Chanhassen is a town in Minnesota named after the Dakota word for maple tree. It is located near and considered a suburb of Minneapolis. It has a population of over 20,000 residents who enjoy the natural beauty of the area and its many nature parks and scenic lakes, the largest of which is Lake Minnetonka. There are plenty of hiking and camping opportunities in the local parks as well as privately owned vacation spots. If you live in the Chanhassen area and are looking to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, then check out these popular campgrounds.

Lake Auburn Campground

Trees lining the creek at Lake Auburn Campground near Chanhassen, Minnesota

Minnesota River – Brown water – Shakopee” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Tony Webster

Located in the Carver Park Reserve, this rustic campsite sits between the two connected bodies of water that make up Lake Auburn, and offers 57 campsites. Just 15 minutes due west of Chanhassen, this lovely park is home to many waterfowl and songbirds, ospreys, white-tailed deer, swans, owls, and other wildlife. Within the park, you’ll find the Lowry Nature Center, the Grimm Farm Historic Site, and the King Waterbird Sanctuary. The Lowry Nature Center is open on Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

The campground is open from late April until the end of October. It offers one bicycle-in-only campsite, two hike-in, and 55 drive-in sites. Each site has room for two tents or a tent and an RV; they also each have a picnic table and fire ring, and pit latrines and drinking fountains are located nearby. These are basic campsites with no showers or electricity. Daily rates for a site start at $15.44. You can also rent canoes, kayaks, and rowboats for getting out on the water and exploring the lakes. Near the campground are hiking trails where you can spend the day in outdoor fun.

Minneapolis Southwest KOA Holiday Campground

The Minneapolis Southwest KOA Holiday Campground is a family-owned campground located less than 25 minutes south of Chanhassen in a beautiful forested setting. It offers RV sites, tent sites, a deluxe cabin with a full bath and partial kitchen, and camping cabins with no bath. Four-wheel bikes are available to rent, making for a fun outdoor activity for a couple or a couple of older kids. Amenities include the use of free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool, a playground for the kids, a dog park for your furry friends, and a well-stocked store with groceries, snacks, propane, and firewood.

There are plenty of local trails where you can get out for a morning hike and take in the fresh country air. Nearby, you’ll find the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge with the Minnesota River flowing through the scenic landscape. Four hiking trails totaling 13 miles traverse the land around the Louisville Swamp. Here, you can look for brightly colored crested wood ducks, tall herons, regal bald eagles, and playful river otters in the floodplain forests. Keep an eye out for the little prairie skink, the refuge’s only lizard, scampering in the restored prairie and oak savannas.

Town and Country RV Park and Campground

The Town and Country RV Park and Campground is 20 minutes southwest of Chanhassen at 12630 Boone Road in the small town of Savage. The campground has 50 full-hookup RV sites, 35 electric and water sites, and 16 campsites. You’ll find plenty of services at this quality campground including clean restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, picnic tables at every site, portable fire pits that are available to rent, a heated pool, and a playground. There is also access to nature walks along the nearby Eagle Creek which joins the Minnesota River just up the road near Rice Lake.

This beautiful setting offers shade from tall cottonwood trees, green lawns, and an on-site store with ice cream and snacks, groceries, and bagged ice. Free wireless internet lets you keep in touch while relaxing for a few days in the woods. Rates start at $30 for a basic tent for two people and go up to $50 for a full-hookup site plus extra fees for additional persons and other add-ons. It also has holiday rates as well as weekly and monthly rates if you’re looking to stay longer. Pets are welcome for a fee of $1 per dog per day.

Baker Campground

Baker Campground has over 200 sites to choose from including camper cabins, electrical hookup sites, and primitive sites. The campground is located 30 minutes north of Chanhassen near Lake Independence and Katrina Lake in the Baker Park Reserve. This 2,700-acre scenic area has opportunities for many outdoor activities including hiking, biking, skiing in winter, boating and fishing on Lake Independence, enjoying the beaches and swimming in designated areas, and golfing at the Baker National Golf Course. The Baker Outdoor Learning Center offers nature education and outdoor programs, and the rustic log lodge and surrounding cabins are available to rent.

Baker Campground’s rates start at $21 per night for a non-electric site and go up to $70 plus tax for a cabin. Each site offers a fire ring and a picnic table for your use and can accommodate up to two tents or one tent and one RV and up to eight people. Wheelchair-accessible toilets and showers can be found nearby as well as an RV dump station. The staff office hours are on Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.The beautiful Minnesota river valley offers green parks, many scenic lakes, and great campsites. You can go canoeing or kayaking in the water as well as fishing from piers and swimming at sandy shores. Hiking lets you see picturesque views, spot wild animals scampering in the undergrowth or soaring overhead, and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. At Crème de la Crème of Chanhassen, Minnesota, we hope you get a chance to go camping soon. Contact us and tell us if you prefer to pitch a tent, camp in an RV, or stay in a cabin!