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."
$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."
"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."
$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."
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.
GuideNerstrand is so lovely in October. We reserved sites 2 and 4. Though they were right next to each other, they felt very secluded. Site 4 felt a bit more private from the main road because the campsite slightly slopes downward. There is also a log bench positioned close to the fire which some may think is nice but was a bit inconveniently placed for our bigger group to gather around the fire. Plenty of trees to set up multiple hammocks at site 4.
The bathrooms were updated and clean. Unfortunately on our last day, the campground lost running water so only the vault toilets were usable. As someone who doesn’t prefer this option, the vault toilet near the ranger station was actually pretty clean and updated too.
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!
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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