Campgrounds near Ramsey, Minnesota range from full-service RV parks to rustic tent sites, with several options within a 30-minute drive. The region includes established campgrounds like Bunker Hills Regional Park in nearby Coon Rapids, offering cabin camping alongside traditional tent and RV sites, while dispersed camping opportunities exist at South of Sand Dunes State Forest for those seeking more primitive experiences. Campground amenities vary significantly across the area, with some locations like Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park providing electric hookups, showers, and reservable sites, while others maintain a more rustic setting with minimal facilities.
Seasonal considerations greatly impact camping in the region, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. Winter camping options are limited, though some parks like Lake Maria State Park remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when campgrounds frequently reach capacity. Most established campgrounds require advance bookings through county or state reservation systems, while dispersed camping areas have stay limits between 14-21 days. Cell coverage varies significantly throughout the area, especially in more remote locations. One camper noted, "South of Sand Dunes State Forest feels like claiming a slice of untamed wilderness just an hour from the Cities with zero amenities as per MN DNR guidelines."
Campers consistently praise the region's water recreation opportunities, with several campgrounds situated near lakes or rivers. Baker Park Reserve near Medina receives positive reviews for its lake access, with one visitor describing it as "a good getaway for the weekend that's close" to the Twin Cities. Mixed-use campgrounds throughout the area balance family-friendly amenities with natural settings, though privacy between sites varies considerably. Ham Lake Resort offers 122 sites with full hookups but receives mentions of being "usually pretty crowded." For those seeking more seclusion, the walking trails and quieter surroundings of Ann Lake campground provide alternatives to busier locations. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the camping areas, with deer sightings common in less developed campgrounds and hiking trails accessible from many camping locations.
$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"
$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."
"For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn’t expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly."
"I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock."
"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."
$50 / night
"Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."
"Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy"
$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!"
$22 - $80 / night
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
$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."
$40 - $75 / night
"Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."
$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!"
ScoutGot a nice spot by the water, big parking spot, little below the spot is an opening towards water with a fire pit. 2-3 bars of service but never had an issue. Worked well. Very private. Bugs weren’t bad either
ScoutI was able to find a campsite not on the road. There was a trail from the parking spot so keep an eye out. Lots of animals saw a turkey and coyote so just be aware. Very pretty and calm. Had to pick up some trash from other campers just a reminder to leave no trace.
TravelerWe stayed here from about 10pm to 6am. There were a ton of people there so it was hard finding somewhere to sleep. Once we did, it was very quiet and we got a good nights rest. There were a couple of cars that passed us in the morning when we left but nothing too crazy. The scenery was very beautiful. This is definitely a great free option if you’re looking for a peaceful spot in the woods to sleep!
TravelerI stayed there with my RV. Most all of the campsites were too small to park it, but I found one at the very end of the park to stay. Although the land itself is beautiful, the locals were reporting me to the DNR officer, who were clearly his friends, and accusing me of things I was not doing. Also, there’s a lot of traffic in and out of there and they fly through there day and night, as well as a lot of gunfire going off a lot of the time. I use T-Mobile service and I was on SOS most of the time. Not very impressed.
GuideSmall pullout area on state forest land. Can walk trail back to tent.
LegendInterstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35. The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby. There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.
The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin. The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age. The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.
There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites. The South is a bit more rustic. The showers are located at the North campground.
For amenities there are flush toilets and showers. There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities.
This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area. You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options. If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.
Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the hwy crossing over the river. The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.
GuideNice spot right on the lake. Lots of animal noises! Pretty sunrise/sunset.
GuideGot in late on a Sunday night and there was plenty of space. Most sites are right along the gravel road so not super private. Wouldn’t recommend for large trailers/RVs as sites are small. Found a couple sets of deer bones right next to my site, not sure if it’s from hunters dumping their waste or coyotes but keep an eye out either way.
GuideKind of confusing for first time. Was not sure where I could camp. But then found out it's the spots right along road. Beautiful. Some good spots. Ended up in a pull thru around w view.
Camping near Ramsey, Minnesota offers year-round opportunities with varied terrain across the Mississippi River watershed. The area features sandy soil in many locations, particularly in the eastern sections near Sand Dunes State Forest, creating distinct camping environments across seasons. Winter temperatures frequently drop below 0°F while summer humidity levels often exceed 80% in July and August.
Disc golf excursions: At Bunker Hills Regional Park, campers can access a top-rated disc golf course. "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)," notes Lynsey M., who visited during a quick Minnesota trip.
Watercraft rentals: Explore lakes and rivers using rental equipment at many campgrounds. Country Camping on the Rum River provides multiple options as one visitor explains: "You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak."
Wildlife observation: The region hosts diverse bird populations and mammals throughout the year. "I love briding here as well," mentions one visitor at Baker Campground, while others note regular deer sightings across multiple parks, particularly at dusk and dawn.
Equestrian trails: For campers traveling with horses, dedicated facilities exist. "This is an all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too," shares a rider about Crow Hassan Park Reserve, which features hitching posts and dedicated equestrian campsites.
Lake access sites: Many campers seek waterfront locations. "The site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous!" explains Lydia N. about her experience at Lake Maria State Park.
Heated amenities: Some campgrounds offer extended season comfort. At Country Camping, visitors appreciate that "It has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites!" according to Spencer C.
Secluded walk-in sites: For those seeking privacy, backcountry-style camping exists close to the metro area. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious," notes Doug B. about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Varied terrain: The region offers significant diversity in camping environments. "You'll access pull-off dispersed sites along gravel roads south of Ann Lake. The sites are spaced for solitude, nestled between pine stands and open sandy stretches," reports a camper at South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Seasonal insect conditions: Bug populations vary significantly by location and season. At Lake Maria, one camper warns: "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Poison ivy prevalence: Several natural areas contain significant amounts of this irritating plant. "Be aware that the undergrowth is at least 25% poison ivy. Sites are large so they are clear. If you're susceptible, not for you," cautions Kari P. about Ann Lake campground.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. In South of Sand Dunes State Forest, visitors note "Zero Bars, Zero Interruptions" and recommend to "Bring a journal and some good company—your phone's chances are slim."
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. "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)," explains Emily H. about Ann Lake.
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience with small children. At Baker Campground, a visitor notes there's "a really fun park for our kids" and that "It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids."
Swimming options: Water recreation varies from natural beaches to constructed facilities. Minneapolis Northwest KOA offers "a small pool and game room but not much else for kids," according to Zach H., who adds that bugs can be "aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area."
Multi-generational activities: Look for campgrounds with diverse recreation options. Bryan S. explains that Bunker Hills Regional Park is "a nice, quiet campground with activities nearby" and "the waterpark is a blast and we were able to find discount passes online."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programming for younger campers. "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours," shares a visitor about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
Campsite privacy levels: RV sites vary significantly in spacing and separation. Jennifer H. notes about Baker Campground: "The sites are fairly large, but very open (which was OK with a group of us, not our style when it's just us though)."
Access road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. Andy L. warns about Ann Lake: "Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking."
Site selection strategy: When booking, be specific about preferences. One RVer at Minneapolis Northwest KOA advises: "Be sure to call the office ahead and let them know that you want a site with trees and not one backing up to the road."
Utility reliability: During peak periods, power systems may be stressed. A camper at Country Camping mentions: "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off then it was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ramsey, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ramsey, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 121 campgrounds and RV parks near Ramsey, MN and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ramsey, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ramsey, MN is Bunker Hills Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ramsey, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Ramsey, MN.
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