Camping near Plymouth, MN

Campgrounds near Plymouth, Minnesota range from rustic sites in county parks to full-service RV parks within 30 minutes of the city. Most operate from late April through mid-October when temperatures remain moderate. Several parks feature unique amenities including filtered swimming ponds, reservable camper cabins, and recreational trails. The area's glacial terrain provides varied camping landscapes from densely wooded sites to open prairie settings.

What to do

Mountain biking trails: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers extensive trail networks for various skill levels. "We love Lebanon Hills! Close to home and an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities... Great hiking," notes a camper who visits regularly.

Water activities: The region's lakes provide numerous paddling opportunities for campers. At Lake Auburn Campground, visitors appreciate the easy lake access. "Nice little lake to kayak on," mentions one reviewer, while another comments, "The beach is very nice."

Archery range: Families can practice target shooting at dedicated facilities. "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families. There are a bunch of things to do including hiking, horseback riding, swimming in their filtered pond, boating and an insane playground," according to an experienced camper.

What campers like

Clean facilities: The well-maintained bathrooms and showers at Bunker Hills Regional Park receive consistent praise. "The bathrooms were nice and clean. The only down fall was there was no trash cans in the campground only with you were leaving the campground," notes one visitor.

Private sites: Campers appreciate secluded spots despite urban proximity. "Sites are a little close with little to no privacy in most. Fun little trails nearby for an afternoon walk," explains a recent visitor to Lebanon Hills, while another mentions, "Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen."

Convenient location: The accessibility to urban amenities while enjoying nature is frequently highlighted. "The only criticisms we have are that you can hear road noise — and depending on your site you'll hear the alarm of one of the access gates for the Minnesota Zoo," explains one camper who still gave the experience five stars.

What you should know

Reservation timing: Book early for weekend stays, especially during summer. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, one camper notes it "feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities," making it popular.

Site selection strategies: At some campgrounds, specific site requests matter. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, a camper advises: "If I wanted one with trees I needed to put a note on my reservation. He also suggested calling the office and requesting a site with trees."

Varied levels of privacy: Site layouts differ significantly between parks. "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," explains one visitor about a nearby campground.

Tips for camping with families

Water park access: Dakotah Meadows RV Park offers amenities for families including shuttle service to nearby attractions. "We enjoy this park a lot. We stay here 2-3 times per summer. Shuttle takes you to casino, but sometime we don't even go there and just enjoy the area," shares one regular visitor.

Educational programs: Many parks offer weekend programming for children. "The playground is good for kids and they have programs every Saturday night, some of the ones we've been to were about bugs, raptors, bees, and snakes," explains a family camper.

Designated swim areas: Several campgrounds feature swimming beaches with safety features. One camper notes: "The beach area looks nice" while another explains that Lake Auburn has "a nice beach for summer fun."

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Baker Campground offers full hookup sites with various amenities. "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," mentions a satisfied RVer.

Concrete pads: Some parks feature level, paved sites ideal for larger rigs. "The sites are paved and have well-maintained grass. We were located near the casino road, which has an occasional loud car, even at night," notes one RV camper.

Dump station access: Most county parks maintain sanitary facilities even at more rustic campgrounds. "Great price for full hookup," states one reviewer about Dakotah Meadows, while another notes it has "everything and it's in great as new condition."