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Lake Carlos State Park Campground welcomes pets at all tent, RV, cabin, and glamping sites, requiring dogs to be leashed at all times on maintained trails and camping areas. Canary Beach Resort offers pet-friendly cabins alongside their tent and RV accommodations, with a clean lakefront area for dogs to enjoy supervised water access. Linwood Resort & Campgrounds features cabins with beautiful lake views where pets can join their owners while maintaining reasonable quiet hours to prevent excessive barking. Head Of The Lakes Resort's pet policy extends to their cabin accommodations, allowing campers to bring their dogs while enjoying Lake Osakis. Camping areas maintain clean grounds with waste disposal stations throughout, encouraging responsible pet ownership while maximizing the outdoor experience.
The Lake Wobegone Trail provides pet owners with a nearby walking path suitable for daily dog exercise when staying at Sinclair Lewis City Campground, which offers pet-friendly sites within walking distance of town amenities. Sinclair Lewis campground's lakeside location gives dogs supervised swimming opportunities during warmer months, with all sites containing fire pits for evening relaxation with pets. Oak Park Kampground and Camp S'more Campground both accommodate dogs at their drive-in sites with clean, well-maintained grounds that make waste management easier for pet owners. Alexandria Shooting Park campground permits pets but visitors should note it's an active gun range, requiring dogs that won't be disturbed by shooting noise. Local veterinary services are available in Alexandria and Sauk Centre for emergency pet care, with most campgrounds located within 20-30 minutes of professional animal care facilities.
"Lots of screaming kids the weekend we were here, but we found the quiet trails. Lower campground offers no privacy, but a newer shower house and views and access to the lake."
"The lower campground has electric sites and is situated along Lake Carlos but there is little privacy between sites (126 and 127)."
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"There is a boat launch right next to the campground. A fish cleaning house is provided at the campground. Bathrooms are also located within the campground."
"Just blocks from the original Main Street, the campground is in the west end of the beautiful lakeside city park."
"Amenities I remember when we had a seasonal spot here: cabins with beautiful lake view, boathouse lodge and game room, sunbathing dock on the water, large picnic grounds, sand-filled playground, paddleboard"
"Right on Lake osakis, which usually has good fishing."
"This is a quiet and fairly small but impeccably maintained campground located near the town of Long Prairie. It would be a nice family friendly destination for an easy lical get away."
"And it’s less than 1/8 mile from the Long Drive in. A great family experience and one of the few left in the state. We went to the Scott co fair during the day and the drive in that night."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Only 4 stars we we stayed in their overflow which was asked for but it’s down the road outside of the park. It is within walking distance."
from $78 - $1090 / night
Check Availability"We found this campground on a Google search looking for something near my Grandma’s house and have now visited twice! The staff is great and very welcoming."
"Additionally, there are horseshoe pits, paddle boats, and hiking/biking trails."
from $32 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Walking distance to stores water and electricity"
"There was so many goodies and we walked around park. It is right on river nice playground basketball courts walking trails everything you would need. Very nice and well kept!!! :)"
from $30 / night
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LegendFun for the whole family. Amenities include: playground, pool, lake, dog park, and store. Each site has a table and fire pit. Keep an eye on your account. We noticed goggles charged to ours even though none of the 3 of us bought any. Somebody must've given them the wrong site number to charge to. Overall great campground, but a little spendy.
ScoutRecommended!
We had a full hookups with 50 amp service. Our site was next to US-12 and had no noise issues. The Chippewa river flows next to the camp and the adjoining river bank is woodlands. We had no insect issues. There is a super dog park and grocery just east on US-12. Found great coffee and scones in Benson at Go Set Ready Coffee.
Our site had a great camp fire pit made from a half sphere about 40 inches in diameter. Looked like the bottom of a buoy or end of a 250 lbs propane tank. The proprietor is an arborist and sold us a large bundle of hard wood that made great smores.
