Glamping accommodations near Maplewood, Minnesota are located within 30-45 minutes of the city in the rolling terrain of the northern Twin Cities suburbs. The region receives approximately 32 inches of annual precipitation and experiences temperature ranges from -14°F in winter to 83°F in summer. Most glamping sites operate from May through October, though some upscale cabins offer year-round availability with heating systems for Minnesota's cold winters.
What to do
Hiking at Afton State Park: Trek through 20 miles of trails with diverse terrain just 40 minutes from Maplewood. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" notes Mike K., while another visitor explains, "Lots of hiking. Nice campsites. Beautiful park." The park includes both wooded areas and prairie landscapes for varied experiences.
Beach swimming at Rice Creek: Access the swimming beach at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, open daily from 9am-8pm during summer months. "Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!" says Max P. The beach includes dedicated swimming areas with shade umbrellas and changing facilities.
Canoe rental at Wild River State Park: Explore the St. Croix River with rentals available May through September for $45/day. "Beautiful spot on the St Croix River," notes Brian C., while another camper shares their plan: "We want to take a few days to canoe the whole length of the park, camping along the different sites."
Wildlife observation at Bunker Hills: Visit the nature center and wildlife viewing platforms where deer, raccoons and numerous bird species can be spotted. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," explains a visitor to the area.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites at Cleary Lake Regional Park: Private waterfront camping spots with strategic tree placement for privacy. "Site 13 is the only one right on the water and it's HUGE with lots of trees and absolutely beautiful scenery," notes Clare L. Another visitor adds, "I really like the hike in sites. Short walk from the car and right by the water yet spaced nicely for privacy."
Modern amenities at Baker Campground: Clean, well-maintained shower facilities and bathroom buildings throughout the campground. "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" shares Jennifer H., while another camper mentions, "Nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities (which were very nice)."
Architectural designs at Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins: Unique modern cabin structures with distinctive features. "Super simple camping cabins. They each have 4 spots and have contactless entry as you get sent a code to use," explains Scott M. Another visitor describes the interior: "The cabins are well-built and heated. The wooded cabins have what seems like full-sized mattress bunk beds built into the wall. Each bunk has its own reading light."
Star-gazing opportunities at Wild River State Park: Designated dark sky viewing areas away from city light pollution. "It's a great place to star gaze," shares a camper, while another adds, "We saw the full moon rise" during their winter visit.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping accommodations near Maplewood require bookings 120 days in advance, particularly for weekends. "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve. For example, as of this review (early June), all weekends are booked for all cabins," explains Blair at Whitetail Woods.
Water availability varies: Some parks shut off outdoor water during shoulder seasons. "Outside water is shut off during some parts of the year, so bring your own drinking water if you are camping close to/during winter," advises a cabin camper.
Shower limitations at Afton State Park: The park doesn't offer shower facilities despite its popularity. "No shortage of lovely trails at Afton to spend your day on," notes Andrew C., but he and other campers mention the lack of showers, making it better for shorter stays.
Seasonal mosquito populations: The region experiences heavy mosquito activity from June through August. "The bugs are aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area," warns Zach H. who camped in the area.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds near campsites: Several parks offer modern play equipment within walking distance of camping areas. "The playground is awesome for all ages as it accommodates something for all age and size groups from a traditional playground set for the younger ones, volleyball net and concrete bag toss boards," shares a visitor to Lake Auburn Campground.
Water park access at Bunker Hills Regional Park: Visit the adjacent water park with wave pool for $12/child, $14/adult. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," notes Tiffany W., while another camper explains, "They have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved."
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds feature small animal areas with supervised interaction opportunities. "The campground has a couple of ponds, as well as access to Ham Lake where the watercraft is launched. There is a petting arena with goats, ponies, and a llama," describes a visitor to the area.
Beach amenities: Family-friendly beach areas with gradual entry points and safety features. "Less than an hour drive from Minneapolis this is a good get away. As expected it has many walk trails. Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath," shares Alison about the swimming options.
Tips from RVers
Electric hook-up availability: Most glamping sites near Maplewood include electric service ranging from 20-50 amp connections. "The sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver," notes Justin R. about the Minneapolis Northwest KOA.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary significantly in privacy levels across different parks. "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," explains Doug B.
Reservation timing: Weekend reservations fill 3-4 months in advance during peak summer season. "I'd say almost all of them were booked" notes Joe R. about a July weekend, recommending early booking for the most desirable sites.
Road noise factors: Some sites experience highway noise despite natural settings. "Only downside to the site — you can hear cars on both sides (river and opposite side of forest)," mentions amber N. about their otherwise secluded camping experience.
