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Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging welcomes pets at all accommodation types including tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options. Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Rushford maintain standard leash requirements and provide dedicated waste disposal areas. Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground allows pets in designated camping areas but requires them to be leashed at all times. The pet-friendly Houston Nature Center offers spacious, level tent sites with clean bathrooms and showers, making it particularly convenient for cyclists with dogs traveling the Root River State Trail. Money Creek Haven maintains pet-friendly policies across their cabins and camping sites, with a man-made lake that campers and their pets can enjoy during summer months. Most campgrounds in the area request that pet owners clean up after their animals and prevent excessive barking during quiet hours.
The Root River State Bike Trail provides excellent pet exercise opportunities with multiple access points near pet-friendly campgrounds. Cushon's Peak Campground features river access with a sandy beach area where dogs can cool off during summer months. The surrounding Driftless Area offers numerous hiking trails suitable for dogs, including paths that lead up Cushon's Peak with varying difficulty levels. Peterson City RV Park provides full hookups for travelers with pets and sits directly on the Root River trail system, offering convenient access for dog walks. During hunting seasons, the quieter forest campgrounds like Money Creek and Vinegar Ridge in R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest become more active but remain pet-friendly. Local towns provide basic veterinary services, though pet owners should pack essential supplies as rural pet stores are limited. Weather in southeastern Minnesota varies dramatically by season, requiring appropriate planning for pet comfort and safety.
"Situated right along the Root River next to the bike trail. They offer kayak, canoe and tube rentals and shuttles. They also have bike rentals. This facility is clean and very well kept."
"Located on the Root River. Cliff View has very clean bath houses. Lots of sites to choose from. 50 amp service, sewer hook up and of course water. If your close enough to the office wifi available."
from $30 - $46 / night
Check Availability"Whitewater is by far one of the top state parks in Minnesota. Their camping facilities are clean with running water and free showers. The campsites are quite spacious but not too wooded."
"Easy access to hiking trails. My site was close in distance to adjacent ones, but was on the edge by the creek, so it was pretty quiet."
from $25 - $250 / night
Check Availability"It was also VERY close to several other sites. If you are looking for more privacy, I would suggest a site like 34. Absolutely no cell service, which can be nice as long as you’re expecting it."
"The park has a lot of very well maintained trails. The only thing to know is there is no cell reception because of the valley."
from $20 - $80 / night
Check Availability"There is a rail line that runs along between the Mississippi and the park edge, campsites are away from this but still can be heard as well as motor boats on the River."
"Great hiking options that overlook the Mississippi River and surrounding countryside, hiking was a lot of uphill but the view was worth it. Dogs are welcome!"
from $39 / night
Check Availability"Had a site right next to the bathroom big enough for 2 tents and 2 vehicles. Hikes here offer great views of the river and bluffs and the fall colors are gorgeous!!!"
"I enjoy camping away from the hub bub of the family campground and opting for the backpack or cart in sites. Luckily, Great River Bluffs has some of the nicest cart ins I have encountered."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"Right at the end of the root river state trail. Singing toads at night. Very flat. Sites are spread out. Within walking distance to grocery store."
"The Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the Root River State Bike Trail."
"It was located right on the Root River Trail System which we liked for biking and running."
"Beware, the office and bar/restaurant are located inside the barn. I say beware because there are barn swallows that nest on the outside of the barn. TONS of barn swallows."
"Cushon’s Peak is located right off of the Root River State Trail outside of Houston, MN with access to amazing biking, swimming, and tubing."
"Lots to do in the area, La Crosse is a 30 minutes drive away."
"The lake is murky And there are a lot of frogs, but that’s camping. There are chairs And a shaded area available."
"One pit toilet for the site. 5 miles from Rushford MN. Access to Root River trail close by."
from $17 / night
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GuideThe are 8 sites. There is no water or electricity. One pit toilet for the site. 5 miles from Rushford MN. Access to Root River trail close by.
LegendSmall basic campground in Wabasha MN. Mostly permanent sites. There is a dog park directly next to the campground.
TravelerIf you are a tent camper, I would suggest going to local nearby state parks vs. this campground. Nice for a quick weekend away in an RV. On the Mississippi River and close to town. Across the street from a dog park so if you bring your fur-friend with, there is a nice enclosed area for them to run while being supervised.
TravelerIt is a nice clean quiet campground. Trails and dog park close were nice. It could have been not as nice if it was full. Sites are good and a little ways apart.
