110 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
from $21 - $29 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $20 - $32 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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"
from $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $22 - $80 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $16 / night
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ScoutThe Veterans Campground is by far the best campground we have ever been to! The people are amazing The grounds are well kept, very clean. This is our home away from home. It's the perfect place for your kids to be kids like we did in the 90's home by the time the street lights come on. Us parents can finally relax!
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
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.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
LegendInterstate 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.
GuideNice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
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 110 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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