Camping spots near Robbinsdale, Minnesota primarily operate from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months due to Minnesota's harsh cold season. The temperature in summer months typically ranges from 65-85°F during peak camping season, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Campgrounds within a 30-minute drive of Robbinsdale offer diverse terrain from prairie landscapes to wooded sites with varying degrees of privacy between campsites.
What to do
Hiking trail systems: At Afton State Park, campers can access numerous trails with significant elevation changes. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" reports one visitor, while another mentions, "Lots of trails with a wide variety of landscapes. Prairie, forest, river, it's got it all."
Water recreation options: The swimming beach at Lake Auburn Campground provides a perfect cooling spot during hot summer days. A camper notes, "The beach area looks nice" and another mentions that "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth."
Disc golf courses: Several parks in the area maintain disc golf courses, including Bunker Hills Regional Park. One visitor specifically mentioned they stayed at Minneapolis Northwest KOA because it was "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)."
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Despite being in suburban areas, many campgrounds offer surprising seclusion. A camper at Rice Creek Campgrounds shared, "The spaces seemed fairly level, lots of mature trees, fire rings at all of them (with cooking grates that flipped out of the way) and picnic tables at most."
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned across reviews is the quality of bathrooms and shower facilities. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, visitors appreciate that "Bathrooms are clean" and that the entire grounds are "well-maintained."
Proximity to urban amenities: Many campers value how these campgrounds provide nature experiences without being far from civilization. One camper at Lebanon Hills Regional Park stated, "We love Lebanon Hills! Close to home and an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities. Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. For Willow River State Park, campers recommend booking well in advance, with one visitor noting they "was only able to stay one night as my cross country trip hit this campground on the Thursday before memorial day and the whole weekend was booked."
Insect preparedness: Minnesota's summer months bring substantial mosquito and fly populations. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, one camper warned of "Horsefly Camping Trip From Hell" while others simply advised, "The mosquitoes were absolutely nuts!"
Campground layout variations: Sites within the same campground can vary dramatically in privacy and amenities. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, a camper observed the difference between "Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas specifically designed for children. A visitor to Lake Elmo County Park Reserve mentioned they have "an insane playground" and numerous child-friendly amenities including "a swimming beach for the hotter days."
Consider swimming areas: Campgrounds with beach access provide excellent entertainment for children. Lake Auburn Campground offers what one reviewer called a "Great playground and green space for the kids, beach is very nice."
Select spacious sites: For families needing room to spread out, larger sites make a difference. A camper at Baker Campground noted, "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of RV service. At Baker Campground, RVers can find "full hookups" while a reviewer noted "it was crowded with RVs and tents alike but it never seemed loud or cramped."
Size restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. While many sites at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve have "electric hookups at all sites," some loops are more suitable for smaller vehicles.
Seasonal considerations: RV campers should note that water systems typically shut down in October. Several campgrounds, including Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, offer extended shoulder season camping but with limited services, as one camper experienced: "We stayed the last night of their camping season and were able to utilize water and electric hookups."
