Best Camping near Zimmerman, MN

Zimmerman is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Zimmerman, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Zimmerman, MN (121)

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Showing results 1-10 of 121 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Zimmerman

Recent Reviews in Zimmerman

566 Reviews of 121 Zimmerman Campgrounds


  • Amy G.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Camper-submitted photo from Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
    Dec. 17, 2024

    Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

    Winter camping- very quiet with the electric hookups

    This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping. The beauty of this campground, is that while the campsites available are in a row, there's plenty of space between sites and some of them are even pulled through. Making it easy for RVs to pull in and hook up.

    The vault toilet is not easy to find from where the electric openings are in the winter. While these spaces are right next door to a shower house with toilets, this is closed in the winter. The vault toilet is several rows over and down, making it hard to find if you don't already know where it is. But it was clean, and it was available.

    The campfire rings seemed clean, and each had a picnic table as well. We loved the pull-through site because then we were a little more protected from the road, although it's not busy this time of year at all. So it was very quiet except for our neighbors, and they didn't make much noise at all.

    There are trails nearby that are easily accessible on foot from the campground, and you can make loops that come back to the campground as well.

    There are two campgrounds at this park, but this is the one that has availability in the winter time. Ironically, they also have a couple of walk-in spots that are also open this time of year. If you're willing to brave the temps without an electric hookup. Not hard to find, not hard to access, but no electric hookups at these sites.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Love's RV Hookup-Rockville MN 842
    Nov. 13, 2024

    Love's RV Hookup-Rockville MN 842

    Good pit stop

    Stayed here kind of last minute on my way home and wanted electric hook ups.

    Still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food. Love's is open 24 hours and has most things you would need. There is also a Hardee's if you need dinner!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    Oct. 31, 2024

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Nice place. Lots of traffic

    Plenty of spots. Fairly small spots. This road is pretty busy for a dirt forest road and people FLY down it. Almost got hit a few times walking. Even through a Wednesday night cars are flying down the road.

  • David T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground
    Oct. 23, 2024

    Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground

    A really excellent stop over, although I didn't need a whole hookup!

    I was traveling Eastward through the upper Midwest and had a really hard time in this area finding a place to camp. I finally came across this place. There was some suggestion that there was some drive in sites that were not reservable, that is. They were first come first serve. But I was unaware or unable to find those. I ended up paying a fair amount of money for a full hookup site. The bathrooms were extremely modern and clean.

    There were some really nice wide trails around the lake. I think those were basically designed for cross-country skiing in the winter. But they made a perfect opportunity for me to let the dog run off. Leash. Probably was not within the rules, but it was very quiet there and the dog didn't bother anybody with her running.

  • Katherine T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Wild River State Park Campground
    Oct. 11, 2024

    Wild River State Park Campground

    Solid option with star gazing

    This is a solid state park offering. The sites are decently spaced with good tree cover. Noise seemed to travel between sites, I had some loud neighbors during the day but they settled down before quiet hours. The grass was easy to get tent stakes into. Bathrooms were your basic state park situation. Clean with warm showers so no complaints from me. The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance.

  • Megan J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Rock Creek
    Oct. 8, 2024

    Big Rock Creek

    Eh

    I am writing to you in regards to our recent stay at Big Rock Creek on the weekend of October 4-6 at the Lakeview Family Tent. I am not normally one to write reviews or give feedback, but we were very disappointed with our stay at Big Rock. We spent over$700 for lackluster amenities and customer service. I want to say that your grounds are beautiful and a great idea for a family stay. However, your website is quite deceiving. There was no mention on the website or anywhere in the booking paperwork that the bathroom facilities provided were a porta potty. Paying the amount of money we did- we expected a more permanent, clean bathroom facility with running water. It wasn’t until we arrived that we were informed that it would be a porta potty we would be using all weekend. We made the trek up to the barn to use the bathroom there and to be able to wash out hands only to find the floor to be covered in mud and no paper towels or toilet paper. As far as the firewood, again if we are paying over$700 for a weekend the firewood should be included in the cost of the tent rental. Having to pay extra for pretty much everything on your grounds(including firewood) was ridiculous and we decided to just forgo any extra activities due to the expensive price. We went for a relaxing family weekend, getting to see the Christmas lights everywhere at night was nice- however it was loud and intrusive during the day. The entire evening on Friday and the entire day on Saturday there was a crew of men working right outside our ten with a lift hanging lights. We were parked on the side of the tent and they were right next to our car. Listening to the lift going up and down all day along with the ATVs driving back and forth in front of the tent causing dust to fly up each time was not exactly relaxing. We felt this was quite rude honestly. I am not sure why this work needed to be done during the weekend when you had guests using the tent. We ended up leaving for the last part of the day because of the noise right next to the tent and the constant traffic of workers coming and going. I understand a cleaning charge as you have to wash linens, etc. But to be quite honest, the tent was not exactly clean when we arrived. There were stains all over the couch, leaves and pine needles all over the flooring inside the tent, it appeared it hadn’t been swept or cleaned. The coffee maker had built up grime and grounds left in it. There were no garbage bags to use in the bins. It wasn’t exactly clean and presentable. Overall, our stay was quite disappointing. Up at the Barn, there really wasn’t much to see or do, using a porta potty all weekend was disgusting, and the crew right next to the tent all weekend was noisy and intrusive. This short weekend stay was not worth the money we spent. We really looked forward to our stay there and it was nothing as portrayed on your website.

