The region surrounding Norwood Young America features gentle rolling hills with elevations between 950-1,050 feet, creating natural drainage into nearby High Island Creek and the Minnesota River watershed. The area's clay-loam soil composition can affect drainage at campsites, particularly during spring thaws when ground saturation may limit tent placement options. Most camping areas within 30 minutes of Norwood Young America are nestled in oak-maple forest zones interspersed with tallgrass prairie remnants.
What to do
Hiking and nature trails: High Island Creek Park offers secluded hiking opportunities with surprising terrain variety. One camper noted, "Beautiful trails leading you down the revenue to a gentle flowing creek. One of me and my hubbies favorite drop in campsites!!" The park features several ravines with marked paths leading to creek access points.
Fishing and water recreation: Baylor Regional Park provides accessible shoreline fishing and paddleboat rentals. A visitor mentioned, "Just be sure you know what part of the county park system you are going to! Baylor is the only one with camping. Nice site with manicured lawn and great trials, including a boardwalk!"
Wildlife viewing: The Carver Park Reserve offers educational nature programs focusing on local wildlife. A reviewer shared, "The campground is kept up very well. It has garbage cans and porta pottys. When I got here it was empty. Nice open spots and a good amount of tree cover." Morning hours typically provide the best wildlife viewing, with deer and wild turkey sightings common.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Dakotah Meadows RV Park maintains exceptionally well-kept grounds and facilities. According to one camper, "Grounds are mostly well groomed and the roads are maintained. There is some pride reflected in the ownership." The park offers cement parking pads with full hookups, creating a stable base for camping setups regardless of weather conditions.
Peaceful environment: High Island Creek Park provides a tranquil setting away from urban noise. A visitor remarked, "Good vibes it's a magical place when u go hiking down the hill to the hidden creeks trails and absolute peace being one with nature." The park's location at the end of a gravel road minimizes traffic noise and light pollution.
Convenience to Minneapolis: Lake Auburn Campground offers a balance of natural setting with metro accessibility. As one camper shared, "While the park is nice and has mature trees, the sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites." Its location provides a convenient base for day trips into Minneapolis while returning to nature each evening.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Norwood Young America fill quickly during summer months. For Baker Campground, a camper advised, "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."
Site privacy variations: Campsite layouts and privacy levels vary significantly between parks. One reviewer at Lake Auburn noted, "The 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."
Seasonal considerations: Most area campgrounds operate from late April through mid-October. A Baker Park camper shared, "After months of winter the first trip of the season is something we look forward to. The sites at 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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Oak Leaf Park offers multiple recreational facilities within walking distance of campsites. A camper noted, "The park has 13 RV sites with 30/50amp and water, four tent sites. Fishing pond, two baseball fields, basketball court, playground, disk golf, and aquatic center/swimming pool."
Educational programs: Baker Park Reserve offers regular educational activities for children. One visitor shared, "The campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities. The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great. With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming beaches with gentle slopes for children. At Lake Auburn Campground, a reviewer commented, "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth." Most beaches are unguarded, so parental supervision is necessary.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Minneapolis Southwest KOA provides full-service sites with 50-amp electrical service and sewer connections. However, one visitor cautioned, "Roads that were poorly maintained trucks were parked sticking out into the road making it difficult to get around. The site was very unlevel."
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the area require careful leveling. At Dakotah Meadows, a camper noted, "Sites are paved and level. Each site has their own fire pit." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended, particularly for sites at Baker Park Reserve and Lake Auburn Campground.
Dump station access: Most parks offer dump stations, but availability and hours vary. A Baylor Regional Park visitor mentioned, "Easy dump and fill," but access times may be restricted during busy weekends, so planning ahead is essential.
