Lake Auburn Campground and Crow Hassan Park Reserve offer boutique camping experiences within 30 minutes of Fridley, Minnesota. Crow Hassan provides equestrian camping with overnight horse stalls and hitching posts for trail riders. Lake Auburn maintains 57 primitive campsites with a swim beach and playground in Carver Park Reserve. Both parks offer budget-friendly glamping close to Fridley with rates under $35 per night at most sites.
What to do
Hiking and trail exploration: Crow Hassan Park Reserve features extensive natural trails through restored prairie. According to one visitor, "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" The park's diverse terrain makes it ideal for wildlife viewing in all seasons.
Water recreation: Lake Auburn Campground provides lake access with a swimming beach. One camper noted, "The beach area looks nice but we didn't use it." Another mentioned, "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth."
Disc golf adventures: Bunker Hills Regional Park features a championship disc golf course. As one visitor reported, "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)." The course is accessible from the campground with multiple tee positions for different skill levels.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Baker Park Reserve campers appreciate the generous site layouts. One visitor mentioned, "Quiet, lots of trees, nice fire rings. Bathrooms were close and well kept. There were lots of other campers there but the sites are large and plentiful so it was not crowded."
Privacy options: Lake Maria State Park Campground offers secluded hike-in sites. A camper described their experience: "This hike-in site is about a half-mile walk from the parking area, and the journey in is half the magic: winding wooded trails, wildflowers, and glimpses of the lake through the trees."
Natural settings: Campers enjoy the forested environments at many sites. One Bunker Hills visitor shared, "The lower loops are definitely better for tent campers, even though quite a few spots could support an RV. The campground map does a good job of providing visual indicators of what a site provides."
What you should know
Seasonal bug conditions: Summer brings intense insect activity to many sites. A Lake Maria visitor warned, "When we pulled up to the parking lot we knew we were in trouble. The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Site selection strategy: Bunker Hills Regional Park has varied sites that require careful selection. One camper suggested, "The upper loop(sits 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site. See picture of site 47 to get a feel for what this one is like."
Facilities availability: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park offers modern amenities. A visitor observed, "This is a beautiful park and the campsites for the most part all seem spacious, and the loop we were in (whichever one site 52 is in) all had decent tree cover. The bathroom facility has seen better days."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park provides family-friendly features. A visitor noted, "Great walking paths and clean restrooms. Great for a quick weekend camping trip."
Water park options: Bunker Hills Regional Park offers additional family attractions. A camper shared, "The waterpark is a blast and we were able to find discount passes online," making this an excellent option for glamping with children near Fridley.
Beach amenities: Lake Auburn Campground includes thoughtful beach features. A camper detailed, "The beach has couple large shade umbrellas and a fishing dock. The facilities here are very nice, but I like my camp sites to be more private than what Auburn Lake has to offer."
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: Minneapolis Northwest KOA offers varied RV spots. A visitor advised, "The sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot."
Spacing considerations: Some RV parks have tight spacing. One KOA visitor observed, "The KOA was nice and clean but your packed in on top of each other like sardines in a can," highlighting the importance of reviewing site maps before booking.
Hookup options: Baker Campground provides diverse service connections. A visitor mentioned, "We spent two nights in the campground. It was fairly busy, but we still felt secluded despite a full campground. There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to shower and bathroom facilities."
