Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers spacious campsites with natural screening between sites. The campground sits at approximately 920 feet above sea level within Minnesota's Anoka Sand Plain, a region characterized by sandy soils and abundant lakes. Winter temperatures average 15°F while summer months typically range from 70-85°F with higher humidity from June through August.
What to do
Hiking trail exploration: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park features extensive trail systems perfect for daily walks with dogs. "Wonderful site! Feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities. Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!" says Max P., highlighting the scenic beauty throughout the park.
Beach access: Visitors can walk along Centerville Lake's shoreline, providing lakeside recreation during summer months. "Stayed here when we got our first camper and it is nicely shaded large sites. Great walking paths and clean restrooms. Great for a quick weekend camping trip," notes Courtney C., emphasizing the park's water features.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at Bunker Hills Regional Park provide opportunities to spot deer, various bird species, and small mammals. "I went to this park for the first time last weekend, and I spent the entire time just saying 'wow'. I had never been here before, despite it only being 20 minutes away," shares Krista T., highlighting the park's unexpected natural diversity.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: William O'Brien State Park Campground offers secluded camping spots with natural barriers between sites. "I have long overlooked William O'Brien because I thought you had to drive a long way to get away. I was wrong!" states Karla J.B., noting the park's accessibility despite feeling remote.
Convenient overnight options: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Blaine provide ideal quick getaways. "This is a beautiful park and the campsites for the most part all seem spacious, and the loop we were in (whichever one site 52 is in) all had decent tree cover," reports Krista T. about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes.
Quality campsite amenities: Fire pits, picnic tables, and level tent pads are standard at most pet-welcoming sites. "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," shares Ashley J. about her experience camping with basic comforts at Rice Creek.
What you should know
Road noise variations: Lebanon Hills Regional Park provides more insulation from traffic sounds than some other options. "Lebanon Hills is a great park and has a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Our family selected this camp ground to test out some gear... Turns out this is a wonderful camp ground and offers a lot of seclusion," explains Blair, noting that "the only criticisms we have are that you can hear road noise."
Seasonal bug intensity: Bug populations peak from June through August, particularly near wetland areas. "My husband and I paid for one night at a non electric drive in tent site... As we slowly whined down a gravel road the trees became more dense, our site seemed perfect for the two of us! Picnic table and fire pit centered and to our left a designated tent landing area," reports Ariel H. at Rice Creek Campgrounds, though she warns about horsefly problems in summer.
Firewood considerations: Local firewood quality varies by campground and season. "Many campsites are fantastic with good spacing and shade. Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere," advises Bruce M. about Rice Creek Campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for easier supervision. "The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with," shares Angela L. about Baker Campground, noting family-friendly amenities.
Water recreation options: Multiple parks offer swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. "This campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities. The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great. With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," explains Bryan S.
Nature center activities: Several pet-friendly campgrounds feature educational centers with programs for children. "The bathroom facility has seen better days. The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours," mentions Krista T. about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Willow River State Park Campground offers various site options depending on RV size and desired privacy. "This campground is really beautiful. It's big with over a hundred sites, some with power. No water at the site. Water nearby at stations. Large campsites, most with thick wooded areas between the sites," explains leif D., noting the campground layout.
Seasonal availability: Reserve pet-friendly RV sites 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends. "Booking was fairly easy through their website, and you can 'hover' over the sites to see a photo of it. I chose the one I wanted and hoped it would be what we wanted it to be," shares Amy G. about Rice Creek Campgrounds.
Utility connections: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Blaine offer electric hookups, but water access varies by site. "I liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays," notes Angela L. from Lebanon Hills Regional Park, highlighting the spacious layout compared to typical RV parks.
