Camping options around Maple Grove, Minnesota range from developed county parks to private campgrounds, with several facilities offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Minneapolis Northwest KOA, located directly in Maple Grove, provides full-service camping with amenities including electric hookups, water, and sewer connections. Within a 30-minute drive, Baker Park Reserve in Medina and Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids offer more natural settings with modern campground facilities. These established campgrounds typically feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to recreational activities like swimming, hiking, and boating.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through mid-October, with limited or no winter camping options. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. "Baker Park near Minneapolis 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," noted one visitor. The region experiences typical Midwestern seasonal variations with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Spring camping may encounter muddy conditions, while fall offers comfortable temperatures and colorful foliage. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though coverage may vary at some of the more remote sites within regional parks.
Campers consistently highlight the proximity to lakes and water recreation as major draws for camping in this region. Baker Park Reserve receives praise for its swimming beach on Lake Independence and family-friendly atmosphere. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the balance between natural settings and convenient access to urban amenities. "If you're looking for a county park close to the Twin Cities metro area with a beautiful lake, good fishing, swimming, recreation rentals like paddle boards, kayaks and canoes that also has a campground with Camper Cabins attached, look no further than Baker Park Reserve," shared one camper. While most sites offer some tree coverage, many campgrounds feature relatively open layouts with limited privacy between sites. Noise from nearby highways can affect some locations, particularly those closer to Interstate 94.
$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."
$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"
"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."
$20 - $75 / night
"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"It was very easy to find, close to the twin cities, and clean. There was good access to kindling for a fire in the nice fire pit that has a grill."
$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."
$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!"
$22 - $80 / night
"This is one of my favorite parks to spend a night in when I don’t have time for an extended trip farther from home, living in Maple Grove this is only a 40 minute drive but you feel like you have really"
"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."
"Tons of trails and camping. 🏕"
"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."
$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"
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.
TravelerWell maintained. Nice beach.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
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.
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.
Camping options near Maple Grove, Minnesota encompass several county and regional parks within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 935 feet above sea level in the Mississippi River watershed with sandy loam soils supporting oak and maple forests. Most camping facilities in the region operate with limited staff during weekdays, with fuller services available Friday through Sunday.
Hiking and biking trails: Baker Park Reserve offers extensive trail systems for day exploration. "The sites are decently private and there is nice bathrooms/showers. We camped here while our friends used a camper cabin and they loved it too. The waterpark is a blast and we were able to find discount passes online," notes Bryan S. from Baker Campground.
Waterparks and swimming: Bunker Hills Regional Park combines camping with recreational amenities. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," says Tiffany W. The park maintains numerous family-friendly facilities throughout the camping season, making it suitable for warm-weather visitors.
Nature exploration: Sand Dunes State Forest offers unique terrain for nature observation. "The trails are a lot of fun, lots to see. The outhouses are kept up well and pump water road side," reports Johnny H., who has been camping there for over 30 years. However, he warns about excessive poison ivy and sand fleas in certain areas.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate secluded sites at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park. "Wonderful site! Feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities. Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!" shares Max P. The park maintains natural buffers between most campsites.
Well-maintained facilities: Lake Auburn Campground receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "The camp is very well-maintained, the beach is gorgeous, and the staff was extremely nice over the phone when I set my reservation," writes Sam S., who gives the campground 10/10 for its accessibility and affordability.
Proximity to urban amenities: Campers value the balance between nature and urban access. "This is a nice, quiet campground with activities nearby. The sites are decently private and there are nice bathrooms/showers," reports Bryan S. about Minneapolis Northwest KOA, noting it works well for introducing children to camping.
Seasonal considerations: Camping facilities typically operate April through mid-October. "After months of winter the first trip of the season is something we look forward to. The sites at 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," explains Melissa H.
First-come, first-served options: Some campgrounds don't take reservations. Ann Lake at Sand Dunes State Forest operates this way except for group sites. "This campground is on a first come, first serve basis. There are no reservations for the regular sites (although I do think they might take reservations for the equestrian and group sites)," advises Emily H.
Booking requirements: Many campgrounds require both entrance fees and camping fees. "You need a state parks pass to stay here plus the overnight fee. 15.00 a night is worth it for the size of your site and room to enjoy," mentions Chris B. regarding camping at Ann Lake.
Campgrounds with play areas: Lake Auburn Campground provides family-friendly recreation. "Nice, well-maintained campground good for drive-in camping and RVs. Close to several towns in case you forgot something," states William S. Multiple reviewers mention the well-maintained playground and beach areas for children.
Accessible locations for short trips: Locations close to urban areas work well for testing gear or short family outings. "I bought new camping gear and this campground, given its proximity to our house, made for an easy weekend getaway to give the gear a trial run," shares Erik R. about Lake Auburn.
Noise considerations: Some parks offer quieter sections. "We spent two nights in the campground. It was fairly busy, but we still felt secluded despite a full campground," reports ERolf P. about Baker Park Reserve, suggesting mid-week camping for families seeking a quieter experience.
Site selection guidance: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers various RV accommodation options. "Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines," notes Katie C., calling the park "an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities."
Road conditions: Some parks have limited access roads. "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking," reports Andy L. about Ann Lake, suggesting caution with larger vehicles on certain access roads.
Hookup availability: Different parks offer various levels of services. "We have stayed here several times and found it a great place to cut your teeth on camping and gather with friends if you'd like," says Bryan S. about Minneapolis Northwest KOA, which provides full hookups suitable for RVers needing complete services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Maple Grove, MN?
Several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive of Maple Grove. Lake Maria State Park Campground is particularly popular, just 40 minutes away, offering a perfect getaway for Maple Grove residents seeking a quick nature escape. The park features scenic hiking trails and peaceful camping spots. Another great option is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve, which provides inexpensive camping with clean facilities managed by Three Rivers Parks. For families, Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers impressive amenities including a filtered swimming pond with a sandy beach, hiking trails, and modern campsites.
What camping options are available at Maple Grove parks?
While Maple Grove itself doesn't offer dedicated camping facilities within its city parks, several excellent options exist in the surrounding area. Lebanon Hills Regional Park provides suburban camping with family-friendly amenities including Schultz Beach, mountain bike trails, and miles of hiking paths. It's perfect for weekend staycations. Bunker Hills Regional Park near Coon Rapids offers drive-in camping with reservable sites, water, and toilet facilities. Both parks are managed by county park systems and provide natural escapes close to Maple Grove without requiring long travel times.
Is there a KOA campground in Maple Grove, Minnesota?
There is no KOA campground directly in Maple Grove. However, Minneapolis Northwest KOA is located near Maple Grove and offers a range of camping options including drive-in, boat-in, and walk-in access. This KOA features reservable sites, water and toilet facilities, and is big-rig friendly for RV campers. For overnight parking needs closer to Maple Grove, Cabela's Rogers, MN provides an option for temporary stays, though reviewers note it can be noisy due to its proximity to I-94.
Are there RV and tent camping sites near Maple Grove?
Yes, several campgrounds near Maple Grove accommodate both RV and tent camping. William O'Brien State Park Campground offers clean, accessible campsites with well-maintained walking trails throughout the park. It's close enough to Stillwater for convenient day trips. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features modern sites with both sunny and shaded options, plus numerous recreational activities including hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and boating. For those seeking more rustic experiences, Sand Dunes State Forest provides dispersed camping options about an hour from the Twin Cities, though without amenities (no toilets or water).
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