Baker Campground in Baker Park Reserve offers electric hookups and tent, RV, and cabin options for campers with pets. Located in Medina, this campground maintains clean facilities with private shower rooms that make managing pets during cleanup much easier. The campground's well-maintained trails connect directly to Lake Independence, providing convenient water access for dogs. Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids similarly welcomes pets with cabin accommodations and electric hookups. Minneapolis Northwest KOA in Maple Grove extends pet-friendly policies to all accommodation types including cabins, glamping options, and yurts. Sites at Baker are spacious enough for families with pets to spread out, though some campers note the sites lack privacy barriers between neighbors.
The paved 6-mile trail system throughout Baker Park Reserve provides excellent walking opportunities for dogs, with multiple trail connections allowing for varied route options. Lake Independence offers water access points where pets can cool off during summer months. Sites in the D loop at Baker provide wide open spaces particularly suitable for dogs that need room to stretch out while remaining leashed. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in the area strictly enforce leash policies, with no designated off-leash areas within the campgrounds themselves. Wildlife encounters are common in these parks, so keeping pets secured is essential for both wildlife and pet safety. Temperature fluctuations in Minnesota summers require special consideration for pets, with shaded sites available at Bunker Hills and Baker Park offering relief during hot weather.
$21 - $29 / night
"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."
$24 - $42 / night
"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"
"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."
$20 - $32 / night
"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"
$15 - $18 / night
"This campground even has 2 walking/hike-in campsites to give your avid campers a real out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind if feel, like you drove hundreds if miles to get away from the hustle and bussle"
"But the Eady walk to the lake, sitting on the dock or the grass and swimming III m the water are a great way to destress."
$20 - $75 / night
"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."
$40 - $50 / night
"It was a large back in site with plenty of room for our two very large dogs. The water wasn't turned on yet, but we were able to fill our fresh water tank with a hose from their laundromat."
"The grass around the lots is very green, lush and well maintained. Campground is right next to the hotel/casino and very much within walking distance."
"Family friendly campground with educational activities. campsites are close together but it is a close drive from the cities and a nice place for families. Nice walking & biking trails."
"We had site 57, which is more expensive but is also very large, surrounded by trees and has a patio, the other campsite sizes vary greatly with some being very small, it's very easy for groups to camp"
"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."
"Some road noise, but you are in the city so expected, but yet still quieter then in some areas being close to things. I recommend this park."
"Tons of trails and camping. 🏕"
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.
Campgrounds near Medicine Lake offer pet-friendly options within 30 minutes of downtown Minneapolis. Located in Hennepin County at an elevation of 889 feet, Medicine Lake experiences humid continental climate with average summer temperatures between 70-85°F and evening lows in the 60s. Most campgrounds require advance reservations with higher weekend availability rates during July and August.
Bike paved trail systems: Baker Park Reserve features 6+ miles of paved trails connecting to regional routes. "The sites are larger than average. This is a big campground with a lot of paved bike trails and a nice lake a short walk away," notes Melissa H., who visited in early spring.
Kayak and paddleboard: Lake Auburn Campground offers non-motorized water recreation on a smaller lake. "Nice little lake to kayak on," says Chris S., while UnnamedAdventures noted the campground has "an unguarded beach, playground, volleyball court and tons of miles of trails to shred on foot or bike."
Swimming at waterparks: Bunker Hills Regional Park combines camping with waterpark access. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," says Tiffany W., while Arielle P. explains the park has "a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved."
Nature programming: Children's activities run regularly during summer months at campgrounds. "The playground is good for kids and they have programs every Saturday night, some of the ones we've been to were about bugs, raptors, bees, and snakes," Missy B. reports about Lake Auburn.
Private shower facilities: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers well-maintained bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms were among some of the nicest I've used at a campground. The shower stall was big enough for a meaty human like myself to shower comfortably," says Joanne M.
Spacious sites in C-loop: Baker Campground offers more private sites in certain areas. "Loved this site! Super peaceful vibes, nice tree cover, flat tent pad, and plenty of space to spread out. It's tucked just enough off the path to feel private, but not so far that you feel isolated," Alison O. commented about site C14.
Proximity to Twin Cities: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park provides urban-adjacent camping. "Feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities. Great beach & sunrise," says Max P., while another camper noted it's "close to home. Decent amenities, however NOT the feel of a State Park. Think suburbia meets nature."
Dog-friendly hiking options: Most campgrounds near Medicine Lake welcome pets with varied trail access. "Every time I've been here, it's been an exciting and/relaxing experience. I come back here every year and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun yet secluded adventure," Andrea T. writes about Carver Park Reserve, which connects to multiple dog-walking paths.
Site privacy varies significantly: Dog friendly campgrounds near Medicine Lake generally have open sites with limited screening between neighbors. "The sites are about as private as the typical state park, so not very, but that is offset by all the other positives this campground has to offer," says Bryan S. about Baker Park Reserve.
Seasonal crowds: Weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day typically reach full capacity. "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May," advises Blair about Lake Auburn Campground.
Campground quality differences: Town & Country Campground receives mixed reviews for site spacing. "You are basically drove insane from the constant gawking eyes of judge mental neighbors. Campsites aren't even spaced out to where you have ANY privacy. The campsites are on top of one another. You are less than ten feet from your neighbors," reports Chanel C.
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. "You can hear road noise — and depending on your site you'll hear the alarm of one of the access gates for the Minnesota Zoo," notes Blair about camping in Lebanon Hills.
Choose sites near playgrounds: Multiple dog-friendly campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with," explains Angela L. about Lebanon Hills' East Loop.
Look for educational programming: Carver Park Reserve offers nature classes. "Family friendly campground with educational activities. campsites are close together but it is a close drive from the cities and a nice place for families. Nice walking & biking trails," says Tegan C.
Consider weekday stays: Sites offer more space and less noise during weekdays. "The campground staff checked us in quickly, and gave us the rundown on all the amenities. We headed to our spot, which backed up to a beautiful wooded area, with plenty of grass to walk our wondermutt," notes Joanne M. about a weekday stay at Lebanon Hills.
Bring bug protection: Minnesota's summer months bring mosquitoes, particularly near water. "The bugs are aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area," warns Zach H. about camping at Minneapolis Northwest KOA.
Check site sizes before booking: Dakotah Meadows RV Park offers concrete pads for larger rigs. "Sites are paved and have well-maintained grass. We were located near the casino road, which has an occasional loud car, even at night," notes Chris F.
Hookup availability varies: Most campgrounds offer electric, but fewer have full hookups. "We have also stayed in the pull through sites, but not really a fan of those. Still, I would choose this park over others in the area for the access to 494 and 35W," explains Tom D. about Dakotah Meadows.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide on-site dumping. "The site had a nice picnic table, which we used to help sort out our new (to us) trailer storage. We didn't use the fire ring, but it would have made for a nice campfire. We had full hookups, even though we only needed water and electric," Joanne M. reports about Lebanon Hills.
Reservation requirements: Popular dog-friendly campgrounds near Medicine Lake often require minimum stays. "You'll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I'd say almost all of them were booked," reports Joe R. about Baker Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Medicine Lake, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Medicine Lake, MN is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Medicine Lake, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 83 dog-friendly camping locations near Medicine Lake, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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