  • gary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Isanti County Fairgrounds
    Sep. 8, 2024

    Isanti County Fairgrounds

    Fun at the fairgrounds.

    Very nice clean well kept grounds. Always things going at the fairgrounds,we missed the flea market by 1 day. Great places to eat in the area. We were visiting family nearby and they could come visit us for picnics with no problems and no extra cost. Very friendly grounds keepers. Will be back again when in the area. We had a nice view of the little lake.

  • Maggie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from The Jubilee Homestead
    Aug. 23, 2024

    The Jubilee Homestead

    Lovely place and people!

    We are excited to go back to the Farm! Wonderful atmosphere and if there are any hiccups the hosts are super reasonable and kind, great communication. They gave a warm welcoming and tour right away then left us to our peace. All animals who were out and about were friendly. The grounds were kept very tidy and well put together by any farm standard! I felt very safe letting my 5yr old run around with the other campers and be around the animals.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from William O'Brien State Park Campground
    Jul. 31, 2024

    William O'Brien State Park Campground

    OK but not great

    The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids. Constructing is scheduled to the end of 2025.

    We stayed in a group site but there was no way 35 people could have camped in W3. Vaulted toilets need help and a good cleaning.

    The shower house needed a cleaning as well. There is no adjusting the shower temperature. Push the button and you get what you get.

    Wood was $8 bundle. This was steep in my opinion. They do not all any gathering of firewood.

    If your vehicle permit is not properly displayed, you will receive a notice on your windshield and have to talk with the office.

    The dumpster was overflowing the whole time we were there.

    Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away.

    Lastly we had a battle with mosquitoes. We went through a lot of bug spray and coils. Deer flies were thick around the water filling station.

    Although we did not stay in the main campground the sites are very close in there and were small.

  • Laurie V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Mississippi Riverwood RV Park
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Mississippi Riverwood RV Park

    Buyer Beware!

     If you do NOT stay the entire amount of time you have paid for, you may lose the right to return to your site, even if your lease says the lot is still yours.

    My husband and I camped at MRRV Park from July 5 to August 5th,2023, because my husband had a job in the area. We signed a lease that went through October 15th. We agreed that the lot’s owner could find another renter after we left with the condition that some of our money would be refunded. Shortly after we left, my husband found out he had a second job in the twin cities. We tried to contact the owner many times to see if any other renters were lined up. Only by contacting the park board did we find that the lot had been rented out 2 days after we left. The lot’s owner refuses to return any money for the 9 extra weeks we paid for! My husband had to rent a hotel room☹ 

    The RV Park board refuses to help so we are going to court.

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Rum River State Forest Dispersed
    Jul. 28, 2024

    Rum River State Forest Dispersed

    Secluded, Quiet, Good Cell Coverage, Bugd

    There are many different sites (most just pull offs) in this area! I did see one that was pull through further down game refuge road. The cell service with Verizon is good enough to stream videos and work on your laptop with ease. There aren't too many people in the area, even on a Sunday in July. The bugs are not great but that's just what you're going to get in an area like this one. Overall I would definitely stay here again.

  • David G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River
    Jul. 28, 2024

    Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River

    Fun place

    The campground is nice and clean. Good size spaces. The tubing is a plus. Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off the. It was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max. Pool was small but nice. Splash pad was even nice for adults I recommend this campground. Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom.

  • p
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
    Jul. 23, 2024

    Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    Great camping

    This was a great experience overall. The sites are spacious and far enough away from others to feel like there was enough privacy.

    The one negative thing was that some neighbors watched a movie each night — starting just after quiet hours. We could hear their movie from across a road and through some trees (and tents).

    But overall it was great. Good hiking and geocaching.

    We would go back to this campground.

  • Joslyn H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sandrock Cliffs — Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
    Jul. 21, 2024

    Sandrock Cliffs — Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

    Trashed, No peace or quiet.

    This campsite is about an hour away from where I live. The listing here on The Dyrt seemed promising, and I hoped that by getting out there early I would find a nice spot. I first went to the National Park Service Scenic Riverway Visitor Center in St. Croix Falls to obtain a permit and learned that I don't need one for Sandrock Cliffs, I was already there so I got one anyway. About 40 minutes later I arrived at Sandrock Cliffs. The campsites all have a fire ring and are decently spaced apart, but most of the sites were full of trash and broken tent poles. There was a large group of kids that arrived by canoe/kayak just after I did. Soon the parking lot was also full of cars of some shady looking people who appeared to be looking for a spot to party. The kids seemed to have deterred these people from staying. I set up my camp and started to read a book. The kids began running through my campsite and upset my dog. After 3 times of them running through my campsite I just packed up and went home. Since this spot is accessible by road I'm assuming that its best not to visit in the summer, it seems to be a place that gets abused by the locals as a party area. I may consider visiting again in the fall when it is hopefully less busy.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town & Country Campground & RV Park
    Jul. 20, 2024

    Town & Country Campground & RV Park

    If you want to be close to the city this does it

    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, super close to a gas station and RV wash bay. Also super close to some very large power lines. The kids enjoyed the compact playground and pool. The site were in is w&e only but they have a dump station. It appears to be sold out for the weekend so book ahead. Lots of MN license plates and a few of us from out of state too.

