RV campgrounds near Maplewood, Minnesota operate within a region that experiences significant seasonal weather shifts, with winter lows frequently dropping below zero from December through February. Camping facilities typically open in May when average temperatures reach 55-65°F and remain operational until October when overnight temperatures begin approaching freezing. Most RV sites throughout this region are positioned within 30-40 minutes of downtown Minneapolis, providing strategic access to urban amenities while maintaining woodland settings.
What to do
Tubing on the Rum River: At Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River, the river offers a popular recreation option. "The tubing is a plus. Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off. It was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max. Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," notes David G.
Biking on paved trails: Baker Park Reserve features extensive biking opportunities on maintained paths. "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)," reports ERolf P. The trails connect to a larger network allowing for extended rides.
Paddle sports rentals: Several campgrounds offer canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals. At Wildwood RV Park & Campground, "The kayaking/canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6," shares dominick C.
What campers like
Heated pool amenities: Warm-water swimming facilities extend the usable season at Country Camping RV Park. "I stayed here 3 weeks ago with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart 10-10 would most definitely go again! A ton for the kids to do!" reports Beasty B.
Casino shuttle services: For visitors interested in gaming, some parks offer transportation. "Security patrols regularly and there is shuttle if you want to visit casino. Pool at hotel is not included," notes Beth B. about Dakotah Meadows RV Park. The shuttle eliminates parking concerns.
Private firepit areas: While not universal across all parks, many campsites include dedicated fire areas. "Each site has their own fire pit," reports James and Susan K. At some locations, community fire rings are available instead of individual rings.
What you should know
Power limitations during peak use: During summer heat waves, electrical systems can become strained. "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off. It was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max," explains David G. Surge protectors are recommended for equipment protection.
Site privacy varies significantly: Park layouts range from wooded to open configurations. At Baker Campground, "The sites are about as private as the typical state park, so not very, but that is offset by all the other positives this campground has to offer," explains Bryan S. Many parks feature open layouts with limited vegetation between sites.
Reservation policies differ: Some parks require immediate payment while others hold sites without charges. Lisa D. notes, "Bad thing is they don't make you pay to make a reservation so people reserve a spot and don't show up. My photo shows our row with 5 empty spots and they said they were full."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks feature dedicated play areas. At Wildwood RV Park & Campground, "The pool and playground were clean and nice. Our site had its own picnic table and firepit," reports Amy F. Most playgrounds are centrally located rather than adjacent to camping loops.
Game room options: Indoor recreation spaces provide weather alternatives. "Game room small pool unfortunately all closed due to COVID but super cute little park," mentioned Stephanie K. These facilities typically include arcade games and table activities for varied age groups.
Pet cleanup vigilance: Dog waste can be an issue at some parks. "I had to clean up exorbitant amounts of dog poop before I could even put our outdoor rug down. Then I spent the rest of the weekend picking up other dogs' poo all over our campsite so the campground staff didn't blame us for neglecting to clean up after our dogs," cautions Michelle A.
Tips from RVers
RV wash facilities: Some parks provide dedicated cleaning stations. At Town & Country Campground & RV Park, "It's an easy on and off the interstate, super close to a gas station and RV wash bay," notes Jennifer H. These facilities typically charge separate fees from camping costs.
Site dimensions: Back-in sites often provide more space than pull-throughs. Chris F. shares about Dakotah Meadows: "The sites are paved and have well-maintained grass." For larger units, James and Susan K. add, "Sites are 60+ feet, concrete and level."
Wi-Fi reliability factors: Internet access varies significantly between parks and within individual sites. "Wifi is not great, less than 1MB download speeds from our site, and our Verizon service was pretty poor in our spot, max 2 bars," reports Chris F. Connection speeds typically decrease during evening hours when usage increases.
