Prior Lake's camping areas feature a mix of rolling hills and glacial lakes with elevations ranging from 900 to 950 feet above sea level. The region experiences warm summers with average July temperatures of 83°F and winter lows reaching 7°F. Most campsites near Prior Lake sit within hardwood forests dominated by oak and maple trees, with seasonal wildflowers blooming from April through September.
What to do
Kayaking nearby lakes: Cleary Lake Regional Park offers a peaceful paddling experience with minimal motorboat traffic. "Nice little lake to kayak on," notes Chris S. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park, while Cleary Lake gets praise for its boat-in access options.
Hiking connected trail systems: Many of the best places to camp near Prior Lake connect to extensive trail networks. "Lebanon Hills has a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking," says Blair, who found the campground provided surprising seclusion despite being in the Minneapolis suburbs.
Swimming at maintained beaches: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with varying amenities. Lake Auburn Campground offers "an unguarded beach, playground, volleyball court and tons of miles of trails," according to UnnamedAdventures, who praised the facilities as "very clean along with all of the other amenities they offered."
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Many campers appreciate how the top camping destinations near Prior Lake balance nature with access to city amenities. "Close to everything but yet secluded," writes Angela L. about her stay at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, noting they were "about 15 mins away from this campground" yet felt removed from urban areas.
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality stands out in reviews across multiple sites. "The bathrooms were among some of the nicest I've used at a campground," writes Joanne M., who specifically mentioned "the shower stall was big enough for a meaty human like myself to shower comfortably."
Site spacing and privacy: While site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds, several offer more secluded options. At Cleary Lake Regional Park, Clare L. found site 13 particularly impressive: "it's the only one right on the water and it's HUGE with lots of trees and absolutely beautiful scenery."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises Blair about Lebanon Hills.
Site characteristics vary widely: Even within the same campground, sites can differ dramatically in size, privacy, and amenities. At Carver Park Reserve, Missy B. notes "site 57, which is more expensive but is also very large, surrounded by trees and has a patio, the other campsite sizes vary greatly with some being very small."
Payment options: Some campgrounds have specific payment requirements. Not My Name H. cautions that Fish Lake Acres Campground "ONLY accepts cash so be sure to hit the ATM before you get here. They also charge $2 extra per dog if you have them."
Tips for camping with families
Educational programming: Some campgrounds offer regular educational activities for children. Carver Park Reserve provides "programs every Saturday night, some of the ones we've been to were about bugs, raptors, bees, and snakes," according to Missy B., who also mentioned "there are usually programs during the day at the nature center as well."
Playgrounds and beaches: Several campgrounds feature child-friendly amenities. Angela L. found Dakotah Meadows RV Park had a "play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with."
Group camping options: For family reunions or larger gatherings, Teresa O. recommends the group camping area at Cleary Lake: "We always stay at the Cleary point group camp and we love it... the whole site is private and on a little point so the lake is surrounding you."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services. David E. found Dakotah Meadows RV Park "clean, friendly, and convenient to the cities" with full hookups, noting it's "quiet, staff are friendly, easy access, delivery services through 3rd parties, and dog friendly."
Site leveling considerations: RVers should research specific sites before booking. Tom D. shares that at Dakotah Meadows, "We last stayed in site 25, a back in up on the hill. We have also stayed in the pull through sites, but not really a fan of those."
Year-round access: Unlike seasonal campgrounds, Town & Country Campground remains open throughout winter months. One visitor described it as having "cement parking pads with full hookups" and noted the grounds are "very green, lush and well maintained."
