Baker Campground

Welcome to Baker Campground, a truly exceptional outdoor escape located within the beautiful Baker Park Reserve in Maple Plain, Minnesota. For locals across the Twin Cities metro area and beyond, Baker Campground offers a harmonious blend of pristine natural beauty and modern comforts, making it a highly sought-after destination for all types of campers. Nestled beside the shimmering shores of Lake Independence, this campground provides an ideal setting for those looking to reconnect with nature, enjoy a peaceful retreat, or embark on a family adventure right here in the heart of Minnesota.

Managed by the renowned Three Rivers Park District, Baker Park Reserve, spanning over 2,700 acres, is a testament to meticulous care and thoughtful development. Visitors consistently praise Baker Campground for its spacious, clean, and well-maintained campsites, as well as its friendly and helpful staff. Whether you're a seasoned RVer, a tent camping enthusiast, or looking for the convenience of a cozy cabin, Baker Campground delivers a "near-perfect Minnesota camping experience." In this article, we'll delve into the specifics that make Baker Campground a top choice for Minnesotans, covering its advantageous location, comprehensive services, unique features, and why it's consistently celebrated by those who visit.

Baker Campground is strategically located at 2309 Baker Park Rd, Maple Plain, MN 55359, USA. This address places it squarely within Baker Park Reserve, a jewel in the crown of the Three Rivers Park District, just 20 miles west of Minneapolis. This proximity to the Twin Cities metropolitan area makes Baker Campground incredibly accessible for a vast majority of Minnesota residents, offering a convenient escape to nature without a long drive.

Access to the park is straightforward: from Highway 12, campers can take County Road 29 north to County Road 19, then follow 19 north to the main park entrance. Alternatively, from Highway 55, turn south on County Road 19 and follow it to the main entrance. The well-maintained roads leading to and within the park ensure easy navigation for all vehicles, including large RVs and those towing trailers.

The campground's setting is a significant part of its appeal. It's "Nestled beside the shimmering shores of Lake Independence," a nearly 950-acre lake that provides a picturesque backdrop and ample opportunities for water-based activities. While the campground is popular and can be "busy on Monday and Thursday-Sunday," its thoughtful spacing of sites helps maintain a sense of peace. The entire Baker Park Reserve spans 2,700 acres, offering a vast natural playground to explore beyond the campground itself. This combination of easy access from urban centers and an immersive natural environment makes Baker Campground a prime location for Minnesota locals seeking convenience and tranquility.

Baker Campground is renowned for its comprehensive array of services, designed to ensure a comfortable and convenient stay for all campers. The Three Rivers Park District's commitment to quality is evident in every offering:

• Diverse Campsite Options: The campground boasts 203 sites, catering to various camping styles. This includes 103 sites with electrical hookups (both 30-amp and 50-amp are typically available), providing essential power for RVs and trailers. There are also numerous tent sites for those seeking a more traditional experience. Each site is spacious, clean, and thoughtfully spaced, featuring a picnic table and a fire ring for outdoor meals and campfires.

• Camper Cabins: For those who prefer a solid roof over their heads, Baker Campground offers five well-appointed 12'x16' cabins. These cabins are perfect for a couple of nights, especially during rainy weather, and "fill up fast," so booking early is essential. Each cabin features a screened-in porch, a table with benches, wooden bunk beds with mattresses (three cabins sleep up to six people; two are ADA-accessible and sleep five), electricity, heat, overhead lighting, ceiling fans, and outlets. They provide a comfortable camping experience across seasons.

• Modern Restrooms and Hot Showers: Campers consistently praise the "clean restrooms" and "hot showers." The main bathhouse is particularly impressive, described as having "awesome, private showers," and is wheelchair accessible. These facilities also include changing rooms and dishwashing sinks, adding to the convenience.

• RV Dump Station and Water Fill-Up Station: For RV users, a dedicated dump station and a water fill-up station are available, making arrival and departure seamless and hygienic.

• Potable Water Access: Beyond the fill-up station, a drinking fountain and water spigots are conveniently located near restroom facilities, ensuring easy access to fresh water.

• Firewood Sales: Firewood is available for purchase directly from the park office, typically for a nominal fee, making it easy to enjoy campfires without having to bring your own supply.

• Reservations Accepted: While some sites might be available for "drop in campers" without a reservation fee, Baker Campground accepts and strongly recommends reservations, especially during peak seasons. Cabins, in particular, should be booked well in advance due to high demand. An advanced reservation fee of $7.50 may apply.

• Recycling and Composting: Baker Campground encourages environmentally friendly practices with available recycling and composting facilities, reflecting the Three Rivers Park District's commitment to sustainability.

These comprehensive services ensure that Baker Campground provides a comfortable, well-equipped, and enjoyable camping experience for all visitors.

