The northern suburbs of Lino Lakes, Minnesota feature a range of camping options within a 30-minute drive, with several well-maintained county and regional parks dominating the landscape. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park in nearby Centerville provides developed campsites with modern amenities, while Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids offers both tent and RV camping with electrical hookups. Ham Lake Resort, just north of Lino Lakes, maintains 122 campsites open from May through November. These established campgrounds primarily serve weekend getaways for Twin Cities residents seeking convenient outdoor recreation without traveling far from metropolitan amenities.
Reservation requirements vary significantly by location, with most county and regional parks requiring advance bookings, especially during summer weekends. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through September or October, with limited winter camping options at William O'Brien State Park. Cell service remains reliable throughout most established campgrounds in the region, though coverage may diminish in more remote areas. According to one visitor at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, "The trails in the park are quite impressive for its size. We enjoyed a 5 mile loop off the Nordic center and right past the camp spot." Summer weekends typically see high occupancy rates, with many campers noting the importance of early reservations.
Family-friendly amenities distinguish many campgrounds in the area, with filtered swimming ponds, playgrounds, and multi-use trails appearing frequently in visitor reviews. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve receives particular praise for its recreational facilities, with one camper noting, "For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities including a filtered swimming pond, archery, horse trails, and paved trails." Privacy levels vary considerably between campgrounds, with some offering spacious, well-separated sites while others feature more open layouts. Visitors frequently mention the cleanliness of facilities as a highlight, with well-maintained shower buildings and restrooms. The proximity to lakes and rivers provides opportunities for fishing, paddling, and swimming at many locations, making water-based recreation a common attraction.
$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"We have lived in the Twin Cities for two decades and have never visited Rice Creek Chain of Lakes before. We will again!"
$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."
$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."
$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"
"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."
$24 - $50 / night
"This is a state park on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix River, which is mirrored by a comparable but smaller state park in Minnesota on the wrst side of the river, both being part of the wild and scenic"
"Now that I live in Minnesota, I find myself frequenting the Taylors Falls side. Here you have the amazing "Pot Holes" from glacial waters and some pretty spectacular rock climbing."
$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."
$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."
$54 - $999 / night
"The map provided was accurate which made locating the cruiser a breeze. There were further instructions inside as well. The RV was immaculate."
TravelerStaying here currently & they have been very accommodating, friendly & flexible. Water & electric hookup but no sewer however there is a dump station, a bathhouse with real toilets & nice showers. Pretty quiet for being so close to the main highway. My cats are able to free roam the property & my dog can be tied up outside. Usually pretty nice neighbors too.
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.
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.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
TravelerElectric hookup, dump station on site. Sites are a little close together. $25/night with a 7 day max stay.
LegendInterstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35. The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby. There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.
The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin. The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age. The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.
There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites. The South is a bit more rustic. The showers are located at the North campground.
For amenities there are flush toilets and showers. There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities.
This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area. You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options. If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.
Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the hwy crossing over the river. The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.
Northern camping options around Lino Lakes remain accessible year-round, with winter camping available at William O'Brien State Park, complete with heated cabins. The terrain features rolling hills, woodland areas, and prairie landscapes offering elevation changes from 800 to 950 feet. Temperatures range from summer highs in the mid-80s to winter lows below freezing, creating distinct seasonal camping experiences across the region's public and private campgrounds.
Hike diverse terrain: Rice Creek Campgrounds offers multiple trail systems through both woodland and prairie settings. "We entered the shower and restrooms to bugs, bugs, BUGS!! Nasty 🤢. Neither of us showered there. Walked back to set up our tent, horseflies nonstop attacked us," reports one summer camper, highlighting the importance of bug protection during peak season.
Explore glacial potholes: At Interstate State Park, visitors can experience unique geological formations. "The draw here is the world's largest glacial potholes. When the river ran 200' higher than it does today, tornados of water eroded smooth round, massive holes in the rock. Some are so big that they still to this day have no idea how deep they go," explains one visitor who hiked the pothole trails.
Try multiple water activities: The filtered swimming pond at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers a unique swimming experience. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," notes a visitor who appreciated this unusual amenity that combines natural setting with pool-like cleanliness.
