Campgrounds near Hanover, Minnesota range from developed parks with modern amenities to more rustic options in surrounding natural areas. Baker Park Reserve in nearby Medina offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with access to Lake Independence for fishing and swimming. Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Maple Grove provides similar options with additional glamping and yurt facilities, while more primitive camping can be found at South of Sand Dunes State Forest, a dispersed camping area north of Hanover that accommodates both tent and RV camping.
Seasonal availability varies significantly across the region, with most established campgrounds operating from April through October. Baker Park Reserve typically opens April 30 and closes October 20, while Lake Maria State Park Campground remains open year-round for those seeking winter camping opportunities. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. The dispersed camping area south of Sand Dunes State Forest offers more flexibility but comes with fewer amenities. As one camper noted, "For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities... The hike in camp spot we chose was on a small lake so it had a nice breeze and made it easy to bring a kayak or paddleboard and hop right in."
Campers report high satisfaction with water access at several locations, particularly Baker Park Reserve, which features a swimming beach and boat launch. "Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation... This is one of the cleanest camps I've ever stayed at," shared one visitor. Sites at Lake Maria State Park offer more seclusion with walk-in only access, providing a more private camping experience. Cell service can be limited in some areas, especially at South of Sand Dunes State Forest where visitors mention "unreliable cell coverage." Mosquitoes and ticks are common during summer months, so appropriate repellent is recommended. Most established campgrounds provide clean restroom facilities and showers, while dispersed camping areas require visitors to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.
$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."
$22 - $80 / night
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
"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."
$50 / night
"Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."
"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"
"For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn’t expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly."
"I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock."
$15 / night
"Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer."
"I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!"
$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"
"Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home😁"
"When I first pulled in I checked out the single track trail area first and the parking lot was full of mountain bikers. "
"Tons of trails and camping. 🏕"
"Meadow setting where the campsites are, but then TONS of hiking trails with significant trees& shade. Really beautiful. Nice people staying in adjacent sites. We would return."
"There was some suggestion that there was some drive in sites that were not reservable, that is. They were first come first serve. But I was unaware or unable to find those."
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.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
GuideNice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
GuideGot in late on a Sunday night and there was plenty of space. Most sites are right along the gravel road so not super private. Wouldn’t recommend for large trailers/RVs as sites are small. Found a couple sets of deer bones right next to my site, not sure if it’s from hunters dumping their waste or coyotes but keep an eye out either way.
GuideKind of confusing for first time. Was not sure where I could camp. But then found out it's the spots right along road. Beautiful. Some good spots. Ended up in a pull thru around w view.
TravelerWe visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
Camping in Hanover, MN ranges from undeveloped forest sites to established campgrounds with varying access to water and amenities. Located along the Crow River watershed at 948 feet above sea level, the area features a mix of deciduous forest and prairie lands, with summer high temperatures averaging 83°F and winter lows reaching 4°F. The camping season typically runs April through October with some year-round options available in sheltered locations.
Trail exploration: 13+ miles of single-track mountain biking at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve provides both beginner and advanced routes through forest and prairie. "Different loops are available for varying skill levels," notes one visitor who appreciated the newly developed trail system and "two water access points—one for Lake Rebecca and one for the nearby Crow River."
Winter camping options: Year-round availability at Lake Maria State Park Campground for those seeking off-season solitude. "The hike itself is rather hilly, and the site is about a quarter mile off of the main path," explains a camper who enjoyed the secluded winter experience. "You could see the occasional car from the site, which is surrounded by a small pond. You could hear voices, but not see anyone."
Horseback riding: Dedicated equestrian facilities for riders seeking trail access. "This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too," shares a regular at Crow Hassan Park Reserve. The park offers "two locations in the park" for horse camping with "overhead horse hitch lines" and accessible water sources.
Walk-in sites for privacy: Secluded spots that require short hikes provide greater separation from other campers. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes," explains a Lake Maria State Park visitor. "Site 1 is my favorite despite the road noise due to the location of the tent pad and being on almost a peninsula offering lots of lake views."
Spacious camping areas: Sites with ample room for multiple tents and activities. "Loved this site! Super peaceful vibes, nice tree cover, flat tent pad, and plenty of space to spread out," notes a camper at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve about site C14. "It's tucked just enough off the path to feel private, but not so far that you feel isolated."
Free dispersed camping: Options for primitive camping without fees. "I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock," shares a camper at South of Sand Dunes State Forest, where stays are permitted up to 14 days in summer and 21 days in cooler seasons.
Bug preparation essential: Mosquitoes and ticks are abundant, especially near water. One Lake Maria visitor warns, "First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos. Walking along the kids all looked like Pig-Pen from Peanuts. Even though we'd sprayed everyone down the bugs must have felt safety in numbers because we were covered in welts in no time flat."
Cell service limitations: Coverage is spotty in forested areas. South of Sand Dunes State Forest has "unreliable cell coverage" with one visitor noting "weak cell service but manageable." Most sites around Ann Lake require driving to higher elevations: "2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites."
Poison ivy awareness: Several campgrounds have significant poison ivy. "Be aware that the undergrowth is at least 25% poison ivy," reports a visitor to Ann Lake. "Sites are large so they are clear. If you're susceptible, not for you."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play structures for children. "The waterpark is a blast and we were able to find discount passes online," notes a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park. Another camper calls it "the best kids park at any campground I've been to."
Swimming opportunities: Lake beaches provide water recreation during hot months. Lake Auburn Campground features an "unguarded beach, playground, volleyball court" with a visitor noting, "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth."
Short hiking options: Trails suitable for young children. "This campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities," explains a Baker Park visitor. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Site selection strategy: Certain areas better accommodate larger vehicles. "The upper loop (sites 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site," advises a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park. Sites at Minneapolis Northwest KOA are described as "more space than many other KOA locations" with "level sites."
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. At Ann Lake, a camper with a 30-foot Class C motor home warns, "Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by location. Baker Park Reserve provides "tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations" while South of Sand Dunes State Forest is primitive with "best for straight vehicles or very small trailers" and no hookups available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hanover, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hanover, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 98 campgrounds and RV parks near Hanover, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hanover, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hanover, MN is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hanover, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Hanover, MN.
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