Best Campgrounds near Medicine Lake, MN

Campgrounds near Medicine Lake, Minnesota primarily consist of developed facilities within a 30-mile radius of the Minneapolis metropolitan area. Baker Park Reserve offers both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, along with cabin accommodations for those seeking more comfort. Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Maple Grove provides full-service camping with options ranging from basic tent sites to cabins and yurts. The region includes multiple Three Rivers Park District properties that maintain campgrounds with varied amenities and typically operate seasonally from April through October.

Many campgrounds in the Medicine Lake area require reservations, especially during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity quickly. The camping season generally runs from late April through mid-October, with most facilities closing during Minnesota's cold winters. Most established campgrounds provide shower buildings, flush toilets, and electric hookups, though water and sewer connections vary by location. While primarily developed for recreational vehicles and tent camping, several parks also feature cabin rentals as alternatives during inclement weather. A camper noted, "Baker Park reserve is just outside of Maple Plain Minnesota which is about 45 minutes from the Twin Cities metro area."

Families frequently mention the balance of natural settings with convenient amenities at campgrounds like Baker Park Reserve. The proximity to lakes, particularly Lake Independence, creates opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating during summer months. Paved trails for biking and access to playground facilities make these campgrounds particularly suitable for families with children. Sites tend to be relatively open with limited privacy between camping units, a common characteristic of metropolitan-adjacent campgrounds. As one reviewer described Baker Park: "The sites are fairly large, but very open. The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground." Weekday visits typically offer more solitude than weekends when many local residents utilize these accessible camping options.

Best Camping Sites Near Medicine Lake, Minnesota (109)

    1. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    38 Reviews
    Maple Plain, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 694-7662

    $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."

    2. Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    43 Reviews
    Apple Valley, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 480-7773

    $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."

    3. Minneapolis Northwest KOA

    11 Reviews
    Maple Grove, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 420-2255

    "The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."

    "Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground."

    4. Bunker Hills Regional Park

    16 Reviews
    Coon Rapids, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 862-4970

    $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"

    5. Lake Auburn Campground

    12 Reviews
    Victoria, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 443-2911

    $15 - $18 / night

    "This campground even has 2 walking/hike-in campsites to give your avid campers a real out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind if feel, like you drove hundreds if miles to get away from the hustle and bussle"

    "But the Eady walk to the lake, sitting on the dock or the grass and swimming III m the water are a great way to destress."

    6. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    37 Reviews
    Lake Elmo, MN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8370

    $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."

    7. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

    17 Reviews
    Lino Lakes, MN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 324-3340

    $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."

    8. Dakotah Meadows RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Prior Lake, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 445-8800

    $40 - $50 / night

    "The grass around the lots is very green, lush and well maintained. Campground is right next to the hotel/casino and very much within walking distance."

    "Shuttle bus comes through the camp if you want to go to the casino and play- it’s also within walking distance."

    9. Carver Park Reserve - Three Rivers Park District

    7 Reviews
    Victoria, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 694-1112

    "Family friendly campground with educational activities. campsites are close together but it is a close drive from the cities and a nice place for families. Nice walking & biking trails."

    "We had site 57, which is more expensive but is also very large, surrounded by trees and has a patio, the other campsite sizes vary greatly with some being very small, it's very easy for groups to camp"

    10. Town & Country Campground & RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Savage, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 445-1756

    "It’s an easy on and off the interstate, super close to a gas station and RV wash bay. Also super close to some very large power lines. The kids enjoyed the compact playground and pool."

    "Some road noise, but you are in the city so expected, but yet still quieter then in some areas being close to things. I recommend this park."

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Recent Reviews near Medicine Lake, MN

775 Reviews of 109 Medicine Lake Campgrounds


  • Sarah D.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Wild River State Park Campground

    Secluded Backpack/Canoe Site with Sunrise Views

    I was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!

    This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.

    This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.

    This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.

    This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!

    This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!

  • Lance L.
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Cleary Lake Regional Park

    Large campground with plentyy of activities!

