T
Thomas D.
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GuideSakatah Lake State Park Campground
Beautiful campground in southern Minnesota
I have gone to this campground a few times and we love it. It’s beautiful and peaceful, secluded lots. Very overlooked this is a gem.
Camping near Mendota Heights, MN
122 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Mendota Heights is surrounded by several established campgrounds within easy driving distance, including Lebanon Hills Regional Park in nearby Eagan and Lake Elmo County Park Reserve to the northeast. The area features a mix of camping experiences, from full-hookup RV sites to more secluded tent camping areas. Campers can find accommodations ranging from basic tent sites to cabins at places like Afton State Park Campground and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. Most campgrounds in the region offer amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails, with varying levels of services from primitive sites to fully developed facilities with showers and electrical hookups.
Seasonal availability varies significantly across the campgrounds, with most operating from spring through fall. Lebanon Hills Regional Park, a popular destination for local campers, operates from April 30 to October 12, while some facilities like Afton State Park and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when availability becomes limited. Many campgrounds in the area feature both drive-in and walk-in sites, accommodating different camping styles and equipment needs. "Lebanon Hills is a beautiful county park only a few minutes from Minneapolis / St. Paul. The sites are a good mix of private, and there's plenty to do with hiking, biking, and fishing available," noted one visitor.
The camping experience near Mendota Heights balances urban accessibility with natural settings. Several campers highlight the surprising seclusion available despite proximity to the Twin Cities. Lebanon Hills in particular receives consistent praise for offering private, wooded tent sites while maintaining convenient access to urban amenities. The east loop of Lebanon Hills provides more secluded experiences with sites spaced further apart and surrounded by trees, while the west loop offers full hookups for RVs with more open layouts. Wildlife sightings, including deer and turtles, are commonly reported at area campgrounds. Most locations provide access to water recreation opportunities through nearby lakes, though these may require short drives from the actual campgrounds. Campers often mention appreciating the balance of feeling removed from the city while remaining close enough for convenience.
Best Campgrounds near Mendota Heights (122)
1. Lebanon Hills Regional Park
"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."
from $24 - $42 / night
Check Availability2. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
"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."
from $23 - $80 / night
Check Availability3. Afton State Park Campground
"Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks."
"It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees."
from $22 - $85 / night
Check Availability4. Willow River State Park Campground
"Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"
"Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."
from $25 - $90 / night
Check Availability5. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
"Minnesota is beautiful and there is so much to do here. The bathrooms are spotless and everything is new here."
"Washington County, which manages campgrounds at both the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St Croix Bluffs Regional Park, does a great job of maintaining campgrounds, trails, and bathroom facilities at both parks"
6. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
"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."
from $21 - $29 / night
Check Availability7. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park
"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."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability8. Town & Country Campground & RV Park
"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."
"Great spot close to attractions in the twin cities. The family friendly activities are perfect for families with younger kids, playground, swimming, crafts and games."
9. Dakotah Meadows RV Park
"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."
from $40 - $50 / night
Check Availability10. Tony’s Backyard
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 12 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 1 hr 5 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 1 hr 8 min from Rochester, MN
- 1 hr 13 min from Mankato, MN
Recent Camping Photos near Mendota Heights, MN
268 Photos of 122 Mendota Heights Campgrounds
Jason S.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Kelly H.
Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
Jennifer H.
Town & Country Campground & RV Park
Lili R.
Cleary Lake Regional Park
Steph H.
Afton State Park Campground
Daryl L.
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
Mackenzie G.
Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Amy G.
Rice Creek Campgrounds
Erik R.
Champion Valley
Arielle P.
Bunker Hills Regional Park
Mike R.
Willow River State Park Campground
Chris S.
Minneapolis Southwest KOA
Recent Reviews near Mendota Heights, MN
866 Reviews of 122 Mendota Heights Campgrounds
- Jason A.
ScoutBeebe Lake Regional Park Group Camp
No rv camping
Great place if you have tents but no rv or pull behind parking
- Stina M.Guide
Lake Auburn Campground
Nice and clean.
No hookups. No privacy at sites. Nice and clean, beautiful beach area. Nice pier for fishing. You can rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boards. Many miles of bike paths on site. Great family campground. FYI, 10 sites are dedicated for generator usage, however you cannot use them overnight.
