Regional parks and state forests within a 30-minute drive of Columbia Heights, Minnesota provide a range of camping experiences from developed sites to more rustic options. Bunker Hills Regional Park in nearby Coon Rapids offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups and modern amenities from May through mid-October. Just northeast, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park in Centerville features drive-in and walk-in sites with cabins and glamping options. Lebanon Hills Regional Park, though farther south in Eagan, consistently receives high ratings for its balance of accessibility and natural setting. William O'Brien State Park and Lake Elmo County Park Reserve round out the options with year-round and seasonal camping respectively, both offering hiking trails and water recreation opportunities.
Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. The camping season generally runs from late April through October, with limited winter camping available at select state parks. Mosquitoes and ticks are common from late spring through early fall, requiring appropriate precautions. As one camper at Lebanon Hills noted, "We liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays." Cell service is generally reliable throughout the metro area campgrounds, though more remote sites in state forests may have limited connectivity. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer thunderstorms and occasional flooding affecting low-lying campsites near water features.
Family-friendly amenities distinguish many campgrounds near Columbia Heights. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features "a filtered swimming pond with a sandy bottom and nice beach," according to one reviewer, plus "archery, horse trails, paved and grass trails" for various activities. Baker Park Reserve, though slightly farther west, offers what one camper called "one of the cleanest camps I've ever stayed at" with "very clean and roomy" shower facilities. Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with Lebanon Hills providing more tree cover between sites while Baker Park's sites are more open. Noise can be an issue at campgrounds closer to highways, with several reviewers noting traffic sounds at sites near major roads, making location selection important for those seeking quieter experiences.
$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."
$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."
$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"It was very easy to find, close to the twin cities, and clean. There was good access to kindling for a fire in the nice fire pit that has a grill."
$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"
$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."
"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."
"The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."
"Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground."
$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."
"Beach was closed but we still got some good walks in. Fire ring was a little shallow for my liking so had to get some solid coals going to get dinner on the table."
$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."
$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."
ScoutGot a nice spot by the water, big parking spot, little below the spot is an opening towards water with a fire pit. 2-3 bars of service but never had an issue. Worked well. Very private. Bugs weren’t bad either
ScoutThis was our first camping experience and it was a great one! I would highly recommend this for anyone’s first or fifth camping adventure!
ScoutI was able to find a campsite not on the road. There was a trail from the parking spot so keep an eye out. Lots of animals saw a turkey and coyote so just be aware. Very pretty and calm. Had to pick up some trash from other campers just a reminder to leave no trace.
GuideThis place is spectacular,u have to walk down to the creek. God's work. Beautiful
TravelerWe stayed here from about 10pm to 6am. There were a ton of people there so it was hard finding somewhere to sleep. Once we did, it was very quiet and we got a good nights rest. There were a couple of cars that passed us in the morning when we left but nothing too crazy. The scenery was very beautiful. This is definitely a great free option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot in the woods to sleep!
TravelerI stayed there with my RV. Most all of the campsites were too small to park it, but I found one at the very end of the park to stay. Although the land itself is beautiful, the locals were reporting me to the DNR officer, who were clearly his friends, and accusing me of things I was not doing. Also, there’s a lot of traffic in and out of there and they fly through there day and night, as well as a lot of gunfire going off a lot of the time. I use T-Mobile service and I was on SOS most of the time. Not very impressed.
TravelerWell maintained. Nice beach.
TravelerBeen camping here year round for 20+ years. Free, first come first served rustic hike/cart in sites with steel fire ring/grill. There are 4 official sites and 2 more unofficial sites with no fire ring.
If you camp with animals: Sites all sit directly off walking trail very popular with dog walkers.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
Campgrounds near Columbia Heights, Minnesota range from wooded retreats to prairie landscapes, all within 30-40 minutes of the city. The region typically experiences warm summers with average July temperatures of 83°F and cold winters dropping below freezing, making late spring through early fall the prime camping season. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 800-950 feet above sea level, offering relatively flat terrain with some rolling hills and river valleys.
Swimming options: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers more than just hiking trails. As one camper noted, "Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!" The park provides water access for kayaking and canoeing from May through September.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature disc golf courses, but Bunker Hills Regional Park stands out with what one reviewer called "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing." The 18-hole course winds through wooded and open areas, offering technical challenges for all skill levels.
