Lake Maria State Park sits at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet with distinctive glacial terrain created during the Wisconsin glaciation period. The region around Zimmerman features a continental climate with four distinct seasons, making glamping close to Zimmerman, Minnesota a year-round possibility. Winter temperatures frequently drop below 0°F while summer days average 83°F.
What to do
Backpacking trails: Lake Maria State Park offers secluded backpacking experiences on hilly, wooded trails. "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," notes Tori K. about Lake Maria State Park.
River tubing: The Rum River provides calm, sandy-bottomed waters perfect for tubing adventures during summer months. "The campground is nice and clean. Good size spaces. The tubing is a plus. Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," shares David G. from Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
Wildlife viewing: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park features extensive trails where visitors frequently spot deer throughout the camping area. "This place had awesome trails and so many deer! It's like they were camping with us," reports Christopher C. about his experience at Bertram Chain.
Waterparks: Several campgrounds feature waterparks for family entertainment. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," mentions Tiffany W. about Bunker Hills Regional Park, which offers cool recreation during hot summer days.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Many campgrounds near Zimmerman offer private camping experiences despite their proximity to the Twin Cities. "This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness," writes Lydia N. about Lake Maria State Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities rank highly among camper priorities. "Clean bathrooms with hot water, clean laundry room," notes Heidi H. about St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, where facilities are regularly serviced.
Recreation options: Varied amenities keep campers engaged regardless of weather conditions. "This campground is great for everyone! It 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," explains Spencer C. from Country Camping.
Spacious sites: Many visitors appreciate the room to spread out at campgrounds. "The sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot," says Justin R. about the Minneapolis Northwest KOA.
What you should know
Seasonal bugs: Summer months bring intense insect activity, particularly in wooded areas. "Take a look at other reviews as they come in and see what time of year they visited. Maybe they'll have a similar experience, maybe not. The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon," warns Steph H. about their July visit to Lake Maria State Park.
Campsite selection: When making reservations at KOA sites, be specific about preferences. "So my suggestion to anyone staying at this campground, be sure to call the office ahead and let them know that you want a site with trees and not one backing up to the road," advises Diane A. about Minneapolis Northwest KOA.
Additional fees: Some parks charge daily use fees on top of camping fees. "Your reservation fee does NOT include the daily parks fee of 7 dollars just FYI," notes Lynsey M. about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the area operate from late April through mid-October, with limited winter accommodation options. Baker Park Reserve's season runs "Apr 30 - Oct 20" according to official information.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Multiple campgrounds feature pools and water features specifically designed for children. "I stayed here 3 weeks ago with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart 10-10 would most definitely go again! A ton for the kids to do!" shares Beasty B. about Country Camping.
Playground access: Parks with play areas provide essential diversions for young campers. "Great for the active family, not those wanting privacy. 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," explains Bryan S. about Baker Campground.
Short hiking options: For families with young hikers, several parks offer shorter trail loops. "For our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids. We will be back!" reports Heather V. about Baker Park Reserve.
Indoor alternatives: Some campgrounds offer rainy-day activities. "Gift shop/office had a pool table and lots of games to borrow/use. Pool & mini golf also available," notes a camper at St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Many campgrounds accommodate larger rigs but require advance planning. "This place does have 30amp and 50amp hook ups and has pull through spots and sewer sites. Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!" advises Spencer C. about Country Camping.
Seasonal camping options: Several parks offer longer-term stays. "Just stayed for the weekend and we had a wonderful time. Shaded lot, much quieter than other sites I've been too. Many lots seem to be seasonal owners, but all were very well kept. Would definitely return in the future and even consider a seasonal spot some day," shares a camper at St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park.
Glamping upgrades near Zimmerman: For those seeking luxury outdoor accommodations, several parks now offer canvas structures with enhanced amenities. "Appreciated the camper cabin and the clean sites. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves. Good trails and a fun experience," notes Brian K. about Lake Maria State Park's glamping options.
