Otsego, Minnesota sits along the Mississippi River at 902 feet above sea level, offering visitors a mix of river valleys and forested glacial terrain. The camping season typically runs April through October, with July temperatures averaging 83°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winter yurt camping options provide opportunities to experience the area's 56 inches of annual snowfall.
What to do
Hiking through prairie restoration: Crow Hassan Park Reserve offers extensive trail systems through restored prairie ecosystems. "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" notes one visitor to Crow Hassan Park Reserve. The reserve maintains 20+ miles of trails with prairie grasses reaching 6 feet tall by late summer.
Paddling calm waters: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes provides connected waterways for kayaking and canoeing between multiple lakes. A camper mentions the area has "good access to kindling for a fire in the nice fire pit that has a grill. There is ample room to park a car and put up a large tent." Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park connects several small lakes with navigable channels.
Year-round wildlife viewing: Lake Maria State Park becomes a wildlife haven during winter months. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," explains one visitor to Lake Maria State Park Campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Baker Campground features secluded camping spots surrounded by mature trees. "Weekend get-away... Quiet, lots of trees, nice fire rings. Bathrooms were close and well kept. There were lots of other campers there but the sites are large and plentiful so it was not crowded," shares one visitor to Three Rivers Park District Baker Campground.
Clean facilities: Bunker Hills Regional Park maintains well-equipped shower houses and restrooms. A recent visitor notes, "Campsites were nice, good tent pads too! Very clean. Respectful neighbors." Another camper mentions, "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious."
Lake access: Multiple campgrounds feature lakefront sites with sandy beaches. At Lake Maria State Park, a camper describes: "Only about a mile from the parking lot. This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness."
What you should know
Bug preparation essential: Minnesota's lake country requires thorough bug protection, especially during summer months. A Lake Maria visitor warns, "We went in the middle of Summer. High bug season... The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon. We prepared the kiddos for a quick grab and run and jumped out of the car."
Yurt camping availability: Yurt accommodations near Otsego require advance planning, particularly at Minneapolis Northwest KOA where yurt camping books months ahead. "The hosts at this campground were very nice. We had a tent site with no hook ups. The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees," notes one visitor.
Hike-in campsite distances: Many primitive sites require walking from parking areas. "I camped here back in 2020 of November. Overpacked, along with not packing the right gear and didn't have a cart. Buddy and I parked at the southeast parking lot so the hike was about a mile and also hilly," explains a camper at Lake Maria State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Bertram Chain of Lakes offers family-friendly swimming areas with gradual entry points. "This place had awesome trails and so many deer! It's like they were camping with us," mentions a visitor to Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground.
Family activity centers: Several parks maintain dedicated playground facilities within walking distance of campsites. At Baker Park Reserve, a visitor comments: "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be. The sites are about as private as the typical state park, so not very, but that is offset by all the other positives this campground has to offer."
First-time camping locations: Bunker Hills provides an accessible introduction to camping for families new to outdoor recreation. "This was a great park and close to everything. This campground was big with privacy between the camp spots. There were nice trails to help explorer the regional park. The bathrooms were nice and clean," says a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Baker Park Reserve, campers recommend choosing spots away from the main road. "Campsite C1 in Baker Park Reserve... offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and essential amenities. One of the standout features of Campsite C1 is the beautiful rain garden," reports a recent visitor.
Utility connections: Minneapolis Northwest KOA provides full-hookup sites with reliable power. A camper notes, "The sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot." However, some RVers mention limited shade at certain sites.
Seasonal booking windows: Country Camping on the Rum River fills quickly for summer weekends. "This campground is great for everyone! It has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites! You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak," shares an enthusiastic visitor.
