Why is Baker Park Reserve the Best Location for a Family Experience? Find Out Why

Having holidays is one thing while finding a good place to spend them is another. Some places show and provide a full nature environment that gives tourists comfort and convenience, and Baker Park Reserve is not an exception.

Located at 2309 Country Road 19, Maple Plain, MN 55359, Baker Park Reserve offers top-notch outdoor activities in natural surroundings. A sneak peek into what the reserve provides visitors includes swimming, picnicking, golf spots, beautiful camp and play areas, etc. What more can you ask for?

Baker Park also provides access to fun centers, the internet, and interaction with other tourists, giving you every reason to enjoy your holiday no matter the season of the year you visit. That being said, let’s explore other exciting things in store for us!

Things to Know Before You Go to The Baker Park Reserve

Here is some extensive information you should know about Baker Park Reserve before visiting. 

Location: 2309 Country Road 19, Maple Plain, MN 55359

Sites: 203 sites, including 98 with electricity. Rental cabins are also available

Facilities

• Showers and flush toilets
•  RV dump station
•  Trails
•  Picnic and play areas
•  Equipped cabins with electricity, etc
•  Dishwashing sinks
•  Changing rooms

Rates

• Daily camping minimum: $21
•  Daily camping maximum: $70
•  Advanced reservations: $7.50
•  Parking: free
•  Boat trailer parking pass: $6
•  Season boat trailer parking pass: $45

Seasons opened

• Open in Summer
•  Open in Winter

On-Site Facilities and Services: Located on a lake or river

On-Site Recreation

• Bicycle rental
•  Bike trail
•  Canoes or kayaks available
•  Cross-country ski rental
•  Cross-country ski trail (groomed)
•  Fishing boats available
•  Golf course
•  Hiking trail
•  Lake/river access (boat ramp)
•  Playground
•  Snowshoes available
•  Swimming beach

Attraction attributes: Can accommodate groups of 45 or more people

Campground Type: City, County, or Municipal Campgrounds

Length of stay: Daily site rental

Pet allowed: Dogs – Yes

Number/type of campsites

Number of camping cabins: 5

Total number of campsites: 205

Contact information

Main number: 763-694-7860

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Brief History and Background of Baker Park Reserve

Baker Park Reserve is a notable natural recreation area in Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA. Established in 1967, Baker Park covers approximately 2,700 acres and offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, picnicking, and water sports, across its lush landscapes, woodlands, and lakeshores.

The Three Rivers Park District manages the park and aims to preserve the area’s natural beauty while offering outdoor educational and recreational opportunities. Initially, the land was used for farming and quarrying before being acquired for public use.

The reserve’s centerpiece, Lake Independence, attracts visitors for its fishing, boating, and swimming possibilities. Over the years, Baker Park Reserve has become a popular destination for residents and tourists seeking to enjoy the serene surroundings and engage in various outdoor pursuits.

Creation and Purpose of the Park

Baker Park Reserve was created in 1967 to provide a natural and recreational space for the residents of Hennepin County, Minnesota, and its surrounding areas. The park’s establishment aimed to offer a serene escape from urban life and to preserve the region’s natural beauty.

Previously used for farming and quarrying, the land was transformed into a place where people could engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, picnicking, and water sports. The park’s purpose extended beyond recreation, emphasizing the importance of environmental education and conservation.

Baker Park Reserve sought to educate visitors about the local ecosystem and promote a deeper appreciation for nature through its diverse landscapes, woodlands, and lakeshores.

The Three Rivers Park District continues to manage the park to achieve these objectives while balancing outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.

What to do When You Visit

Baker Park Reserve is home to several recreational activities. Let’s take a glance and see what these outdoor opportunities are:

Biking

Baker Park Reserve provides an extensive land area for biking and racing purposes. Since the reserve permits it, visitors can explore the landscape using either of these means (bikes or bicycles)

Wildlife viewing

Baker Park provides a wildlife area where people can safely view an array of animal species such as white-tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, birds (e.g., robins, sparrows, blue jays), ducks and geese, butterflies, frogs and toads, turtles, etc.

You may also get to see flowers depending on the season you visit, such as dandelions, sunflowers, wild roses, coneflowers, Queen Anne’s lace, lupines, black-eyed susans, wild violets, milkweed (essential for monarch butterflies), goldenrod.

Boating

The reserve provides canoes and other boats that can be used in water bodies, allowing tourists to explore the water and carry out other recreational activities like fishing with hooks or little nets.

Golfing

Golf can be played in the park since they provide areas created explicitly for golfing. Giving the lovers of the golf sport an avenue to have fun during their visit.

