Multiple campgrounds with cabin accommodations cluster around the Osseo, Minnesota area, with options ranging from basic to upscale facilities. Baker Park Reserve in Medina provides cabin camping alongside tent and RV sites in a developed setting with modern amenities. The Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Maple Grove offers cabin rentals with convenient access to the Twin Cities metropolitan area, while Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids features cabin options within a wooded regional park setting. Rice Creek Campgrounds also maintains cabin facilities among its accommodations.
Most cabin campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from late April or early May through mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended for cabins, especially during summer weekends and holidays when availability becomes limited. Winter cabin access is restricted at most locations, though some facilities offer year-round options. Travelers should note that sites with electricity and water hookups are available at most cabin-offering campgrounds, making them suitable for mixed camping groups. According to one visitor, "Bunker Hills is a nice, quiet campground with activities nearby. The sites are decently private and there are nice bathrooms/showers. We camped here while our friends used a camper cabin and they loved it too."
Cabin amenities vary significantly between locations, with some providing basic shelter while others offer more comfortable accommodations. Many cabins include picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby restroom facilities. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, cabin campers have access to additional amenities like a swimming pool and camp store, though several reviewers note the campground's sites are "close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities." Bunker Hills Regional Park receives consistent praise for its wooded setting, with one camper describing it as "heavily wooded with oak trees, lots of privacy, campsites are spaced out well." Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park combines cabin camping with water access, allowing visitors to experience both forest and lake environments during their stay.
$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."
$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."
"We have lived in the Twin Cities for two decades and have never visited Rice Creek Chain of Lakes before. We will again!"
$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."
$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."
$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."
"When Rice Creek Campground opens up again in April I'd highly recommend going there if all you want is a simple camping experience to get away from the city grind."
$15 / night
"Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer."
"I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!"
$16 / night
"Tucked away near the archery range(don’t worry—nobody’s aiming at your pup), this campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire."
$54 - $999 / night
"The map provided was accurate which made locating the cruiser a breeze. There were further instructions inside as well. The RV was immaculate."
TravelerWe stayed here with a group of hot tent campers in early January. The site is large and had a couple of fire pits. Includes a few picnic tables, and a pit toilet. It's a beautiful open area not far from the parking lot with a gorgeous view of the St. Croix River.
ScoutWe visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
RangerSo, I think you know what you are signing up for here when you stay camp at the backpacking site at Afton, but let me fill in some of the blanks. #1 yes, the hill climb is as big of an effort as other people have said. You will feel like you earned your dinner. I may have found a hack for this, but more in that later. #2 the site are mostly private. I stayed on site #12. I could see (and they could have seen me) site #9, but thankfully no one was there. That would have been a bummer to have other looking into my site. There is even a semi-worn path between 12 and 9. They would make a good combo if you have a group. Other than that, totally secluded. As far space at #12, you could build as big of a tent structure there as you would need, easily room for a massive 16’x24’ palace (if you would dare to carry it) or anything smaller. An Eagle Scout project built hammock posts at this site, so it is ideal for that set up. #3 the campground amenities are very nice. The solar powered water works great year round, the two pits toilets (if you can even call them that) are very new and nice. And the coolest campground feature is the cut your own firewood station. I went a little overboard since it was so nice and had a way bigger fire than I needed. Bring your own saw and you will love it too. #4 After walking around the park, I discovered a possible hack. There is an unmarked entrance to the park on the north side. Instead of walking all my gear back to the parking lot, I walked the .5 miles to the service entrance, dropped my pack, and then walked the 1.8 miles back to the parking lot. I tend to carry too much. The flat short walk to drop my gear was worth it. Then I drop around the park and picked up my stuff. Probably not MN DNR endorsed way to do it, but I was proud of my discovery. All in, this is a unique and wonderful camping experience. Highly recommend.
GuideNice spot with plenty of space between sites, which gives you some privacy. It’s right off a busy road, so you’ll hear some traffic noise. The hunters were out during my stay, so there were gunshots throughout the day, but that’s to be expected this time of year. Overall, a good spot for a quick overnight stay and it’s conveniently close to the cities.
RangerI was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!
This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.
This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.
This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.
This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!
This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!
GuideThey have two lots for RV and travel trailer use although the first lot only has two spaces and the second one has a total of five. The five space spot has no water or electric hook up but was a great place for me to test out my new solar set up. Word to the wise, gates ACTUALLY close at 10pm, there's no way to contact anyone and I had to walk about a mile in parked outside the gate 😅. The White Pine lot (5 spaces) has a central bathroom/shower building. The park was jam packed Friday/Saturday but a ghosts town the remains sun/mon/tue I stayed.
