Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers practical cabin camping experiences for pet owners and families. Located within a 30-minute drive north of Minneapolis, this area features distinctive seasonal variations that affect camping conditions. Mosquitoes and horseflies peak in July, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures and fewer insects for camping with dogs.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: For active campers, Bunker Hills Regional Park offers a top-rated disc golf course just 20 minutes from New Brighton. "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)," notes Lynsey M., who appreciated this unexpected amenity during their Minnesota travels.
River activities: The St. Croix River at William O'Brien State Park provides excellent paddling opportunities. "You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite," shares Laura E. about the natural encounters possible when staying at the Savanna Campground within the park.
Sunrise watching: Morning views at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes are particularly rewarding. "Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!" states Max P., highlighting one of the natural spectacles available to early risers at this pet-friendly camping destination.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Lebanon Hills Regional Park receives consistent praise for its secluded camping spots. "Our family selected this camp ground to test out some gear. Turns out this is a wonderful camp ground and offers a lot of seclusion. Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen, and we didn't hear them either," reports Blair about their experience.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds near New Brighton maintain excellent restroom standards. "The bathroom facility near the ranger station was very well maintained and cleaned several times a day," notes Blair about Lebanon Hills, a detail particularly important for families or extended stays.
Easy trail access: Campers appreciate the interconnected trail systems. "Paved trails surrounding the park provide excellent walking paths for dogs, with routes extending around the nearby lake (3 miles) or connecting all the way to Minneapolis for more adventurous hikers," according to visitor reports from Rice Creek Chain of Lakes.
What you should know
Seasonal insect patterns: Different camping areas have varying bug populations. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, Justin Q. notes: "The mosquitoes were absolutely nuts!" This feedback from August reinforces the importance of timing your visit if insects are a concern.
Site selection strategy: Request specific site types when booking. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, one camper learned: "If you wanted one with trees I needed to put a note on my reservation. He also suggested calling the office and requesting a site with trees."
Firewood considerations: Quality varies by location. "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere," advises Bruce M. about Rice Creek Campgrounds, suggesting campers might want to source wood from local vendors instead.
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Baker Campground offers swimming options beyond standard beaches. "We love to camp here. Access to lake independence. A lot of biking trails. Nice clean bathrooms. Nice park for kids just a small hike away," shares Matt H., highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy animal encounters at these parks. "We even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite," reports Laura E. about William O'Brien State Park, demonstrating the natural education possibilities.
Playground proximity: Some sites offer better access to play areas. "Our spot was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area. 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 Regional Park.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Willow River State Park provides more spacious options for larger vehicles. "Large campsites, most with thick wooded areas between the sites. Most of the trail heads start at the campground," notes Leif D., highlighting the accessibility for RVers who also want to explore on foot.
Electric hookup loops: For those requiring power, specific loops are designated for RVs. "We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. It has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps," explains Angela L. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park, providing useful information about utilities.
Road noise factors: Highway proximity affects some pet-friendly camping near New Brighton. "We appreciated being in a no-generator loop, which kept things peaceful—though highway noise was noticeable in the evenings," reports Maria D. about her Willow River experience, suggesting noise-sensitive campers should consider site location carefully.