We picked Benson because of its close location to Glacial Lake state park and the Glacial Ridge Trail. Just take MN-29 north. The topology change in terrain from the farm lands around Benson to the rolling hills and lakes north on MN-29 is great. Continue on MN-29 to Starbuck for a sizable lake. Take some time and explore the back roads on and around the Glacial Ridge Trail. There are many hills, forests and lakes you can explore east up to New London.
We had an encounter with a pair of swans on the side of the road next to a lake. These are large beautiful birds! We stopped in the car, kept our distance, watched from inside of the car and enjoyed them before the slipped back into the lake.
ScoutWe stayed at the campground during the week, it was so relaxing and not a lot of campers out felt like we had the park to ourselves. Had a nice park area with playground, clear lake swimming area. We had a dog with so limited areas that pets can go. It was very enjoyable. Would recommend
LegendAmenities I remember when we had a seasonal spot here: cabins with beautiful lake view, boathouse lodge and game room, sunbathing dock on the water, large picnic grounds, sand-filled playground, paddleboard &kayak rentals, boat ramp and launching service, boat & pontoon rental, boatlifts, gas, oil, tackle and live bait, screened-in fish cleaning house, sand volleyball, mini golf, laundry.
The nearby town of Osakis has convenience stores, grocery, liquor stores, gas, bars and restaurants, etc. Lake osakis is usually pretty good for fishing.
ScoutWe love camping here, reservations are easy, pet friendly, quiet area to relax!
LegendThey have cabins, camp sites, and restaurant/bar. Right on Lake osakis, which usually has good fishing.
ScoutNo shade or shelter is provided. Right next to water but it will clog up your water filter if you're using one. We saw beavers swimming; They were not fearful of campers. Due to the grass, there were many ticks, pets should be treated for ticks ahead of time. We didn't stay overnight due to the amount of then. Parking was easy, hike in was very easy and clearly defined. It's a good spot for camping in the fall or spring.
Possibly bring your own shade. Note that you CANNOT hammock camp at Kettle Lake. Firewood will also be slightly harder to find here due to lack of trees. It would be smart to carry your own in (if possible).
ScoutNew owner as of 2022- huge jump in prices! Extra fees added everywhere-more than two children fee, guest fees, pet fees, river view fees, holiday fees. One year difference our bill went from $235 up to $347 for a 3 night stay. Not worth it! Not family budget friendly for the average family. I could stay in a hotel for cheaper.
LegendThis state park uniquely showcases an ecologic transition zone between hardwood forest, savannah, and prairie. There are also local history connections. As a bird watcher, I was very excited to see birds here that I dont usually see at home in northern Minnesota, and to learn a bit more about glaciation in this area and about prairie and savannah habitats. The park has self guided hikes, educational nature programs, and learning kits for birding and more that you can check out at the ranger station. The lakeshore is pretty, and the lakeside campground is green and leafy with mature trees but the campsites are very close together, and the beachfront and bath house are currently closed for renovation which puts a damper on waterfront activities. Away from the lake is another campground in the oak savanna section of the park, and this campground seems quieter with more spacious sites, although they are more open. The park’s camper cabins are located here and are in a very pretty setting tucked into a little hill, though a bit of a walk to the bathrooms and showerhouse. At both campgrounds there are nice ADA sites which are level, spacious and accessible, and also close to the bathrooms. I was at a conference in nearby Willmar, and this park is a good alternative for lodging if you need to be in the area. If you are really into learning more about prairies and local glacial geology, the nearby Prairie Environmental Learning Center is fantastic to visit, and lots of prairie pothole WMAs are also closeby for waterfowl watching
The Osakis region sits at approximately 1,330 feet elevation in central Minnesota, characterized by gently rolling hills and numerous lakes formed by glacial activity. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler temperatures that can dip into the 30s overnight. Many campgrounds around Osakis remain open from May through mid-October, with the busiest season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Snowshoe adventures: Lake Carlos State Park Campground offers winter camping with lantern-lit snowshoe trails. "I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter," shares Tori K., who noted how their space heater and zero-degree bags kept them comfortable despite freezing temperatures.
