Baker Park Reserve — Attraction in Medina

Baker Park Reserve is our favorite place to go camping in the metro area! We came here for the first time last year, and liked in so much that we came back the very next weekend and brought our friends along too! We have camped here many times, and we are always introducing new people to this great park. The park has at least three separate swimming beaches on Lake Independence, a boat launch, fishing piers, canoe/kayak rental, playground, hiking trails, many miles of bike trails, rental bikes, excellent bathroom facilities, and spacious campsites with a good combination of forest and open space. The campground is huge, so there are usually spaces available. Our family loves cycling, and we always bring bikes camping with us. The entire park (which is quite large) is connected by bike paths, and there is a 6-mile loop around Katrina Lake that is quite nice. These trails also connect with other bike trails outside the park, so you can ride as far as your heart desires. If you want a place to go camping within the metro area, look no further than Baker...

This is a beautiful park, with a beautiful well maintained beach. The campground is also very well maintained and managed. It is easily a 5 Star park for a day trip. If you don't mind the soothing sounds of constant traffic on nearby streets, the only wildlife you see being shirtless men, and camping in close quarters with an enormous amount of people who all try their hardest to pretend you're not actually 10 feet away from them then the campground is a nice place too. A similar experience can be had in most suburban back yards, though in that case maybe your neighbors will talk to you. If you're really just looking for a place to sleep in your tent or camper where you can just spend the whole day at the beach, this place might be for you. If you're looking for a camping experience to "get away from the busyness of everyday life and spend some time with nature", keep looking. I might recommend Lake Maria State Park, not much further down the road, for such...

Overall, this is a great campground. However, on the weekends, is is always packed with people. Some of them just let their dogs and kids run wild. I have seen kids throw dog poop at each other for fun. The dogs are more well-behaved. The adult "citiots" seem to plan big group events. They talk too loud and don't care about anyone else. Everyone goes home on Sunday afternoon. They are mostly from the nearby metro area, so it only takes them a half hour to get home. The weekdays are beautiful and quiet. You can hear the birds and the sound of the passing trains. You can enjoy the trails by the lake. The problem is that there seems to be quite a few transients that use the park. We have had them driving through the park constantly, at all times of the day and night. They make me question our safety here in the...