Campsites near Hopkins, Minnesota range from rustic tent platforms to full-service RV parks with distances between 10-25 miles from town. The area experiences significant seasonal changes with open camping typically running from late April through mid-October. Winter conditions arrive early in this region, with overnight temperatures potentially dropping below freezing by late September.
What to do
Hiking trail networks: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers extensive trails for day exploration. "The park has a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Our family selected this camp ground to test out some gear -- if we had problems or if we forgot something it was a short drive home," notes Blair, a visitor to Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Water activities: Lake access for kayaking is available at multiple parks within a 20-minute drive. "Nice little lake to kayak on," mentions Chris S. about Lebanon Hills, while Carver Park Reserve provides options for paddling in a motor-restricted environment. "The lake is nice, smaller with not many motor boats so good for kayaking or canoeing," says a Carver Park visitor.
Archery facilities: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated archery ranges with equipment rentals. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve "has awesome sites that fit the needs of just about anyone. They have beautiful hiking trails and a swimming beach for the hotter days. They also have an archery range," according to Tina H., who visited Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
What campers like
Site privacy levels: Privacy between sites varies significantly by location. "Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines," notes Katie C. about Lebanon Hills, while another visitor describes how "the sites are about as private as the typical state park, so not very, but that is offset by all the other positives."
Swimming facilities: Multiple parks feature swimming areas with varying amenities. Bunker Hills Regional Park stands out with "a water park with a wave pool," while Lake Auburn Campground offers a more traditional beach experience. "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," says Sarah S.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean restrooms and shower facilities receive consistent praise. A visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park notes, "The bathrooms were nice and clean," while another mentions that "the bathrooms/showers are great." Dakotah Meadows draws similar comments with its "well maintained facilities."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Urban proximity means varied noise levels at different sites. "The only criticisms we have are that you can hear road noise -- and depending on your site you'll hear the alarm of one of the access gates for the Minnesota Zoo," notes a Lebanon Hills visitor.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises a visitor to Lebanon Hills. Baker Campground has similarly high demand: "You'll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I'd say almost all of them were booked."
Site-specific characteristics: Tent sites vary significantly even within the same campground. At Dakotah Meadows RV Park, a visitor noted "Dakotah's website has an incomplete campsite map showing only the lower sites between the pond and road. What the map doesn't show is the three rows of pull-through and additional 10 back-in sites at the top of the hill."
Tips for camping with families
Educational programming: Weekend programs provide structured activities. "They have programs every Saturday night, some of the ones we've been to were about bugs, raptors, bees, and snakes, there are usually programs during the day at the nature center as well," reports a visitor to Carver Park.
Swimming options for different ages: Some parks offer controlled swimming environments. Baker Campground provides lake access with "two swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors." Bunker Hills features "a water park with a wave pool" that appeals to many families.
Playgrounds and open spaces: Most campgrounds feature play structures and field areas. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," notes Bryan S. about Baker Campground, while another visitor mentions "a nice park for kids just a small hike away."
Tips from RVers
Campsite dimensions: Site sizes vary considerably between and within campgrounds. "Sites are a little close with little to no privacy in most," warns a visitor about Lebanon Hills, while another notes that "the sites are nice and level, with plenty of space between each one."
Water and electrical hookup access: Know exactly what hookups are available at each site. "We had full hookups, even though we only needed water and electric," reports a visitor to Lebanon Hills. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, "the lots were really big and we had no one near us, so it was nice and private," according to Zach H.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with hookups have on-site dump stations. "It's a nice park but very close compact. Everyone is squeezed in like sardines. Very tight quarters on roads and sites," warns a visitor to Town & Country Campground, where maneuvering large rigs requires planning.
