Camping options near Ramsey, Minnesota span diverse landscapes from oak forests to prairie and wetland systems across the Anoka Sand Plain. At 900 feet above sea level, the area contains a mix of woodland camping and open meadow sites within a 30-minute drive of the Twin Cities. Winter temperatures can drop below -20°F while summer humidity creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes from May through August.
What to do
Disc golf at Bunker Hills: The Bunker Hills Regional Park campground in Coon Rapids provides access to 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. The park also offers "miles of bike trails" according to Tiffany W.
Horseback riding: For equestrian enthusiasts, Crow Hassan Park Reserve offers dedicated horse camping. "This is an all-time favorite park to bring my horse to," writes Krista T. "Horse camping is available in two locations in the park." The park features sandy prairie trails where riders can avoid bugs during summer months.
Water activities: The Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River offers water recreation with rental equipment. "The key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," reports David G. Spencer C. adds that you can "take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak."
What campers like
Woodland campsites: The backpack sites at Lake Maria State Park Campground provide a secluded woodland experience. "Site B6 feels like a secret woodland sanctuary — set up on a slight rise, tucked beneath a cathedral of towering oaks and maples," one camper notes. Tori K. explains, "Some sites are lake front and some are more woodsy sites. I really enjoy sites 1, 2, and 3 as they are a little more secluded."
Yurt camping options: Yurt camping in Ramsey, Minnesota and surrounding areas offers climate-controlled accommodations. At Bertram Chain of Lakes, campers enjoy "awesome trails and so many deer! It's like they were camping with us," according to Christopher C. The park features "tons of hiking trails with significant trees & shade," adds Kathy L.
Family amenities: Multiple campgrounds cater to families with play areas and recreational facilities. Baker Campground provides "a perfect blend of natural beauty and essential amenities," with "a beautiful rain garden" that attracts wildlife. A different visitor noted the "heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room" at Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: At Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve, campsite selection varies significantly by location. "Campsite C14: Close to perfect, but bring your hiking boots… for the fire pit," warns Alison O. "That thing is doing its own thing like 30 feet from the tent pad—felt like I needed a shuttle to roast a marshmallow."
Bug pressure: Insects can be intense in this region, particularly in wooded areas during summer months. A visitor to Lake Maria State Park reported, "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... Walking along the kids all looked like Pig-Pen from Peanuts." Pack permethrin-treated clothing and plenty of repellent.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. One camper at Bunker Hills noted "the overabundance of weekend availability for this campground" makes it "a nice option for you to get camping even if you are a state-park-loving metro dweller."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with recreation: Minneapolis Northwest KOA offers family-friendly amenities despite compact sites. "It has a small pool and game room but not much else for kids," notes Zach H., though Bryan S. recommends it as "a great place to cut your teeth on camping and gather with friends."
Seek shaded sites: During summer, prioritize sites with adequate tree cover. Krista T. describes Bunker Hills Regional Park: "The lower loops are definitely better for tent campers... The campground map does a good job of providing visual indicators of what a site provides."
Park activities: Many parks offer structured activities for children. At Bunker Hills, one visitor notes they have "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, several playgrounds, archery, an event center, frisbee golf."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer RV sites with comprehensive amenities. At Bertram Chain of Lakes, David T. found, "I ended up paying a fair amount of money for a full hookup site. The bathrooms were extremely modern and clean."
Site sizing variations: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park accommodates different RV sizes, though some loops are better suited than others. "The upper loop (sits 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs," according to one review, making them "not what I would consider an ideal tent site."
Power considerations: During hot weather, electrical systems can be stressed. David G. reported at Country Camping, "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off." Consider bringing a surge protector, especially during peak summer months when "everyone was running AC to the max."