- Stina M.Guide
William O'Brien State Park Campground
Savannah campground site
Stayed for two nights when I worked at concerts in Somerset. Was very impressed with how private the sites are. There is Good tree cover in between each site. There is nothing to do for kids, if that’s important for you….I didn’t look around too much, just a walk around the loops. But I want to go back again. Beautiful and clean is how I’d describe in 2 words.
- PPat Z.Scout
Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
Baker Park Reserve
Large sites. NO sewer hookups but there is a dump station.
Daily S.ScoutVeterans Campground On Big Marine Lake
Too expensive for what you get
There are NO sewer hookups and they charge you$40 per dump fee. Should be included when you pay$600 a month to stay here. Theres no laundry on site. You have to drive 20 mins one way to do laundry. There is only ONE restroom and shower house there are porta potties placed all around to use instead. They also CLOSED the only shower house on a FRIDAY for remodeling the counter tops. If they charged less to stay here I’d say it’s ok but for what they charge and saying they are non-profit makes it suspiciously convenient to slap a veteran camp on their sign to make you feel special. Meanwhile everything is a fee. Extra charge. Won’t be staying again.
Rob R.
RangerWildwood RV Park & Campground
Nice smaller park
Visiting family in the area and got a spot here. Spaces are snug, not big rig friendly, but overall a nice park. Power and water hookups, and dump station. Little pricey at $80/night but it’s in a great area.
- AAmanda O.Scout
Nugget Lake County Park
Quiet
The sites are mostly separated giving a “real wilderness “ vibe. The lake is good, the bathrooms are cleaned (ish) and amenities are satisfactory. I will stay here again!
- SShannon R.Scout
Town & Country Campground & RV Park
Family Friendly
Great spot close to attractions in the twin cities. The family friendly activities are perfect for families with younger kids, playground, swimming, crafts and games. Park & bathrooms well kept and clean.
Guide to Mendota Heights
Camping sites near Mendota Heights, Minnesota offer a mix of natural experiences within 20-30 minutes of the Twin Cities metro area. Most public campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 800-950 feet above sea level, creating rolling terrain with varying landscapes from prairie to woodland. Winter camping options remain limited with only three area campgrounds maintaining year-round operations, while peak season runs May through September.
What to do
Swimming in chlorinated natural pond: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features an unusual swimming amenity. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," notes Timothy S. The park also offers an archery range and hiking trails.
Explore waterfall trails: Willow River State Park Campground across the Wisconsin border provides waterfall hiking opportunities. "Willow River falls is definitely a beautiful site to see. Definitely a place to camp if you like to be active and explore the trails. Winter, summer or fall!" shares Jessica B. The park features multiple trail systems of varying difficulty.
Kayaking on small lakes: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers water recreation options. "Nice little lake to kayak on," mentions Chris S. The park rents single and double kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards for visitors without their own equipment.
Hiking through prairie and forest: Afton State Park provides varied terrain for hikers. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" shares Mike K. Adam P. adds, "Terrific park. Lots of trails with a wide variety of landscapes. Prairie, forest, river, it's got it all."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers secluded camping spaces. "The site was large and flat with a nice fire pit. Thank you!" says Mackenzie G. Another camper adds, "Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen, and we didn't hear them either."
Tent camping near attractions: Afton State Park Campground provides rustic tent sites with privacy. "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites. The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion," reports Andrew C.
Full hookup RV options: Dakotah Meadows RV Park offers concrete camping pads with full utilities. "The sites are paved and have well-maintained grass," notes Chris F. Another camper explains, "Sites are 60+ feet, concrete and level. Each site has their own fire pit."
Clean facilities: Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve maintains high-quality amenities. "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" says Jennifer H. Bryan S. agrees: "The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mendota Heights, MN?
What camping is available near Mendota Heights, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mendota Heights, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 122 campgrounds and RV parks near Mendota Heights, MN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mendota Heights, MN?
Which is the most popular campground near Mendota Heights, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mendota Heights, MN is Lebanon Hills Regional Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mendota Heights, MN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mendota Heights, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Mendota Heights, MN.
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