Camping near Eagan, Minnesota provides outdoor accommodations ranging from traditional campgrounds to cabins within 15 miles of the city's urban center. Located in Dakota County, Eagan sits at 886 feet above sea level with the camping season typically lasting from mid-April through October when temperatures average between 45-85°F. Winter camping options remain limited to select year-round facilities with heated accommodations.
What to Do
Kayaking and paddling sports: At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, visitors can explore the small lake via kayak rentals. "Nice little lake to kayak on," notes Chris S., while another visitor mentions the park has "a lake with a beach that rents kayaks (single and double), canoes, and paddle boards."
Hiking trail exploration: Willow River State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems for all skill levels. "We did SO many miles hiking! And at certain points in the river, you are able to get in and swim," reports Sarah L. The park features waterfalls accessible via hiking trails, with most trailheads starting directly from the campground areas.
Swimming in filtered water: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve maintains a specially designed swimming area. As Timothy S. explains, "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming." This unique feature provides clean swimming without typical lake vegetation concerns.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Lebanon Hills Regional Park receives consistent praise for site spacing. As Angela L. explains, "We liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays." Another camper notes, "The sites are nice and level, with plenty of space between each one. This feels very much like a nice state park."
Modern facilities: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve maintains high-standard facilities. One visitor calls it a "Top of the line campground" with "facilities modern and clean," while another specifically notes it has "Great bathroom facilities" that are "well maintained." The park also features specialized amenities including an archery range and swimming pond.
Year-round camping options: Afton State Park Campground provides camping through all seasons, with winter accommodation in yurts and camper cabins. A reviewer described their experience: "Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!"
What You Should Know
Site reservation challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. Blair's experience at Lebanon Hills confirmed this: "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May." For cabin camping at Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins, reservations open 120 days in advance and weekend spots book immediately.
Alcohol and pet policies: Regulations vary by location. Several parks including Lake Elmo County Park Reserve and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park prohibit alcohol and have restrictions on pets. One camper at St. Croix Bluffs noted, "My only wish is that my little dog could join us and they had full hook ups."
Variable amenities: Water access may be seasonal. A visitor at Afton State Park reported, "None of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park has family-friendly facilities. "Nice playground for the kids. Fantastic bathrooms zoned showers," reports Lisa D. The campground is designed with families in mind while maintaining a natural setting.
Educational programming: Several parks offer organized activities. Lake Elmo features "Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch," according to Tina H., providing structured entertainment during weekend stays.
Terrain considerations: Hiking trails vary in difficulty. At Afton State Park, a camper noted, "The hike to the campground is short and grueling," which may present challenges for families with young children or those carrying substantial gear.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Dakotah Meadows RV Park offers comprehensive services for larger rigs. "Sites are paved and have well-maintained grass," notes Chris F. The campground provides full hookups with "cement parking pads" according to another reviewer, making it suitable for all RV sizes.
Campsite length accuracy: When booking, verify actual site dimensions. Davis D. at Lebanon Hills advises, "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."
Gate closure enforcement: Check facility operating hours. One camper at Cleary Lake Regional Park learned this lesson: "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."
