Minnetonka camping options extend from Minnesota's eastern metropolitan area to rural destinations within an hour's drive. Seasonal availability varies significantly between April and October, with most parks closing for winter around mid-October. Campgrounds in the region sit at elevations ranging from 800-1,000 feet above sea level, contributing to their moderate drainage during typical summer rainfall.
What to do
Tubing opportunities: Country Camping RV Park offers river recreation with shuttle service into town. "Tubing! They have a bus that takes you into town float back to the campground, love it," notes one visitor about the Country Camping RV Park experience.
Water activities: Families enjoy water features beyond just swimming at several campgrounds. "The kids enjoyed the compact playground and pool," mentions a camper at Town & Country Campground about their Town & Country Campground & RV Park stay. Another mentions, "Pool was small but nice. Splash pad was even nice for adults... Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom."
Golf nearby: Cleary Lake Regional Park provides camping access near reasonably priced golf courses. "The golfing nearby that seemed reasonably priced for those interested," reports one visitor about their experience at Cleary Lake.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower buildings rank highly in visitor satisfaction across multiple campgrounds. "Amazing bathroom/Showers. Quiet, lots of flies, good spot overall," reports a visitor about their stay at Cleary Lake Regional Park.
Large sites: Spacious campsites provide more privacy and room between neighbors. "Sites are 60+ feet, concrete and level. Each site has their own fire pit," explains a visitor to Dakotah Meadows. Another camper notes, "Lots of good trees and space between campgrounds which isn't always the case at the regional parks."
Natural settings: Campers appreciate the proximity to nature even at campgrounds closer to urban areas. "Our 'hike in' spot was very close to the car but hidden in a forest. Gorgeous spot," shares a camper at Cleary Lake Regional Park. Another mentions, "Site 13 is the only one right on the water and it's HUGE with lots of trees and absolutely beautiful scenery."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. "We lucked out and were able to stay 2 nights without reservations...only had to move because they were fully booked for the 4th," explains a visitor to Dakotah Meadows RV Park.
Privacy considerations: Site layouts vary widely between parks, affecting privacy levels. "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," warns one camper about their experience at Town & Country Campground.
Noise factors: Different noise sources affect various campgrounds. "We would probably chose a site further from one of the main roads into Mystic Lake Casino. We heard a lot of traffic coming and going well into the wee hours of the night," notes a camper at Dakotah Meadows RV Park.
Connectivity issues: Internet access varies between locations. "Wifi is not great, less than 1MB download speeds from our site, and our Verizon service was pretty poor in our spot, max 2 bars," reports a visitor to Dakotah Meadows.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational facilities: Multiple campgrounds offer family-focused amenities. "It has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites," shares a visitor about Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River.
Swimming options: Most family-friendly parks feature swimming facilities. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," explains a Baker Park camper.
Biking opportunities: Paved trails provide safe cycling for children. "There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities," reports a visitor to Baker Park Reserve.
Longer stays: Multiple-night minimums apply at some parks. "You'll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I'd say almost all of them were booked," advises a Baker Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Parking surfaces: RV sites near Minnetonka, Minnesota vary in construction and quality. "Grounds are mostly well groomed and the roads are maintained," reports a visitor to Dakotah Meadows. Another notes, "We last stayed in site 25, a back in up on the hill. We have also stayed in the pull through sites, but not really a fan of those."
Site selection: Location within campgrounds affects the experience. "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," explains a visitor to Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.
Additional services: Some campgrounds provide extras like shuttle transportation. "Security patrols regularly and there is shuttle if you want to visit casino," mentions a visitor about Dakotah Meadows, while another notes, "There is fuel on site as well as RV wash station."
