Baker Campground lies 15 miles northwest of Victoria, Minnesota in the 2,700-acre Baker Park Reserve along the shores of Lake Independence. The area features gently rolling terrain with a mix of hardwood forests, restored prairies, and wetlands typical of Minnesota's deciduous forest biome. Winter temperatures can dip below -10°F while summer days reach into the 80s with moderate humidity, creating distinct camping seasons from April through October.
What to Do
Beach activities: Lake Independence at Baker Campground offers swimming at two separate beaches—one for campground guests and another for day visitors. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," reports Bryan S., who found the balance of activities offset the moderate site privacy.
Trail exploration: The connected trail system at Lake Auburn Campground extends through prairie lands with access to the Carver Park Reserve nature center. "This campground has miles connected trails that lead through prairie lands and to a nature center where you and your kids can learn about the natural surrounding habitats," notes Andrea T., who appreciates the educational component of the trails.
Watercraft rentals: Multiple campgrounds in the area provide watercraft rentals. According to UnnamedAdventures, Lake Auburn Campground offers "an unguarded beach, playground, volleyball court and tons of miles of trails to shred on foot or bike," with additional rentals available when the office is open during prime season.
What Campers Like
Walk-in sites: Cleary Lake Regional Park offers hike-in sites with water access. "I really like the hike in sites. Short walk from the car and right by the water yet spaced nicely for privacy," writes Jeff C. The park's proximity to water enhances the camping experience while maintaining a sense of seclusion.
Modern bathrooms: Bunker Hills Regional Park receives consistent praise for clean facilities. "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" Jennifer H. reports, noting how these amenities enhanced their experience despite the relatively open campsites.
Seasonal flexibility: Several campgrounds near Victoria offer extended seasons. "After months of winter the first trip of the season is something we look forward to. The sites at Baker Park Reserve are larger than average," writes Melissa H., highlighting how the park serves as an early-season destination when many other campgrounds remain closed.
What You Should Know
Site visibility: Many campgrounds in the Victoria area feature open sites with limited privacy. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, "The KOA was nice and clean but you're packed in on top of each other like sardines in a can," according to Sarah C., though other reviewers note the tent sites have more privacy than RV areas.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Amy K. notes about Lake Auburn Campground, "Lots of space between campsites. They aren't very private though," indicating that while spacious, the popularity of the sites requires advance booking.
Insect preparedness: Minnesota's lakes and wetlands create ideal conditions for mosquitoes from May through August. At Lake Maria State Park, one camper reports, "First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos. Walking along the kids all looked like Pig-Pen from Peanuts," emphasizing the importance of proper insect protection.
Tips for Camping with Families
Water activities: Baker Campground offers varied water recreation options for different ages. "We spent two nights in the campground. The lake is nice. There are 2 swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors," writes Jennifer H., who appreciated the family-friendly water options.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play structures for children. At Lake Auburn Campground, Amy K. notes, "Great playground and green space for the kids, beach is very nice," making it suitable for families with young children needing outdoor play options.
Educational opportunities: The nature centers connected to several campgrounds provide learning experiences. "This campground also has miles connected trails that lead through prairie lands and to a nature center where you and your kids can learn about the natural surrounding habitats," Andrea T. shares about Lake Auburn Campground's educational value.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Victoria offer electric and water hookups, with fewer providing full sewer connections. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, Dave H. reports, "Nice hosts. Nice sites. Trees and level sites. Bigger than I thought," indicating sufficient space for larger rigs despite the relatively compact campground footprint.
Site levelness: Site conditions vary significantly between campgrounds and even within the same facility. At Minneapolis Southwest KOA, Mia F. cautions, "The site was very unlevel and the water spigot didn't really work very well," highlighting the importance of checking site-specific reviews before booking.
Dump station access: Only certain campgrounds provide on-site sanitary dumps. At Baker Campground, the dump station remains accessible throughout the camping season, with Bryan S. noting the "great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby," making it a complete package for RV families despite the relatively open sites.
