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Sunset Pines Campground welcomes pets at their 30 RV sites, tent areas, cabins, and glamping accommodations near Hackensack. Bayside Cabins Resort also permits dogs with their cabin reservations, making it ideal for pet owners seeking amenities beyond traditional tent camping. The Shingobee Recreation Area offers free dispersed camping in the national forest where pets can join their owners exploring the North Country Trail. Most campgrounds in the area feature dedicated fire rings, picnic tables, and trash collection, though pet-specific amenities like designated dog walks or washing stations aren't explicitly mentioned in reviews. Campsites typically require dogs to remain leashed in common areas, but policies vary by location. The campgrounds maintain clean facilities including showers and toilets for human guests. The Dyrt provides user ratings for locations near Hackensack, Minnesota.
The North Country Trail passing through Shingobee Recreation Area provides excellent walking opportunities for dogs and owners on well-maintained, wide pathways. Many campsites near Hackensack offer direct lake access, allowing dogs swimming opportunities at properties like Akeley City Campground with its small dock and beach area. Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp sits between three small ponds, though campers should watch for local wildlife including beavers that share these waters. Winter camping possibilities exist at several locations, particularly Shingobee Recreation Area where the sheltered tree coverage provides good protection from elements while the trail becomes groomed for cross-country skiing. Road noise can be noticeable at some dispersed camping locations close to highways. Quietwoods Campground receives praise for its peaceful setting on a quality lake for both humans and four-legged companions, with sufficient space between sites offering privacy while camping with pets.
"We all had a great time riding 4 wheelers on the Spider Lake trails a few miles away. Great sites, great time!"
"Clean bathrooms, nice ppl....sites right on the lake & a little beach to sit at...seems small but a lot of big rigs fit just fine"
from $52 / night
Check Availability"Great campground right on Leech Lake. A quick drive to Walker if you need any supplies. Plenty of options for getting firewood near by."
"Good spot close to Walker MN. Site location does matter. Waterfront sites are amazing we stay on the back side away from the beach. Well maintained and quiet."
from $26 / night
Check Availability"The North Country Trail passes by this site and most sites on the NCT are free! (except for some that are in State Parks, etc). This free site is a very short walk from a parking area/trailhead."
"There is a campsite directly off the road or more down the trails. This is national forest land so free camping."
"It is accessible to the Heartland and Paul Bunyan Bike Trails. Walker is a cute little town - only 4 miles away by bike on the trails. The campground has a nice swimming pol and laundry facilities."
"We had a full h u Campsite the pool was beautifull and the Biketrail near by the RV park . A very good Restaurant nearby . From the Campground to Walker City 4 Miles We come back"
from $35 - $100 / night
Check Availability"We love Minnesota, almost more than we love Wisconsin - only because the natural beauty and the numerous, non-ending lakes to explore."
"Right on the lake so kids spent a lot of time in the lake and on the lake fishing. Shower house has bathroom and washer & dryer."
"It was a spur of the moment decision to stay at Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp 1 on the North Country Trail for my first solo hiking experience!"
"Awesome camping spot right on the lake with a small dock to fish off of and people to launch your boat. The h"
"Beautiful clean lake. Can't ask for more for only $55- a night."
LegendFun for the whole family. Amenities include: playground, pool, lake, dog park, and store. Each site has a table and fire pit. Keep an eye on your account. We noticed goggles charged to ours even though none of the 3 of us bought any. Somebody must've given them the wrong site number to charge to. Overall great campground, but a little spendy.
LegendCAMPGROUND REVIEW
Itasca State Park is a primo destination in northern Minnesota for folks interested in exploring the headwaters of the Mississippi River. There are several campgrounds, group camps, cabins and lodge accomodations in the park that suit most visitors. But for folks who want a wilderness experience while at the headwaters, there are miles of wilderness trails in the backcountry area on the southern end of the park—and there are campsites and Adirondack shelters scattered throughout the myriad glacial lakes of this backcountry, enough so that you could backpack by foot or on snowshoes or cross country skis for a week through the territory, staying at a different lakes every night. April in Minnesota means we are still winter camping—but despite the snow, the sun is bright and warm, and it is great to get out into it. The park is at its peak of solitude in the winter, but if you can find a way to get to a campsite, they are open and reservable. This review is for Remote Campsite 11, located on an isthmus between Coffee Break Lake and Deer Park Lake. It is a several mile hike in from the nearest parking areas, either via Mary Kake and the Ozawindib Trail, or via the Deer Park Trail from Douglas Lodge. The trail is rolling and maintained for cross country skiers, snowshoers and snowhikers in the winter. This campsite is located just past the Ozawindib Adirondack Shelter, which is a good backup if its too windy or cold at the campsite. The campsite itself is down a hill by the lakeshore, between two lakes actually, on a rise that overlooks both. There is an additional campsite nearby on the south end of Deer Park Lake, campsite 10. There is a tent pad sheltered under the tall pines (and currently under the snow!) as well as a fire ring and an outhouse. There is no water provided, but a large bucket is available, so you can get lake water and filter it, or melt snow or bring your own. This is a great location for folks who like winter camping as the trek in is only a few miles, I was able to do it easily carrying a backpack of gear on my back, and a front pack with my dog when she got tired if trudging through the snow. And of course it is an easy hike in during the milder snow-free seasons. The site is scenic, pristine, and largely sheltered from the wind. The vista north over Coffee Break Lake would be awesome for viewing northern lights, this is a dark sky part of the park. It can get a little muddy in the transition season, including around the campfire area, so we hung out at the Adirondack shelter nearby and did our cooking there.
