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River View Campground's spacious sites welcome pets throughout the year, situated just 8 minutes from Owatonna stores. Hope Oak Knoll Camp Ground and Kieslers Clear Lake Campground also accommodate dogs with full hookup RV sites and tent camping areas. Pets must remain leashed at all campsites, with owners responsible for waste cleanup and proper supervision. Sites are clean and well-maintained with level areas for pet comfort. Campgrounds regularly enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances for neighboring campers. The sites near the river provide good walking areas for dogs, though some campers note the proximity between sites can feel cramped when multiple families bring pets. Bathrooms and shower facilities remain consistently clean despite pet traffic.
Nearby Rice Lake State Park offers forested walking trails ideal for dog exercise, with numerous hiking paths that follow the shoreline. Leashed pets can accompany owners on all designated trails but must be controlled at all times due to local wildlife. Many campers report hearing barred owls and sandhill cranes, which may startle some dogs unaccustomed to wildlife sounds. The trails through wooded areas provide good shade during summer months when heat concerns for pets become important. Seasonal mosquito populations should factor into evening walks with pets, as some campers mention significant insect activity depending on the time of year. Multiple veterinary services operate in Owatonna, approximately 10-15 minutes from most campgrounds, providing emergency care if needed during your stay.
"This is a Nice campground middle of Minnesota. Surprising place in the middle of farm country. Very nice campground and lots of walking trails. Great for leaf peeping."
"Though they were right next to each other, they felt very secluded. Site 4 felt a bit more private from the main road because the campsite slightly slopes downward."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful forested area just outside Owatonna. Easy drive past beautiful farms to town. Camp host told us mosquitoes were light this year; they seemed plentiful to me!"
"My only complaint was how close together the walk-in sites were."
from $24 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $24 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Outside of this the children spent most of the weekend in the pool!"
"Neighbors decided movie night was important with surround sound but over all I would stay here again. Lots of seasonal golf cart traffic and kids on bikes."
"Close to interstate but very peaceful. Owner saw us to our site and lined us up for hookups, saw a lot of families and couples enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings. Good Sam discount."
"Fair price of $26 right next to the restroom and showers which are very clean!! One other camper will be joining us back here."
"So many activities including a water recreation area, petting zoo, shuffleboard, mini golf, pool, toddler water park, multiple playgrounds, basketball and more."
"We reserved a spot right next to the pool area. It was a tight fit to back the camper it, but I was able to do it. They have cement pads for a patio area and a fire ring."
"Our check-in package was ready when we arrived at the little self-registration building at the entrance."
"Spent one night passing through Ellendale Minnesota. Our reservation paperwork was waiting for us at the gatehouse with directions to our back-in site 11."
"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."
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
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.
GuideBeautiful forested area just outside Owatonna. Easy drive past beautiful farms to town. Camp host told us mosquitoes were light this year; they seemed plentiful to me! Water near site, showers and bathrooms adequate.
GuideNot to experience and good things to do. Swimming in the lake, lots of fishing, hiking, nature center, free activity’s, and other things to do. There are water and septic hook ups and pets are fine, they have bathrooms as well. Lots of other campers and area to run around
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.
ScoutWe are here for a show at the casino and thought it would be fun to bring the camper down and glamp for the weekend. It is just a parking lot but the sites are all pull through and there is plenty of room between sites and ours was perfectly level.
We have dogs so the fact that it’s all asphalt and rock is a bit of a bummer but we are close to the exercise area and they do love little walks. It also seems to be controlling some of the normal bad pet parent behavior we see at even parks. Like letting the dogs run with out leashes or tethering them all day to bark at everything.
The sites do not have fire rings but there are some community ones and it appears the other campers brought their own smokeless fire pits to use.
There is a shuttle to the casino and at 7pm folks seemed to clear out to head over. It was honestly one of the quietest campgrounds we’ve been to on a Friday night.
The bath house is newer and super clean- not a single creepy spider web in any corners.
On Verizon I have full bars so we haven’t tried the park WiFi but we’ve been able to use our chrome cast and two iPads off my cell phone with zero issues. Because it’s in a river valley the air tv single is terrible so we are glad to have the chrome cast with us- since the forecast called for a raining day.
ScoutThis is such a great campground for families! So many activities including a water recreation area, petting zoo, shuffleboard, mini golf, pool, toddler water park, multiple playgrounds, basketball and more. The only drawback is they REALLY pack you on like sardines and the roads are really narrow so unless you get there early your camping tip is going to start with the “backing in argument.”
Campgrounds near Owatonna, Minnesota offer diverse camping options within a 30-mile radius of the city. The region features rolling farmland interspersed with small lakes and wooded areas at elevations ranging from 1,100 to 1,300 feet. Spring camping often brings temperatures in the 50s-70s°F with periodic rainfall, while summer months can reach the 80s with higher humidity levels, particularly in July and August.
