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Dower Lake Recreation Area in Staples offers numerous pet-friendly campsites with full hookups and electric-only options. Sites accommodate tents and RVs with adequate spacing between campers, though some reviewers note sites can be tight width-wise. All pet-friendly campgrounds in the area provide standard amenities like picnic tables and fire rings. McGivern Park Campground and Old Wadena County Park maintain clean, well-spaced sites along the Crow Wing River where pets are welcome. The sites at both parks are surrounded by huge pine trees with no breed or size restrictions for dogs. Free firewood is available at several locations, with campers noting the generous supply at McGivern Park.
Dogs enjoy swimming opportunities at multiple locations, including Dower Lake's sand beach and the Crow Wing River access points at Old Wadena County Park. The water at Dower Lake is perfect for dogs who enjoy swimming, though black flies can be present around the lake during certain seasons. Trails throughout the area welcome leashed pets, with the scenic nature trail at Rock Lake Campground offering wooded terrain ideal for dog walks. Most campgrounds feature vault toilets rather than full facilities, though Dower Lake and several other campgrounds provide showers. Cottingham Park Campground offers a more secluded camping experience with pets, providing privacy among the trees and basic amenities including toilets and trash service. Water access varies by location, with some campgrounds offering old-fashioned pumps rather than hookups, requiring campers to fill buckets for their pets and personal use.
"We loved the group camp site except for the fact the people would walk through it. There was a main hiking trail and lots of people came through. Our dogs did not care for that surprise."
"Just kidding, our dogs hate camping but we definitely enjoyed Crow Wing. The park ranger was super helpful on our first visit to the park."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"On a little lake with a swimming area, great for kayaks, fishing, SUP. Lots of black flies but thats the lake lol."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"There are about 10 sites that are next to the water giving you access to fishing, swimming and docking a small watercraft. Most of the sites are surrounded by trees. Which is great for privacy."
"This a rustic campground with no showers and vault toilets. some sites are open and next to each other. there are RV people who think that because it’s rustic that they can run their generators all day"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"There is a bike trail nearby. No fire pits at each site so bring one if you can! There is a large community fire pit though. Full hookup sites available."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Minnesota in the summer the parks are very full of large RVs. Our teardrop fits inside one. Nice clean campground. Friendly rangers. Nice showers."
"We stayed in site 29 with electric and it was large but the only down fall is the firewood for purchase is next to the site, so there is a bit more foot traffic walking by."
from $32 - $50 / 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.
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
TravelerA great little campground right near the town (easy to bike in for coffee or beer) but it feels like you're deep in the northwoods! Some sites are better than others in terms of privacy. The bathrooms were always clean. Situated right on a quarry with fun fishing and kayaking opportunities. Connects to the mountain bike trails too! They do charge for pets.
TravelerFirst the negatives. No internet, medium phone signal. The campsites are too small and too crowded. The adults let their young kids drive their cold carts and atvs back and forth from the campground to the beach all day long. I counted one particular one make 34 trips in less than 6 hours. I used to golf and I occasionally used a cart but usually I walked. Kids and young parents are way too lazy now, because it's a small campground and short walk to the beach from the farthest site. I think they do it for 2 reasons, they are bored, and they can. There is only one road in and out so there is constant traffic, and the road is gravel so prepare to eat dust. The sites aren't paved or even gravel, you park on the grass. Now for the positives. Some sites have 50 amp, most just 30 amp or less. Water hookups at most. No full hookups or dump site. There is a beach and swim area on Skunk Creek. A playground by the bathroom and showers. That building is clean, showers are free. Lots of shade from all the trees. Mosquitoes are few, flies plentiful. It is a quiet park after 10pm, but although they say closed after 8pm there was traffic all night long. Ask for a site in the back to avoid headlights shining on you all night long. Rates are $40/night for the pull through site we had w50 amp service. It has a few seasonal sites, all located at the rear. There is a golf course right next door across the creek. That is where the office is located. The town is small, only a gas station and small grocery store, so bring what you need. A Subway and nice drive-in are close by. Oh, the water is in me/my dogs opinion not for drinking. I wouldn't suggest weekends here unless you're into hearing every conversation your neighbors have or want to sleep in. Maybe the week days are better? They do allow leashed pets.
ScoutAmazing, Family-owned campground, just far enough from “the cities” to get away for the weekend, without spending too much time in the car. Clean bathrooms, nice sized park for kids, pool (not open in Sept), lake with ample docks for fishing or you can rent boats. The “general store” has everything you need from souvenirs to wood, to marshmallows for s’mores, and all at reasonable prices. Each campsite has electrical hookup, picnic table and fire pit. Pets welcome.
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.
LegendWhile this seems to be mainly an "RV" campground, but there were a few cabins on the lake and two gorgeous tent sites that would be the envy of many other camps. They were ideal, especially for the family that wanted the "tent" experience without having to huff it through the woods with toddlers in tow.
Sleeping Fawn is very clearly marked from the road, and although they don't say "campground" on the sign, there are a few tent sites available. It's about a 3/4 mile drive off the main road, but signage is apparent the entire way, and it's super easy to find once you get there. There is an office for check in, cabins to rent and lots of RV sites available too. Even though RV's seem to dominate here, the roadway through the woods and past them is peaceful and serene. Pine needles cover the ground and create a softness to the scenery. The posts that mark each site are wooden, tall, and are clearly numbered. Close to the entrance is a "tent parking" area, a cart for hauling your things, and 2 tent pads, just across the drive and down a little path about 20 yards. Perfect!
