Mississippi River waterways and hardwood forests characterize camping around Maple Plain, Minnesota. The area sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with summer high temperatures averaging 80-85°F and nighttime lows around 60-65°F. Fall temperatures drop quickly, with September nights often dipping into the 40s, making sleeping bags rated for lower temperatures necessary during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Birding opportunities: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve provides excellent bird watching with diverse species across its extensive trails. According to Alison O., it's "Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home."
Mountain biking trails: Lake Rebecca features 13.25 miles of single-track trails for various skill levels. One visitor noted, "This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels."
Water activities: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve offers boat rentals with swim areas for cooling off. "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to," mentions Daniel R.
Prairie hiking: Experience open grasslands at Crow Hassan Park Reserve, where trails through restored prairie provide a different landscape from the region's typical woodland settings. A reviewer mentions that "the best place to be bug-free happens to be the sandy prairie trails," making it a good summer option.
What campers like
Private backpacking sites: Lake Maria State Park offers secluded backcountry sites that feel remote despite their proximity to parking areas. One camper noted, "Site 1 is my favorite despite the road noise due to the location of the tent pad and being on almost a peninsula offering lots of lake views."
Waterfront camping: Some sites at Lake Maria offer exceptional water views. According to a camper, "This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness."
Beginner-friendly backpacking: For first-time backpackers, Lake Maria provides an accessible entry point. A camper shared, "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes."
Dog-friendly options: Elm Creek Horse Camp welcomes dogs with proper trail etiquette. "If you're the kind of camper who measures a site by how many tail wags it inspires, then Campsite 2 at Elm Creek Horse Camp is barking up the right tree," one visitor noted.
What you should know
Winter camping options: Year-round camping is available at several parks, with Lake Maria offering winter sites for prepared campers. Sites require preparation as winter facilities are limited.
Bug preparedness essential: Mosquitoes and black flies can be intense during summer months. A visitor to Lake Maria warned: "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Water pump considerations: At Lake Maria, the water pumps can be slow-moving. As one camper noted, "my only complaint... The pump for the water was very slow."
Campsite accessibility: William O'Brien State Park offers sites with varying levels of privacy. According to one reviewer, "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites. I wouldn't want to stay here when the loop is fully reserved."
Tips for camping with families
Best tent camping near Maple Plain: Afton State Park offers diverse camping options including yurts that extend the camping season. "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks. These have some great amenities and are perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring."
Kid-friendly amenities: Lake Rebecca stands out for its recreational facilities. According to Daniel R., it has "The best kids park at any campground I've been to."
Camping preparation: For Lake Maria's backpacking sites, pack strategically. One camper advises: "If you're new to hiking, I suggest doing some research if you're going to attempt stuff like this... Carrying firewood, food, water, gear, on a hilly trail through the woods can become real tough real fast for anyone that isn't physically active."
Short hikes with big rewards: William O'Brien State Park provides family-friendly trails with wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper observed, "You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
Tips for RVers
Limited RV options: Most camping in this area caters primarily to tent campers, with few sites offering full hookups. William O'Brien State Park has some RV-friendly sites but they tend to fill quickly on weekends.
Seasonal considerations: Mississippi Riverwood RV Park offers riverside lots but operates differently from traditional campgrounds. A resident noted, "This hidden gem is a PRIVATE RV Park where each lot is individually owned and most owners live South in the winter."
Site spacing awareness: At William O'Brien State Park, RV sites are placed close together. One camper mentioned, "Although we did not stay in the main campground the sites are very close in there and were small."
