Camping sites near Shorewood, Minnesota primarily operate from April through October, with most facilities closing by late fall. The region sits within the Minnesota River Valley with elevations around 900 feet above sea level and receives approximately 30-32 inches of precipitation annually. Campground density increases around Lake Minnetonka and along the Three Rivers Park system where sites typically require reservations 90 days in advance.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers extensive hiking paths through wooded terrain. According to one visitor, "There are hiking trails all over and a lake with a beach that rents kayaks (single and double), canoes, and paddle boards." The park maintains trails for different skill levels with connecting routes between camping areas.
Mountain biking: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve features 13.25 miles of single track trails with varying difficulty levels. A visitor noted, "This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels."
Swimming and beach access: Most lakeside campgrounds provide swimming areas with designated beaches. At Lake Auburn Campground, "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth." Many beaches remain unguarded, so swimming requires personal caution.
Wildlife observation: The various parks in the Shorewood area support diverse bird populations and wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper mentioned that Lake Rebecca Park Reserve is "Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Shower buildings and restrooms receive regular maintenance at most established campgrounds. One camper at Baker Campground reported, "The bathroom/showers are great... the sites are fairly large, but very open." Another visitor stated, "There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities (which were very nice)."
Accessible locations: The proximity to Minneapolis while maintaining a natural setting appeals to weekend campers. A visitor to Lebanon Hills Regional Park commented, "We love Lebanon Hills! Close to home and an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities. Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines."
Water recreation: Lake access represents a significant draw for many campgrounds. At Lake Auburn Campground, visitors appreciate "Eady walk to the lake, sitting on the dock or the grass and swimming... a great way to destress." Most lakefront campgrounds offer fishing docks, boat rentals, or water access points.
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds feature updated playground equipment for families. One camper described Lake Rebecca Park Reserve as having "the best kids park at any campground I've been to," while another mentioned that Lake Auburn Campground has "an awesome playground for all ages as it accommodates something for all ages and size groups."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature open layouts without substantial barriers between sites. A camper at Carver Park Reserve observed, "The sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites. The only separation is the driveway where you park your car."
Weekend congestion: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. Reservations often become available 90-120 days in advance and should be secured early. A visitor to Lebanon Hills noted, "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds close from late October through April. Water systems typically shut down in mid-October before freezing temperatures arrive. A camper visiting Lake Auburn mentioned, "They're closing soon, but I caught this campground in their last 2 weeks open for the season! Feels lucky."
Noise considerations: Urban proximity means some road noise affects certain campgrounds. At Town & Country Campground, a visitor observed, "Some road noise, but you are in the city so expected, but yet still quieter than in some areas being close to things."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near play areas for convenience. At Lake Auburn Campground, families appreciate that "the playground is awesome for all ages as it accommodates something for all age groups from a traditional playground set for the younger ones, volleyball net and concrete bag toss boards."
Educational programming: Several parks offer ranger-led activities for children. A visitor to Lake Auburn noted, "They have programs every Saturday night, some of the ones we've been to were about bugs, raptors, bees, and snakes, there are usually programs during the day at the nature center as well."
Beach quality: Swimming areas vary in quality and maintenance. One camper at Baker Campground appreciated that "the beach area looks nice" while another mentioned that "Lake Auburn's beach is very nice. Bathrooms are clean."
Safety considerations: No lifeguards monitor most swimming areas. At Lake Rebecca, visitors observed that "there were many happy swimmers. Keep in mind that there are no lifeguards on duty." Families should maintain close supervision of children near water.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Dakotah Meadows RV Park provides full-service sites with concrete pads. According to one RVer, "This is a really nice campground with cement parking pads with full hookups. The grass around the lots is very green, lush and well maintained."
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. A visitor to Town & Country Campground noted, "While some sites are a little uneven and better suited to RVs than to tents, all sites are spacious and clean."
Utility quality: Water pressure and electrical capacity vary between campgrounds. Some sites offer 50-amp service while others provide only 30-amp connections. One RVer at Dakotah Meadows mentioned, "Sites are paved and have well-maintained grass. We were located near the casino road, which has an occasional loud car, even at night."
Dump station access: Most campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations, though not all sites have sewer connections. Lebanon Hills offers "sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines." Campers should check availability when booking.
