Minneapolis camping options range from primitive tent sites to well-appointed cabin accommodations, with most campgrounds located within a 45-minute drive of downtown. The metropolitan area features over 10 established campgrounds across three county systems, with seasonal availability typically running from April through October. Most sites require advance reservations and impose a two-night minimum stay during peak summer weekends.
What to do
Lake recreation: Swim and paddle at Lake Auburn Campground where visitors enjoy a "cute lil beach for swimming" according to one camper. The beach area has "a fishing dock" and is "gently sloping and smooth" with water that's "cool after a hot day." Many campers appreciate that the beach is an "easy walk" from the campsites.
Mountain biking: Explore extensive trail systems at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve where one visitor notes there are "nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities (which were very nice)." Another camper recommends: "There is a nice 6+mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes."
Wildlife viewing: Visit Afton State Park for varied terrain and animal sightings. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" reports one visitor. The park features "prairie, forest, river, it's got it all" according to another camper. Bird watchers particularly enjoy the diverse habitats, with one regular visitor noting they "love birding here as well."
What campers like
Semi-secluded sites: Find privacy at Afton State Park Campground where the "sites do require a hike from parking" but reward campers with seclusion. As one visitor explains, "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion." Another camper notes that "the woods made it very secluded. It was close enough to water and bathrooms so it wasn't bad if you planned."
Clean facilities: Enjoy well-maintained bathrooms at Cleary Lake Regional Park which features "Amazing bathroom/Showers" according to recent visitors. The regional parks consistently earn praise for maintenance, with Baker Park visitors noting "the bathroom/showers are great. Some of the best I've seen at a campground!"
Accessibility: Appreciate easy-to-reach camping options near the city at Bunker Hills Regional Park where one camper noted it's "only being 20 minutes away" from home. Another visitor highlighted that "it would never even occur to me to camp somewhere if it was less than an hour away. That is no longer true," demonstrating the park's appeal for quick getaways.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Book well in advance for Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins where reservations open 120 days ahead. One visitor advises: "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve. For example, as of this review (early June), all weekends are booked for all cabins."
Site selection: Check campground maps carefully when booking at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park. Sites vary significantly in shade, privacy, and size. One camper notes that at many parks "the sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites. The only separation is the driveway where you park your car."
Park entry fees: Budget for daily park fees separate from camping fees. A visitor to Bunker Hills explains: "Your reservation fee does NOT include the daily parks fee of 7 dollars just FYI." Most regional parks charge day-use fees in addition to camping reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Water features: Choose campgrounds with swimming areas for summer visits. Lake Auburn Campground offers "a nice beach" and "a cute lil beach for swimming" that keeps children entertained. The "gentle sloping" entry makes it suitable for younger children.
Playground access: Select sites near play areas for convenience with small children. At Baker Park, there's "a nice park for kids just a small hike away" according to one visitor. Another notes that "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Seasonal considerations: Plan for bugs during summer months when visiting, particularly at sites near water. One camper at the Minneapolis Northwest KOA observed "The bugs are aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area." Another visitor to Ham Lake Resort noted: "We visited in August and needed gallons of bug spray."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Check utility options before booking at Minneapolis Northwest KOA, where sites have "great hookups" according to recent visitors. The campground provides "level sites" and offers "easy access, clean grounds and facilities" for RV campers.
Site leveling: Request specific site information when booking at Minneapolis Southwest KOA where some visitors report "Unlevel sites" can cause difficulties. One visitor noted that "The site was very unlevel and the water Spicket didn't really work very well."
Dumping stations: Confirm dump station availability when booking longer stays. One camper noted that at certain facilities, having a "broken dump station" significantly impacted their stay. Regional park campgrounds generally provide sanitary dumps, but availability and maintenance may vary seasonally.
