Campgrounds surrounding New Hope, Minnesota range from developed facilities to basic rustic sites, with a concentration of options within a 25-mile radius. Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Maple Grove provides tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations, while Baker Park Reserve in Medina offers more spacious camping areas with lake access. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with limited or no availability during Minnesota's winter months.
Reservations are essential for most established campgrounds, especially on summer weekends and holidays. Many locations like Baker Park Reserve and Lebanon Hills Regional Park require booking at least two nights during peak periods. "We spent two nights in the campground. It was fairly busy, but we still felt secluded despite a full campground," noted one visitor about Baker Park Reserve. The regional climate presents distinct camping seasons with potentially severe thunderstorms during summer and mosquito activity peaking in June and July. Most campgrounds offer drinking water, electric hookups, and modern shower facilities, though availability varies by location and season.
Campers frequently mention the balance between proximity to urban amenities and natural settings as a key advantage of the New Hope area's mixed-use campgrounds. Regional park campgrounds typically feature paved biking trails, playground access, and water recreation opportunities. Several visitors highlighted Baker Park Reserve for its family-friendly atmosphere and clean facilities. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," shared one camper. While most sites offer limited privacy compared to more remote wilderness camping areas, the trade-off comes with convenient access to clean bathrooms, showers, and recreational amenities. Bunker Hills Regional Park and Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park stand out for offering both cabin and tent camping options in more wooded settings.
$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."
$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."
$20 - $32 / night
"I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."
"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(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"
"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."
$20 - $75 / night
"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."
$23 - $80 / night
"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."
$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."
"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."
$20 - $32 / night
"Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
"Beach was closed but we still got some good walks in. Fire ring was a little shallow for my liking so had to get some solid coals going to get dinner on the table."
$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."
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 within 25 miles of New Hope, Minnesota offer a mix of terrains from dense woodland to open prairie settings. The area typically sees summer temperatures ranging from 70°F to 85°F with cooler spring and fall camping conditions. Most local sites sit at elevations between 800-950 feet above sea level, creating gentle slopes rather than steep terrain challenges that campers might face elsewhere.
Water activities at Baker Campground: Located on Lake Independence with swimming beaches and boat rentals. "I recently had the pleasure of staying at Campsite C1 in Baker Park Reserve, and it was a truly delightful experience. Nestled in a picturesque setting, this campsite offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and essential amenities," notes one visitor about the lake access.
Trail systems at Bunker Hills Regional Park: Features extensive paved and unpaved trail networks connecting camping areas to key attractions. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," explains a camper, highlighting the well-maintained paths that wind through diverse landscapes.
Disc golf opportunities: Several campgrounds near New Hope feature disc golf courses within a short driving distance. "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)," reports one camper about their stay at a local site, making this an excellent option for campers looking to combine outdoor recreation with camping.
Secluded tent sites: Many campers praise the separation between sites in certain areas, particularly in the more wooded sections. A visitor to Lebanon Hills Regional Park mentions: "We love Lebanon Hills! Close to home and an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities. Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and shower facilities receive consistent positive feedback for maintenance. "The bathroom facility near the ranger station was very well maintained and cleaned several times a day," noted a Lebanon Hills camper, reflecting a common appreciation across several campgrounds in the area.
Natural privacy barriers: Site designs that incorporate existing vegetation for separation. "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," wrote a visitor about Lake Auburn Campground, where mature trees and strategic site placement create natural screening between campers.
Reservation systems vary: Each campground has unique reservation policies and lead times. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, "Booking was fairly easy through their website, and you can 'hover' over the sites to see a photo of it. I chose the one I wanted and hoped it would be what we wanted it to be."
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds offer much more privacy than others. "The sites are a little close with little to no privacy in most," mentioned a Lebanon Hills visitor, though they still enjoyed their stay.
Insect preparation essential: Minnesota's summer mosquito and fly populations can be significant. "So my husband and I officially nicknamed this campground 'Horsefly Hell'. And no we don't recommend this one," warns one camper about their summer experience, highlighting the need for proper repellent and timing visits strategically.
Firewood availability: Quality and pricing of on-site firewood differs significantly. "Many campsites are fantastic with good spacing and shade. Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere," advises a Rice Creek camper.
Playgrounds proximity: When selecting a campsite near New Hope, Minnesota with children, check distances to playground facilities. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," notes a visitor to Baker Park Reserve, highlighting the convenience of having activities within walking distance.
Water features for hot days: Summer heat can be mitigated by selecting campgrounds with swimming access. At Willow River State Park Campground, "There is a great spot below the dam to cool off if needed," providing relief during hot weather camping trips.
Loop selection for different age groups: Some campgrounds have designated quiet loops better suited for families with young children. "The TENT ONLY loop - you don't see this often - so it was a good fit," mentions one Rice Creek camper, noting how this configuration created a more peaceful experience away from RV generators.
Concrete pad availability: Several campgrounds near New Hope offer level, concrete parking areas ideal for RVs. At Dakotah Meadows RV Park, "The sites are paved and have well-maintained grass. We were located near the casino road," notes a visitor appreciating the stable, level setup.
Service access considerations: Cell service and WiFi quality vary significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. "Also, 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," warns a Dakotah Meadows camper about connectivity challenges.
Site length accuracy: Check actual available lengths when booking. "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," explains a Lebanon Hills visitor, pointing out that published site lengths may not accurately reflect actual usable space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near New Hope, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, New Hope, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near New Hope, MN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near New Hope, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New Hope, MN is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near New Hope, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near New Hope, MN.
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