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Intrepid_Family's avatar
Intrepid_Family
Explorer
Jan 30, 2016

Camping near Minneapolis, MN, Recommendations please?

This summer, my daughter's dance team will be performing in Minneapolis. We would like to make a family vacation out of it and find a campground near-ish. We've looked around the very near ones when visiting in the past and they are little more than concrete parking lots. I would prefer to be within 40 minutes of central Minneapolis if possible, but would more prefer a pretty, park-like or woodsy camp area.

I know there are at least two KOAs within the distance, but no idea if they're any good? We hope to visit the mall, the outlet mall, the zoo and maybe a waterpark during our stay there.

We tow a 29 foot bunkhouse and will have at least two if not all four of our kids with us, 'kids' ages 14-22. Pool or lake swimming would be a definite plus.

Recommendations, please? Or warnings - places we should absolutely avoid?
  • rr2254545's avatar
    rr2254545
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2016
    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.


    Actually its in Maple Grove we stayed there two months last year while we were in between houses. very nice people
  • bwg's avatar
    bwg
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2016
    Take a look at Town and Country Campground in Savage, it's a short drive to the Ames center, 10 minutes to Valley Fair, 20 minutes to the Mall of America, not sure about Water Parks in the area but their must be some, and 15 minutes to the new outlet mall.
    I've had friends stay their and haven't heard any complaints.
    Do a google maps search and look at it from overhead for an idea of what it's like.
    I also have a friend who stays at Lebonen Hills a couple times a year and always speaks very highly of it.
    Dakota Meadows is very nice, but more upscale.
    Bruce
  • Traveler_II's avatar
    Traveler_II
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2016
    Lebanon Hills Campground is a county park in Apple Valley not far from Burnsville and right across from the Minnesota Zoo. I see a post above with the web site for you to explore, I think you would like it.
  • Intrepid_Family's avatar
    Intrepid_Family
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2016
    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.
  • southernsky's avatar
    southernsky
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2016
    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.
  • jtbr3's avatar
    jtbr3
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2016
    Stayed at http://www.dakotahmeadows.com and it was very nice. Next to casino. Easy drive to mall of america and local valley fair amusement park and other attractions. Super clean, indoor pool and level sites. Check out reviews on Tripadvisor as #1 in area.

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