Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Baxter, MN
Crow Wing State Park Campground welcomes dogs throughout its riverside campsites, offering pet owners a range of accommodation options including tent sites, RV spots, cabins and glamping opportunities. Located near Brainerd, the park features clean facilities with shower houses and toilet buildings that remain accessible to campers with pets. Dogs must remain leashed when outside tents or RVs, with designated pet waste disposal stations positioned throughout the grounds. The nearby Gull Lake Recreation Area and Crow Wing Lake Campground also permit pets, providing alternative options with water and electric hookups for RV camping with dogs. Pets are permitted at all tent sites in the area campgrounds, though pet owners should check specific cabin pet policies which may vary between locations. Visitors with dogs often note the campgrounds remain respectful of quiet hours despite dogs being present.
Hiking trails along the Mississippi River at Crow Wing State Park provide excellent dog walking opportunities, with the park encompassing the 1850s town of Crow Wing and offering historical sites to explore with leashed pets. The Baxter Canoe Camp allows tent camping with pets and provides access to the Mississippi water trail, though campers should secure food properly as bears have been spotted in the area. Dogs frequently enjoy swimming access at several points along the river, with multiple canoe landings providing water access. Pet owners camping at Overlook Park Canoe Campsite benefit from a specific riverside spot with a picnic table and fire ring set aside from the main park area, creating more privacy for camping with dogs. Mosquitoes can be abundant near the rivers during summer months, making pet-safe insect repellent an essential item when camping with dogs in this region.












