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Willow River State Park Campground welcomes pets across 3 separate camping loops with over 100 sites, including electric hookups and spacious, wooded surroundings. The 100 loop features more secluded sites bordered by sumac trees, offering level ground and electric power. Campers note the trails are pet-accessible with multiple hiking paths leading to the waterfall area. William O'Brien State Park, Interstate State Park, and Afton State Park also permit pets throughout their facilities, which include tent sites, RV spots, and in some locations, pet-friendly cabins. Bathrooms and shower facilities remain clean and well-maintained, though the campgrounds vary in privacy between sites with some offering more tree cover than others.
Trails throughout these pet-friendly campgrounds provide excellent dog walking opportunities, with many visitors reporting deer sightings even while accompanied by leashed dogs. The hiking paths at Willow River lead to impressive waterfalls where pets can explore the natural environment, though owners should bring water sandals if planning to navigate the waterfall area with dogs. Summer months see high visitation, especially on weekends, so booking pet-friendly sites well in advance is recommended. T-Mobile reception varies across campgrounds with good coverage in the 100 loop at Willow River but limited connectivity in other areas. Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park round out the pet-friendly options, both offering water access in addition to trail systems.
"Campsites are pretty private except to people walking the trails. The falls are gorgeous!! Great for swimming when the water is not too high."
"Memorial Day 2019 with my siblings and our dog. Campsite 202 had plenty of room for an 8 person tent and 2 pickups."
from $26 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks."
"It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees."
from $22 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."
"We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."
from $25 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Kelly's Bar nearby has a great fish fry on Friday. The campground is neat and well managed."
"It was very easy to find, close to the twin cities, and clean. There was good access to kindling for a fire in the nice fire pit that has a grill."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation"
"It has nice clean bathrooms and it's a great place to walk your pets, they do have 3 different areas to camp but we always use the full hook-ups The people at check-in are always so friendly, and very"
from $24 - $42 / night
Check Availability"This this is an amazing Campground with two heated pools one up top and one down below they're also campsites located right alongside the river the campground offers tubing disc golf and many other activities"
from $30 - $150 / night
Check Availability"You can tube down the river which is fun and it’s close to town. But it can get loud. Not a campground for children though"
"This is our home away from home. It's the perfect place for your kids to be kids like we did in the 90's home by the time the street lights come on. Us parents can finally relax!"
"The lake is nice. Good luck catching fish though. Bill the manager is a great guy! Definitely ex military veteran!"
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability"There is a dumping station at the exit. There are no fire pits, bring your own. Great wooded hiking trails."
"Right next to the freeway, so you will hear that at night. There are a lot of restaurant options near by if you don’t want to cook."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
"Beach was closed but we still got some good walks in. Fire ring was a little shallow for my liking so had to get some solid coals going to get dinner on the table."
from $20 - $32 / night
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TravelerLebanon hills has everything for the family. Schultz Beach for summer fun. Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation
TravelerWe decided to make a spontaneous camping trip one weekend and found ourselves at Frontenac. The cart-in site we were at was very spacious but wasn't as secluded as we would have hoped. We didn't feel claustrophobic by any means but we could see several other sites from ours. We went early in the year and maybe the summer growth solves that problem. Bathrooms nearby but no water available. It was also windy enough in the evening that we called it an early night but I think that was just a front movingly through and had less to do with the hill we were on.
We went on a hike that showed off the wonderful bluffs along the Mississippi. As far as camping in Minnesota goes we prefer the options on the North Shore, but really enjoyed Frontenac and will be back to continue exploring.
GuideI never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!
LegendThis is a state park on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix River, which is mirrored by a comparable but smaller state park in Minnesota on the wrst side of the river, both being part of the wild and scenic St Croix National Waterway. Although the campsites themselves are pretty run of the mill, the setting is spectacular in terms of breathtaking scenery, and myriad outdoor activities from rock climbing in the river gorge, paddling the river, hiking miles of trails, and learning geology at the Ice Age geology visitors center. If you are tenting camping, the south loop is great, and if you pick campsite 65 or 67 you will have direct access to the river which is peaceful and good for paddle opportunities. There are picnic areas with swimming along the river which is nice for group gatherings, and one is designated for folks with pets. Some of the rugged hiking trails along the bluffs and cliffs go right along the edge with minimal guard rails or walls, so keep a close eye on kids and pets because going over the edge is a possibility so utmost caution is advised.
LegendSmall little campground next to large casino. We lucked out and were able to stay 2 nights without reservations….only had to move because they were fully booked for the 4th…large concert event happening across the street. You will need to call early in the day to talk to office staff…who are very friendly. If after hours and there are no spots, you can dry dock in large lot in front of office. There is fuel on site as well as RV wash station. Bath house and laundry and card controlled ($5 card deposit on check in)…well maintained facilities. Dog park available, watch a few spots in fence near bottom where fencing has risen up…little dogs could easily climb under. Very convenient for visiting Minneapolis…25/30 minutes from airport/Mall of America (Aquarium) and Security patrols regularly and there is shuttle if you want to visit casino. Pool at hotel is not included. Golf attraction is being completed next door so there was some construction traffic during day as expected.