To see a map and reserve a back country campsite at Itasca, check this link:
https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/Facilities/AdvanceSearch.aspx
For more info on Remote Camping in Minnesota State Parks, see this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/remote_camping.html
For general info on Itasca State Park, go to the homepage: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181#homepage
PRODUCT REVIEW
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I ocasionally get camping products to test out. Today I am testing Mountain House Southwest Breakfast Hash https://www.mountainhouse.com/m/product/spicy-southwest-breakfast-hash.html
Mountain House makes lightwieght, freeze-dried trail meals that are "cooked" in their own pouches using only boiling water. The sealed pouches are durable and lightwieght to carry, and the no-fuss no-muss prep of adding boiling water and letting it stand for 4 minutes in the re-sealable pouch is really easy. Since I was carrying my gear on my back, and carrying my tired little dog in a front pack carrier, I certainly didnt want to have extra weight! But these meal pouches are so light you hardly know you are carrying them. This pouch of SW breakfast hash had more than enough for two people plus some leftover for the dog, we served it up on tortillas that we had also packed, but you could eat it straight up. The hash featured beans, corn, potatoes, veggies and shredded beef for a well rounded complete meal as is, but you could extend the servings by scrambling it with eggs to dish up for a larger group. The taste and texture were surprisingly good, tasty without being too spicy, and I would defintiely buy this again. See our video review at https://youtu.be/nB9lBmjUsqU
TravelerA great little campground right near the town (easy to bike in for coffee or beer) but it feels like you're deep in the northwoods! Some sites are better than others in terms of privacy. The bathrooms were always clean. Situated right on a quarry with fun fishing and kayaking opportunities. Connects to the mountain bike trails too! They do charge for pets.
ScoutWe had electric site and easily fit our 27 foot trailer. Beautiful campground. Lots of biking and hiking trails. Pets allowed.
Ranger
LegendWhile this seems to be mainly an "RV" campground, but there were a few cabins on the lake and two gorgeous tent sites that would be the envy of many other camps. They were ideal, especially for the family that wanted the "tent" experience without having to huff it through the woods with toddlers in tow.
Sleeping Fawn is very clearly marked from the road, and although they don't say "campground" on the sign, there are a few tent sites available. It's about a 3/4 mile drive off the main road, but signage is apparent the entire way, and it's super easy to find once you get there. There is an office for check in, cabins to rent and lots of RV sites available too. Even though RV's seem to dominate here, the roadway through the woods and past them is peaceful and serene. Pine needles cover the ground and create a softness to the scenery. The posts that mark each site are wooden, tall, and are clearly numbered. Close to the entrance is a "tent parking" area, a cart for hauling your things, and 2 tent pads, just across the drive and down a little path about 20 yards. Perfect!
The tent sites are far enough apart to be "separate", but close enough that if you had family or friends, they are close by. Garbage cans are at the split in the path between #1 and #2 and each site has a fire ring, picnic table, gorgeous, flat tent pad and a view of the lake. And again, if you needed something from the car, it's a 50 yard walk. Not a 3 mile trudge through the woods.
Camping in tents May 18 - Oct 1
Camping rates were a bit steep for my liking, but I like primitive sites in the woods. So if you were a family trying to introduce wee ones to camping, it would still be worth it. $28 for a site as of 2018. Or a weekly rate of $170. Showers and laundry available, as well as free coffee in the morning. They also have a beach, nature trail, small store and other amenities.
NOTE: Pets are not allowed at this resort
TravelerThis campground is in Paul Bunyan State Forest. First come, first serve. No ATVs are allowed, perfect if you have young kids on bikes. There are no hook ups at all. Must have a generator for power. Water is available but not at every site. Pets are allowed. Outside toilets are clean. This is a quiet camp ground. The site includes a table and fire ring. There is no place to dock your boat over night. Keep in mind these sites are only $14 a night. There is a host but no security. There are signs up warning about bears.
