Glamping near Plymouth, Minnesota offers diverse lodging options within short driving distance of the city. Situated in Minnesota's western Twin Cities suburbs, this area sits at around 900 feet of elevation with numerous lakes and wooded areas. Seasonal considerations affect site availability, with campgrounds typically operating from April through mid-October when temperatures range from 45-85°F.
What to do
Explore interconnected trails: Baker Campground features extensive paved bike paths connecting to multiple recreation areas. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," notes a visitor at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.
Visit the nature center: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers educational opportunities at their nature center. "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours," reports a recent visitor to Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
Go birding: The diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "I love birding here as well," mentions a regular visitor to Baker Park Reserve, noting the variety of species throughout different seasons.
Cool off at a waterpark: Some area parks feature water recreation beyond natural lakes. As one visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park states: "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails" making it a refreshing summer destination.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds in the area provide generous site dimensions. "The sites at Lake Auburn Campground are all spacious and clean," according to a visitor who appreciated the room to spread out camping equipment.
Clean facilities: The regional parks maintain well-kept amenities. "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" reports a family who stayed at Baker Park Reserve.
Proximity to water: Quick access to swimming is highly valued. At Lake Auburn Campground, "the beach is very nice" with convenient shore access from camping areas according to a family visitor.
Variety of camping options: Area parks offer diverse accommodation styles. "The campsites for the most part all seem spacious, and the loop we were in all had decent tree cover," notes a visitor to Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
What you should know
Seasonal insect conditions: Prepare accordingly for Minnesota's notorious mosquito season. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, "The bugs are aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area," warns one camper.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites book quickly during peak season. "We spent two nights in the campground. It was fairly busy, but we still felt secluded despite a full campground," notes a Baker Park visitor, suggesting weekday stays for more solitude.
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts offer different levels of seclusion. "The sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites. The only separation is the driveway where you park your car," reports a camper at Lake Auburn, recommending midweek stays for more solitude.
Park entrance fees: Most parks charge daily vehicle fees separate from camping fees. "Your reservation fee does NOT include the daily parks fee of 7 dollars just FYI," advises a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks feature play areas near camping loops. A visitor to Bunker Hills reports: "Perfect for kids, they have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved."
Beach considerations: Swimming areas vary in size and amenities. "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," notes a camper at Lake Auburn, making it suitable for younger children.
Rental equipment: Many parks offer watercraft and recreation equipment rentals. "You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards, and many people bring their own boats," shares a Baker Park visitor, though noting "they do charge to park your boat trailer unless you bring it back to the campground."
Campsite selection for families: Consider proximity to restrooms and play areas. "We went with a group of friends (all families with young kids). It was the perfect place to easily get in, set up, hangout, and just relax," explains a Baker Park camper about their experience.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. A visitor to Minneapolis Southwest KOA notes: "The site was very unlevel," suggesting bringing extra leveling blocks.
Hookup availability: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary by campground and site. "Sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating," reports an RVer at Minneapolis Northwest KOA, appreciating the reliable utility connections.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds offer sanitary stations, but locations may require planning. "Water fill stations readily available so we loaded up prior to continuing out west," notes a traveler through Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Site accessibility: Consider road width and turning radius when selecting sites. "Spacious spaces, friendly staff. Had a great indoor pool, clean shower and bathroom building," reports an RVer who appreciated the easy access at Minneapolis Southwest KOA.
