Anoka County, Minnesota offers a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities, including canoeing, hiking and biking. A variety of campgrounds make it easy for both RVers and tent campers to set up a base camp and enjoy all the beautiful area offers as well as excursions to Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Location
Anoka County is the fourth most populated county in Minnesota, and is located near the Twin Cities Metropolitan region. The county is filled with regional and county parks geared to provide plenty of hiking trails, waterways, golf courses and other outdoor recreation to keep you busy for days.
Public Campgrounds
Anoka County offers several campgrounds, including the Bunker Hills Campground in the city of Coon Rapids and the Rice Creek Campground located in the Chain of Lakes Regional Park near the city of Lino Lakes. Bunker Hills offers shady, secluded sites with tent and RV campsites, many with electric and water hookups. Rice Creek offers RV campsites with water and electrical hookups or tent sites. All are located close to biking and hiking trails as well as a swimming area. Both campgrounds offer restrooms with showers. Firewood is available for sale at each campground. Bunker Hills rents bicycles so you can enjoy the paved trails located near the campground.
Canoe Camping
Canoe enthusiasts may enjoy camping along the Rum River at either Rum River North County Park or at Rum River Central Regional Park. No fee is charged at the two campgrounds. Water and trash receptacles are available. Canoeing along the Rum River offers views of the river, prairie and woodland settings.
Activities
Another canoeing route, the Rice Creek Water Trail, offers 23 miles of water on which to canoe or kayak. The water route starts in Lino Lakes and goes to the Mississippi River. Anoka County’s Park system contains miles of paved and natural surface hiking trails with the paved trails available for biking, rollerblading and hiking. The natural surface trails are open to hikers and joggers only. Play a round at Chomonix Golf Course at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park with mature tree-lined fairways and water hazards on seven holes. A visit to the outdoor Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes offers a great way to learn more about the flora and fauna that call the area home. You can also rent canoes and kayaks by the hour or day.
Preparation
A permit is required of all motorized vehicles to enter Rum River Central Regional Park. Permits may be purchased at the Rum River Central Regional park gatehouse. Bring plenty of bug spray and sunscreen to keep away nasty burns and bites.
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