Ann Lake Campground in Sand Dunes State Forest provides rustic camping on elevated sites with varying terrain. Located within a mixed forest of pines and sandy clearings, campers find sites that range from open and flat to secluded and hilly. Temperatures range from 45-80°F during the primary camping season with high humidity levels in summer. Roads through the campground include gravel surfaces that narrow to one lane in some sections.
What to do
Hiking and exploring wildlife trails: Baker Campground offers paved bike trails that circle multiple lakes and provide access to wooded areas. As one camper notes, "Great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Disc golf: Bunker Hills Regional Park features an extensive disc golf course considered among the top courses in the region. "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing," mentions one visitor who stopped at the park.
Water activities: Tube, canoe, or kayak the Rum River from Country Camping Tent & RV Park with equipment rentals available onsite. "The river is very clean and sandy bottom," notes a camper who appreciated the water access.
What campers like
Private, quiet surroundings: Backpack-in sites at Lake Maria State Park offer exceptional solitude. "This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness," writes a reviewer who stayed at the park.
Well-spaced sites: The walk-in sites at Ann Lake provide more privacy. "I highly recommend the walk-in-sites for the most private tent camping experience. The walk from the car isn't far, but the sites are off the road and in the pines," shares a long-time visitor.
Convenience to Twin Cities: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers full hookup sites with modern facilities just 30 minutes from Minneapolis. A reviewer explains, "The bathrooms were extremely modern and clean. There were some really nice wide trails around the lake."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Deer are common at many campgrounds, particularly at Bertram Chain of Lakes, where one camper observed "so many deer! It's like they were camping with us."
Varying cell service: Service differs significantly by location and carrier. At Sand Dunes State Forest, one reviewer notes, "2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites."
Bugs and seasonal considerations: Most campsites experience heavy mosquito activity, especially near water. Lake Maria Park visitors warn, "Walking along the kids all looked like Pig-Pen from Peanuts. Even though we'd sprayed everyone down the bugs must have felt safety in numbers."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Baker Park Reserve features multiple swimming beaches and boat rentals. "There are 2 swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors. You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards," reports a family who visited.
Child-friendly facilities: Country Camping offers numerous amenities designed for younger campers. "Great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart... A ton for the kids to do!" shares a parent who camped with young children.
Short hike options: For families with limited hiking ability, Sand Dunes State Forest provides varied trail distances. "Plenty of sites to choose from and the sites have a decent separation between them. You need a state parks pass to stay here plus the overnight fee," notes a father who took his son on his first camping trip.
Tips for RVers
Site selection considerations: At Ann Lake, certain sites work better for RVs than others. "Some sites have nice long driveways that can accommodate multiple cars, or even a truck with a boat/trailer," mentions an experienced camper.
Generator noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant generator usage during busy periods. One camper at Ann Lake observed, "So many generators... Went on a busy summer weekend. Beautiful rustic campsites but even sites that you can't drive directly up to were still too close to all of the RVers with loud generators."
Navigation challenges: Minneapolis Northwest KOA provides easier access for larger rigs but can still present challenges. "Trees and level sites. Bigger than I thought," notes one RVer, while another mentions that sites have "decent separation" though some areas feel more crowded.
Dog-friendly options: For those traveling with pets, multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Elk River offer designated pet areas. The KOA includes "a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground," according to a visitor who appreciated the pet accommodations.
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