Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Prior Lake, MN

Dakotah Meadows RV Park provides concrete sites with full hookups for campers with pets throughout its Prior Lake location. Each site includes a fire pit, and the campground runs a regular shuttle to the adjacent Mystic Lake Casino. Sites are paired in an opposing door arrangement with each RV having its own power pedestal and water connection. Cleary Lake Regional Park offers more natural camping options with wooded sites that maintain good spacing for privacy while still accommodating dogs. The hike-in sites at Cleary Lake sit close to the water yet maintain adequate separation from neighboring campsites. Town & Country Campground in nearby Savage provides year-round camping with electric hookups and sewer connections for RV travelers with pets. The pet waste stations throughout these campgrounds help maintain the grounds, though some campers have reported needing to clean up after previous visitors.

Dog-friendly amenities vary between the campgrounds, with Cleary Lake offering access to water and private docks where pets can cool off during summer months. Leashed pets can explore the surrounding trail systems, including those that connect to Cleary Lake's shoreline for swimming opportunities. Each campground enforces standard leash policies to maintain safety and cleanliness. The regional parks require pets to remain under control at all times, especially in shared spaces. Weather conditions affect pet comfort significantly in this region, with summer humidity sometimes necessitating early morning or evening walks. Site 13 at Cleary Lake sits directly on the water and offers substantial space with trees for shade during hot afternoons. Most campgrounds in the area maintain relatively level sites that accommodate both tents and RVs, making them suitable for different camping styles with pets.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Prior Lake, Minnesota (87)

    1. Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    43 Reviews
    Apple Valley, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 480-7773

    $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"

    2. Dakotah Meadows RV Park

    12 Reviews
    Prior Lake, MN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (952) 445-8800

    $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."

    3. Cleary Lake Regional Park

    8 Reviews
    Prior Lake, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 694-7777

    $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!"

    4. Minneapolis Southwest KOA

    9 Reviews
    Jordan, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 492-6440

    "A couple weeks ago we spent some time at the Northwest koa...that one had private tent sites surrounded on 3 sides by trees, quiet spaces etc."

    5. Town & Country Campground & RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Savage, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 445-1756

    "It’s an easy on and off the interstate, super close to a gas station and RV wash bay. Also super close to some very large power lines. The kids enjoyed the compact playground and pool."

    "Some road noise, but you are in the city so expected, but yet still quieter then in some areas being close to things. I recommend this park."

    6. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    38 Reviews
    Maple Plain, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 694-7662

    $21 - $29 / night

    "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."

    7. Lake Auburn Campground

    10 Reviews
    Victoria, MN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 443-2911

    $15 - $18 / night

    "This campground even has 2 walking/hike-in campsites to give your avid campers a real out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind if feel, like you drove hundreds if miles to get away from the hustle and bussle"

    "But the Eady walk to the lake, sitting on the dock or the grass and swimming III m the water are a great way to destress."

    8. Fish Lake Acres Campground

    2 Reviews
    Prior Lake, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 492-3393

    $26 - $32 / night

    "Full hookups available, quite a few pull through lots and close to the twin cities! No wifi, so make sure you've got decent cell service and hotspot if you need internet/wifi."

    9. Carver Park Reserve - Three Rivers Park District

    7 Reviews
    Victoria, MN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 694-1112

    "Family friendly campground with educational activities. campsites are close together but it is a close drive from the cities and a nice place for families. Nice walking & biking trails."

    "We had site 57, which is more expensive but is also very large, surrounded by trees and has a patio, the other campsite sizes vary greatly with some being very small, it's very easy for groups to camp"

    10. Champion Valley

    1 Review
    Prior Lake, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 230-2378

    $26 - $46 / night

    "There is a bathroom, but it is a 10 minute walk, so plan to be self-sufficient in that regard. Friendly host."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 87 campgrounds

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Prior Lake, MN

722 Reviews of 87 Prior Lake Campgrounds


  • C Torey S.
    Apr. 17, 2019

    Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    Hiking, biking, camping & more

    Lebanon 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

  • Alison O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2021

    Crow Hassan Park Reserve

    One of the best dog parks in MN

    I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Dakotah Meadows RV Park

    Quiet and safe

    Small 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.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2023

    Tresure Island RV Park

    Crowded park, nice people

    We 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.

  • David E.
    Jul. 30, 2022

    Minneapolis Northwest KOA

    Good Campground but Close Sites

    Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground.

  • S
    Jun. 28, 2018

    Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    Great Campground

    We 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.

  • S
    Aug. 13, 2021

    St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park

    Top Shelf

    Beautiful, 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!

