Camping around Norwood Young America offers convenient access to the metro area with campgrounds typically within 30-45 minutes of downtown Minneapolis. The region features rolling prairies, hardwood forests, and numerous lakes with an average summer temperature of 80°F. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 900-1,000 feet above sea level, providing relatively level terrain that's suitable for both tent camping and RVs.
What to do
Water activities at local lakes: Lake Auburn Campground provides a clean swimming beach with shade umbrellas and a fishing dock. "The beach area looks nice" and "sitting on the dock or the grass and swimming in the water are a great way to destress," according to visitors.
Trail exploration: Cleary Lake Regional Park offers hiking trails through diverse habitats. "The park also has a golf course and is very well kept! We really want to use one of the large group camp sites for a weekend party!" notes one camper.
Family recreation: Lake Auburn Campground features "a playground, volleyball court and tons of miles of trails to shred on foot or bike." The playground "accommodates something for all ages and size groups from a traditional playground set for the younger ones, volleyball net and concrete bag toss boards."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds near Norwood Young America maintain well-kept facilities. At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, campers appreciate the "clean bathrooms with hot water, clean laundry room" and "nice restrooms with showers."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer adequate room between sites. One camper at Lake Auburn noted, "While some sites are a little uneven and better suited to RVs than to tents, all sites are spacious and clean."
Natural surroundings: Cokato Lake RV Resort provides a scenic setting with recreational amenities. A visitor described it as having "Inground, heated swimming pool; mini golf; pickleball; tennis; arcade room attached to the office."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most rv campgrounds near Norwood Young America, Minnesota operate seasonally. St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park runs "from May 3 to Oct 13," so verify opening dates when planning off-season visits.
Site privacy varies: Many campgrounds feature open layouts with limited privacy. At Lake Auburn, "the sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites. The only separation is the driveway where you park your car."
Reservation requirements: Baker Campground fills quickly during peak season. "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."
Price considerations: Rates at rv campgrounds around Norwood Young America can vary significantly. Codgers Cove RV Resort charges "$80 daily for non-seasonal" campers, while other parks offer more moderate rates.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park offers "a 9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop. They also offer a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade."
Consider campground layout: Baker Park provides family-friendly spaces. "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."
Check swimming options: Codgers Cove RV Resort offers lake access, though one visitor noted it's "great lake location but $80 was kind of high" for daily rates.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup details: Most RV campgrounds near Norwood Young America, Minnesota offer electric hookups. Baker Park "maintains gravel RV pads with electric hookups and central water spigots."
Site dimensions: RiversEdge RV Park provides "large wooded lots, most facing the river or wildlife pond" with "full hook-ups, with 30 or 50 amp service" and "concrete patios on every lot."
Additional amenities: Town & Country Campground offers convenient access to metropolitan attractions. "We're in town to catch a twins game and see the mall of America and this was a campground not too far from both. It's an easy on and off the interstate, super close to a gas station and RV wash bay."
