1. Baker Park Reserve Campground
For a traditional lake-side camping experience Baker Park is one of the absolute best places to camp near Minneapolis. Located about a half-hour west of downtown on the SE shore of Lake Independence is a large campground with everything you need to enjoy the lake life. You can rent kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, canoes and paddle boats, swim from the beach and fish off one of the docks. Fish for some good-sized muskie, walleye and yellow perch. Rent a bike to spend an afternoon exploring the miles of bike trails throughout the park then settle in back at your campsite. There are 203 sites to choose from for RV’s and tents as well as 5 Camper Cabins with bunk beds, electricity and a nice screened in porch (to keep the mosquitoes away!). The campsites are just a short walk to the sandy beach so bring your beach towel, sunscreen and a good book!
2. Minneapolis Southwest KOA Holiday
For a resort-like camping experience near Minneapolis head southwest to the KOA Holiday near Shakopee. Besides being only 30 miles from downtown it is close to Valleyfair Amusement and Water Park, Canterbury Downs and Mystic Lake Casino. Sounds like a lot of fun options! The Campground itself has plenty to do including a large indoor swimming pool, mini-golf, playground and bike rentals. If you don’t want to “rough-it” at one of their RV or tent sites you can rent one of the air-conditioned cabins. There are also planned activities, arts and crafts and a hayride every Saturday night.
3. Elm Creek Park Reserve Campground
Northwest of downtown Minneapolis is Elm Creek Park Reserve and Campground. The park is a popular place to visit in the summer for the swimming pond, mountain bike single track trails and enormous playground. Besides the swim pond there are 4 lakes in the park, great for fishing and the Eastman Nature Center where you can learn about the wildlife in the park like sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, beavers and loons. For camping there are 2 Camper Cabins, 5 campsites that can accommodate horse trailers and a group campsite that can accommodate 50 campers. The camper cabins have a restroom and drinking water nearby as well as a picnic table and fire ring. The campsites have the same. There is so much to do all in one park you may want to stay for a whole week!
4. William O’Brian State Park
A little further away, but worth the drive is William O’Brian State Park, right on the St. Croix River. The park has a river-side trail loop that is 1.6 miles (the Riverside Trail) that takes you along the river, next to Lake Alice and through a pine forest that is more than 100 years old! You are sure to see some chipmunks, hawks and maybe even a bald eagle. Fishing and canoeing are popular on the St. Croix as well as taking a swim at the swimming beach. The St. Croix has walleye, northerns (pike), trout and bass, maybe if you catch a big one you can fry it up over your campfire! The campground has both drive-in sites and electric sites for RV’s and tents. There are also 4 camper cabins for rent including three that are heated for year-round use. You can see why William O’Brian is one of the absolute best places to camp near Minneapolis!
5. Lebanon Hills Regional Park
If you want to visit some of the popular attractions south of Minneapolis like the Mall of America in Bloomington and the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, then camping at Lebanon Hills Regional Park is a great place to stay. Spend an afternoon at the Zoo watching African Penguins, Snow Monkeys and the Prairie Dog town then head back to the campground nestled in 2,000 acres of woods and lakes at Lebanon Hills. The campground has three loops with a total of 93 sites for RV’s and tents. The North Loop is right next to Gerhardt Lake with access to trails throughout the park. There are restrooms, showers and laundry on site as well as a playground for the kids. Being so close to Minneapolis and having the wooded/camping feel is why this is one of the absolute best places to camp near Minneapolis!
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