Seasonal camper cabins and glamping options exist near Coon Rapids between May and October. Most sites require reservations up to 120 days in advance, especially for weekend stays. The area features diverse terrain from prairie to forested sites with varying levels of accessibility and amenities across several nearby parks.
What to do
Waterpark adventures: Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids offers camping with nearby water recreation. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," writes Tiffany W. The park combines natural settings with recreational facilities, including "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," according to Arielle P.
River tubing excursions: Country Camping Tent & RV Park provides access to the Rum River for water activities. "The tubing is a plus. Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," notes David G. This campground offers river-based recreation with equipment rentals for day trips.
Stargazing sessions: Wild River State Park features designated star viewing areas. Katherine T. reports, "The star gazing area was great!" The park's distance from city lights creates optimal conditions for night sky observation, with some campsites positioned for eastern views to catch sunrise.
Trail explorations: State parks near Coon Rapids feature varied trail systems. At Lake Maria State Park, "The hike itself is rather hilly, and the site is about a quarter mile off of the main path," Brian C. explains. The park offers backpacking experiences with sites categorized by hiking distance from parking areas.
What campers like
Secluded wilderness feel: Many campers value the sense of isolation despite proximity to urban areas. At Wild River State Park, "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees," reports Stephanie H. This park balances accessibility with natural immersion.
Wildlife encounters: Area campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," shares Kate H. about Wild River State Park. Nature viewing opportunities range from common woodland creatures to seasonal bird migrations.
Camper cabins for extended seasons: Baker Campground at Baker Park Reserve provides cabin options for year-round camping. One camper describes their experience: "Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!" These structures extend camping possibilities beyond tent season.
Yurt camping alternatives: For those interested in yurt camping near Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Afton State Park offers this option. Jason S. notes, "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
Bug preparedness essential: Insect activity can be intense, particularly in summer months. At Lake Maria State Park, a camper warns, "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." Proper repellent application and protective clothing prove necessary during peak seasons.
Weather adaptability: Minnesota's climate requires flexible planning. "It snowed... in late March. I stayed in the campground in late March, 2025... It was cold, rainy, and that turned into 5" of snow," reports Erik R. at Wild River State Park. Temperature fluctuations between day and night can be significant, particularly in spring and fall.
Reservation timing strategy: Competition for sites follows seasonal patterns. At Baker Park Reserve, a camper advises: "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." Most parks open reservations 120 days before arrival date.
Site selection considerations: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers varied site types. "Our site was clear, flat and grassy, and had an established fire pit. Other loops had grills and hook ups for pop-up campers and RVs," notes kristin C. Research specific site characteristics through park maps and reservation systems before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Beach amenities: Rice Creek provides water recreation areas designed for children. "There is a gorgeous beach area with tables, a pavilion, changing rooms and a well equipped playground," shares kristin C. Family-friendly swimming areas feature gradual entry points and monitored conditions during summer months.
Playground accessibility: Multiple parks incorporate play structures near camping areas. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, "There are many paved trails, and an activity center," according to Doug B. The proximity of recreational facilities to camping areas varies by park, with some requiring short walks.
Activity options for varied ages: Country Camping Tent & RV Park caters to different age groups. "Great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart 10-10 would most defiantly go again! A ton for the kids to do!" reports Beasty B. Consider parks with diversified recreation options to accommodate various interests and energy levels.
Firewood preparation: Some parks require additional work for campfires. At Afton State Park, Adam P. mentions: "They do have firewood available however it is long slab wood, so you do need to cut it yourself. Hand hacksaws are provided, but we're not great quality which made cutting the wood difficult." Prepare accordingly if camping with children who expect immediate campfires.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing variations: RV accommodations differ significantly between parks. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, one camper notes, "Large sites and large bugs... The lots were really big and we had no one near us, so it was nice and private." However, another camper described the experience differently: "The KOA was nice and clean but your packed in on top of each other like sardines in a can."
Power management considerations: Electrical supply reliability varies by location and season. At Country Camping, a camper reports: "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off then it was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max." Consider bringing power protection devices during peak usage periods.
Reservation requests: Specific site features require advance communication. One camper at Minneapolis Northwest KOA advises: "If I wanted one with trees I needed to put a note on my reservation. He also suggested calling the office and requesting a site with trees."
Site surface conditions: Terrain affects setup and comfort. At Baker Park Reserve, sites are described as "larger than average" with paved areas for RV parking, while primitive sites may require additional leveling or ground preparation work.