GuideThis is a good campground. Very well kept. Fishing from shore and there is a boat launch. Nice playground for kids. Sites are fairly close. Many have no privacy from others, but some do. No water at the sites and pit toilets are the biggest weaknesses. Nice paths for walking and biking.
ScoutFor our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids. We will be back!
TravelerNever again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin
The Minnesota landscape around Osseo combines hardwood forests with prairie grasslands, creating a diverse camping environment about 800 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds near Osseo, Minnesota, operate from late April through mid-October due to the region's distinct seasons, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F. Winter closures affect most but not all facilities in this northwest Twin Cities metro area.
Hiking opportunities: Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve provides multiple trail options for campers seeking outdoor exercise. "There is a nice 6+mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes," notes Jennifer H., adding that the trails offer a perfect way to "spend a weekend close to home, but feel like you are getting away."
Archery practice: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve includes an archery range for those wanting to practice their skills during a camping trip. "They have an archery range and on Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch," writes Tina H., who appreciated the organized activities.
Swimming options: The swimming facilities vary significantly between campgrounds, from natural lakes to more controlled environments. As Timothy S. explains about Lake Elmo, "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming." This provides a unique hybrid swimming experience not commonly found at other campgrounds.
Spacious sites: Bunker Hills Regional Park receives consistent praise for its site layout. Doug B. notes that "for being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious." The park features both primitive non-electric sites and sites with electricity, including some 50 amp options.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathroom facilities at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park. Corey P. summarizes the experience as "Level private sites, lots of trees, Showers were clean. Would definitely camp again." This attention to cleanliness stands out among regional campgrounds.
Proximity to metro area: Many campers appreciate the convenience of camping near urban amenities. As Matt H. says about Baker Park Reserve, "we love to camp here. Access to lake independence. A lot of biking trails. Nice clean bathrooms. Nice park for kids just a small hike away." The park offers the camping experience without requiring extensive travel from the Twin Cities.
Site availability: First-come, first-served policies apply at some locations. Emily H. explains about Ann Lake: "This campground is on a first come, first serve basis. There are no reservations for the regular sites (although I do think they might take reservations for the equestrian and group sites)."
Bug management: Minnesota's woodland and lake environments create ideal conditions for insects, particularly in summer months. Ariel H. describes a challenging stay at Rice Creek Campgrounds: "As we slowly whined down a gravel road the trees became more dense, our site seemed perfect for the two of us! Picnic table and fire pit centered... that is when we started noticing the horseflies were making it known that we were 'trespassing on their turf'."
Firewood considerations: Some campgrounds have restrictions or limitations on firewood. Bruce M. cautions about Rice Creek: "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere." Consider bringing your own approved firewood or purchasing from nearby vendors when permitted.
Water recreation: Minneapolis Northwest KOA provides family-friendly amenities focused on water activities. Jessica M. reports: "The pool area was clean and without issue. There were no extra walk ways or special features in those regards but the roads had enough of a country feel that they were fun for walking around with my kids and dog."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment for children. According to Angela L. at Lebanon Hills Regional Park: "Our spot was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area. The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with."
Off-season advantages: Camping during non-peak times can provide a better family experience. Chris B. shares about Ann Lake: "Took my son on his first overnight camp outside of backyard. During the week so not as many people and not busy at all. Plenty of sites to choose from and the sites have a decent separation between them."
Site selection strategy: At the Crow Hassan Park Reserve, specific areas accommodate different RV needs. Krista T. observes that "In normal times you can rent this group campsite for $70-$80 a night, which is ridiculously cheap considering that you can fit quite a bit of horse trailers on here." She adds that information states "you can put 10 horse trailers on this lot, but I have definitely seen groups camp here with more."
Access considerations: RV campers should research road conditions at campgrounds to avoid clearance issues. Andy L. notes about Ann Lake: "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking." This kind of specific access information helps RV owners plan appropriate routes.
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups. David E. from Minneapolis Northwest KOA reports: "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." Understanding these tradeoffs helps RVers choose the most suitable campsite near Osseo, Minnesota.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Osseo, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Osseo, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 107 campgrounds and RV parks near Osseo, MN and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Osseo, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Osseo, MN is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Osseo, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Osseo, MN.
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