Lebanon Hills Regional Park accommodates pets throughout its camping areas with spacious sites that provide privacy despite being close to the Twin Cities. The park maintains clean facilities and designated pet walking areas, making it popular with campers traveling with dogs. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground also welcomes pets with fire rings and picnic tables at each site, though the campground layout is relatively open with limited privacy between sites. Both parks offer electric hookups, drinking water, and reservable sites. The bathrooms at these locations are consistently clean and well-maintained. Campers note that Lebanon Hills feels secluded despite its suburban location, creating an ideal environment for pets that need regular walks.
The Cannon River Wilderness Area provides a more primitive camping experience for hikers with pets, featuring free tent sites accessible only by foot or paddle. These sites require backpacking all supplies in but offer a quieter experience away from RVs. Lake Byllesby Regional Park and Campground allows pets at both tent and RV sites with boat access available for water-loving dogs. Most campgrounds in the area enforce standard leash policies and request that owners clean up after their pets. The terrain around Northfield offers numerous hiking opportunities on pet-friendly trails. Seasonal campers with pets particularly appreciate the early spring to late fall operating seasons at most parks, with Lebanon Hills and Lake Byllesby typically open from late April through mid-October.
$24 - $34 / night
"To be on the safe side, incase we had issues, we decided to stay close to home so we decided to hit up a new park, Nerstrand Big Woods State Park just outside Northfield, Minnesota."
"A friend and I stayed here over Jesse James Day (Northfield; 20 minute drive; $30 cab ride). The trails near and around the campground itself were great!"
$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"
"Near lake and excellent bike path. Great brewery and winery close by."
"Lakeside sites are close together, with W/E hookups, but they’re right in the lake with a wonderful view. The facilities are very clean and well-kept."
$39 - $60 / night
"We didn’t get to swim at the lake because it was shut down due to a chemical spill at the time, but we did walk over and check it out. The views are great! We stayed in a RV spot next to the lake."
"Sites were so easy and the bike trails were awesome! Lots of nature paths too."
"We found a site tucked away from people which is what we like. We set up hammocks right next to the river."
"If you camp with animals: Sites all sit directly off walking trail very popular with dog walkers."
$24 - $85 / night
"Great park if you’re not looking to drive too far to enjoy a bit of nature. Wonderful hiking paths and biking paths. Our site was nice a secluded and right next to the trail heads."
"Sites are wooded and shady but some are close to neighboring sites. Not too many mosquitos or flies for August in Minnesota! Sakatah Singing Hills paved trail runs through the park. "
"Close to the Twin Cities yet out in the country. Mostly grass sites. Beautiful pool. Susan and Brad are wonderful hosts and very accommodating. We took our grandkids and they had a blast!"
"Nearby are bike trails, a winery, and a brewery."
$16 - $50 / night
"I imagine in the middle of summer, it might feel slightly less secluded as there are 3 other sites relatively close by, one of which you have to walk through to get to this one, but in early September,"
"The access to water is really nice and a couple sites were perfect. The hike in sites are super close to the car so it doesn’t even require much work. Plan to come here again!"
$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."
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
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.
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.
LegendAs the campground(CG) is right off the interstate, it was easy to get to. Our check-in package was ready when we arrived at the little self-registration building at the entrance. We had requested site 40, where we had stayed two years ago, but they gave us back-in site 41 instead on the little lake. The utilities are in the middle of the site and worked well with water pressure near 45 psi. The sites are decently spaced for this type of CG. They have WiFi, but their info packet states it's not good enough for streaming but okay for email, etc. We got 3 bars on Verizon and used our MiFi since we were only here for two nights. The CG is right off I-35, so you do get some highway noise. This CG is very well kept, with mostly seasonal and permanent parties. We came in with two other 5th wheels and had no problem getting sites, but we did reserve well before our arrival. There was not a formal dog park, but there was plenty of area to walk your dog. We noted that this CG was featured in RV Life’s 2023 Discover The Best RV Parks& Resorts In Every State with this narrative:"This family-owned campground prides itself on cleanliness; there is an owner on-site around the clock to ensure it stays in top condition. The park is beautifully landscaped and has both pull-thru and back-in sites. All sites(some are waterfront) are level and offer full hookups and free Wi-Fi. There are onsite restrooms and laundry facilities that are kept sparkling clean. They also offer a lending library of books and movies. There is a large pond on the property that is perfect for fishing, kayaking, and other water sports, and there is a walking path that circles the pond." Check out the Spam Museum in Austin, MN. We thought the museum would be cheesy, but it was a nice facility and a great experience. The CG deserved this praise, and we again enjoyed our stay.
LegendThe winter was a long one last year and we were itching to take our new 30foot Jayco Eagle bunkhouse travel trailer out for its maiden voyage! We decided that my birthday weekend was the perfect opportunity to do just that. To be on the safe side, incase we had issues, we decided to stay close to home so we decided to hit up a new park, Nerstrand Big Woods State Park just outside Northfield, Minnesota. This park is only an hour from the twin cities and very convenient for a weekend getaway after work on friday.
We stayed In campsite 27 which was an electric campsite that was pretty open to all the other campsites. Most of the campsites there were really open and you could see and other peoples campsites so if that’s not your style of camping I wouldn’t go to Nerstrand big Woods. There is also water hook up at the park in that site and some of the other sites but that wasn’t listed when we booked the site.
The park office was just a short walk or a bike ride from the campsites and had a very nice gift shop and bathrooms there. There is also a really nice shower and bathroom building right next to the campground host site. Just off the campground was a really nice playground for the kids that utilized tree stumps and tree branches as the playground. There was a really large picnic area and picnic shelter also.
