Glamping and camping options near St. Francis, Minnesota extend beyond the Rum River area into several county and regional parks throughout Anoka and surrounding counties. The region sits within the Mississippi River watershed at elevations between 850-950 feet, creating diverse landscapes from sandy riverbanks to oak savannas. Winter camping is available at select parks, with temperatures ranging from 10°F in winter to mid-80s during summer months when mosquitoes are most active.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Bunker Hills Regional Park features a top-rated course where visitors can test their skills. "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)," notes Lynsey M., who appreciated the park's convenient location and water fill stations.
Horseback riding excursions: Crow Hassan Park Reserve offers dedicated equestrian camping areas and extensive trail networks. "This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too... The best place to be bug-free happens to be the sandy prairie trails," explains Krista T., highlighting the park's unique offerings.
Winter recreation: Lake Maria State Park maintains year-round accessibility with particular appeal during colder months. A visitor explains, "We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails. The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries."
River tubing: Country Camping Tent & RV Park's shallow river creates ideal conditions for floating adventures. "The tubing is a plus," shares David G., adding useful information that "the river is very clean and sandy bottom," making it suitable for families with younger children.
What campers like
Secluded backpacking sites: Lake Maria State Park offers walk-in camping that provides a true wilderness feel close to the metro. "This hike-in site is about a half-mile walk from the parking area, and the journey in is half the magic: winding wooded trails, wildflowers, and glimpses of the lake through the trees," describes Alison O., highlighting the park's backcountry options.
Spacious campsites: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park provides generous sites despite its proximity to urban areas. "Stayed here when we got our first camper and it is nicely shaded large sites. Great walking paths and clean restrooms. Great for a quick weekend camping trip," notes Courtney C., emphasizing the park's convenience for new campers.
Kid-friendly amenities: Country Camping offers multiple recreation options beyond water activities. Spencer C. explains, "This campground is great for everyone! It's has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites! You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak."
Star-gazing opportunities: Wild River State Park features dedicated areas for astronomical viewing. "The star gazing area was great!" reports Katherine T., who also mentioned decent cell service with "Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance."
What you should know
Seasonal bug considerations: Minnesota's summer months bring mosquitoes, particularly in wooded areas. At Lake Maria State Park, campers report varying experiences: "When we pulled up to the parking lot we knew we were in trouble. The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon," shares Steph H., suggesting early spring, fall, or winter visits might be preferable.
Shower availability varies: Many parks have limited facilities. At Rice Creek, "The bathroom facility has seen better days," notes one reviewer, while Bunker Hills receives praise for "nice, clean" facilities. Check amenity lists before booking to ensure compatibility with your needs.
Rental options: Multiple parks offer glamping near St. Francis, including cabins at Bunker Hills. "We camped here while our friends used a camper cabin and they loved it too," notes Bryan S., referencing the park's diverse accommodation options that include both traditional tent sites and more comfortable alternatives.
Reservation systems: Most parks require advance booking during peak season (May-October). Baker Park campground fills quickly, with reviewers noting that "this campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities," suggesting early reservations for summer weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Balanced activities for all ages: Baker Park Reserve combines natural settings with recreation options. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," shares Bryan S., making it suitable for families with diverse interests.
Splash pads for hot days: Beyond swimming beaches, several parks offer water play areas. Beasty B. enthused about Country Camping's amenities: "I stayed here with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart."
Indoor options for rainy days: Many campgrounds provide sheltered recreation. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, Jessica M. appreciated that "The pool area was clean and without issue," while noting that "the roads had enough of a country feel that they were fun for walking around with my kids and dog."
Noise considerations: Some parks maintain quieter atmospheres than others. Barbara B. mentions that at Country Camping, "twice I ran into the same group of people that thought it was ok to open up their vehicle doors and blast music well into the night," suggesting families seeking tranquility should request sites further from gathering areas.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Country Camping offers full-service options for larger rigs. "This place does have 30amp and 50amp hook ups and has pull through spots and sewer sites," notes Spencer C., adding that "Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!"
Site privacy levels: Minneapolis Northwest KOA offers varying degrees of seclusion. "We tent camped here for a night while passing through. It's a basic KOA with a few amenities. The lots were really big and we had no one near us, so it was nice and private," explains Zach H., though he adds that bugs can be aggressive near the tent sites located by swampy areas.
Winter RV considerations: Only select parks accommodate cold-weather camping. Joanna B. reports that at Wild River State Park, "The campground was fully reserved but was empty, the low was 10 so people must have bowed out. The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent," suggesting calling ahead to confirm winter accessibility.
