Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Nerstrand, MN
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground welcomes dogs throughout its spacious campsites and hiking trails, requiring pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet at all times. Sites are slightly open with limited privacy between campers, though the park's well-maintained trails provide ample opportunities for pet exercise. The campground features clean restrooms and shower facilities adjacent to pet-friendly camping areas. Tent pads have been upgraded to pea gravel by the park's active friends association, providing comfortable surfaces for camping with dogs. Large trees throughout the park offer good shade for pets during summer months. Sites for both tents and RVs accommodate dogs with no additional pet fees, though owners must pick up after their pets and prevent excessive barking.
Hiking trails at Nerstrand provide excellent options for exercising dogs, with the Hidden Falls trail accessible directly from the campground. This popular trail features a creek where dogs can wade under supervision, offering cooling relief on warm days. Trails through the deciduous forest are well-maintained and relatively easy for dogs to navigate. Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Lake Byllesby Regional Park, both within 30 minutes of Nerstrand, provide additional pet-friendly camping options with similar policies. Wildlife encounters are possible throughout these parks, so maintaining control of pets protects both native animals and dogs. The nearby town of Northfield (approximately 12 miles away) offers pet supply options and veterinary services if needed. Campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions in Minnesota that could affect pets, particularly during spring and fall when temperatures can fluctuate significantly.












