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Rice Creek Campgrounds features well-spaced, private sites with ample tree cover for pets and their owners across multiple camping loops. The campground offers both tent-only and RV-friendly sections where dogs are welcome, with a tent-only F Loop providing extra quiet without generator noise. Both Rice Creek Campgrounds and Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park maintain pet-friendly policies throughout their facilities, including cabins and glamping options at the Chain of Lakes location. Campsite amenities include fire rings with cooking grates, picnic tables, and access to potable water sources. The campgrounds enforce pet leash rules with staff making regular rounds to ensure compliance, and owners are expected to clean up after their animals.
Numerous paved trails connect through the Rice Creek park system, providing excellent options for dog walking with access all the way into Minneapolis for more adventurous hikers. The Chain of Lakes location offers beach access where many visitors enjoy taking their dogs, though specific pet swimming areas aren't designated. William O'Brien State Park and Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake offer additional pet-friendly campsites within driving distance, both featuring cabin accommodations that accept dogs. Visitors frequently mention the firewood quality varies at Rice Creek, with recommendations to purchase from vendors outside the park for better burning results. The campgrounds remain popular for their combination of natural setting and proximity to Twin Cities amenities, with most sites requiring advance reservations during peak summer season from May through September.
"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"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"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"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"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"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"This is our home away from home. It's the perfect place for your kids to be kids like we did in the 90's home by the time the street lights come on. Us parents can finally relax!"
"The lake is nice. Good luck catching fish though. Bill the manager is a great guy! Definitely ex military veteran!"
from $20 - $110 / 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"This this is an amazing Campground with two heated pools one up top and one down below they're also campsites located right alongside the river the campground offers tubing disc golf and many other activities"
from $30 - $150 / night
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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!
TravelerWe decided to make a spontaneous camping trip one weekend and found ourselves at Frontenac. The cart-in site we were at was very spacious but wasn't as secluded as we would have hoped. We didn't feel claustrophobic by any means but we could see several other sites from ours. We went early in the year and maybe the summer growth solves that problem. Bathrooms nearby but no water available. It was also windy enough in the evening that we called it an early night but I think that was just a front movingly through and had less to do with the hill we were on.
We went on a hike that showed off the wonderful bluffs along the Mississippi. As far as camping in Minnesota goes we prefer the options on the North Shore, but really enjoyed Frontenac and will be back to continue exploring.
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.
TravelerStaying here currently & they have been very accommodating, friendly & flexible. Water & electric hookup but no sewer however there is a dump station, a bathhouse with real toilets & nice showers. Pretty quiet for being so close to the main highway. My cats are able to free roam the property & my dog can be tied up outside. Usually pretty nice neighbors too.
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.
Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers well-spaced campsites within 20 minutes of North St. Paul, providing quick access to urban amenities while maintaining a natural setting. The park system connects to Minneapolis via paved trails spanning over 14 miles. Winter camping is available at select campgrounds in the area, with temperatures often dropping below 20°F from December through February.
Hiking at waterfalls: Willow River State Park Campground features numerous trails leading to scenic falls. "Willow River falls is definitely a beautiful site to see. Definitely a place to camp if you like to be active and explore the trails. Winter, summer or fall!" notes Jessica B. The park no longer has a beach but compensates with extensive hiking options.
Kayaking and water activities: Local lakes offer multiple paddling options within 30 minutes of North St. Paul. "Nice little lake to kayak on," writes Chris S. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park, which rents single and double kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards during summer months.
Winter recreation: Several parks maintain groomed trails for winter activities. The Interstate State Park area features unique glacial potholes that remain accessible year-round. "When the river ran 200' higher than it does today, tornados of water eroded smooth round, massive holes in the rock. Some are so big that they still to this day have no idea how deep they go," explains Erik R.
Secluded tent sites: Tent campers appreciate the F Loop at Rice Creek Campgrounds for its generator-free environment. "Tent camp sites are far enough from each other that neighbors can't be seen, and we didn't hear them either," says Blair about the tent camping areas, noting that "the bathroom facility near the ranger station was very well maintained and cleaned several times a day."
Privacy between sites: Afton State Park Campground offers terrain features that create natural separation. "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion," reports Andrew C. about the prairie camping areas.
Clean facilities: Many campers note the well-maintained facilities at dog friendly campgrounds near North St. Paul. "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," writes Joanne M. about facilities at Lebanon Hills.
Seasonal insect challenges: Bug populations vary dramatically by season and campground. "Horseflies nonstop attacked us. To not get bite we had to run around like chickens with our heads cut off!" warns Ariel H. about summer camping at Rice Creek Campgrounds. Mosquitoes peak in July and August.
Firewood quality concerns: Multiple campgrounds receive mixed reviews on firewood quality. "Many campsites are fantastic with good spacing and shade. Access to lake is great. Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere," advises Bruce M.
Site reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. One visitor to Bunker Hills notes, "Based on the lack of Dyrt reviews and the overabundance of weekend availability for this campground, it might be a nice option for you to get camping even if you are a state-park-loving metro dweller like me."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near North St. Paul, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near North St. Paul, MN is Willow River State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 63 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near North St. Paul, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 90 dog-friendly camping locations near North St. Paul, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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