GuideWe were here for a night to see a concert at the amphitheater and everyone was super friendly. It was easy to check in, and we were able to do laundry and shower which was great. It’s mostly gravel but they have some tent sites on the grass. They are dog friendly and have some grassy areas to walk your pets which was great.
TravelerStaying here currently & they have been very accommodating, friendly & flexible. Water & electric hookup but no sewer however there is a dump station, a bathhouse with real toilets & nice showers. Pretty quiet for being so close to the main highway. My cats are able to free roam the property & my dog can be tied up outside. Usually pretty nice neighbors too.
GuideSites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground.
ScoutWe called for an RV site but they don't allow pets.
Campgrounds near Bayport, Minnesota offer diverse terrain options within a 30-mile radius that includes river valleys, hardwood forests, and prairie landscapes. The area sits at approximately 700-900 feet above sea level with a continental climate featuring warm, humid summers and cold winters. Seasonal considerations significantly impact water levels in the St. Croix River and connecting waterways, affecting both swimming and boating access at several parks.
Pothole exploration: 2.7 miles of trails lead to unique geological formations at Interstate State Park. "When the river ran 200' higher than it does today, tornados of water eroded smooth round, massive holes in the rock. Some are so big that they still to this day have no idea how deep they go," notes Erik R. The trails showcase these glacial potholes that formed thousands of years ago.
Rock climbing: Available for climbers of various experience levels on the basalt cliffs. "Not only is this area unique in its rock walls and terrain, but the nearby little towns make a wonderful rainy day trip with plenty of hometown stores to shop," says Conor P.
Beach access: Walking required at most campgrounds in the area. At Afton State Park, "beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk. Campgrounds are nearby beach and require further walk," according to Alison. Currently, some swimming areas are under construction, with Warren H. noting, "This may be an ongoing issue but none of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working."
River tubing: Popular summer activity with multiple access points. At Apple River Family Campground, tubing offers a natural cooling option. "We did SO many miles hiking! And at certain points in the river, you are able to get in and swim," reports Sarah L. about the river access.
Tree coverage: Varies by campground and specific loop. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, "Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines," according to Katie C. The East Loop "is for smaller RVs and tents. It has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps," adds Angela L.
Proximity to metro area: Quick getaways possible without long drives. "We loved that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays," Angela L. explains about Lebanon Hills. Bryan W. notes about William O'Brien State Park, "We bike from St. Paul to William O. It is a nice 40 mile ride mostly on paved or limestone trails."
Wildlife viewing: Common during quieter periods. "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite," says Laura E. about William O'Brien's Savanna Campground.
Pet-friendly options: Available throughout dog friendly campgrounds near Bayport. Most locations have pet-accessible trails and designated pet areas. For those seeking pet-friendly camping near Bayport, Rice Creek Campgrounds offers "level private sites, lots of trees," according to Corey P., making it suitable for camping with dogs.
Noise levels: Highway proximity affects some locations. At Hoffman City Park, "This campground is literally adjacent to the highway. You will hear it all night," warns Jason W. Similarly, at Interstate State Park, expect "a lot of traffic noise, and in the fall, migrating geese can be very loud," according to Maria D.
Campsite privacy: Varies significantly between loops and parks. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, the F Loop is "tent only" which means "no generators! It was very quiet!" reports Amy G. She adds, "A few were only separated by swathes of grass, but most had enough trees you couldn't see your neighbor."
Seasonal issues: Bug activity increases in summer months. "Horseflies nonstop attacked us. To not get bite we had to run around like chickens with our heads cut off!" warns Ariel H. about Rice Creek. Mosquito repellent is essential during summer months.
Water availability: Check before arrival as some parks experience outages. Warren H. notes, "None of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center."
Playground access: Multiple options at city parks. At Hoffman City Park, "Great playground area for kids to play," according to Anna. Mary H. adds, "This campground has electric but not water hook up... Great wooded hiking trails. There is the Tir Angels playground, sand volleyball, frisbee golf, and a semi pro baseball field all located with in the grounds!"
Multi-activity parks: Look for comprehensive facilities that offer varied recreation. "Nice campground with lots of trails, a beach, and many playgrounds," Lenora H. says about Rice Creek Campgrounds. This variety helps when weather conditions change unexpectedly.
Water recreation options: Available at select parks though sometimes limited. "Less than an hour drive from Minneapolis this is a good get away. As expected it has many walk trails. Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath," notes Alison about Afton State Park.
Cabin alternatives: Available for families new to camping. "Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!" describes Alison O. about the Eastern Bluebird cabin at Afton State Park.
Site selection: Research carefully for size constraints. At William O'Brien, Karla J.B. notes, "We planned this weekend with friends to camp in our matching teardrop trailers... The Riverside campground appeared quite full." Small trailers fit in more locations than larger RVs.
Hookup availability: Varies significantly between campgrounds and loops. Davis D. warns about Lebanon Hills, "Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All rv sites are the listed length plus 16' for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out."
Shoulder season camping: Less crowded with milder temperatures. "We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths. There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling," reports Karla J.B. about spring camping at William O'Brien.
Dump station locations: Available but limited at some parks. "There is a dumping station at the exit," notes Mary H. about Hoffman City Park, which has electric but no water hookups at individual sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bayport, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bayport, MN is Willow River State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 63 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bayport, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 91 dog-friendly camping locations near Bayport, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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