Rogers, Minnesota provides access to several established campgrounds with varied accommodation options within a 30-minute drive. Baker Park Reserve in nearby Medina offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities. Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Maple Grove features additional glamping and yurt options alongside traditional camping, while Lake Maria State Park Campground in Monticello provides year-round access with cabins and primitive sites. The region includes both county and state-managed properties with differing reservation requirements and amenity levels.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability, with most developed campgrounds operating from April through October. "Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation," noted one visitor, highlighting its cleanliness and proximity to the Twin Cities. Winter camping is limited primarily to Lake Maria State Park, which maintains year-round operations. Cell service varies significantly across the area, with better coverage at developed sites closer to the metro area and reduced connectivity in more remote locations like Sand Dunes State Forest. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly.
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront access at several locations. Baker Park Reserve receives consistently positive reviews for its swimming beaches and lake activities, with one reviewer noting it was "one of the cleanest camps I've ever stayed at." For those seeking more seclusion, South of Sand Dunes State Forest offers dispersed camping opportunities with fewer amenities but greater privacy. The area's mix of county parks, state forests, and private campgrounds provides options ranging from fully-developed sites with electric hookups and shower facilities to primitive camping with minimal infrastructure. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds and swimming areas are common at the larger established campgrounds, while hiking trails and natural features are accessible throughout the region.
$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."
"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."
$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."
"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."
$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 - $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"
$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!"
"Tons of trails and camping. 🏕"
"Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home😁"
"When I first pulled in I checked out the single track trail area first and the parking lot was full of mountain bikers. "
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.
GuideThis place is spectacular,u have to walk down to the creek. God's work. Beautiful
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.
Dispersed camping opportunities exist around Rogers, Minnesota, primarily in the Sand Dunes State Forest area where free camping is permitted for up to 14 days in summer and 21 days in cooler seasons. The terrain consists mostly of sandy soil with pine stands, providing natural drainage during wet weather but requiring careful site selection. Campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 900-1,100 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing.
Hiking and biking trails: Lake Maria State Park offers year-round trail access with varying difficulty levels. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," reports one camper at Lake Maria State Park.
Water activities: Bunker Hills Regional Park provides multiple recreation options beyond camping. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," notes a visitor, while another mentions that the park "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, several playgrounds, archery, an event center, frisbee golf, and yes a campground."
Fishing access: Minneapolis Northwest KOA serves as a convenient base for nearby fishing opportunities. "There are a few restaurants around that deliver," notes one camper, making it easy to relax after a day on the water.
Private spaces: Sand Dunes State Forest offers secluded camping areas. "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," writes one visitor to South of Sand Dunes State Forest, adding "Most spots are like the pictures shown. There are a few spots that have great views or pull-through areas."
Clean facilities: Cleanliness consistently ranks high in camper satisfaction. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, a camper notes: "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."
Spacious sites: Baker Campground offers well-sized camping areas. "The sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating," reports a visitor to Three Rivers Park District Baker Campground, while another notes that "sites are large and plentiful so it was not crowded."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winter options. Lake Maria State Park offers year-round camping, but prepare for temperature variations.
Bugs and wildlife: Be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks, especially in wooded areas. At Ann Lake, a camper warns: "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."
Reservations: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. "We went with a ground of friends (all families with young kids). It was the perfect place to easily get in, set up, hangout, and just relax. The sites are fairly large, but very open," reports a camper at Baker Park Reserve.
Cell service: Coverage varies significantly across the area. A South of Sand Dunes State Forest visitor notes: "Zero Bars, Zero Interruptions... bring a journal and some good company—your phone's chances are slim."
Play areas: Many campgrounds offer dedicated play spaces. "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to," reports a visitor to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve.
Swimming access: Several locations offer water recreation for children. One Baker Park visitor mentions: "The lake is nice. There are 2 swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors. You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards."
Short hikes: Choose trails appropriate for younger campers. "We spent a bit of time outside and then played in the tent the rest of the night. Unfortunately the bugs were bad enough that the next morning we just packed up and headed back to the car," cautions a Lake Maria visitor.
Site selection: Minneapolis Northwest KOA offers designated RV areas. "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," notes a camper.
Road conditions: Access varies by location. For Sand Dunes State Forest, one camper advises: "Drive until a decay path opens, park, then trek 100–300 ft off-road to your camp," while another notes you may need "anything from AWD to 4×4 depending on your rig and route."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are limited. At Baker Park, "sites are well maintained" with "nice hookups" according to visitors, while Bunker Hills offers both primitive sites and sites with electricity, including some 50 amp options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Rogers, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Rogers, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 112 campgrounds and RV parks near Rogers, MN and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Rogers, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rogers, MN is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rogers, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Rogers, MN.
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