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Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park campgrounds offer pet-friendly camping within a 30-minute drive from the Twin Cities, with options ranging from tent sites and RV hookups to cabin rentals. The campground features spacious, shaded sites with ample privacy between neighbors, making it ideal for camping with dogs. Pets must be leashed throughout the park, including on the extensive paved trail system that surrounds the lake. The campground accommodates tents, RVs, and offers cabin options, all with pet-friendly policies. Campsite amenities include fire pits with grills, picnic tables, and access to clean showers and restroom facilities. The camping loops maintain good spacing between sites with trees and brush providing natural barriers, creating a more secluded feel despite proximity to urban areas.
The park offers multiple recreational opportunities for visitors with pets. A 3-mile paved trail encircles the lake, perfect for dog walking, while more ambitious hikers can access trails that connect all the way to Minneapolis. Centerville Lake features a swimming beach where dogs can cool off in designated areas. Despite being close to highways 35E and 35W, the road noise blends into background white noise for most campers without being disruptive. The park maintains a relatively short list of rules compared to other campgrounds, though staff regularly patrol to ensure compliance with pet policies and parking regulations. Wildlife encounters are possible, so keeping dogs properly leashed protects both local fauna and pets. The firewood available at the campground tends to smoke rather than burn well, so campers with pets planning evening campfires should consider purchasing wood from vendors outside the park.
"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"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"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 $25 - $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"One of our kids & her husband live in Minneapolis, a sister & several nieces & nephews live close by."
"Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."
from $21 - $29 / night
Check Availability"I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."
"It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"
from $20 - $32 / 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"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
Check Availability"It’s an easy on and off the interstate, super close to a gas station and RV wash bay. Also super close to some very large power lines. The kids enjoyed the compact playground and pool."
"Great spot close to attractions in the twin cities. The family friendly activities are perfect for families with younger kids, playground, swimming, crafts and games."
"Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground."
"The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."
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
GuideI never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!
GuideThis is a nice city campground with lovely views of the Rum River. There is a nice playground with a small climbing wall, benches to sit looking over the river. Picnic tables and a shelter are great for eating at. There is a dog park just across the river, within easy walking distance.
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.
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.
LegendThis was such a great spot! The campground is so nice and quiet!
Located 50 Miles NW of Minneapolis, and only 15 Miles from St. Cloud, MN.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers camping options within 20 minutes of Falcon Heights, with sites providing more seclusion than expected in an urban setting. The park maintains 93 acres of forest and lake terrain at an elevation of 971 feet, creating a microclimate that's typically 2-3 degrees cooler than downtown Minneapolis during summer months. Campsite layouts vary from open field options to heavily wooded sites where neighbors aren't visible.
Hiking network: 15+ miles of trails connect throughout Lebanon Hills Regional Park, allowing visitors to explore diverse terrain. "Great hiking. Nice clean bathrooms. Great amenities. Close to the zoo as well as the city," notes Rico R. The trail system includes both paved and unpaved paths for different experience levels.
Kayaking options: Rentals available on-site at multiple parks within 30 minutes of Falcon Heights. "Nice little lake to kayak on," says Chris S. about Lebanon Hills. Equipment rentals typically cost $12-18 per hour depending on kayak type, with most parks offering both single and double options.
Winter recreation: Year-round access at several dog friendly campgrounds near Falcon Heights. Willow River State Park remains open throughout winter with modified services. "Warm days and cool nights make for great camping and campfires," reports Keith M., noting that "June was the perfect time for us to go."
Beach swimming: Multiple parks offer designated swimming areas where pets can accompany owners to shorelines. At Willow River State Park Campground, "you are able to get in and swim" at certain river points according to Sarah L., who adds "We did SO many miles hiking!"
Natural screening between sites: Privacy despite proximity to other campers at many locations. At Baker Park Reserve, "the sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great," according to Bryan S., who adds it's ideal for "a quick weekend stay or a good place to spend an extended holiday weekend."
Diverse camping styles: Options beyond tent sites include cabins, yurts and glamping setups. Afton State Park offers unique accommodations: "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.
Proximity to attractions: Convenient base camp for exploring Twin Cities highlights. Jennifer H. notes that Town & Country Campground is "an easy on and off the interstate, super close to a gas station and RV wash bay... We're in town to catch a twins game and see the mall of America and this was a campground not too far from both."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning bird watching is productive at several parks near Falcon Heights. "We love Lebanon Hills! Close to home and an oasis in the middle of the Twin Cities," reports Katie C. The combination of wooded areas and water features attracts diverse bird species.
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for weekend camping during peak season (May-September). "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises Blair about Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Noise levels vary by location: Highway proximity affects some campsites more than others. At William O'Brien State Park, "when the wind died down, you could also occasionally hear the loud motorcycles on the highway," notes Dani K., though most visitors find this minimal.
Firewood quality differs between parks: Consider outside vendors for better burning materials. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, Bruce M. reports: "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere."
Insect preparation: Seasonal intensity varies but peaks in June and early July. "The mosquitoes were absolutely nuts!" reports Justin Q. about Rice Creek Campgrounds. Most campsites have adequate airflow in open areas but dense wooded sites retain more insects.
Playground access: Multiple play areas available at Bunker Hills Regional Park with different age-appropriate equipment. "The waterpark is a blast and we were able to find discount passes online," mentions Bryan S. The campground connects directly to recreation facilities via short trails.
Group site options: Designated areas for multiple families available at several parks. William O'Brien State Park offers group sites, though one camper notes "there was no way 35 people could have camped in W3," suggesting checking capacity limits before booking larger gatherings.
Swimming facilities: Beaches and pools provide cooling options during summer heat. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," points out Tiffany W. about Bunker Hills Regional Park. Most swimming areas are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers with interactive displays enhance camping trips. Baker Park Reserve offers "basic yet essential facilities, including clean showers and well-maintained restrooms," according to Alison O., making extended stays with children more comfortable.
Site spacing considerations: RV loops often differ from tent camping areas in terms of privacy. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, "Level private sites, lots of trees, Showers were clean," notes Corey P. RV sites are typically more open than tent-only areas at most parks.
Electrical capacity: Check amperage before booking as options vary between parks. Minneapolis Northwest KOA offers 50-amp service for larger rigs, while many state parks provide only 30-amp connections or electric-only sites without full hookups.
Dump station access: Not all parks with hookups have on-site dumping facilities. Town & Country Campground offers full-hookup sites, but for those in W&E-only spots, Jennifer H. notes "they have a dump station" available for use before departure.
Length restrictions: Measure total vehicle combination as some parks have deceptive limits. At Lebanon Hills Regional Park, one camper points out that "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Falcon Heights, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Falcon Heights, MN is Lebanon Hills Regional Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Falcon Heights, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 89 dog-friendly camping locations near Falcon Heights, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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