TravelerLarge campground with many amenities. Playground for kids and a very nice dog park. Right off the river. Will definitely be back!
ScoutWe stayed here for the month of august, and this place is awesome! Beautiful spaces of various size, a river runs next to it and they have duck races. Dog park, small general store, backs up to a national park, close to town, immaculately maintained, volley ball court, lots of shade trees, easy access, and Andy(owner/operator) is the nicest person you’ll ever want to meet. For those so inclined there’s church service on Sunday in an old (cool looking!) barn! Fire pits at every spot. There is WiFi there, but little to no phone service unless you have a cell booster. 5/5 will definitely be back!
ScoutThis campground has it all. Situated right along the Root River next to the bike trail. They offer kayak, canoe and tube rentals and shuttles. They also have bike rentals.
This facility is clean and very well kept. Even the shower rooms are very nice and sanitary.
This is by far my favorite camping spot. I would recommend this place to any and everyone. Family orientated and pet friendly.
LegendIn the middle of the country, in a tiny town called Brownsville, you'll find a little slice of awesome in the form of a hobby farm with campsites, a cabin, and oh ya...the remnants of an old brewery! Patty and Michelle are nothing less than hospitable, knowledgable and gracious.
Shady Rest Acres is owned and run by two women who are nothing less than the the perfect example of what property owners/business owners should be. Beyond being kind, their property is clean, tidy, beautiful yet rustic and home to so many animals that are all exceptionally well cared for. They have donkeys, Scottish Highland cows (a family of them), sheep, goats, chickens (and they'll even pick the bugs off your car), bees, horses, ducks, cats and dogs (I hope I didn't miss anything!). You have to be "pet friendly" if you stay here, because the the chickens roam, the dogs make friends and the cats meander, just as cats tend to do. If you want to meet the barnyard critters, please only look at them from the outside of the fence unless guided and escorted by the owners. They are happy to let you meet them with their presence.
There are 2 campsites, if you wish. One is in the middle of the pasture (that's right...near the goats) They will pen up the larger animals if you stay at that site, but it's perfect for stargazing! The other is nestled in the woods. Both have fire pits and access to wood. There is an outdoor shower, if you wish, and also a composting toilet. But there is also access to an indoor bathroom and shower inside the main house. The cabin is delightfully lovely with beautiful decor, two full sized beds, space for a few kids to crash, small kitchen items (microwave, mini fridge, coffeemaker) as well as a wood stove for cool nights and some A/C for warm days. The cabin is attached to the main house by way of a small deck (although the cabin is free standing, but sitting above the garage). And some local beverages in the fridge! You will have access to the deck chairs and gas grill, if you want to cook some dinner. For potty stops, you'll have to use the bathroom inside their home, but it's very close and private, as they have another one that they use when guests are staying the night.
At no time did we feel like we were invading Patty and Michelle's space, nor did they invade ours. It was extremely comfortable, and I thought that we could have asked any question without silly looks and even participated in chores, and we would have been welcome to do so. Even though it rained while we were there, it seemed to be just perfect. Beyond the obvious, they are earth conscious, eco friendly in many ways and fully aware of their food sources, which is one reason why they raise their own food. So they know where it comes from and how it was treated. I love it.
This is rustic slice of hospitality is not only peaceful, but friendly, warm and comforting as well as therapeutic. Just what the soul ordered.
ScoutMy boyfriend and I stayed right on the river with our pups (pet friendly) and it was BEAUTIFUL. Easy access to restrooms but secluded and quiet too.
The Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota contains deep valleys, limestone bluffs, and spring-fed streams that create a distinct environment for camping near Rushford. Located at approximately 800 feet elevation, this area experiences warm summers with nighttime temperatures that often drop 20-30 degrees from daytime highs. Campsites in this region typically occupy either forested ridgetops or valley floors near rivers and streams.
Hike to scenic overlooks: Great River Bluffs State Park offers multiple vantage points with minimal crowds. "The views are breathtaking from King's Bluff Overlook which is about a 2.5 mile roundtrip from the parking area. You could make it about 5.5 miles if you hike from campground," notes Mary S. about Great River Bluffs State Park Campground.
Tube down Root River: The Old Barn Resort provides equipment and transportation for river tubing. "Tubing the river is the highlight here. You drop in one side of the campsite and an hour later pull out on the other side. So much fun," reports Lee G. about The Old Barn Resort.
