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.
$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."
$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."
"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."
$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"
$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."
$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."
$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."
$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."
"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"
"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."
ScoutGot a nice spot by the water, big parking spot, little below the spot is an opening towards water with a fire pit. 2-3 bars of service but never had an issue. Worked well. Very private. Bugs weren’t bad either
ScoutThis was our first camping experience and it was a great one! I would highly recommend this for anyone’s first or fifth camping adventure!
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.
GuideThis place is spectacular,u have to walk down to the creek. God's work. Beautiful
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.
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.
Campgrounds near Medicine Lake, Minnesota offer a range of experiences within a 25-mile radius of Minneapolis. The region features several county and regional park camping facilities that remain open from late April through mid-October, when Minnesota's temperate climate supports outdoor activities. Elevations in the area remain relatively flat, averaging 850-900 feet above sea level, creating easy access for campers of all experience levels.
Hiking trails with swimming access: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park combines miles of walking paths with water recreation opportunities. "The lake is nice. There are 2 swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors. You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards, and many people bring their own boats," notes a visitor to Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.
Biking on paved trails: Most regional parks offer dedicated bike paths connecting multiple recreation areas. "There is a nice 6+mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes," suggests a Baker Park camper. The interconnected trail system lets cyclists explore beyond individual campgrounds without needing to transport bikes by vehicle.
Archery practice: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features a dedicated archery range among its recreational offerings. A visitor mentions, "They have beautiful hiking trails and a swimming beach for the hotter days. They also have an archery range and on Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch."
Educational programs: Several parks offer structured nature activities. "The playground is good for kids and they have programs every Saturday night, some of the ones we've been to were about bugs, raptors, bees, and snakes, there are usually programs during the day at the nature center as well," reports a camper at Carver Park Reserve.
Clean facilities: Park bathrooms and shower buildings receive consistent praise for maintenance. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, campers find "nice clean bathrooms" with one visitor noting, "The bathrooms were among some of the nicest I've used at a campground. The shower stall was big enough for a meaty human like myself to shower comfortably."
Secluded sites despite urban proximity: Some campgrounds manage to provide privacy despite being close to the metropolitan area. At Lebanon Hills, a camper mentioned, "Lebanon Hills is a great park and has a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen, and we didn't hear them either."
Filtered swimming ponds: Several parks feature specially treated swimming areas. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," explains a camper at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve. These maintained swimming facilities provide cleaner alternatives to natural lakes.
Variety of accommodation options: Beyond standard tent and RV sites, some parks offer alternatives for less experienced campers. Minneapolis Northwest KOA provides "options ranging from basic tent sites to cabins and yurts," allowing visitors to choose their comfort level.
Site privacy varies significantly: While some parks offer secluded spots, others place campers in close proximity. At Town & Country Campground, a visitor cautions, "You are basically drove insane from the constant gawking eyes of judgmental neighbors. Campsites aren't even spaced out to where you have ANY privacy. The campsites are on top of one another. You are less than ten feet from your neighbors."
Reservation timing matters: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, a camper noted the unexpected availability: "Based on the lack of Dyrt reviews and the overabundance of weekend availability for this campground, it might be a nice option for you to get camping even if you are a state-park-loving metro dweller like me."
Mosquito preparation essential: Minnesota's summer months bring healthy insect populations. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, a visitor warns, "The bugs are aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area. Definitely more of a place to stay as you are passing through, not really a destination campground."
Day-use fees may apply: Some parks charge entrance fees beyond camping costs. A visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park explains, "Your reservation fee does NOT include the daily parks fee of 7 dollars just FYI. Lots of mosquitoes but it's MN so that's to be expected."
Seek out parks with dedicated children's programming: Multiple campgrounds offer structured activities. "Every Saturday night they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch. Very organized and clean facilities," shares a visitor at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
Consider campgrounds with play areas: Dakotah Meadows RV Park and several other facilities include playgrounds. At Bunker Hills, a camper highlighted the range of options: "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, several playgrounds, archery, an event center, frisbee golf, and yes a campground."
Look for level tent pads: For families with multiple tents, site terrain matters. A camper at Carver Park Reserve noted, "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 here, especially in the sites by the playground."
Water activities enhance family stays: Beaches and swimming areas provide entertainment for children. A Baker Park visitor explained, "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Confirm site dimensions before booking: Some campgrounds misrepresent space availability. A Lebanon Hills camper advised, "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."
Consider access to urban amenities: The best places to camp near Medicine Lake offer convenience for shopping needs. One RVer at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes mentioned, "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."
Hookup availability varies by location: Research utility connections before arrival. At Baker Park, full hookups are available, while other parks offer only electric or water. Sites with sewer connections typically cost more but save the inconvenience of visiting dump stations.
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 113 campgrounds and RV parks near Medicine Lake, MN and 3 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 3 free dispersed camping spots near Medicine Lake, MN.
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