Hiking

The park also provides cross-country pathways, allowing visitors to hike and have fun. These paths cross countries and can be used for purposes other than hiking, such as cross-country racing.

Other things you can do during your visit include camping, cross-country skiing, geocaching, dog trails, horseback riding, mountain biking, paddling, nature education, sledding, snowmobiling, swimming, and so much more.

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Baker Park Reserve Facilities

Baker Park consists of various structures and beautiful facilities that attract tourists. The Reserve possesses facilities that enable its purpose of creation. They include:

Children’s play areas and playgrounds

If you visit with your kids, there are play areas for them. Baker Park understands that children shouldn’t be left out during fun; hence, playgrounds are set aside for kids of all ages. These playgrounds accommodate the children and other structures that the children use in playing, such as swings, rollercoasters, and so on.

Restaurant

What is fun without having your belly filled? Baker Park has restaurants where you can get food if you are hungry. With the provision of restaurants, visitors can have total satisfaction and save the stress of looking for food outside the reserve.

Swimming beaches/Pools

Looking for a spot to relax during the heat of the day? Do not worry; Baker Park has swimming pools for visitors to swim in and have cool baths.

Hiking and biking trails

Baker Park Reserve creates and provides trails and tracks for all hiking and biking purposes so people can have whatever form of racing or biking sport they want.

Boat Access

The Baker Park Reserve provides access to various boats, allowing visitors to explore the aquatic habitat.

Campgrounds

The reserve creates an area of land that serves as camping grounds for tourists. There, they could set up their tents and campfires for warmth during the cold nights.

Rules and Regulations: Baker Park Reserve

Visitors must obey specific rules and regulations while visiting Baker Park Reserve.

Drinking Policy

• Drinks like beers and wines of all kinds are allowed, but liquors and other containers containing alcoholic drinks are not allowed.

Camping Policy

• A guardian should be present with campers under the age of 18.
• The maximum length of time a person could stay in Baker’s Park is 30 days or a month, which could be 31 days.

Pet Policy

• Pets on lease are permitted but must not disturb neighboring campers.
• Pets like dogs are not permitted, apart from assistant dogs trained to help disabled individuals.

Parking Policy

• Cars are not allowed to park in grassy areas but in the parking lots provided by the reserve.

Reserve Policy

• All reservations should be made online or by contacting their telephone number, 763-694-7860, and all information, including campground and sites, date, and time of arrival, should be specified.
• Alternative campsites should be considered, too, since the preferred site may run out or must have been sold out before arrival. The reservation should be paid in full.

Cancellation Policy

• There is a 100% refund for eight days of cancellation due to check-in.
• There is a 50% refund for four days of cancellation due to check-in.
• There are no refunds for less than 4 days of cancellation due to check-in.

Opening and Closing Hours

Baker Park Reserve typically opens from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mondays to Sundays. This pattern enables people to apply for reservations and gain access to the park during the day. You should check their official website for more information on their hours of operation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I bring my bike to Baker Park Reserve?

Visitors are encouraged to bring their bikes to explore the park’s trails. There are miles and miles of bike trails in the park. Additionally, the campground office has bicycles and child trailers for rent for two-hour time blocks.

Please be aware that whenever sharing the road with vehicles, it is advised to use reflective strips, lights, or flags on equipment for safety. Enjoy the journey!

Are there designated biking trails within the reserve?

Yes, Baker Park Reserve features designated trails for biking and racing activities. There are numerous mountain bike trails in the park.

Among the trails is the Lake Independence Regional Trail, which is 17 miles long and has a descent of 432 feet and a climb of 390 feet. It is 3 miles long, descends 87 feet, and climbs 105 feet. Additionally, there is a 751-foot Parking Lot Connector trail. Have fun on your bike trip!

Do I need to pay any fees to use the biking trails?

Generally, there are no extra fees for using the biking trails at Baker Park Reserve.

Can kids also bike at the reserve?

The park is family-friendly, and kids can enjoy biking on appropriate trails.

Are there any restrictions for bike types allowed in the reserve?

Most types of bikes, including mountain bikes and road bikes, are permitted for use.

Are helmets mandatory while biking at Baker Park Reserve?

For safety reasons, wearing helmets is mandatory while biking within the park.

Conclusion

Baker Park Reserve is an escape for outdoor enthusiasts searching for an ideal spot to cool off and rejuvenate from the usual day-to-day activities. With its sprawling green spaces, serene lakes, and well-maintained trails, the reserve offers a haven for hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers alike.

The diverse range of recreational opportunities, such as picnicking, hiking, swimming, fishing, and lots more, ensures that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

As a natural oasis just a short distance from urban life, Baker Park Reserve provides a tranquil setting where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of the outdoors and find solace in nature.