Campgrounds around Dayton, Minnesota provide diverse accommodations for outdoor enthusiasts within a short drive of the Twin Cities. Baker Park Reserve in nearby Medina offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with modern amenities including electric hookups, showers, and water access. The area also includes popular spots like Bunker Hills Regional Park and Minneapolis Northwest KOA with a range of sites suitable for different camping styles. Crow Hassan Park Reserve caters to equestrians with dedicated horse camping facilities, while dispersed camping opportunities exist in more remote locations such as the areas south of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Seasonal planning significantly affects the camping experience in this region, as most established campgrounds operate from April or May through October. "We went early in the season in the afternoon and had no problems getting a good spot with electric hookups," shared one visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park. Winter conditions generally close developed facilities, though a few locations like Lake Maria State Park maintain year-round access. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when campgrounds frequently reach capacity. Many campsites throughout the area provide amenities like drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables, though specific features vary by location. Access roads are generally well-maintained, making most campgrounds accessible for standard vehicles.
Campers consistently note the wooded settings that characterize many of the region's camping areas. The mixed hardwood forests provide welcome shade during summer months and spectacular foliage in autumn. Multiple reviewers mention the spaciousness of sites at locations like Bunker Hills, with one noting it's "heavily wooded with oak trees, lots of privacy, campsites are spaced out well." By contrast, some visitors to the Minneapolis Northwest KOA describe sites as "stacked on top of each other." Proximity to hiking and biking trails represents another highlight for many campers in the area, with several parks featuring extensive trail networks. Families appreciate locations with additional recreational amenities such as swimming areas, playgrounds, and fishing opportunities, making these sites particularly popular for weekend getaways from the metropolitan area.
$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."
$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"
"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."
"Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."
"Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy"
$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!"
$22 - $80 / night
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
"For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn’t expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly."
"I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock."
$15 / night
"Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer."
"I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!"
$16 / night
"Tucked away near the archery range(don’t worry—nobody’s aiming at your pup), this campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire."
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.
TravelerWe 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.
TravelerIf you’re just passing through especially in the off-season, this is an extremely convenient location. Propane run out in the middle of the night? They got you. Need more beer? They got you. 10/10 if you just need a place to sleep. View is irrelevant
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.
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!
TravelerNever again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin
Camping options around Dayton, Minnesota provide diverse accommodation styles within the oak savanna and prairie landscape of north-central Hennepin County. Located at approximately 950 feet above sea level, the region features a mix of wetlands, upland forest, and riverfront terrain. Winter camping requires special preparation, with daytime temperatures averaging 20-30°F from December through February and occasional snowfall making access challenging without proper equipment.
Archery practice: Visit Elm Creek Park Reserve, which maintains a dedicated archery range near the horse camp area. "Tucked away near the archery range, this campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire," notes one visitor to Elm Creek Horse Camp.
Birding trails: Explore the diverse trails at Crow Hassan Park Reserve for excellent birdwatching opportunities. "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails," shares one regular visitor to Crow Hassan Park Reserve.
Water activities: Rent canoes, paddle boats, and stand-up paddleboards at Baker Park Reserve on Lake Independence. "You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards, and many people bring their own boats (although they do charge to park your boat trailer unless you bring it back to the campground and they limit the number of boats on the lake at a time)," explains one camper.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently praise the quality of amenities at regional parks near Dayton. "The bathroom/showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" reports one visitor to Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.
Private walk-in sites: Lake Maria State Park offers secluded backpacking sites for those seeking solitude. "This hike-in site is about a half-mile walk from the parking area, and the journey in is half the magic: winding wooded trails, wildflowers, and glimpses of the lake through the trees," describes a camper at Lake Maria State Park Campground.
Year-round options: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some parks maintain winter access. "I recently had the pleasure of staying at Campsite C1 in Baker Park Reserve, and it was a truly delightful experience. Nestled in a picturesque setting, this campsite offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and essential amenities," notes a visitor who camped outside peak season.
Poison ivy prevalence: Many campsites in the area, particularly in dispersed camping zones, have significant poison ivy growth. At South of Sand Dunes State Forest, one camper warns: "Lots of poison ivy. Weak cell service but manageable."
Insect considerations: Mosquitoes and ticks are common, especially in wooded areas during spring and summer. "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," reports one Lake Maria visitor.
Cell service limitations: Many campsites have limited connectivity. "Bring a journal and some good company—your phone's chances are slim," advises one camper about Sand Dunes State Forest.
Water parks and playgrounds: Select campgrounds with built-in entertainment options for children. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," explains one visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park, while another notes it's "great for the active family, not those wanting privacy."
Spacious sites: Families appreciate roomier campsites. "We had a tent site with no hook ups. The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees," shares one Minneapolis Northwest KOA camper.
Educational opportunities: Take advantage of nature centers within parks. "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours," explains one Rice Creek Chain of Lakes visitor.
Hookup availability: Electric service varies significantly between parks. "Sites that I loved: 3, 8, 10," recommends a reviewer at Ann Lake, noting which spots work well for specific setups.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have tight entrances or low-hanging branches. "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides," warns an Ann Lake camper, while another notes: "Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers" at South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Site privacy variation: RV sites range from secluded to densely packed. "The sites are stacked on top of each other," reports one Minneapolis Northwest KOA camper, contrasting with Bunker Hills where sites are "wooded with privacy between the camp spots."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Dayton, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Dayton, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 109 campgrounds and RV parks near Dayton, MN and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Dayton, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dayton, MN is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dayton, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Dayton, MN.
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