Campgrounds near Fridley, Minnesota range from drive-in RV sites with full hookups to walk-in tent camping 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.
$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"
$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"It was very easy to find, close to the twin cities, and clean. There was good access to kindling for a fire in the nice fire pit that has a grill."
$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."
$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."
$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."
"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."
"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."
$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."
"Beach was closed but we still got some good walks in. Fire ring was a little shallow for my liking so had to get some solid coals going to get dinner on the table."
$25 - $90 / 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."
$22 - $85 / night
"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."
ScoutGot a nice spot by the water, big parking spot, little below the spot is an opening towards water with a fire pit. 2-3 bars of service but never had an issue. Worked well. Very private. Bugs weren’t bad either
ScoutThis was our first camping experience and it was a great one! I would highly recommend this for anyone’s first or fifth camping adventure!
ScoutI was able to find a campsite not on the road. There was a trail from the parking spot so keep an eye out. Lots of animals saw a turkey and coyote so just be aware. Very pretty and calm. Had to pick up some trash from other campers just a reminder to leave no trace.
GuideThis place is spectacular,u have to walk down to the creek. God's work. Beautiful
TravelerWe stayed here from about 10pm to 6am. There were a ton of people there so it was hard finding somewhere to sleep. Once we did, it was very quiet and we got a good nights rest. There were a couple of cars that passed us in the morning when we left but nothing too crazy. The scenery was very beautiful. This is definitely a great free option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot in the woods to sleep!
TravelerI stayed there with my RV. Most all of the campsites were too small to park it, but I found one at the very end of the park to stay. Although the land itself is beautiful, the locals were reporting me to the DNR officer, who were clearly his friends, and accusing me of things I was not doing. Also, there’s a lot of traffic in and out of there and they fly through there day and night, as well as a lot of gunfire going off a lot of the time. I use T-Mobile service and I was on SOS most of the time. Not very impressed.
TravelerWell maintained. Nice beach.
TravelerBeen camping here year round for 20+ years. Free, first come first served rustic hike/cart in sites with steel fire ring/grill. There are 4 official sites and 2 more unofficial sites with no fire ring.
If you camp with animals: Sites all sit directly off walking trail very popular with dog walkers.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
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 118 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.
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