Explore natural springs: The region features cold, clear springs that maintain consistent temperatures year-round. "There is a natural spring here that was neat to see but the park seemed somewhat lacking," mentions Anne K. about Beaver Creek Valley State Park, while another reviewer notes "The Big Spring was also a great natural water feature to relax in after a hot hike!"
Bike the Root River Trail: This paved multi-use trail connects multiple camping areas. "Located right on the Root River trail system which we liked for biking and running," shares Cindy B. about The Old Barn Resort, adding that the trail provides easy access to "Lanesboro which is a really cute little town."
Secluded wooded sites: Beaver Creek Valley offers private camping spots surrounded by trees. "The sites were spread out enough that it really felt like I was at a dispersed spot at times. The sound of the creek was so peaceful," writes Shelby N. about Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground.
River access for cooling off: Cushon's Peak provides direct access to the Root River with a natural beach area. "It's a beautiful campground with river access on a nice beach, and hiking galore," says Daniel H. about Cushons Peak Campground. Another camper adds, "just a lazy river with nice sand bottom, no shoes needed!"
Quiet weekday camping: Many campgrounds in the area are significantly less crowded Sunday through Thursday. "We were there on a busy 4th July and the campsite was full. But you never felt crowded," notes Lee G. about The Old Barn Resort, while Charlie K. comments about Peterson City RV Park, "I camped here midweek in August. It's in a lovely park in the small (pop 199) town of Peterson, MN."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. "Very clean bath houses. Lots of sites to choose from," reports Dan K. about Eagle Cliff Campground, while Dillan K. notes that Beaver Creek Valley State Park is "clean and has great showers!"
Limited cell service: Signal can be weak or non-existent in valley areas. "There is no cell reception because of the valley. This great if you want to get away from it all, but if you're staying a while and need to work, this isn't the place to do it," warns Kat C. about Beaver Creek Valley State Park.
Water crossings: Some campgrounds require driving through shallow water to reach certain sites. "Be warned that in order to get to sites #27 through #37 you have to drive through some water. In September it was only about 8"," cautions Anne K. about Beaver Creek Valley.
Noise from transportation routes: Some campgrounds experience sound from nearby highways or rail lines. Bryan P. notes about Great River Bluffs State Park Campground, "Highway noise from the highway running along the river and from I-90 (while not really noticeable during the day) is ridiculously loud at night. Added to this were the half dozen trains that ran through the night (horns going off too)."
Variable water quality: Some campgrounds have water restrictions. "There were signs posted that the drinking water cannot be boiled, nor can it be given to babies or elderly due to high nitrates," reports Kayla F. about Perrot State Park Campground.
Natural playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature unique play areas beyond standard equipment. The Houston Nature Center offers distinctive outdoor play options: "Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite. The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more," describes GoWhereYouAreDraw N. about Houston Nature Center.
Bring insect protection: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially near water. "The bugs and mosquitos were almost unbearable. We fogged the site daily, had thermacells, and coated ourselves in bug spray - still came home completely bit up," warns Jennifer S. about Perrot State Park Campground.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Rushford: Most welcome pets but enforce leash rules. "This is by far my favorite camping spot. I would recommend this place to any and everyone. Family orientated and pet friendly," notes Kayla S. about Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging.
Look for educational programming: Some parks offer structured activities for children. "The Saturday we were there they had a heritage camp set up to learn about how things were done in the past," mentions Tiffany K. about Perrot State Park Campground.
Watch for site length limitations: Some campgrounds have short pads or limited turning space. "Some sites are tight for large motor homes, 5th wheelers and travel trailers," cautions Dan K. about Eagle Cliff Campground.
Extension cord access: Electric hookups may be distant from parking areas. "Depending on the site and how far you back in, the electric hookup may be a distance," advises Amy E. about Peterson City RV Park.
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds maintain plowed sites year-round for cold-weather camping. "We visited in winter (February) and while there was snow on the ground, the spaces were kept plowed with easy access to the electric boxes," shares Amy G. about Minneiska Campground at Whitewater State Park.
Hookup variation: Full hookup availability differs between campgrounds. "The RV sites have electricity, water, and sewer, and they are level– we were only staying one night and didn't even need to unhook our pickup," reports Amy E. about Peterson City RV Park, while Charlie K. adds, "I was amazed that sewer hookup is included, along with water and electricity, although my sewer hose was not long enough."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rushford, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rushford, MN is Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Rushford, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 112 dog-friendly camping locations near Rushford, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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