Dog-Friendly Camping near Circle Pines, MN

Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park provides convenient cabin camping and RV sites just 15 miles north of Minneapolis-St. Paul. This area features elevations ranging from 875-910 feet above sea level within Anoka County's mixed hardwood forests. While summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during peak camping season, evening lows often drop to a comfortable 55-65°F, creating ideal conditions for campfires.

What to do

Water sports on Centerville Lake: The campground provides access to kayaks and canoes for exploring the Rice Creek system. "I went camping alone on this campground, I brought my smaller 20ft trailer and had the most peaceful experience" notes a visitor to Rice Creek Campgrounds.

Trail exploration: Multiple interconnected trail systems provide options for hiking, biking, and nature observation. "Great park 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. Most of the trail heads start at the campground," reports a camper from Willow River State Park Campground.

Winter camping: Several parks maintain year-round camping availability for cold-weather enthusiasts. "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. As you can imagine, this meant snow was everywhere in the heart of winter in Minnesota. We decided to take a night trek through the park. The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent."

What campers like

Proximity to the metro area: Many campers appreciate the ability to escape quickly from city life. "I have long overlooked William O'Brien because I thought you had to drive a long way to get away. I was wrong!" shares a reviewer from William O'Brien State Park Campground.

Campsite spacing: Campers consistently mention the balance of privacy and community at several area campgrounds. "The family had an absolute blast! Nice clean site, community water pump worked great! Staff at the visitor center were super friendly and informational."

Nature immersion: Despite suburban locations, many campsites maintain natural surroundings. "Level private sites, lots of trees, Showers were clean. Would definitely camp again," writes a visitor about Rice Creek Campgrounds.

What you should know

Seasonal insects: Summer campers should prepare for mosquitoes and horseflies, especially in wooded areas. "My husband and I paid for one night at a non electric drive in tent site. When you first pull in to the park there were an average amount of annoying bugs, especially for an 85 to 90 degree, summer day in a highly vegetative, woodsy park."

Campground layout variations: Some campgrounds separate tent and RV areas for different camping experiences. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious. There are both primitive (tent) non-electric sites, and sites with electricity, even some 50 amp," notes a camper at Bunker Hills Regional Park.

Firewood quality: Quality can vary between campgrounds and during different seasons. "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."

Tips for camping with families

Activity options: Parks with diverse recreational facilities work well for mixed-age groups. "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," shares a visitor to Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.

Shower facilities: For longer stays with children, campgrounds with modern shower houses provide additional comfort. "The shower house was very clean and roomy and an easy walk from the camp sites. We didn't take advantage of the nearby lake or other numerous activities because we used it as a base camp for the Mall of America."

Site selection for privacy: When camping with families, site selection can impact the experience. "We stayed at site 72 which is at the beginning of the loop. This site isn't as secluded by trees as the other sites and we weren't able to position our pop up to face into the camping spot which was a little bit of a downer since this spot is on the inner loop. Our spot was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area."

Tips from RVers

Hookup options: Electrical service varies between campgrounds, with some offering premium connections. "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 -- if we had problems or if we forgot something it was a short drive home," notes a visitor to Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

Campsite sizing: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Circle Pines offer varied site dimensions for different RV types. "The 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."

Generator restrictions: Several parks enforce quiet hours and generator limitations. "I would visit again. There were lots of people, but it was easy to take a walk and get some space and some nature."