Best Campgrounds near Fridley, MN

Regional parks around Fridley, Minnesota provide developed campgrounds with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Bunker Hills Regional Park in nearby Coon Rapids offers wooded campsites with electric hookups, showers, and firewood, operating from May through mid-October. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park in Centerville features drive-in and walk-in camping options with full amenities including sewer hookups and shower facilities. Both parks maintain campgrounds within 15 miles of Fridley, making them convenient for visitors seeking nature experiences without traveling far from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April or May through October, with limited winter camping options. Reservations are highly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when sites fill quickly. The metropolitan location provides unusual accessibility for urban campers, with many campgrounds situated within a 30-minute drive of downtown Minneapolis. Facilities typically include modern restrooms with showers, drinking water, and electrical hookups for RVs. As one camper noted, "Despite it only being 20 minutes away, it feels like a hidden paradise. It truly felt like a state park, and it's definitely bigger than some of them."

Campers consistently rate the privacy and tree cover of sites as major advantages, particularly at Bunker Hills where oak trees provide ample shade. The regional parks balance natural settings with convenient access to urban amenities, offering miles of hiking and biking trails while remaining close to restaurants and shopping. Many locations feature additional recreational opportunities such as water parks, golf courses, and disc golf courses. Several visitors mentioned the unexpected seclusion of campsites despite their proximity to suburban areas. According to one review, "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious." Most campgrounds maintain quiet hours and regular ranger patrols, ensuring safe environments for families.

Best Camping Sites Near Fridley, Minnesota (114)

    1. Bunker Hills Regional Park

    16 Reviews
    Coon Rapids, MN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 862-4970

    $20 - $32 / night

    "I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."

    "It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"

    2. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

    17 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 324-3340

    $20 - $75 / night

    "Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday.   The campground is neat and well managed."

    "We took a 30 minute drive north of the cities for a quick get away, and were rewarded with a very nice campground! The check in staff was friendly, helpful and efficient."

    3. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    38 Reviews
    Maple Plain, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 694-7662

    $21 - $29 / night

    "Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."

    "The beaches are some of the best in Minnesota. The bike trails are nearby and plentiful."

    4. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    37 Reviews
    Lake Elmo, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8370

    $23 - $80 / night

    "For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."

    "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."

    5. Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    43 Reviews
    Apple Valley, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 480-7773

    $24 - $42 / night

    "Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation"

    "We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. it has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps."

    6. Rice Creek Campgrounds

    8 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 324-3340

    $20 - $32 / night

    "Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."

    "When Rice Creek Campground opens up again in April I'd highly recommend going there if all you want is a simple camping experience to get away from the city grind."

    7. Minneapolis Northwest KOA

    11 Reviews
    Maple Grove, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 420-2255

    "The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."

    "Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground."

    8. Willow River State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Hudson, WI
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 386-5931

    "Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"

    "Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."

    9. William O'Brien State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Marine on St. Croix, MN
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 539-4980

    $16 - $250 / night

    "Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."

    "We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."

    10. Afton State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Denmark, MN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 436-5391

    "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks."

    "It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees."

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Recent Reviews near Fridley, MN

745 Reviews of 114 Fridley Campgrounds


  • David R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2025

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Quick overnight

    Nice spot with plenty of space between sites, which gives you some privacy. It’s right off a busy road, so you’ll hear some traffic noise. The hunters were out during my stay, so there were gunshots throughout the day, but that’s to be expected this time of year. Overall, a good spot for a quick overnight stay and it’s conveniently close to the cities.

  • Sarah D.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Wild River State Park Campground

    Secluded Backpack/Canoe Site with Sunrise Views

    I was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!

    This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.

    This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.

    This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.

    This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!

    This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!

  • Lance L.
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Cleary Lake Regional Park

    Large campground with plentyy of activities!

    They have two lots for RV and travel trailer use although the first lot only has two spaces and the second one has a total of five. The five space spot has no water or electric hook up but was a great place for me to test out my new solar set up. Word to the wise, 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 😅. The White Pine lot (5 spaces) has a central bathroom/shower building. The park was jam packed Friday/Saturday but a ghosts town the remains sun/mon/tue I stayed.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Byllesby Regional Park

    Very nice campground

    This is a good campground. Very well kept. Fishing from shore and there is a boat launch. Nice playground for kids. Sites are fairly close. Many have no privacy from others, but some do. No water at the sites and pit toilets are the biggest weaknesses. Nice paths for walking and biking.

  • H
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    First time camping!

    For our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids. We will be back!

  • Larry K.
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Willow River State Park Campground

    Never again

    Never again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin

  • Maria D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Interstate State Park — Interstate State Park

    Lovely River, Too Much Hustle

    Interstate State Park has some nice features, but overall it wasn’t my favorite. Many of the exterior loop sites have river access, which was a highlight, and we didn’t have to deal with mosquitoes thanks to being right on the water. The nearby towns are also very charming and worth exploring.

    That said, the campground is small and very crowded, likely because it’s so close to the Cities and popular with canoe rentals. Expect a lot of traffic noise, and in the fall, migrating geese can be very loud (which didn’t bother me, but might for some). The ranger office had limited hours, and since firewood is locked up, there’s no self-serve option. Another downside: a riverboat cruises by frequently, blasting music in the evenings and giving tours during the day.

    The sites are close together, with RVs and tents mixed on one loop, so generator noise is common. It wasn’t a terrible stay, but just too small and busy for my preference—I don’t think I’d return.

    Best sites seemed to be 21 (great river views, less private), 23 (fun detached tent pad), and 18 (most private). Sites 4–5 were also lovely but close to the bathrooms and camp host, so expect more foot traffic.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Ann Lake

    Quite camping just out of town

    Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    Not a bad stay

    Sites are a little close with little to no privacy in most. Fun little trails nearby for an afternoon walk. 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.


Guide to Fridley

Several campgrounds within 30 miles of Fridley, Minnesota provide options for tent, RV, and cabin camping in developed settings. Bunker Hills Regional Park in nearby Coon Rapids offers wooded sites with electric hookups and cabin accommodations, while Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park in Centerville provides drive-in and walk-in access with amenities including electric and water hookups. Both locations maintain facilities like showers, toilets, and sanitary dump stations for RV users, complemented by fire rings and picnic tables at most sites.

Most developed campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with precise opening and closing dates varying by location. Bunker Hills Regional Park's camping season runs from May to October 15th, while Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park is available May through September. Reservations are recommended for weekend stays during summer months when temperatures typically range from 70-85°F. Fall brings cooler weather and changing foliage colors but reduced amenity availability at some locations. One camper noted: "This campground was big with privacy between the camp spots. There were nice trails to help explorer the regional park."

Campers report high satisfaction with the wooded setting at many local campgrounds, particularly appreciating the balance between natural surroundings and proximity to urban amenities. Bunker Hills receives consistent praise for its secluded feel despite being located in suburban settings. According to one visitor, "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious." Nearby attractions include trails, waterparks, and disc golf courses at various locations. The Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Maple Grove represents another option with cabin, tent, RV, and even glamping accommodations. Regional parks generally maintain clean facilities with bathroom and shower access, though several reviews mention significant mosquito activity during summer months as typical for Minnesota camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Fridley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Fridley, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near Fridley, MN and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Fridley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fridley, MN is Bunker Hills Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 16 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fridley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Fridley, MN.