T 
Traveler
TravelerLake Byllesby Regional Park
Nice beach
Well maintained. Nice beach.
Best Campgrounds near Columbia Heights, MN
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.
Best Camping Sites Near Columbia Heights, Minnesota (120)
1. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
37 ReviewsLake Elmo, MN18 milesWebsite+1 (651) 430-8370$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."
2. Lebanon Hills Regional Park
43 ReviewsApple Valley, MN19 milesWebsite+1 (651) 480-7773$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."
3. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park
17 ReviewsLino Lakes, MN12 milesWebsite+1 (763) 324-3340$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!"
4. Bunker Hills Regional Park
16 ReviewsCoon Rapids, MN11 milesWebsite+1 (763) 862-4970$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"
5. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
38 ReviewsMaple Plain, MN19 milesWebsite+1 (763) 694-7662$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."
6. Willow River State Park Campground
62 ReviewsHudson, WI28 milesWebsite+1 (715) 386-5931"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."
7. Minneapolis Northwest KOA
11 ReviewsMaple Grove, MN15 milesWebsite+1 (763) 420-2255"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."
8. Rice Creek Campgrounds
7 ReviewsLino Lakes, MN12 milesWebsite+1 (763) 324-3340$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."
9. William O'Brien State Park Campground
39 ReviewsMarine on St. Croix, MN26 milesWebsite+1 (651) 539-4980$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."
10. Afton State Park Campground
37 ReviewsAfton, MN26 milesWebsite+1 (651) 436-5391$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."
Recent Camping Photos near Columbia Heights, MN
228 Photos of 120 Columbia Heights Campgrounds
Arielle P.
Bunker Hills Regional Park
Krista T.
Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Amy G.
Rice Creek Campgrounds
Zach H.
Minneapolis Northwest KOA
Amy K.
Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
ERolf P.
Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
Blair
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Jennifer H.
Town & Country Campground & RV Park
Wade H.
Three Rivers Park District Baker Campground
Missy B.
Carver Park Reserve - Three Rivers Park District
Erik R.
Lake Auburn Campground
Lili R.
Cleary Lake Regional Park
Recent Reviews near Columbia Heights, MN
788 Reviews of 120 Columbia Heights Campgrounds
- TTraveler
Cannon River Wilderness Area
Year round free camping
Been 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.
- JJon E.
GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Tents or small truck camper only
Small pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
Jay W.
LegendInterstate Park — Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
Great park, plenty around the area...BUT THE NOISE!!!
Interstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35. The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby. There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.
The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin. The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age. The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.
There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites. The South is a bit more rustic. The showers are located at the North campground.
For amenities there are flush toilets and showers. There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities.
This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area. You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options. If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.
Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the hwy crossing over the river. The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.
T S.GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Loved it!
Nice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
Greg M.GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Good spot for a night
Got in late on a Sunday night and there was plenty of space. Most sites are right along the gravel road so not super private. Wouldn’t recommend for large trailers/RVs as sites are small. Found a couple sets of deer bones right next to my site, not sure if it’s from hunters dumping their waste or coyotes but keep an eye out either way.
DIANNE T.GuideSouth of Sand Dunes State Forest
Girl on first car camping trip
Kind of confusing for first time. Was not sure where I could camp. But then found out it's the spots right along road. Beautiful. Some good spots. Ended up in a pull thru around w view.
Corinna Y.TravelerOld Railroad Bridge
Great little getaway spot for winter camping!
We 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.
CindyTravelerAvatan Family Nudist Campground
"Family-Friendly" in Name Only: A Cautionary Tale from a Disillusioned Par
We 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.
Guide to Columbia Heights
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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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?
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?
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?
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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