Camping near Minneapolis, MN, Recommendations please?

Also recommend Lebanon Hills, stayed in Aug '13. Very nice, good power, hookups in main area sites. Most are somewhat in the "woods", some out in the open, grassy areas with trees around edges. The elec only sites are nice, a bit more woodsy, and spread out nicely. The "boonie"sites are very woodsy, and good size, with shrubs and trees completely surrounding each site!!

We were in #38 with a 27' oal trailer and did have to park the Excursion somewhat angled to keep it out of the road. Near the "highway", but very quiet actually. You may hear some sound from the zoo, esp on weekends when a concert may be happening. One thing to know, if you go here, is that the utilities are almost all at the road end of each site. You will need a long water hose and a long dump hose, esp if your connections are at the rear area of your trailer. Google Earth has a good view of the campground to help with picking a site.

Lots of hiking trails, small lakes, fairly large county park. Don't remember a swimming area, may be one, but can't verify. Though in Aug, like many lakes in Minnysoda, they are green!!!

Being from the Richfield and Burnsville area originally, we felt that Lebanon Hills was a perfect site for the family visit. We do prefer camping in the woods, or boondocking, and usually don't use a commercial campground. This fit our needs and maybe yours very well.

azjeffh wrote:
Lebanon Hills has good reviews on RV Park Reviews. No pool however but does claim to have a beach.

X2

We stayed here years ago when the wife had a conference in Minneapolis/St. Paul. It was a good base for the area. Kids (really young at the time) and I went to the Zoo one day, and just explored the 2nd day, then we did the Mall on the 3rd day after the conference was done. As I recall, that is about as close as you're going to get. I wouldn't hesitate to go there again.

We did Lebanon Hills a couple years ago. Within the greater Mineapolis area but feels like way out in the country.

We stayed at Lebanon last time it is very nice. There are some other choices too. Next time we will stay at Town and Country Check em out

We stayed at Dakota Meadows last fall when visiting our granddaughter who is attending the University of Minnesota. Went to a football game while there. Great roads with easy access to the central city and Mall of America. Took the Metro from near the Mall all the way to the stadium and saved the hassle of dealing with parking. I recommend Dakota Meadows too.

We have been to Dakota Meadows and also lived in the area for many years. The RV park is very nice and you are not near the casino at all. In fact, if you want to go to it for a great buffet you will have to drive. I highly recommend it.

SW KOA worked fine a couple of years ago. About 25 miles from the Mall.

CG Link

Dakotah Meadows is a great location. It would be the closes to everything you are looking to do. There is a fitness center on the property that has a water park. I've never stayed in Lebanon Hills but have heard its a nice park. If you want to stay farther south you could look at Camp Faribo. This is located right off 35 in Faribault. This is a clean park with level sites and an outdoor pool. its about 45 minutes from Burnsville and an hour from MOA.
Good luck

southernsky wrote:
We stayed at the Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Rogers MN. It was nice with a pool and playground. The place was full over the weekend, so the locals must like it.

We stay at this KOA at least twice per camping season. You get a "out in the country" feel at this KOA, yet you're minutes from most any shopping venue. It can get a little tight at times, as they are a busy campground.

Intrepid_Family wrote:
Thank you for the input! Just received information that the classes and performance will be at the Ames Center in Burnsville. I've somewhat narrowed down to the Dakota Meadows site - nearest, and the SouthWest KOA, slightly further away.

I'm concerned about proximity to a casino and the resultant noise/safety issues with Dakota Meadows. It also has a card you have to pay for to use the bathroom and laundry facilities, which seems weird.

We will be coming from Iowa, so again, those two are convenient as being en-route from home.

We've stayed at Dakota Meadows and you do not have to worry about casino noise! The RV park is quite a distance away. It's a very nice and clean campground. Security is great but doubt you'd have a problem anyway. It's in a nice area. Very popular too so make reservations early as possible.