Camping sites near Lauderdale, Minnesota provide convenient access to both wooded and prairie landscapes across Ramsey, Washington, and Anoka counties. Situated in the St. Paul metropolitan area at an elevation of approximately 890 feet, Lauderdale experiences seasonal camping conditions with summer highs reaching 83°F and winter lows dropping to 7°F. Most area campgrounds remain open from April through October, with limited winter camping options at select state parks.
What to do
Kayaking on smaller lakes: At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, visitors can enjoy paddling on smaller, less crowded waters. "Nice little lake to kayak on," notes Chris S., who gave the experience five stars.
Archery practice: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve maintains an archery range that's suitable for beginners and experienced archers alike. "They also have an archery range and on Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch," mentions Tina H.
Horseback riding: Several camping areas near Lauderdale offer equestrian experiences. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, visitors can access stables with guided trail rides. "There is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on," according to Krista T., who discovered this feature during her visit.
Swimming in filtered ponds: Rather than natural lakes, some parks feature specially designed swimming areas. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," explains Timothy S. about Lake Elmo's unique water feature.
What campers like
Spacious tent sites with electrical options: Baker Campground offers larger-than-average sites with conveniences for tent campers. "The sites a Baker Park Reserve are larger than average. This is a big campground with a lot of paved bike trails and a nice lake a short walk away," shares Melissa H.
Camping near railroad features: Some parks offer unique infrastructure elements that become part of the camping experience. At William O'Brien State Park, visitors can explore interesting features during night walks. "We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape and happened upon a railroad that passed above our trail with a beautiful tunnel-overpass," describes David K.
Sites with rain gardens: Certain campgrounds incorporate ecological features that enhance the camping experience. "One of the standout features of Campsite C1 is the beautiful rain garden. It adds a touch of tranquility to the surroundings, with its lush greenery and vibrant blooms attracting local wildlife," notes Alison O. at Baker Campground.
Off-season camping options: For those seeking quieter experiences, weekday or off-peak reservations can provide more solitude. "My first time solo camping was at William O'Brien State Park on a Sunday evening. Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop," reports Dani K.
What you should know
Severe insect challenges: Expect varying levels of insect activity depending on season and location. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, some visitors have had extreme experiences. "My husband and I paid for one night at a non-electric drive in tent site... As we slowly whined down a gravel road the trees became more dense... that is when we started noticing the horseflies were making it known that we were 'trespassing on their turf'," recounts Ariel H.
Campground algorithms determine site selection: At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, site assignments are computerized. "When I asked the owner for another site, he told me they were all taken except for one without a sewer connection. I asked why I was given such an undesirable site when I booked so far in advance and he told me that there is an algorithm that determines the site selection," explains Diane A.
Fire pit placement varies: Some sites have unusually positioned fire rings that may affect your camp setup. "The only reason this isn't a full 5-star banger is the fire ring placement. That thing is doing its own thing like 30 feet from the tent pad—felt like I needed a shuttle to roast a marshmallow," shares Alison O. about Baker Campground.
Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience highway sounds despite their natural settings. Bunker Hills campers note hearing traffic from nearby roads, while at Willow River State Park, "highway noise was noticeable in the evenings," according to Maria D.
Tips for camping with families
First-time camping locations: For families new to camping, select campgrounds with easy access and amenities. "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," shares Heather V. about her experience at Baker Campground.
Filtered swimming options: Families with children may prefer the filtered swimming ponds available at several parks. "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. This man-made pond is sandy-bottomed and surrounded by a nice beach," notes a visitor to Lake Elmo.
Playground proximity: When reserving sites, check proximity to play areas for convenience with young children. At Lebanon Hills, one camper noted, "Our spot was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area. The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with."
Weekend reservation timing: Family-friendly sites fill quickly, especially at state parks. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises Blair about Lebanon Hills Regional Park. For most campgrounds in the area, reservations open 120 days in advance.
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: Willow River State Park provides specific site measurements that include additional space. According to Davis D., "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."
Convenience for quick shakedowns: Lebanon Hills offers an ideal location to test new RV equipment. "After picking up our new (to us) teardrop trailer in Minneapolis on a Monday, we wanted to stay someplace local just to test everything out. Thankfully Lebanon Hills had a space available," shares Joanne M.
Airport proximity camping: When needing to catch early flights, RVers can use campgrounds as convenient staging areas. "Stayed here due to its proximity to Minneapolis airport...had an early flight the next morning. Really convenient location," explains Robert B. about his stay at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