Winter activities: Unlike most local campgrounds that close seasonally, William O'Brien State Park remains open year-round with winter camping options. A winter camper shared: "The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent. We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape and happened upon a railroad that passed above our trail with a beautiful tunnel-overpass."
Privacy levels: Lebanon Hills Regional Park receives high marks for site spacing. One camper noted, "Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen, and we didn't hear them either." Sites in the East Loop feature electricity but no water hookups, though water pumps are available throughout the campground.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies significantly between campgrounds. A camper at Bunker Hills reported, "The bathrooms were nice and clean. The only down fall was there was no trash cans in the campground only with you were leaving the campground." Most campgrounds clean their facilities daily during peak season.
Variety of camping styles: For those seeking alternatives to traditional tent or RV camping, Afton State Park offers yurts. As one visitor explained: "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks. These have some great amenities and are perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring."
Seasonal challenges: The Minnesota camping season brings distinct challenges each month. During summer, one camper at Rice Creek Campgrounds warned about "horseflies nonstop attacked us. To not get bite we had to run around like chickens with our heads cut off!" Bug activity peaks from June through August, when repellents and screened shelters become essential.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends and holidays. A Lebanon Hills camper advised: "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May." For holiday weekends, reservations often need to be made 3-6 months in advance.
Firewood quality: Firewood availability and quality vary widely. One camper noted: "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere." Many campgrounds prohibit bringing outside firewood due to invasive species concerns, so check current policies before arrival.
Beach amenities: Younger children often enjoy the swimming options at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve. One visitor shared: "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming." The filtered swimming pond provides a cleaner alternative to natural lake swimming.
Playground access: When selecting a family-friendly site, consider proximity to playground facilities. One Baker Park visitor mentioned: "Nice park for kids just a small hike away." Many campgrounds have playground equipment, though quality and maintenance vary considerably.
Teaching opportunities: Multiple parks offer educational programming. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, a visitor noted: "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours." Most nature centers operate limited hours, typically 10am-4pm on weekends and select weekdays.
Site selection guidance: When booking an RV site, ask specific questions about site dimensions. One Lebanon Hills camper explained: "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." This extra information can prevent booking issues for larger rigs.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds with RV sites provide dump stations, though not all offer full hookups. Many campers recommend using the sanitary dump stations when arriving or departing rather than during peak check-in/check-out times to avoid long lines, especially on Sunday afternoons between 12-3pm.
Electric options: Check the amperage available at your chosen campground. One Minneapolis Northwest KOA visitor mentioned: "Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground." While most RV sites offer electrical hookups, amperage varies from 20-50 amps depending on the campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at campgrounds near Columbia Heights?
Campgrounds near Columbia Heights offer varying levels of amenities to suit different camping styles. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve stands out with impressive facilities including a filtered swimming pond with a sandy beach, sun umbrellas, a concession stand, playground, hiking trails, and horseback riding opportunities. William O'Brien State Park Campground features clean, accessible campsites with easy walking trails and is conveniently located near Stillwater for day trips. Most area campgrounds provide standard amenities like toilets and water, while RV campers can find full hookups at several locations.
Where can I find camping near Columbia Heights, Minnesota?
Columbia Heights residents have several excellent camping options within a 30-minute drive. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve offers an inexpensive option west of the city with clean facilities and is managed by Three Rivers Parks. For those seeking free camping opportunities, Cannon River Wilderness Area provides riverside sites with a short 10-minute hike from the parking area. Other nearby options include Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids and the Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Maple Grove for those wanting more amenities.
When is the best season for camping around Columbia Heights?
The prime camping season around Columbia Heights runs from late spring through early fall (May-October), when temperatures are mild and outdoor activities are most accessible. Fall is particularly rewarding at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, which offers excellent leaf-peeping opportunities amid its walking trails. Lebanon Hills Regional Park is ideal for summer camping with Schultz Beach for swimming, mountain bike trails, and miles of hiking paths. Winter camping is limited in the area, though some hardy campers venture out year-round at parks with winter facilities.
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