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention site spacing at Bunker Hills Regional Park. "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," states one reviewer who found the campground reminiscent of state parks despite being in the suburbs.
Overnight proximity to Minneapolis: Many campers value the quick access to urban areas. "I booked this on a whim since we needed an overnight close to the State Fair. I loved the look of the 'TENT ONLY' loop - you don't see this often," explains a Rice Creek Campgrounds visitor who appreciated the tent-specific camping area and absence of generators.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early morning and dusk offer prime wildlife viewing. "We even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite," shares a William O'Brien State Park visitor who camped in the Savanna Campground area where frogs can be heard throughout the night in season.
Season variations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October with limited winter options. "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere," advises a Rice Creek visitor, suggesting campers should consider outside sources for better burning wood.
Reservation systems: William O'Brien State Park requires advance planning, especially for summer weekends. "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 (especially the non-electric ones)," shares a solo camper who found Sunday arrivals ideal for both weekend access and avoiding crowds.
Insect populations: Bug levels vary by season and location. "The mosquitoes were absolutely nuts!" reports a Rice Creek Campgrounds visitor who stayed at drive-in site 77, while another mentioned, "We had our tent, fire and books to read and was the happiest camper in the world," suggesting preparation matters more than bug presence.
Park entrance fees: Daily vehicle permits cost $6-7 at most regional parks, separate from camping fees. "Your reservation fee does NOT include the daily parks fee of 7 dollars just FYI," notes a visitor to Bunker Hills who was surprised by this additional cost.
Water play options: Willow River State Park offers waterfall access for supervised play. "We did SO many miles hiking! And at certain points in the river, you are able to get in and swim! We love camping here!" shares an enthusiastic family who combined hiking with water activities.
Playgrounds and activities: Multiple campgrounds offer child-friendly facilities. "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families. There are a bunch of things to do including hiking, horseback riding, swimming in their filtered pond, boating and an insane playground," reports a visitor who found the facilities ideal for children.
Midweek camping: For quieter family experiences, consider non-weekend stays. "The campground is quiet but not much space or privacy with clean facilities," notes one Interstate State Park visitor, suggesting families consider the tradeoff between weekend energy and midweek tranquility.
Site selection guidance: At Bunker Hills Regional Park, "The upper loop (sits 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site," explains a visitor who explored both camping areas, noting the clear distinction between tent and RV-appropriate spaces.
Hookup availability: Electrical service varies across campgrounds. "We stayed the last night of their camping season and were able to utilize water and electric hookups," mentions a visitor to Lake Elmo who appreciated the late-season access to utilities during their final night of a cross-country trip.
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds offer easier RV access than others. "Close to downtown which was nice for us coming through. Water fill stations readily available so we loaded up prior to continuing out west," notes a visitor at Bunker Hills who found the convenient location and water access perfect for travelers passing through the Twin Cities region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV rentals available in Lino Lakes for camping?
While Lino Lakes itself doesn't have dedicated RV rental facilities, several nearby options accommodate RVs. Island Campground and Marina offers full hookups for RVs, though it's primarily visited for river access. Highland Ridge is popular with RV campers and features clean facilities with showers and bathrooms. For overnight parking without hookups, Cabela's Rogers, MN provides a convenient option. To rent an RV, check with RV dealerships in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area that offer rental services.
What campgrounds are near Lino Lakes, Minnesota?
Several quality campgrounds are located within easy driving distance of Lino Lakes. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers both drive-in and walk-in sites with water and toilet facilities just minutes away in nearby Centerville. Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids provides another convenient option with reservable sites. For those willing to drive a bit further, Lake Elmo County Park Reserve and Lebanon Hills Regional Park offer excellent family-friendly camping experiences with modern amenities.
What recreational activities can I do while camping in Lino Lakes?
The Lino Lakes area offers diverse recreational opportunities for campers. William O'Brien State Park Campground features excellently maintained hiking trails and is near Scandia with easy access to the St. Croix River for water activities. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve provides an affordable base for family activities. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, you can enjoy professional mountain biking trails, swimming at Schultz Beach, hiking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing in winter. Many area campgrounds also offer fishing, boating, and nature observation opportunities.
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