Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers campsites just 15 miles from Falcon Heights, with sites that feel secluded despite their urban proximity. The campground connects to several miles of hiking and biking trails through forests and along lakeshores. Temperatures range from summer highs of 80°F to winter lows well below freezing, making camping conditions vary dramatically by season.
What to do
Trail exploration: 11+ miles of paths connect through Afton State Park Campground, located 30 minutes east of Falcon Heights. "Lots of hiking. Nice campsites. Beautiful park," notes one camper, while another mentions the "lovely trails at Afton to spend your day on."
Paddling: Multiple lake access points at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park provide water recreation opportunities. "There is a gorgeous beach area with tables, a pavilion, changing rooms and a well equipped playground," reports one visitor. The park maintains several paddle-in campsites for those arriving by water.
Star gazing: Designated viewing area at Wild River State Park offers excellent night sky observation. "The star gazing area was great," reports one camper who visited in 2024. Light pollution is minimal at this location, especially on weeknights when the campground is less crowded.
What campers like
Proximity to metro: Quick access from Falcon Heights makes Bunker Hills Regional Park ideal for overnight trips. "Only being 20 minutes away, because I always prioritize going to state parks. It would never even occur to me to camp somewhere if it was less than an hour away. That is no longer true," explains one camper who discovered this nearby option.
Secluded sites: Tree coverage provides privacy at several campgrounds. "The sites are decently spaced with good tree cover," notes a Wild River State Park visitor, while another mentions that the "wooded cabins have what seems like full-sized mattress bunk beds built into the wall."
Year-round options: Heated facilities at Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins extend camping season. "The bathroom is heated and open year round. There are two year round showers as well," reports a winter visitor. The cabins themselves provide electric heat for cold weather stays.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Mosquitoes can be intense during summer months. "Lots of bugs, so bring your spray," warns a Rice Creek visitor, while another mentions that at Ham Lake Resort they "needed gallons of bug spray" during an August visit.
Reservation timing: Book early for popular sites, especially for yurt camping near Falcon Heights, Minnesota. "Plan ahead as these are hard to come by," advises a Whitetail Woods visitor. Most campgrounds open reservations 120 days in advance, with weekend dates filling quickly.
Site selection: Research layout before booking at Lake Auburn Campground. "While the park is nice and has mature trees, the sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites. The only separation is the driveway where you park your car," explains one camper. Different areas of the same campground can offer dramatically different experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Water features: Swimming beaches provide recreation for children. "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," notes a Lake Auburn visitor. Most water access points maintain seasonal lifeguards between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Playground access: Multiple options for children to play. "Lots of space between campsites. They aren't very private though. Great playground and green space for the kids, beach is very nice," reports a Lake Auburn camper. Many sites also feature volleyball courts and open play areas.
Affordable alternatives: Yurt camping near Falcon Heights provides an economical glamping option. "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks. These have some great amenities and are perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring," explains a visitor to Minneapolis Northwest KOA, which also offers yurt accommodations.
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: Research pad dimensions before booking. "The campground was big with privacy between the camp spots," mentions a camper at Bunker Hills, though not all area campgrounds offer the same spacing. Many sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet, but always check individual campground restrictions.
Seasonal services: Water access changes throughout the year. "Outside water is shut off during some parts of the year, so bring your own drinking water if you are camping close to/during winter," advises a camper. Most campgrounds winterize water systems between October and April.
Dump station availability: Plan ahead for waste disposal. "Water fill stations readily available so we loaded up prior to continuing out west," notes a Bunker Hills visitor. Not all campgrounds maintain sanitary dump stations, so check availability when planning multi-day stays.