    They have two lots for RV and travel trailer use although the first lot only has two spaces and the second one has a total of five. The five space spot has no water or electric hook up but was a great place for me to test out my new solar set up. Word to the wise, gates ACTUALLY close at 10pm, there's no way to contact anyone and I had to walk about a mile in parked outside the gate 😅. The White Pine lot (5 spaces) has a central bathroom/shower building. The park was jam packed Friday/Saturday but a ghosts town the remains sun/mon/tue I stayed.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Byllesby Regional Park

    Very nice campground

    This is a good campground. Very well kept. Fishing from shore and there is a boat launch. Nice playground for kids. Sites are fairly close. Many have no privacy from others, but some do. No water at the sites and pit toilets are the biggest weaknesses. Nice paths for walking and biking.

  • H
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    First time camping!

    For our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids. We will be back!

  • Larry K.
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Willow River State Park Campground

    Never again

    Never again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin

  • Maria D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Interstate State Park — Interstate State Park

    Lovely River, Too Much Hustle

    Interstate State Park has some nice features, but overall it wasn’t my favorite. Many of the exterior loop sites have river access, which was a highlight, and we didn’t have to deal with mosquitoes thanks to being right on the water. The nearby towns are also very charming and worth exploring.

    That said, the campground is small and very crowded, likely because it’s so close to the Cities and popular with canoe rentals. Expect a lot of traffic noise, and in the fall, migrating geese can be very loud (which didn’t bother me, but might for some). The ranger office had limited hours, and since firewood is locked up, there’s no self-serve option. Another downside: a riverboat cruises by frequently, blasting music in the evenings and giving tours during the day.

    The sites are close together, with RVs and tents mixed on one loop, so generator noise is common. It wasn’t a terrible stay, but just too small and busy for my preference—I don’t think I’d return.

    Best sites seemed to be 21 (great river views, less private), 23 (fun detached tent pad), and 18 (most private). Sites 4–5 were also lovely but close to the bathrooms and camp host, so expect more foot traffic.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Ann Lake

    Quite camping just out of town

    Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    Not a bad stay

    Sites are a little close with little to no privacy in most. Fun little trails nearby for an afternoon walk. Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All rv sites are the listed length plus 16’ for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out.

  • Krista T.
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

    Nice metro get away

    This is a beautiful park and the campsites for the most part all seem spacious, and the loop we were in (whichever one site 52 is in) all had decent tree cover.

    The bathroom facility has seen better days. The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours.


Guide to Medicine Lake

Camping near Medicine Lake, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent or an RV.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails at Willow River State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area."
  • Fishing: Head to Lake Elmo County Park Reserve for some fishing. A visitor shared, "Great bike trails, lakes a little way’s from campground but you can drive or bike to it easily."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. One reviewer noted, "There is also a nice little beach for a place to hangout and swim in the river."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve. One happy camper said, "Peaceful, quiet, with spacious sites that are situated in a staggered way, so you never feel like you’re on top of each other."
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A reviewer from Lebanon Hills Regional Park mentioned, "The showers were clean and the hot water was great."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. A visitor at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park said, "Staff were very helpful."

What you should know:

  • Reservations: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A camper at William O'Brien State Park Campground advised, "Must reserve months in advance as usually full."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for raccoons and mosquitoes. One camper at Lake Maria State Park warned, "We had a battle with mosquitoes. We went through a lot of bug spray."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Ann Lake, are more rustic. A visitor noted, "Camping here is primitive with few amenities."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and swimming areas. A reviewer at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park mentioned, "A lot of walking trails, and several playgrounds for the kids."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a mix of activities for everyone. One family at Afton State Park Campground enjoyed, "Great trails for all different skill levels."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone happy with snacks on hand. A camper at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve suggested, "Close enough to town in case you forget some things."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve said, "RV pads are gravel."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need them, check for campgrounds with full hookups. A visitor at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park noted, "Great campground with all the amenities one might need."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near urban areas, so be ready for some noise. A camper at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve mentioned, "Urban campgrounds are not for wilderness campers."

Camping near Medicine Lake, Minnesota, has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, you'll find a spot that fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Medicine Lake, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Medicine Lake, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 109 campgrounds and RV parks near Medicine Lake, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Medicine Lake, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Medicine Lake, MN is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Medicine Lake, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Medicine Lake, MN.