  • Ashley K.
    Jun. 11, 2022

    Tresure Island RV Park

    It’s a parking lot…

    We 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.


Guide to Prior Lake

Lebanon Hills Regional Park provides a retreat near Prior Lake with natural surroundings and full camping facilities. Located within 20 minutes of Prior Lake in Eagan, the park offers wooded campsites with varying degrees of privacy. Sites in the East Loop accommodate smaller RVs and tents with electricity but no water hookups, though water pumps are available throughout the area. Temperature variations can be significant during camping season, with summer highs reaching into the 90s while spring and fall evenings often drop into the 40s.

What to do

Kayaking and paddling: Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers a small lake perfect for casual paddling. "Nice little lake to kayak on," notes Chris S., making it ideal for beginners or those wanting a peaceful water experience without motorboat traffic.

Beach access and swimming: For families looking to cool off, the swimming areas at Lake Auburn Campground provide clean, maintained beach facilities. "The beach is very nice. Bathrooms are clean," reports Amy K., while another camper mentioned the "unguarded beach, playground, volleyball court and tons of miles of trails" available for visitors.

Trail exploration: Many campgrounds connect to extensive trail systems. "We love Lebanon Hills! Great hiking," notes Katie C. The miles of hiking and biking trails throughout these parks allow for day-long adventures without needing to drive elsewhere. At Carver Park Reserve, "Lots of trails" provide connections between camping areas and natural features.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Cleary Lake Regional Park gets high marks for site separation. "I really like the hike in sites. Short walk from the car and right by the water yet spaced nicely for privacy," explains Jeff C. Site 13 receives particular praise as "the only one right on the water and it's HUGE with lots of trees and absolutely beautiful scenery."

Easy city access: Many campers appreciate the proximity to Minneapolis while still feeling removed from urban settings. "Secluded in the Minneapolis Suburbs...Lebanon Hills is a great park and has a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Our family selected this camp ground to test out some gear—if we had problems or if we forgot something it was a short drive home," explains Blair.

Concrete pads at RV sites: Dakotah Meadows RV Park offers infrastructure that many RVers seek. "This is a really nice campground with cement parking pads with full hookups. The grass around the lots is very green, lush and well maintained," notes Jim M. This attention to site design makes set-up easier and keeps rigs level.

What you should know

Reservation timing: Regional parks fill quickly during peak season. At Carver Park, one visitor advised: "Reserve early online, most weekends were already reserved by mid May." This applies to most dog-friendly campgrounds near Prior Lake, particularly on summer weekends.

Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby attractions. At Town & Country Campground, a reviewer noted: "If you want to be close to the city this does it... super close to a gas station and RV wash bay. Also super close to some very large power lines." Consider site location if seeking a quieter experience.

Cash requirements: Some smaller campgrounds have limited payment options. One camper at Fish Lake Acres warned: "The campground ONLY accepts cash so be sure to hit the ATM before you get here. They also charge $2 extra per dog if you have them."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Baker Park Reserve offers exceptional play facilities for children. "The playhroubd is nice, the vault toilets have automatic lights at night, which is pretty nice, and the beach has couple large shade umbrellas and a fishing dock," notes Emily H. Another visitor mentioned it's "great for the active family, not those wanting privacy."

Educational programming: Several parks offer structured nature programs. At Carver Park Preserve, campers enjoy "educational activities" with one reviewer mentioning "programs every Saturday night, some of the ones we've been to were about bugs, raptors, bees, and snakes, there are usually programs during the day at the nature center as well."

Water safety: For families with small children, Lake Auburn provides appropriate swimming conditions. The beach is described as "very shallow for kids" making it safer for younger swimmers, though one visitor mentioned "some weeds floating in the water" which is typical for Minnesota lakes.

Tips from RVers

Site arrangement: At Dakotah Meadows RV Park near Prior Lake, the setup has a unique configuration. "Sites are two pull-thru's to each site. Your door is opposite of your site mate and you each have your own power pedestal w/water. Sites are 60+ feet, concrete and level," explains James and Susan K.

Shuttle service: RVers appreciate the convenience of transportation at pet-friendly campgrounds with casino access. "Casino operates a round trip Shuttle that picks you up and drops you at your site," notes a Dakotah Meadows reviewer, allowing campers to leave their vehicles at the campsite while enjoying local attractions.

Site selection considerations: For RVers camping near Prior Lake, understanding the sites makes a difference. At Lebanon Hills, one camper advised: "Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All rv sites are the listed length plus 16' for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Prior Lake, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Prior Lake, MN is Lebanon Hills Regional Park with a 4.8-star rating from 43 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Prior Lake, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 87 dog-friendly camping locations near Prior Lake, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.