Along with electric sites there’s also just tent sites without electric if that’s your style camping.
Nerstrand Big Woods Is very well known for its beautiful waterfall that you can walk on and the trail leading to the waterfall was also a great hike.
All in all I think Nerstrand Big Woods was a good choice for a weekend getaway for a little family of four. And it gave us a lot to do because in The little city of Northfield there was a lot of little shops and cute little restaurants to eat at the shop at. Northfield is also home to the Malt-o-meal Museum and production. My husband and I are big craft brewery fans And we’re pretty stoked to find out that there were three breweries around the park. We visited Tanzenwald and Chapel brewery and tried flights at each one. Out of the two we thought Tanzenwald was the best for staff friendliness and prices. Each flight we got a 4 5ounce pours were only 4$. There was also a restaurant at that brewery with really good cheese curds.
We decided that Nerstrand Isn’t our favorite park but it’s a good option for us to be able to get away in short notice close to home with a lot of activities around for us to do.
ScoutWe called for an RV site but they don't allow pets.
TravelerWe just found this campground in September and this year we've been there 3 times and we live in Montana, there's no place I'd rather stay. 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 helpful.
lots of things in the area to do, and the "city" isn't that far to drive to.
GuideBeautiful, spacious, trees but open. Nice trails, clean restrooms, level sites. No alcohol allowed and no pets! Fire rings, sturdy picnic table. Electric and water.
I made reservations online and when we arrived they said I had reserved a place at Elmo Lake which was 20 miles away. Same 2 county facilities but different campgrounds. Oops my bad. Different addresses!
Pet friendly camping near Northfield, Minnesota offers diverse terrain for hikers with dogs, from lakeside settings to wooded areas. Most campgrounds in the region operate from April through October, with varying site sizes and privacy levels. Temperatures typically range from 50-80°F during camping season, with occasional thunderstorms more common in June and July.
Hiking trails with hidden waterfalls: At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, visitors can explore trails that lead to a scenic waterfall. "The trails were great and at the end of the trails there were beautiful falls. The falls weren't huge but there were pretty. A lot of things to photograph," reports Halie B., who visited the park.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Cleary Lake Regional Park offers water access for pets and owners who enjoy paddling together. "Cleary Lake is a good size and a kayakers delight!" notes Lili R. The park features sites close to the water that are ideal for launching small watercraft.
Cycling on paved trails: The region features several connected bike paths that accommodate dogs on leashes. "Nearby are bike trails, a winery, and a brewery," explains Anna S. about the routes accessible from Cannon Falls Campground, making it easy to exercise with your pet while exploring the area.
Spacious sites with natural barriers: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers sites that feel secluded despite their suburban location. "Our spot was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area... We liked that we weren't super close to any campers unlike most RV spots are nowadays," shares Angela L., highlighting the park's layout that provides privacy between sites.
Wildlife viewing with pets: Sakatah Lake State Park Campground provides opportunities to observe local birds and animals while camping with dogs. "I was so amazed with all the sounds of birds in this park. I heard Everything from Eagles, Canadian Geese and Swans to Woodpeckers and multiple song birds," writes Shelly S. The park's diverse habitat attracts wildlife throughout the camping season.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and shower buildings. "The bathroom/shower building was new and clean, the camp host was friendly and helpful," notes Deb M. about Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, an important consideration for those spending multiple days outdoors with pets.
Water quality concerns: Some lakes in the area develop algae issues in warmer months. "The lake is very dirty," notes Nichole G. about Lake Byllesby, while another camper at Sakatah Lake mentions "you need to be in middle of this lake if you want to get wet. Unless you enjoy swimmers itch."
Reservation timing: Popular pet-friendly campgrounds fill quickly. "As most State parks in MN you better get your reservation in early if you want a site with electric," advises Tim B. For weekend camping during peak season (June-August), reservations should be made 2-3 months in advance.
Walk-in site accessibility: Cannon River Wilderness Area offers free primitive sites ideal for hiking with dogs. "The hike from parking is not bad at all about a 10 minute walk from parking to the farthest site," shares Nick G. These sites require carrying all supplies but provide more solitude for pets who need space from other campers.
Playgrounds for kids and pets: Several campgrounds feature play areas where children and leashed dogs can burn energy. "The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with," mentions Angela L. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Shorter hikes for mixed abilities: When camping with both children and pets, look for trails with manageable distances. "We had a great time from Friday-Sunday hanging out at the campsite, roasting marshmallows, riding bike on the state trail, and hiking around the lake!" shares Emma G. about Sakatah Lake State Park Campground.
"Hike-in" sites that aren't too remote: Families with pets often appreciate a balance between privacy and convenience. "Our 'hike in' spot was very close to the car but hidden in a forest. Gorgeous spot," says Lili R. about Cleary Lake Regional Park, indicating these sites offer seclusion without difficult access.
Site size considerations: Lake Byllesby Regional Park accommodates RVs with pets, but spacing varies. "Lakeside sites are close together, with W/E hookups, but they're right in the lake with a wonderful view," explains Deb M., noting the tradeoff between waterfront location and site proximity.
Tree clearance for larger rigs: Mature trees can pose challenges for larger RVs with pets. "Very nice park if your RV is not too big. I put our 38 foot 5th wheel in a site but you better be on your game here. Lots of shade and big trees," cautions Tim B. about navigating Sakatah Lake State Park Campground.
Access to pet walking areas: RVers report that some campgrounds provide designated pet areas. "We were able to position our pop up to face into the camping spot... Our spot was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area," shares Angela L., indicating that Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers convenient spots for RV campers with animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Northfield, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Northfield, MN is Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Northfield, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 74 dog-friendly camping locations near Northfield, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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