69 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Baker Park Reserve supports camping with pets at its three campground loops with sites accommodating tents, RVs, and cabins. The campsites feature fire rings, picnic tables and electrical hookups, with shower facilities and toilets throughout the campground. The sites at Baker Park are relatively close together with limited privacy, but the surrounding area offers extensive recreational opportunities for visitors with dogs. Loop C provides more shade and tree cover than other areas, making it popular for summer camping with pets. ['Campground facilities are well-maintained with clean restrooms and showers, including a family bathroom that helps when cleaning up after outdoor activities with dogs.'] Dogs must be leashed at all times while in the park.
Lake Maria State Park and Minneapolis Northwest KOA provide additional pet-friendly options near Rockford. The KOA offers a variety of accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and pet-friendly cabins and yurts. Trails around Lake Independence and throughout Baker Park Reserve provide excellent walking opportunities for campers with dogs. Bring extra lighting if staying at Baker's C14 site, where the fire ring is positioned about 30 feet from the tent pad. The campgrounds in this area are particularly family-friendly, with Baker Park featuring a large sandy beach area, playground facilities, and miles of paved trails suitable for walking dogs. Recreational opportunities include fishing, swimming, kayaking and mountain biking on the nearby single-track trails.
"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 park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
from $22 - $80 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."
"Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home😁"
"When I first pulled in I checked out the single track trail area first and the parking lot was full of mountain bikers. "
"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."
from $15 - $18 / night
Check Availability"I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!"
"Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."
"We picked this spot as we had dogs with and liked that there was a row of trees where we could tie them away from the fire . Would be a GREAT lot for multiple hammocks. "
from $50 / night
Check Availability"For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn’t expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly."
"I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock."
"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"
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!
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.
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.
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.
LegendThis was such a great spot! The campground is so nice and quiet!
Located 50 Miles NW of Minneapolis, and only 15 Miles from St. Cloud, MN.
GuideWe stayed here for a weekend in May. The campsites are a little bit on top of each other. There aren't many campsites that you're able to reserve. The majority of the campsites are seasonal campsites. There are a lot of mature trees that help with the shade! The beach area is nice, but the only problem is that boaters and kayaks are in the same general area so you have to be careful so you don't get hit. There is a dock for fishing as well. You can also rent boats, kayaks and paddleboards for a small fee. If you want to walk the whole campground having a golf cart would be nice. Also there is NO petting zoo as stated on the website or on the campground maps. There hasn't been one for a few years but they have yet to edit the website or the campground maps. We went there partly because there was a petting zoo for the little kids. Seems lazy to me that they can't update the website or the campground maps.
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.
GuideMy partner and I scheduled a 3 day / 2 night stay in a new Vintage Cruiser RV for $39.99, in exchange for attending a presentation on private membership.
We checked in Wednesday evening, and the nicest staff I've ever met helped us acclimate to RV living. We are new to this game. They patiently described how to utilize the grey and black water tanks, as well as encouraged us to check-out the canoes, row boats, bikes, horseshoes, ladder golf and many other entertainment items - for FREE!
The map provided was accurate which made locating the cruiser a breeze. There were further instructions inside as well. The RV was immaculate. Provided for our use were all linens (a public very clean bath and shower was just across the road), dish soap, dish towels, paper towels, flat wear, plates, bowls, mugs and pans.
The campground has a couple of ponds, as well as access to Ham Lake where the watercraft is launched. There is a petting arena with goats, ponies, and a llama who gave my partner the stink eye, but fell in love with me rubbing the fence and giving me all googly eyes!
The clubhouse sells bundled wood, ice, snacks, cold drinks, ice cream and provides 24-hour fresh coffee. There is also a small resupply area, and gift shop.
There are pull-through sites, back ups, 50 and 30 amp hook ups, and tent sites, covered pavilions, picnic tables and fire pits.
The campground itself seems remote, secluded and peaceful, however, you are conveniently located to two well-stocked convenience stores, as well as Wal-Mart about 15 minutes away. It's also only about 45 minutes from the Minnesota Twin Cities.
One note: We visited in August and needed gallons of bug spray.
We very much enjoyed our get away!
Baker Park Reserve offers a range of camping experiences in its three loops with 201 sites situated around Lake Independence. The park's location, 20 miles west of Minneapolis, makes it a convenient getaway for both locals and visitors. Campground areas range from more open spaces to wooded sites, with Loop C providing the most tree cover. The camping season typically runs from late April through mid-October with nightly rates between $25-35 depending on amenities.
Hiking trails with scenic views: Lake Maria State Park features over 14 miles of hiking trails through hardwood forests and wetlands. "The trails are a lot of fun.. lots to see. The outhouses are kept up well and pump water road side," notes Johnny H., who has camped there for over 30 years.
Mountain biking opportunities: Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve provides access to single-track trails for mountain biking enthusiasts. "There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities," according to ERolf P.
Water recreation options: Lake Auburn Campground features a swimming beach that's particularly clean and family-friendly. "The swim area was cool after a hot day and the beach was gently sloping and smooth," mentions Sarah S., who appreciated the clean facilities.
Private campsites at Lake Maria: Lake Maria State Park Campground offers backpacking sites that provide seclusion. "Site B6 feels like a secret woodland sanctuary — set up on a slight rise, tucked beneath a cathedral of towering oaks and maples," explains Alison O., who enjoyed the private camping experience.
Clean facilities throughout: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground receives consistent praise for its modern amenities. "The bathrooms were extremely modern and clean," reports David T., who appreciated the well-maintained facilities during his travels through the upper Midwest.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Crow Hassan Park Reserve provides excellent opportunities for nature observation. "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails," shares Alison O., highlighting the natural surroundings.
Site selection considerations: At Lake Auburn Campground, site placement varies considerably. "The sites are all along a one way road that loops through the campground. While the park is nice and has mature trees, the sites are very open and offer little privacy between sites," notes Emily H., recommending midweek stays for more privacy.
Bug preparation necessary: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve and other area campgrounds can have significant insect activity, particularly in summer. "Big park! Great for birding and walking trails," mentions Alison O., though other reviewers note the importance of bringing proper bug protection.
Weekend planning required: Most campgrounds near Rockford fill quickly on weekends, especially during summer. "Show up early on weekends if you want one of the better spots," advises Johnny H. about Sand Dunes State Forest's Ann Lake campground, suggesting Thursday arrival for prime sites.
Playground accessibility: Minneapolis Northwest KOA offers family-friendly amenities on site. "It has a small pool and game room but not much else for kids," notes Zach H., suggesting families bring additional entertainment.
Educational opportunities: Lake Auburn Campground hosts regular nature programs. "They have programs every Saturday night, some of the ones we've been to were about bugs, raptors, bees, and snakes," reports Missy B., highlighting the value for children's engagement.
First-timer friendly locations: Many campgrounds in the area work well for inaugural camping trips. "For our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids," shares Heather V. about her experience at Baker Park Reserve.
Site leveling considerations: Ann Lake campgrounds in Sand Dunes State Forest offers varied terrain. "Some sites are a little uneven and better suited to RVs than to tents, all sites are spacious and clean," notes Sarah S., recommending checking site conditions before setting up.
Limited privacy options: RVers at Minneapolis Northwest KOA should be aware of site proximity. "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," shares David E., highlighting the trade-offs.
Seasonal accessibility issues: For pet friendly camping near Rockford, Minnesota, be aware of seasonal road conditions. "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides," warns Andy L. about Ann Lake, suggesting caution when navigating during full foliage periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rockford, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rockford, MN is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Rockford, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 69 dog-friendly camping locations near Rockford, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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