Campgrounds near Maplewood, Minnesota include several county and regional park options within a 30-mile radius. The area features established campgrounds like Lake Elmo County Park Reserve and Lebanon Hills Regional Park, offering a mix of tent and RV camping with varying levels of amenities. Many sites include electric hookups, drinking water access, and picnic tables, while some parks also provide cabin rentals for those seeking alternative accommodations. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from April or May through October, though some remain open year-round.
Permits and reservations are required at most developed campgrounds in the area, with many parks requiring advance booking, especially during summer weekends. Electric hookups are widely available, though sewer connections are limited to select locations like Lebanon Hills Regional Park and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. The camping season primarily runs from spring through fall, with Washington County parks like Lake Elmo offering services from April through October. Several campgrounds enforce regulations regarding pets and alcohol, with some parks prohibiting both. A visitor noted: "We stayed 12 nights here in April to May. It was so peaceful and quiet. Saw deer almost every day. Just FYI, no sewer or water hook-up. Electric only."
Campers consistently rate the privacy and spaciousness of sites at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve highly, with multiple reviews mentioning the good tree coverage and separation between camping areas. The park features extensive trail systems, playgrounds, and a filtered swimming pond that appeals to families. Wildlife viewing opportunities are common, with deer sightings frequently mentioned in visitor reviews. William O'Brien State Park and Afton State Park, both within a reasonable drive from Maplewood, provide additional natural settings with river or bluff landscapes. According to one camper, "The sites are spacious and far enough away from others to feel like there was enough privacy." Several visitors highlighted the quality of hiking trails, with access to both wooded and prairie environments that provide a welcome natural escape despite being relatively close to the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
$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."
$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."
"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."
$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."
$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."
"Minnesota is beautiful and there is so much to do here. The bathrooms are spotless and everything is new here."
"Washington County, which manages campgrounds at both the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St Croix Bluffs Regional Park, does a great job of maintaining campgrounds, trails, and bathroom facilities at both parks"
$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."
$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"
$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."
$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."
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.
GuideClean level campsites, many overlooking Lake Pepin. Sites are short but there are separate areas to park your vehicle if needed. Not many electric sites. Many sites have tent pads and there are frequent pit toilets and well as a new restroom and shower building. Quiet except for the low rumble of frequent trains from both the Wi and MN sides. Lots of great trails! Of varying difficulties.
TravelerWell maintained. Nice beach.
TravelerBeen camping here year round for 20+ years. Free, first come first served rustic hike/cart in sites with steel fire ring/grill. There are 4 official sites and 2 more unofficial sites with no fire ring.
If you camp with animals: Sites all sit directly off walking trail very popular with dog walkers.
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.
Camping sites near Maplewood, Minnesota offer opportunities for both secluded nature experiences and family-friendly amenities within a 30-mile radius. The area sits within the transition zone between hardwood forests and prairies, with elevations ranging from 850-1,100 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the region experience typical Midwestern weather patterns with summer highs in the 80s and cool fall camping conditions that often require extra layering after sunset.
Hiking diverse terrain: At William O'Brien State Park Campground, trails showcase the St. Croix River Valley's varied landscapes. "The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent. We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape and happened upon a railroad that passed above our trail with a beautiful tunnel-overpass," notes David K., highlighting winter exploration opportunities.
Water activities: Campers at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park enjoy multiple water recreation options. One visitor shares, "Brief stay for a scavenger hunt in Minneapolis. Wonderful site! Feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities. Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!" The park provides lake access for swimming, fishing, and paddling.
Archery range access: Several Maplewood-area campgrounds feature specialized amenities beyond standard activities. A camper at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve mentions, "Great campground, sites are spacious and spread out, electric hookups at all sites, swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic for kids."
Campsite privacy: Many Maplewood camping areas offer more seclusion than expected for suburban locations. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, campers appreciate the natural separation between sites. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious. There are both primitive (tent) non-electric sites, and sites with electricity, even some 50 amp," reports Doug B.
Modern facilities: Campgrounds around Maplewood maintain clean, updated amenities that enhance comfort without sacrificing the outdoor experience. A visitor to St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park notes, "Such a beautiful park with large sites. Nice playground for the kids. Fantastic bathrooms zoned showers."
Proximity to Twin Cities: The convenience of camping near Maplewood appeals to many visitors seeking quick getaways. A Rice Creek Chain of Lakes camper states, "We love to camp here as it's so close to home. Decent amenities, however NOT the feel of a State Park. Think suburbia meets nature." This accessibility makes these locations ideal for weekend trips without lengthy travel.
Water availability varies: At Afton State Park Campground, water access can be inconsistent on trails. One visitor warned, "This may be an ongoing issue but none of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center before trekking around the park's beautiful hiking trails!"
Site-specific challenges: Campgrounds near Maplewood feature varying site layouts that may affect your experience. A camper at Willow River State Park Campground noted, "We stayed at Site 133 and found it to be fairly spacious. One downside was that there's a trail running just behind the site, and several campers cut through our area to access it, which disrupted the sense of privacy."
Reservation requirements: Most camping areas require advance booking, particularly for summer weekends and holiday periods. A Rice Creek Campgrounds visitor advised, "I booked this on a whim since we needed an overnight close to the State Fair. Booking was fairly easy through their website, and you can 'hover' over the sites to see a photo of it."
Filtered swimming ponds: Several camping locations near Maplewood offer swimming facilities designed specifically for families. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, one reviewer shared, "Lebanon Hills is a great park and has a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Our family selected this camp ground to test out some gear -- if we had problems or if we forgot something it was a short drive home."
Playground proximity: When selecting campsites with children, consider locations with easy playground access. A Baker Campground visitor noted, "This campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities. The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great. With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Weekend timing strategy: For quieter family experiences, consider mid-week stays or Sunday arrivals. A William O'Brien State Park camper advised, "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."
Hookup limitations: While electric service is widely available at campgrounds near Maplewood, full hookups are less common. An RVer at Baker Park Reserve shared their experience: "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."
Site selection for larger rigs: Several campgrounds offer specific loops better suited for RVs. At Lebanon Hills, a camper advised, "The upper loop (sites 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site." RVers should verify site lengths before booking, as actual accommodations may differ from listed specifications.
Off-season advantages: RV campers can often access parks near Maplewood when tent camping would be challenging. A William O'Brien visitor noted, "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. The cabin we stayed in felt very welcoming. Unknown at the time I booked it, the cabin offered Wi-Fi access that ended up not working for us anyway."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Maplewood, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Maplewood, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 116 campgrounds and RV parks near Maplewood, MN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Maplewood, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Maplewood, MN is Lake Elmo County Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Maplewood, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Maplewood, MN.
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