," mentions a reviewer at Cokato Lake RV Resort. Another camper at Lake Ripley County Park Campground shared, "Most of the sites here are lakefront. They have you park your vehicle behind a row of bushes to help keep the view clear for everybody."
Recreational amenities: Beyond natural features, many campgrounds offer additional recreation options. A visitor to Cokato Lake RV Resort highlighted its "Inground, heated swimming pool; mini golf; pickleball; tennis; arcade room attached to the office. Ice cream shop has 8 flavors of hand-dipped yum!"
What You Should Know
Bugs can be intense: Prepare for mosquitoes and black flies, particularly in early summer. A camper at Lake Maria State Park warns, "When we pulled up to the parking lot we knew we were in trouble. 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."
Site selection matters: At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, a reviewer advised, "Be sure to call the office ahead and let them know that you want a site with trees and not one backing up to the road." This applies to most campgrounds in the area where site quality can vary.
Reservation planning: Popular glamping options book quickly, especially cabins. At Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground, a visitor noted, "There was some suggestion that there was some drive in sites that were not reservable... But I was unaware or unable to find those."
Hiking distances to backcountry sites: At Lake Maria State Park, campers should be prepared for the walk to their site. One camper shared, "The camp site was pretty awesome. Like others said, nice and secluded. If you're new to hiking, I suggest doing some research... I camped here back in 2020 of November. Overpacked, along with not packing the right gear and didn't have a cart."
Tips for Camping with Families
Accessible playgrounds: Many parks offer child-friendly facilities near campsites. As one reviewer noted about Games Lake County Park, "There is a nearby boat launch with parking. As well as a playground and beach area with a slide."
Short hiking options: For families with young children, look for shorter trails with interpretive elements. "We had a great time camping here with the family!" shared a visitor to Lake Maria State Park, which offers educational hiking opportunities suitable for various ages.
Rental equipment availability: Cokato Lake RV Resort offers equipment rentals that can enhance family outings. A reviewer mentioned the resort has "Heated pool, lake with beach, boat launch area just block away, tennis/pickle ball, mini golf, resort store with ice cream, goat park, paved roads and much more!"
Weather considerations: Minnesota weather can change rapidly. "There are a lot of mature trees providing natural shade between sites," notes a camper, which can be crucial for family comfort during hot summer days.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing and privacy: RV sites vary significantly in privacy and spacing. One camper at Minneapolis Northwest KOA noted, "The KOA was nice and clean but your packed in on top of each other like sardines in a can."
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are limited at some campgrounds. A visitor to Bertram Chain of Lakes shared, "I ended up paying a fair amount of money for a full hookup site. The bathrooms were extremely modern and clean."
Access considerations: Some parks have challenging access roads. Check road conditions and site dimensions before booking, especially for larger rigs.
Seasonal openings: Many campgrounds close during winter months. Games Lake County Park operates from May to September 30, while others like Baker Park Reserve have slightly longer seasons from April to mid-October.