ScoutAmazing, Family-owned campground, just far enough from “the cities” to get away for the weekend, without spending too much time in the car. Clean bathrooms, nice sized park for kids, pool (not open in Sept), lake with ample docks for fishing or you can rent boats. The “general store” has everything you need from souvenirs to wood, to marshmallows for s’mores, and all at reasonable prices. Each campsite has electrical hookup, picnic table and fire pit. Pets welcome.
ScoutWhat an amazing find and diamond in the rough! This resort is amazing, quiet, clean, friendly people, and pet friendly! Only a 3 mile ride down the gravel to get to ATV trails, and a premium gas pump to fill up with when you get back at the resort after riding. Private boat launch and swimming beach make it fun for the kids and convenient for dad to dock his boat to go fishing. Will definitely book a stay here again, soon!
Pet friendly camping near Hackensack, Minnesota centers around lakes with fishing opportunities and forested campsites. The area sits within the Chippewa National Forest where elevations range from 1,300-1,400 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures typically reaching 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter campers should note that temperatures can drop below zero, though sheltered forest sites provide some protection from harsh winds.
Explore the North Country Trail: The trail near Shingobee Recreation Area offers wide, well-maintained paths suitable for dogs and hikers. "The North Country Trail passes by this site and most sites on the NCT are free! Because it's on the NCT, the trail that passes the camp is extremely well maintained and groomed, not to mention super wide!" notes Amy G.
Swimming with pets: Dogs enjoy cooling off at Akeley City Campground where there's lake access with a small beach area. "Awesome camping spot right on the lake with a small dock to fish off of and people to launch your boat," reports Kelly C., making this an ideal spot for dogs who enjoy water.
Winter sports opportunities: Cross-country skiing becomes available when campgrounds transition to winter mode. A reviewer mentioned about Shingobee: "In the winter, this trail is groomed for Cross Country Skiing, so it would be super accessible as a camp if you were skiing." Winter camping options mean year-round adventure possibilities for campers with cold-weather gear.
Quiet settings: Quietwoods Campground & Resort receives praise for its peaceful environment. Isaac E. notes it's a "Great campground on an even better lake," providing the tranquility many seek when camping with pets.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention shower cleanliness at Trails RV Park. "It was a very clean park. You can tell they take care of it. Showers were nice. Pool was warm," states Adam L. This matters especially after outdoor activities with pets.
Wildlife viewing: The ponds at Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp offer natural encounters. One camper warns to watch for "beavers" sharing the water areas. These wildlife sightings add to the camping experience but require keeping pets under control to avoid disturbing local animals.
Site locations matter: Some campgrounds have significant variations between sites. About Stony Point, David G. advises, "Site location does matter. Waterfront sites are amazing we stay on the back side away from the beach."
Seasonal considerations: Facilities change depending on when you visit. At Stony Point, one camper reported, "Showers and Fishhouse have had issues to the point where they were not reopened this year," highlighting the importance of checking current amenities.
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds require navigating hills or uneven ground. At Tuck-a-way Resort, Brent G. cautions, "There is also a pretty decent hill you have to go down to get to your site so if you're nervous or new to pulling a camper just be aware." This becomes important when managing pets while setting up camp.
Playground access: Sunset Pines Campground provides dedicated play areas for children. Sarah G. shared, "Kids loved the heated pool and tether ball! We all had a great time riding 4 wheelers on the Spider Lake trails a few miles away."
Beach swimming options: Family-friendly water activities await at several locations. Rachel H. describes Stony Point: "The small, sandy beach is clean and provides a large swimming area. The boat ramp is convenient and easy to use, also free."
Exploration opportunities: Natural settings encourage kids to discover. About Stony Point, Faith T. mentions, "Kids were always exploring. There are two different locations within walking distance to beach your boat overnight within the campsite." These environments provide educational opportunities for children while camping with pets.
Hookup availability: Bayside Cabins Resort offers pet-friendly accommodations beyond traditional camping. Lesley R. describes, "Adorable cabins, with nice layout, on Pine Mountain Lake, which is one of many is of Minnesota's hidden treasured lakes."
Site spacing: RVers appreciate campsites with adequate room between neighbors. At Trails RV Park, Cindy B. notes, "The sites are large and level. It is accessible to the Heartland and Paul Bunyan Bike Trails."
Seasonal site options: Many campgrounds near Hackensack offer both temporary and long-term options. About Trails RV Park, Stacy B. explains, "This is mostly a seasonal site campground with 20 or so regular use sites. Camp store very nice and receptionist is very nice." Understanding this helps visitors know what to expect regarding availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hackensack, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hackensack, MN is Sunset Pines Campground with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Hackensack, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 180 dog-friendly camping locations near Hackensack, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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