Hiking through historic forest land: At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground, the trail system showcases unique old-growth forest. "The hikes were beautiful and the variety of old growth trees was spectacular," notes Erik R. The park features a waterfall that's accessible via hiking trails. "The trails were great and at the end of the trails there were beautiful falls. The falls weren't huge but they were pretty," shares Halie B.
Wildlife observation: The region's diverse ecosystem supports abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. At White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park, visitors regularly spot deer and various bird species. One camper reports: "We heard Barred Owls and Sandhill Cranes. The cranes flew over making strange LOUD calls. Cool." The park also offers "geocashing (and free GPS rental), as well as canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and a small fishing boat that can be rented."
Seasonal water activities: Several local lakes provide opportunities for boating, fishing, and paddling. "The lake is gorgeous but just a few places to get to the water. Saw a sign on the park door saying kayaks and canoes available to rent," shares a visitor to Myre-Big Island State Park. For families, Kamp Dels features water recreation areas that are popular during summer months.
Private camping spaces: Many visitors appreciate the secluded feel of certain campsites. "The walk in site was great - close to parking with plenty of tree shade," reports Matt C. about Nerstrand Big Woods. At Rice Lake Campground, "sites are good sized and nicely spaced" according to Scott G., though some campers note that the walk-in sites can feel too close together during busy periods.
Clean facilities: Consistently well-maintained bathrooms and showers receive frequent positive mentions. At Sakatah Lake State Park, "the bathroom/shower building was new and clean, the camp host was friendly and helpful," notes Deb M. Similarly, Crystal Springs RV Resort gets high marks for cleanliness: "The bathrooms and showers were clean and well lit. Will definitely camp here again!" according to Hannah Y.
Family-oriented amenities: Multiple campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. Kamp Dels offers "a water recreation area, petting zoo, shuffleboard, mini golf, pool, toddler water park, multiple playgrounds, basketball and more," as Tami W. describes. Hope Oak Knoll Camp Ground also receives praise for its family-friendly atmosphere, with one camper noting it's "perfect for location for us and the price is supper cheap."
Site spacing varies significantly: While some campgrounds offer spacious sites, others pack campers more densely. "The sites on the C loop back up almost into the sites on the right side of the B loop. So we basically had the back of our neighbor's trailer hanging almost into our site," notes one visitor to Nerstrand Big Woods. At Kieslers Clear Lake Campground, reviews mention more generous spacing between sites.
Swimming options are limited: Despite numerous lakes, swimming access isn't universal. At Rice Lake State Park, a camper noted: "there is also no place to swim at this lake which is a bit disappointing, but it is a very beautiful lake with lots of wildlife!" Another visitor confirmed: "It's a nice park but no swimming beach we could find."
Seasonal considerations affect experience: Early spring campers face different conditions than summer visitors. "We visited in early April so the sites were quite exposed, I can imagine they would be more private in the summer," notes Emelia O. about Myre-Big Island State Park. Another camper shared: "Some of the south trails are closed because its too wet" during early spring visits.
Pool access for hot days: Campgrounds with swimming pools provide relief during summer heat. "The kids spent most of the weekend in the pool!" reports one visitor to River View Campground. At Kieslers Clear Lake, a visitor praised "the pool has two slides and a kiddie pool. Always something going on for the family!"
Animal encounters for children: Several campgrounds feature opportunities for wildlife education. "We went for a walk around the park. We saw a bull frog and a few leopard frogs at the boat launch. And continued on our hike. We saw a few cool birds, lots of berries and a few interesting bugs," shares James B. about his family's experience at Rice Lake State Park.
Plan for potential weather changes: Minnesota weather can shift quickly, especially in spring and fall. "Did a overnight in the rain at one of the walk-ins. Great area. Everything you need close at hand," notes George W. about Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Many campgrounds offer shelters or indoor facilities that can provide backup recreation during inclement weather.
Site access considerations: RVers should research specific site dimensions before booking. "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," warns a visitor to Sakatah Lake State Park. Another camper noted some sites "are tricky to back a trailer into, which would have been helped by some maintenance."
Hookup availability varies: Full-hookup sites are limited at state parks but more common at private campgrounds. "All sites (some are waterfront) are level and offer full hookups and free Wi-Fi," notes a camper about Crystal Springs RV Resort. For state parks like Myre-Big Island, visitors advise: "There are no water or electric hook ups. However clean water is available in the park."
Dog-friendly campground options: Many campgrounds near Owatonna welcome pets with specific rules. "The grandkids love the water park and there's so many things for the kids to do," mentions a seasonal camper at Kamp Dels, where pets are allowed but must remain leashed. Hope Oak Knoll Camp Ground and Kieslers Clear Lake Campground both accommodate pets with full hookup RV sites available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Owatonna, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Owatonna, MN is Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 37 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Owatonna, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 79 dog-friendly camping locations near Owatonna, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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