Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers established campsites within 20 minutes of downtown Minneapolis-St. Paul. Located at 1,100 feet elevation, the park sits on terrain shaped by glacial activity with small kettle lakes scattered throughout the region. The camping season runs from April through mid-October with average summer temperatures ranging from 65-85°F.
What to do
Paddle the lakes: Rent kayaks and canoes at Lebanon Hills for water exploration. "Nice little lake to kayak on," notes Chris S. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Hiking network: Afton State Park features diverse terrain including prairie, forest and river landscapes. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" reports Mike K. about Afton State Park Campground, located 30 minutes east of Eagan.
Golf course access: Cleary Lake Regional Park combines camping with golf opportunities. "The golfing nearby seemed reasonably priced for those interested," mentions Truly W. about the recreational amenities at Cleary Lake Regional Park.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Baker Park Reserve receives consistent praise for its cleanliness. "The shower house was very clean and roomy and an easy walk from the camp sites," says Joe R. about Baker Campground.
Suburban seclusion: Despite proximity to metropolitan areas, campgrounds offer unexpected privacy. "Lebanon Hills feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities," notes Blair, who adds that "tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen."
Access to attractions: The region balances natural settings with urban amenities. "Close to the zoo as well as the city," Rico R. remarks about Lebanon Hills, while others mention accessibility to the Mall of America and professional sports venues.
What you should know
Water conditions: Lake quality varies throughout the season at certain parks. "The only thing disappointing is the lake becomes green with algae as the summer goes on," cautions Kayla O. about Lake Byllesby Regional Park.
Reservation timing: Book early, especially for weekend stays. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises Blair about Lebanon Hills.
Site layouts: Campground configurations vary widely across the region. "The sites are paved and have well-maintained grass," notes Chris F. about Dakotah Meadows, while others mention more rustic options at parks like Afton.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several parks feature updated play equipment. "The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with," shares Angela L. about her East Loop stay at Lebanon Hills.
Beach access: Waterfront areas provide warm-weather recreation. "Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath," reports Alison about Willow River State Park, though she notes the beach "isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk."
Wildlife viewing: Children enjoy spotting animals throughout the parks. "We had fun going on a short hike and finding wild blackberries to eat," mentions Angela L. about Lake Byllesby Regional Park.
Tips from RVers
Concrete parking pads: RV campers appreciate level, solid parking surfaces. "The sites are paved and have well-maintained grass," notes Chris F. about Dakotah Meadows RV Park, which features full hookup options.
Different loop options: Lebanon Hills offers varied RV experiences depending on site preference. Katie C. explains Lebanon Hills has "sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines."
Pet-friendly considerations: Most campgrounds allow pets with standard leashing requirements. The paved trail at Lake Byllesby is "really nice for walking the pups," according to Tonya B., who also notes the campground is "very clean and well kept."