Baker Park Reserve offers year-round camping near Mayer, Minnesota with mostly wooded sites and access to Lake Independence. The campground sits at 935 feet elevation in Hennepin County, where summer temperatures average 70-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Sites are arranged in three loops with varying levels of privacy.
What to do
Hiking trails: Lake Maria State Park features extensive wooded trails through hardwood forest. "I spent a lot of time walking the trails, it was always kind of exciting to see what random feature was tucked seamlessly into the next bend," notes one visitor about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Water activities: Swimming beaches and boating access are available at several parks. At Lake Auburn Campground, "The swim area was cool after a hot day with the beach gently sloping and smooth," according to one camper.
Biking opportunities: Paved trails connect many regional parks. "There is a nice 6+ mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes," advises a visitor to Baker Park Reserve.
Equestrian trails: Crow Hassan Park Reserve caters to horse enthusiasts. "This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed," shares one equestrian.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Many campgrounds offer wooded sites with good spacing. At Cleary Lake Regional Park, "Lots of good trees and space between campgrounds which isn't always the case at the regional parks. The access to water is really nice."
Proximity to Twin Cities: Despite natural settings, most campgrounds are convenient to Minneapolis. "Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation," explains one visitor to Three Rivers Park District Baker Campground.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and showers receive consistent praise. "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" notes a Baker Park visitor.
Varied accommodation options: From tent sites to glamping close to Mayer, Minnesota, options abound. "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 a camper at Lake Auburn.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer weekends. "You'll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I'd say almost all of them were booked," advises a visitor to Baker Park.
Seasonal considerations: Campgrounds typically operate April through October. "We stayed here in late September and into October. There are 57 sites with an unguarded beach, playground, volleyball court and tons of miles of trails," notes a visitor to Lake Auburn Campground.
Bug preparation: Minnesota's lakes mean mosquitoes are prevalent. "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon. We prepared the kiddos for a quick grab and run and jumped out of the car," warns one visitor to Lake Maria State Park.
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