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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
