Glamping near Lino Lakes, Minnesota offers outdoor experiences that balance adventure with comfort. Located within the Anoka Sand Plain ecological zone, the area features glacial outwash deposits creating sandy soils and unique wetland formations. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, while summer highs typically reach 83-85°F, making May through September the primary camping season.
What to do
Water activities on Ham Lake: Fish in the small lake or rent canoes for paddling. "There is a boat launch and bathrooms. One of the better quick drive locations from the metro," notes Josh M. of Ham Lake Resort.
Hiking through oak savanna: Explore the diverse landscapes at Lake Maria State Park. "We spent an entire day hiking and it was decent hiking along the river, some of the trails where a little confusing... but we made it just hiked a little further than we wanted to," reports Kate H. of Wild River State Park Campground.
Biking on paved trails: Access extensive trail networks at Baker Park Reserve. "There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities (which were very nice)," mentions ERolf P.
Wildlife viewing: Observe native species at Afton State Park. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," says Kate H.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Enjoy secluded camping spots with natural screening. "The sites are decently spaced with good tree cover. The grass was easy to get tent stakes into," notes Katherine T. about Afton State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-serviced bathrooms and shower buildings. "The bathroom facility has seen better days. The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours," explains Krista T. about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
Family-friendly recreation: Access playgrounds, beaches, and structured activities. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," says Tiffany W. about Bunker Hills Regional Park, which features diverse recreational options.
Proximity to urban areas: Enjoy wilderness camping without long travel times. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious," Doug B. mentions about Bunker Hills.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Book sites well in advance, especially for summer weekends. "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," advises Joe R. about Baker Park Reserve.
Insect preparedness: Pack repellent for mosquitoes and ticks, particularly in wooded areas. "The bugs are aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area," warns Zach H. about Minneapolis Northwest KOA.
Site selection considerations: Research site details before booking. "If you simply look at the list of amenities this park has, nature lovers would be quick to turn their nose up at it as an overly-commercialized playground," explains Krista T. about Bunker Hills Regional Park, though she found it felt like "a hidden paradise" despite this.
Season limitations: Most facilities operate from May through October. "The low was 10 so people must have bowed out. The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent," notes Joanna B. about winter camping at Wild River State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with play areas near campsites. "They have a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites!" shares Spencer C. about Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
Waterpark proximity: Consider campgrounds connected to water recreation. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," explains Bryan S. about Baker Park Reserve.
Safety considerations: Seek well-patrolled campgrounds for peace of mind. "The park is patrolled by rangers and the local sheriff after closing hours. Very safe place to camp. Perfect for kids," states Arielle P. about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Noise levels: Be aware of quiet hours enforcement. "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," reports Steph H. about Lake Maria State Park, describing a challenging camping experience with children.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Verify your RV will fit in your reserved space. "HUGE sites! You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak. Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!" advises Spencer C. about Country Camping.
Hookup availability: Confirm electrical, water, and sewer connections meet your needs. "There are both primitive (tent) non-electric sites, and sites with electricity, even some 50 amp," notes Doug B. about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Dump station access: Check for onsite waste disposal facilities. "The upper loop (sits 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site," explains Krista T. about Bunker Hills.
Site selection tips: Request specific site preferences when booking. "If you wanted one with trees I needed to put a note on my reservation. He also suggested calling the office and requesting a site with trees," advises Diane A. about Minneapolis Northwest KOA.