Baker Campground, situated within the vast Baker Park Reserve, offers an impressive array of features and highlights that elevate the camping experience to "nothing short of exceptional" for Minnesota locals:

• Stunning Natural Beauty: The park is "Nestled beside the shimmering shores of Lake Independence" and boasts a "canopy of maple and oak" trees, providing ample shade and a picturesque setting. The "grounds are absolutely gorgeous, with huge hardwoods that provide lots of shaded sites."

• Lake Independence Access: Being on Lake Independence, the park offers direct access for water activities. This includes opportunities for "swimming" at the "very busy Lake Independence beach" (free, but unguarded), "boating," and "fishing" from a pier or during ice-fishing season. Watercraft rentals (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, rowboats) are available, making it easy to get out on the water.

• Extensive Trail System: Baker Park Reserve is a "haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers" with an "extensive network of trails." This includes "easy to navigate" paved biking trails (including the 15.87-mile Lake Independence Regional Trail that passes through the park), unpaved hiking trails (13.5 miles), and even mountain bike and horse trails. In winter, 12.9K of cross-country ski trails are available, with options for skijoring, bikejoring, and dogsledding.

• Exceptional Birdwatching: The park is a paradise for birdwatchers. Visitors have been "delighted by the variety of birds spotted—everything from great crested flycatchers to red-headed woodpeckers." Its diverse habitats (woodlands, wetlands, prairies) attract a wide array of avian species, making "every hike and shoreline walk an adventure."

• "The Seastar" Creative Play Area: A major highlight for families is the "incredible playground area," featuring "the region's largest climbing structure – 'The Seastar'" which can accommodate over 100 kids simultaneously. It also includes an "nearly nine-f00t-tall and zip line feature that stretches over 100-feet" and inclusive equipment for all ages, making it a fantastic spot for children to expend energy.

• Baker National Golf Course: Within the reserve, golf enthusiasts can enjoy Baker National Golf Course, a championship course offering 9-hole golf, foot golf, and mini golf. It's also certified as an Audubon Sanctuary.

• Friendly and Respectful Environment: Reviewers consistently note the "friendly and helpful staff" and appreciate "how quiet and respectful fellow campers were, even on a busy weekend," contributing to a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere.

• Outdoor Learning Center: Baker Park is home to the Baker Outdoor Learning Center, offering various nature-based programs and activities throughout the year, enhancing the educational and recreational aspects of a visit.

These features collectively make Baker Campground and Baker Park Reserve a premier year-round outdoor destination in Minnesota.

For reservations, inquiries, or to obtain more detailed and up-to-date information about Baker Campground within Baker Park Reserve, please use the following contact details:

Address: 2309 Baker Park Rd, Maple Plain, MN 55359, USA

Phone: (763) 694-7662

Alternative Local Phone (Three Rivers Park District Reservations): (763) 559-6700

Mobile Phone: +1 763-694-7662

Website: For comprehensive information and online reservations, it is highly recommended to visit the official Three Rivers Park District website, where you can find detailed park maps, current rates, availability, and specific policies for both campsites and cabins.

Due to its popularity, especially for cabins and during peak seasons, making reservations well in advance is strongly advised to secure your preferred dates and site type. Contacting the park directly or using their online reservation system will ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information for a smooth and enjoyable camping experience at Baker Campground.

Baker Campground stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended destination for locals throughout Minnesota, particularly those in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Its paramount advantage is its perfect blend of accessibility and immersive natural beauty. Being just 20 miles west of Minneapolis, it offers a quick and easy escape to the outdoors, allowing Minnesotans to maximize their leisure time without extensive travel. This convenience makes it ideal for impromptu weekend trips or planned family vacations.

The campground’s diverse offerings truly cater to the varied preferences of local campers. Whether an individual or family prefers the full comfort of an RV with electrical hookups, the rustic charm of tent camping, or the cozy convenience of a camper cabin (which are in high demand and loved by guests), Baker Campground provides exceptional options. The consistently lauded "clean restrooms, hot showers," and other well-maintained amenities ensure a comfortable and hassle-free stay, a detail highly appreciated by seasoned and novice campers alike.

Beyond the campsites, Baker Park Reserve itself is a treasure trove of activities that resonate deeply with Minnesotans' love for the outdoors. Lake Independence provides abundant opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming, while the extensive network of paved and unpaved trails caters to hikers, bikers, and even winter sports enthusiasts. Birdwatchers will revel in the diverse avian life, adding another layer to the nature experience. For families, the "incredible playground" is a major draw, providing a safe and engaging space for children. The park's commitment to a "quiet and respectful" atmosphere, combined with the friendly and helpful staff, creates a welcoming community vibe that enhances the overall experience. Baker Campground isn't just a place to park your camper; it's a vibrant, well-managed, and beautiful outdoor haven that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Minnesota's natural appeal, making it an essential destination for locals seeking an enriching outdoor adventure.

Baker Campground

2309 Baker Park Rd, Maple Plain, MN 55359, USA