After talking about some of the more utilitarian dump stations, it’s a real pleasure to talk about a place like the Bunker Hills Campground. Located inside the massive Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids, this is the polar opposite of a sketchy concrete pad behind a car wash. This is a clean, well-maintained, full-service facility that feels more like a state park than a suburban one. And the best part is that its excellent pull-through dump station, located right by the campground visitor’s center, is available for day users, not just overnight campers.
This place isn't just a stop; it's a destination. The park it sits in is a playground for the entire Minneapolis metro area. If you’re traveling in the summer with family, Bunker Beach, Minnesota’s largest outdoor water park, is right here. It has a huge wave pool, multiple slides, and a 900-foot lazy river that’s perfect for cooling off after you’ve done your RV chores. It’s a fantastic reward for a day of travel. If you’re a golfer, you’re in for a treat. The Bunker Hills Golf Club is consistently rated as one of the best public courses in the entire country, known for its beautiful, tree-lined fairways. The fact that you can dump your tanks and then be on the first tee in five minutes is pretty incredible.
Even with all these attractions, you’re still only about a 20-minute drive from the heart of downtown Minneapolis, making this campground an absolutely ideal basecamp for exploring the city. You can enjoy the museums, restaurants, and culture of a major city during the day and retreat to your quiet, wooded campsite in the evening. It’s the best of both worlds.
The on-the-ground experience of using the dump station here is as pleasant and stress-free as it gets. Because it’s inside a regional park, you’ll first stop at a main entrance kiosk to pay your fee. You’ll need either a daily vehicle pass or, if you’re staying, a campground permit. The staff are professional, the lines move quickly, and they’ll give you a map that clearly shows the dump station’s location. It’s situated in a paved loop right next to the garbage and recycling enclosure, just inside the main campground entrance.
The dump pad itself is a model of good design. It’s wide, easy to pull into, and nearly perfectly level, so you can leave your leveling blocks packed away. The fresh-water spigots are clearly marked as potable and are separate from the black tank rinse area, which is exactly how it should be. The whole area is clean. You can tell they take pride in maintaining their facilities. They have a strict policy about separating trash and recycling, which is posted right on the map and at the station. It’s a small thing, but it contributes to the overall feeling of a well-run park.
The amenities here are top-notch. Of course, you have potable water. If you find yourself with low batteries and you’re just there for the day, you might even ask the staff nicely if you can plug into an empty campsite pedestal with 50-amp electric for an hour to top off. The modern restrooms and showers are reserved for registered guests, but they are kept spotlessly clean. For those of us with pets, they are welcome on a leash throughout the park, though you’re limited to two per campsite if you stay overnight. Having large, clean dumpsters and recycling bins right next to the station makes the final cleanup painless. And if you do decide to stay, many of their sites offer full hookups, including sewer, but you’ll want to book those well in advance as they are very popular.
Let’s talk about cost and value. The fee structure is layered. You’ll typically pay a day-use dump fee of around $10 to $15, plus a daily vehicle entry pass for the park, which is about $6. If you’re staying overnight as a registered camper, the dump is included for free. When you consider the quality of the facility, the convenience to the city, and the incredible park amenities surrounding you, this represents excellent value. A comparable private park would easily charge double. Here’s a tip: if you plan on visiting several Anoka County parks or staying in the Twin Cities area for more than a week, consider buying an annual vehicle pass. It’s very affordable and waives the daily entry fee every time you visit.
For a smooth visit, try to time your arrival to avoid the main campground check-in and check-out times. Aim for mid-morning around 10 a.m. or mid-afternoon around 3 p.m. to find the dump station lane clear. If you’re a day-user and want to use the showers, bring some quarters as they are coin-operated. And don’t forget about that post-chore reward: Bunker Beach offers a discounted admission price after 3 p.m., which is a perfect way to cool off.
The final word on the Bunker Hills Campground dump station is simple: it’s one of the best you’ll find in any metropolitan area. It’s clean, efficient, and located inside a fantastic park packed with activities. It’s a perfect example of a public facility done right. Add it to your Minneapolis itinerary, but just remember to budget for that small park entry fee on top of the dump fee. You won’t be disappointed.
13101 County Pkwy B, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
(763) 324-3330
Cost: Price not available
Category: Visitor center
Has Water
anokacountyparks.com/camping