  • samuel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    Jul. 18, 2024

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Good forest road, nothing special

    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 stayed here for one night and roads were totally fine for any vehicle. Most spots are like the pictures shown. There are a few spots that have great views or pull-through areas, and there are limited spots that are big-rig friendly. Saw lots of dogs, and mine had a blast, even had what seemed to be a stray husky quickly roll through camp around dusk. Something to keep on your mind. The road goes for a long ways, I parked near the front and closer to numbers, always like to be safer. Overall there was some shouting and yelling but for the location I was happy.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    Jul. 17, 2024

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Very Quiet

    There’s lots of little spots off the main gravel road. Nothing allowed further into the forest. One pull through area that I found. Couple vehicles pass a day. Stand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack. 🤣

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
    Jul. 16, 2024

    Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    Favorite spot

    This is just the best campground that is close to Minneapolis! Peaceful, quiet, with spacious sites that are situated in a staggered way, so you never feel like you’re on top of each other. The lake was a bit reedy and silty but overall a fantastic and easy option.

  • Jason B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    Jul. 2, 2024

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Quiet with lots of different bird sounds

    this is a nice quiet area. Some younger people coming through sporadically playing with their trucks but nothing serious and not often. Be aware if you have an rv though. I had a county sheriff person tell me it's not lawful to park a trailer and they kicked me out. I called the dnr and they said that wasn't right but I decided to leave anyway. County sheriff's not pleasent around here.

  • Joslyn H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bunker Hills Regional Park
    Jun. 27, 2024

    Bunker Hills Regional Park

    Love bunker!

    I have stayed at Bunker a few times in site 33 and one of the walk in sites. Site 33 is very large and also very wide open. The walk in sites are a lot more secluded but not totally private. Really enjoy camping here, just wish it wasn't so expensive. It costs more than staying at a state park.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Rock Creek
    Jun. 16, 2024

    Big Rock Creek

    This is glamping at its finest

    I’ve never had any experience here. But ☝🏼 it does look like a beautiful place to test for our anniversary this Fourth of July!!!



Guide to Zimmerman

Camping near Zimmerman, Minnesota, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking and Trails: Many campgrounds, like Willow River State Park Campground, have lovely trails. One visitor mentioned, "Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area." You can enjoy scenic views and get some exercise while exploring the area.
  • Water Activities: If you love water, check out Interstate State Park. A reviewer said, "Canoe and kayak rentals for more adventures on the river" make it a great spot for water fun.
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Wild River State Park Campground enjoy spotting deer and other wildlife. One camper shared, "We spotted three white-tail deer," highlighting the park's natural beauty.

What campers like

  • Privacy and Space: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. A visitor noted, "We were very surprised at the privacy of our site."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers are a big plus. A reviewer at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve said, "Shower facilities are very nice," which makes for a comfortable stay.
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families. One camper at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park mentioned, "There is also a nice little beach for a place to hangout and swim in the river."

What you should know

  • No Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Afton State Park Campground, do not allow alcohol. A camper pointed out, "NO alcohol allowed," so plan accordingly.
  • Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like Lake Maria State Park have fewer amenities. One visitor noted, "There is no adjusting the shower temperature," which might be a downside for some.
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Lake Maria State Park warned, "Be prepared with bug spray/repellant!"

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like William O'Brien State Park Campground. A family shared, "Our site was spacious and worked great."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities for kids. A reviewer at Wild River State Park Campground mentioned, "Hiking was awesome," which can keep the little ones entertained.
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and outings. One camper at Interstate State Park said, "The friendly folks at the park office helped me plan a fun day," which included snacks for their adventures.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park noted, "Only tricky part is finding a level spot if you don't have leveling rams or jacks."
  • Reserve Early: Popular spots fill up fast. A visitor at Lebanon Hills Regional Park mentioned, "Must reserve months in advance as usually full."
  • Use Dump Stations: Make sure to utilize dump stations available at campgrounds like Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve. A camper said, "Trash and water fill up stations" are convenient for RVers.

Camping near Zimmerman, Minnesota, has something for everyone. From beautiful trails to family-friendly activities, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Zimmerman, MN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Zimmerman, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 121 campgrounds and RV parks near Zimmerman, MN and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Zimmerman, MN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Zimmerman, MN is Lake Maria State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 30 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Zimmerman, MN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Zimmerman, MN.

  • What parks are near Zimmerman, MN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Zimmerman, MN that allow camping, notably Saint Croix National Scenic River and St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.