Campgrounds near Mound, Minnesota range from established parks to resort-style facilities offering tent camping, RV sites, cabins and glamping accommodations. Three Rivers Park District operates several campgrounds in the area including Baker Campground in Maple Plain and Carver Park Reserve in Victoria, both within 10-15 miles of Mound. Lake Auburn Campground provides additional options with lakefront access and recreation amenities. Most campgrounds feature electric hookups, drinking water, picnic tables and fire rings.
Most campground facilities operate seasonally from April through October, with specific opening dates varying by location. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods when campgrounds reach capacity. Baker Park Reserve typically opens April 30 and closes October 20, while Carver Park Reserve's season runs from late April through late October. Winter camping options are limited in the immediate area. Road access is generally good with paved entrances to established campgrounds. "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground," noted one visitor to Baker Park Reserve.
Family-friendly amenities represent a common feature among campgrounds in this region. Lake Auburn offers a swimming beach, playground facilities and miles of hiking and biking trails. Sites tend to be well-maintained but offer varying levels of privacy. According to one camper, "Lake Auburn's sites are all along a one-way road that loops through the campground. While the park is nice and has mature trees, the sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites." Several campgrounds provide both tent and RV sites with varying hookup options, including water and electric at most locations and full hookups at some. Visitors particularly appreciate the recreational opportunities, with many mentioning the biking trails, beaches, and fishing opportunities available at campgrounds throughout the area.
$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."
$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."
"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"
$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."
"Tons of trails and camping. 🏕"
$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."
"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."
"A couple weeks ago we spent some time at the Northwest koa...that one had private tent sites surrounded on 3 sides by trees, quiet spaces etc."
"Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home😁"
"When I first pulled in I checked out the single track trail area first and the parking lot was full of mountain bikers. "
"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 Mound, Minnesota range from rustic tent sites to RV-friendly parks located throughout Carver and Hennepin counties. The terrain features rolling hills with numerous lakes and wetlands, creating diverse camping environments within a 20-mile radius of Mound. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 900-1,000 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F and frequent evening thunderstorms from June through August.
Mountain biking on single-track trails: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve offers 13.25 miles of mountain biking trails with varying difficulty levels. "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to," notes a visitor to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve.
Kayaking and paddling: The calm waters of Lake Auburn provide excellent opportunities for water activities. "The lake is nice, smaller with not many motor boats so good for kayaking or canoeing, the beach is pretty clean, some weeds floating in the water and very shallow for kids," according to a camper at Carver Park Reserve.
Nature programs: Educational programs run regularly at several parks. "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," explains a visitor to Carver Park Reserve.
Clean facilities: The bathroom facilities receive high marks at several campgrounds. "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean. The campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities. The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great," shares a camper at Baker Campground.
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer larger-than-average sites. "The sites a Baker Park Reserve are larger than average. This is a big campground with a lot of paved bike trails and a nice lake a short walk away," notes a reviewer who stayed early in the camping season.
Beach access: Swimming areas are consistently mentioned as highlights. "The beach area looks nice" and "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," reports a visitor to Lake Auburn Campground.
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. "While some sites are a little uneven and better suited to RVs than to tents, all sites are spacious and clean," explains a Lake Auburn Campground visitor.
Reservation timing matters: Popular weekends book quickly, especially at county parks. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises a camper at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close by late October. Lake Auburn Campground typically closes in mid-October, as one visitor noted: "They're closing soon, but I caught this campground in their last 2 weeks open for the season! Feels lucky."
Bug activity: Insects can be prevalent, particularly in wooded areas. "Watch out for stinging nettles! Campsite 100!" warns a Lake Auburn camper, while others mention mosquitoes being more active in certain campgrounds.
Playground facilities: Many campgrounds feature well-equipped play areas. "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)," shares a Baker Park camper.
Distance from home: Consider proximity for first-time campers. "We bought new camping gear and this campground, given its proximity to our house, made for an easy weekend getaway to give the gear a trial run," explains a visitor to Lake Auburn Campground.
Entertainment options: Several campgrounds offer recreational amenities beyond camping. "Game room small pool unfortunately all closed due to COVID but super cute little park," notes a visitor to Town & Country Campground.
Beach safety: Most swimming areas lack lifeguards and have varying depths. "The beach is actually on Lake Auburn but is all a part of the Carver County Reserve... Nice and quiet too and not very often is it crowded, which is a bonus," reports a Carver Park Reserve visitor.
Full hookup availability: For extended stays, select sites with complete services. "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," explains a Lebanon Hills Regional Park camper.
Pad types: Several campgrounds feature concrete or gravel pads. "The sites are paved and have well-maintained grass. We were located near the casino road, which has an occasional loud car, even at night," reports a visitor to Dakotah Meadows RV Park.
Satellite reception: Tree cover can affect connectivity. "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," notes a Dakotah Meadows camper.
Campground amenities: Some RV parks provide additional services like fuel stations. "There is a RV wash bay available for a fee and the campground even has gasoline available 24 hours a day using a credit card," explains a Dakotah Meadows visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping lots near Mound?
Several excellent camping options surround the Mound area. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve in nearby Maple Plain offers affordable camping with clean facilities and is part of the Three Rivers Park system. For a wilderness experience, Cannon River Wilderness Area provides free camping with sites tucked away next to the river, ideal for hammock camping, with a short 10-minute hike from parking to the farthest site. Additional options include Lake Rebecca Park Reserve and Carver Park Reserve, both within easy driving distance from Mound.
When is the best season for camping in Mound?
Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the most pleasant camping weather near Mound. Summer provides ideal conditions for enjoying water activities at nearby lakes and recreational facilities. For spectacular foliage, visit Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground in early autumn, which is renowned for leaf-peeping opportunities. William O'Brien State Park Campground is another excellent option with clean, accessible campsites and walking trails perfect for exploring during the warmer months, plus its proximity to Stillwater makes for enjoyable day trips during peak season.
What amenities are available at camping spots in Mound?
Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers impressive amenities including a filtered swimming pond with sandy beach, built-in umbrellas, and a concession stand. The modern campsites feature shaded areas, and the park provides hiking trails, horseback riding opportunities, boating access, and a playground. Lebanon Hills Regional Park features electric hookups in the East Loop (though no water hookups), convenient water pumps, Schultz Beach for swimming, professional mountain bike trails, and miles of hiking paths. Most campgrounds in the area offer basic facilities like toilets and potable water.
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