Camping options around Waconia, Minnesota sit within a landscape of gently rolling hills and glacial lakes typical of the central Minnesota region. At approximately 981 feet above sea level, this area experiences warm summers with highs averaging 83°F in July and cold winters dropping to 4°F in January. The camping season typically runs from early May through mid-October when overnight temperatures consistently stay above freezing.
What to do
Tubing adventures: At Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River, visitors enjoy river recreation with transportation provided. "You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak," notes one camper. The river features a clean, sandy bottom ideal for water activities.
Mini golf and games: Family entertainment options extend beyond traditional camping activities. "Pool was nice and store too. We stayed here to visit the nearby quarry park and that was a blast!" shares a visitor at St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, which offers a 9-hole mini golf course, shuffleboard, and indoor arcade games.
Playground access: Many parks feature playground equipment for children of various ages. "Nice playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart," explains one visitor about Country Camping's facilities, noting there's "a ton for the kids to do!"
What campers like
Clean bathrooms: Facilities maintenance ranks high in camper satisfaction. At Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve, visitors appreciate the cleanliness: "The bathroom/showers are great... some of the best I've seen at a campground!"
Spacious sites: Adequate separation between camping spots contributes to positive experiences. "The sites are large, but very open (which was ok with a group of us, not our style when it's just us though)," notes one Baker Park visitor about the campground layout.
Concrete pads: RV campers particularly value level, solid parking surfaces. At Dakotah Meadows RV Park, "cement parking pads with full hookups" receive praise, along with "very green, lush and well maintained" grass around the sites.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most rv parks near Waconia, Minnesota operate on limited schedules. Baker Park Reserve specifically runs "Apr 30 - Oct 20," allowing for nearly six months of camping opportunities annually.
Reservation timing: For weekend stays, early planning proves essential. "You'll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I'd say almost all of them were booked," explains a visitor to Baker Park.
Winter options: For year-round RV camping needs, Town & Country Campground & RV Park operates continuously regardless of season. "If you're looking for an RV Park in the Shakopee/Savage area this place is nice," though one visitor notes sites are "very close compact. Everyone is squeezed in like sardines."
Tips for camping with families
Biking opportunities: Paved trails provide safe cycling experiences for all ages. "There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities," reports a Baker Park Reserve visitor.
Water features: Swimming pools and splash pads offer controlled water recreation. At Country Camping RV Park, families appreciate "floating on the Rum River, swimming pool with splash pad, little camp store, Golf cart rentals! Our grandkids love it too!"
Weekend atmosphere: Family-oriented campgrounds can become busy during peak times. "This campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities... With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," says a Baker Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Different RV parks offer varying degrees of privacy and spacing. At Oak Leaf Park, "The park has 13 rv sites with 30/50amp and water, four tent sites," plus amenities like a "fishing pond, two baseball fields, basket ball court, playground, disk golf, and aquatic center/swimming pool."
Proximity to attractions: Waconia area rv parks provide strategic access to regional destinations. "We're in town to catch a twins game and see the mall of America and this was a campground not too far from both. It's an easy on and off the interstate," explains a Town & Country visitor.
Price considerations: Daily rates vary significantly between Waconia-area rv parks. At Codgers Cove RV Resort, rates run higher than average with one visitor noting "$80 daily for non-seasonal" and another commenting "Expensive and Crowded, $70 minimum."
