There are several campground options in the more rural areas of Hennepin County, both public and private. These include RV and tent camping, horse camping and camper cabin options.
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Baker Campground (Maple Plain)
Within Baker Park Reserve, Baker Campground is a huge public campground with over 200 sites. Bring a tent, an RV or stay in one of the camper cabins. Just under half the sites have electricity. There are showers and flushies in the campground, too. The camping season starts at the end of April and goes into mid-October, like most of the Twin Cities campgrounds.
Nature-based activities include hiking, biking, swimming and paddling on Independence Lake. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the swimming beach, or you can bring your own boat(s).
An interesting option to explore that’s also within the Reserve: the Baker Outdoor Learning Center. It can be easily accessed from the campground by the bike and/or hiking trail system.
Crow-Hassan Park Reserve (Hanover)
Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, off Interstate 94 just northwest of Rogers, has horse camping, a couple of group camping spots and one hike-in campsite.
This park offers almost 20 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails through woods and over rolling prairie. It’s very beautiful and out-of-the-way, yet within the Twin Cities metro for an easy weekend trip.
Elm Creek Park Reserve (Maple Grove)
Elm Creek Park Reserve has two camper cabins available seasonally. You won’t get flush toilets or showers, but you’ll have electricity, ceiling fans and heat. Bring your own bedding for the bunks. Go to this page on the Elm Creek website and scroll down to the Camper Cabin section. There are links there for more information and to make reservations.
Elm Creek also offer groups camping and and horse camping with access to the hiking/horse trails, bike trails or both.
Minneapolis Northwest KOA (Maple Grove)
Camping at a KOA is like eating at a chain restaurant—you know what to expect! Minneapolis Northwest KOA has the standard swimming pool (during the summer months), hook-ups and wi-fi, plus mini-golf and a dog park.
It’s open from early April to mid-October to RVs and tents. They also have one Kamping Kabin. Other amenities include showers, plumbed restrooms and laundry facilities, a gameroom, horseshoes, a playground and more.
Lake Rebecca Park Reserve (Rockford)
Lake Rebecca has a couple of group camping sites, great for family groups, youth groups, camping retreats, scout groups…
Other outdoor rec activity options at the park reserve include hiking, mountain biking and paddling (kayak and canoe rentals available at the swimming beach).