Fishing opportunities: Birch Lake provides excellent fishing access with a maintained dock area. "The boat landing is really nice, lots of trails and a decent swimming area," reports Jay H., who makes annual Memorial Day weekend trips to the area. The fishing quality varies seasonally, with spring and early summer offering the best catches.
Drive-in movies: Camp S'more Campground is located less than 1/8 mile from one of Minnesota's few remaining drive-in theaters. "We went to the Scott co fair during the day and the drive in that night. A great time!" writes Charlie S., combining local attractions with camping for a complete experience.
Year-round options: Lake Carlos State Park accommodates winter camping enthusiasts with specialized sites. "We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent. A couple and their 2 dogs stayed in the truck camper and me and another friend stayed in the clam with an electric space heater going in addition to our 0 degree bags," explains Tori K., demonstrating winter camping possibilities.
Easy lake access: Sinclair Lewis City Campground offers lakefront sites with amenities for water enthusiasts. "Lakefront sites are available. Picnic table and fire ring provided at each site. In town campground so it can be a little noisy at times. There is a boat launch right next to the campground," notes Tori K., highlighting the convenience for boaters.
Seasonal availability: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Osakis operate seasonally. "The campground is open for the season from May 1st to October 1st each year, weather permitting," mentions Tori K. about Sinclair Lewis Campground, which is typical for the region's camping season due to Minnesota's harsh winters.
Primitive facilities: Birch Lake in Birch Lakes State Forest offers rustic camping without modern amenities. "Nice quiet little campground," notes Mark M., while Wendy I. adds, "There are several pit toilets, dumpsters, and water fill stations throughout. Sites are decent sized, but not pull through."
Gun range proximity: Alexandria Shooting Park and RV Campground provides level sites with hookups but campers should be aware of noise. "It is an active gun range so if shooting bothers you, may not be your place," cautions Roger B., highlighting an important consideration for those seeking quiet or traveling with noise-sensitive pets.
Pet-friendly policies vary: When looking for dog friendly campgrounds around Osakis, note that most require leashes. Canary Beach Resort offers "beautiful park" amenities as noted by Leanne G., who appreciated the "clean shower and restrooms" while their dogs enjoyed supervised lakefront areas.
Swimming beaches: Oak Park Kampground offers family-friendly water activities including a swimming pool. "Our kids (3, 5, 7) enjoy the pool, the activities the staff plans, playground, paddle boats, and more," shares Nathan E., who found the staff "great and very welcoming" during multiple family visits.
Planned activities: Camp S'more provides organized events for children throughout the camping season. "The owners are very friendly and attentive to the people staying there! The new owners have been working on making additions to the grounds to make your experience here better!" according to Tori K., who appreciated their efforts to improve family experiences.
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "They have cabins with beautiful lake view, boathouse lodge and game room, sunbathing dock on the water, large picnic grounds, sand-filled playground," reports Tori K. about Linwood Resort & Campgrounds, offering multiple entertainment options for families with dogs.
Winter hookup considerations: Lake Carlos State Park offers limited winter electrical sites for cold-weather camping. "We stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter," notes Tori K., highlighting rare winter RV opportunities in the region.
Level sites: Alexandria Shooting Park provides well-maintained, level RV sites. "All lots, (lots of lots), were level and had water & electric. Super easy check in," says Roger B., who found the setup straightforward for overnight stays. The campground remains open through October 30, extending the camping season later than many other local options.
Downtown access: Head Of The Lakes Resort combines RV sites with cabin options and convenient amenities. "They have cabins, camp sites, and restaurant/bar. Right on Lake osakis, which usually has good fishing," explains Tori K., noting the convenience of having multiple services at one pet-friendly location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Osakis, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Osakis, MN is Lake Carlos State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 28 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 78 dog-friendly camping locations near Osakis, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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