The tent sites are far enough apart to be "separate", but close enough that if you had family or friends, they are close by. Garbage cans are at the split in the path between #1 and #2 and each site has a fire ring, picnic table, gorgeous, flat tent pad and a view of the lake. And again, if you needed something from the car, it's a 50 yard walk. Not a 3 mile trudge through the woods.
Camping in tents May 18 - Oct 1
Camping rates were a bit steep for my liking, but I like primitive sites in the woods. So if you were a family trying to introduce wee ones to camping, it would still be worth it. $28 for a site as of 2018. Or a weekly rate of $170. Showers and laundry available, as well as free coffee in the morning. They also have a beach, nature trail, small store and other amenities.
NOTE: Pets are not allowed at this resort
TravelerThis campground is in Paul Bunyan State Forest. First come, first serve. No ATVs are allowed, perfect if you have young kids on bikes. There are no hook ups at all. Must have a generator for power. Water is available but not at every site. Pets are allowed. Outside toilets are clean. This is a quiet camp ground. The site includes a table and fire ring. There is no place to dock your boat over night. Keep in mind these sites are only $14 a night. There is a host but no security. There are signs up warning about bears.
GuideThe thing about State Parks is that they don't always know what they want to be.
Are they here to celebrate nature, and provide a moments breath away from the pace of urban life? Are they here for historical facts? Are they for revenue?
Crow Wing State Park suffers from this dilemma. While the tent sites are nice and spacious, the RV sites are stacked one on top of another, with no illusion of privacy. The weekend we were there, they were pretty full, but noise coming from other campers was acceptable.
There are plenty of water spigots, and toilet/shower facilities. The facilities are clean, but old.
There is an almost constant booming, however, coming from Fort Ripley, just down the river. The Fort serves as training for everything from the national guard, to state police, to the DNR. At one point, we could clearly hear live rounds being fired.
The walks and paths were well maintained, except that some were flooded out due to recent heavy rains. The area dedicated to the Old Crow Wing Village was well done.
What causes me the most confusion though, is that someone made the call to cover the roads with sand, instead of the traditional crushed stone. So, never mind that the sand made it harder to walk up hill to the water and showers, it got everywhere. When we tore down camp, I emptied enough sand from my tent, that I could have added a fresh layer to a cat's litter box.
I am very conflicted about this park. It is very pretty, but when you get right down to it, the little quirks that surround it add up. I'm not sure if we will be back. Not that we won't, it's just that we won't be rushing back.
Camping areas around Staples, Minnesota sit within the Brainerd Lakes region at about 1,300 feet elevation. The area features a mix of prairie and deciduous forest landscapes with numerous waterways. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity in July and August, while black flies can be present near lakes and rivers during late spring and early summer.
Disc golf and wildlife viewing: Sunnybrook Park offers a complete disc golf course alongside unique animal encounters. "This park features fishing in Whiskey Creek, stocked with rainbow trout, crappies, and sunfish... frisbee golf, volleyball area and a children's zoo, which includes buffalo, whitetail deer, peacocks, and golden pheasants," reports Tori K.
Kayaking and canoeing: Crow Wing State Park Campground provides excellent river access for paddlers. "We canoed into the park on the Mississippi and had to carry a canoe to our site. It wasn't easy to find, but once we got there, we settled in," shares Amy G. The park offers "great access for canoeing and kayaking the Mississippi water trail. If you start at Kiwanis Park in Brainerd, you can make it to Crow Wing in four hours leisurely, or three fairly easily," adds HollyRose M.
Hiking and sunset views: Scenic walking trails connect many campgrounds to surrounding natural areas. "The scenic nature trail at Rock Lake Campground offers wooded terrain ideal for dog walks," while Crow Wing State Park features a "hiking club trail straight from the campground, which was nice. I went on a few beautiful sunset walks to watch the sunset over the river," notes Sarah D.
Spacious, private sites: Rock Lake gets high marks for site layout. "Nice variety of campsites. There are about 10 sites that are next to the water giving you access to fishing, swimming and docking a small watercraft. Most of the sites are surrounded by trees, which is great for privacy," writes Mel G. Another camper adds, "It is a rustic state forest campground with great campsites located in a gorgeous oak-birch-pine forest and right on a pretty lake."
Free firewood: McGivern Park Campground stands out for its generous amenities. "Firewood's available for free. Water is old-fashioned pump so no hook up. Just fill buckets. Huge pine trees all around," reports Don L. Similarly, Cottingham Park Campground offers "private camping free firewood," according to Justin H.
Water recreation options: Campers appreciate the varied swimming and boating access. "There is a dock, sand swimming beach, horseshoe pits, disc golf, basketball court, and softball field," at Dower Lake Recreation Area, notes Tori K. Rock Lake campsites offer "a small lake access for swimming or launching a canoe or kayak. There is also a day use area with beach and boat launch, plus a nice nature trail," adds Janet R.
Water access varies by site: Most campgrounds have basic water systems rather than hookups. At Old Wadena County Park, "they have old fashioned water pump if you need water. Not able to connect a water hose. But can fill up buckets for water," explains Don L. At some locations, water access may require planning ahead.
Campsite reservation systems differ: Many smaller campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. "Get there early to find campsites," advises Don L. about Rock Lake. Knob Hill has both "upper level campground (for car camping and there is water here too for drinking) and a lower campground (for the canoe campers)," with staircase access between them.
Bathroom facilities are basic: Most campgrounds feature vault toilets rather than full facilities. "This is a rustic campground with no showers and vault toilets," notes Jennifer T. about Rock Lake. Bullard Bluff Campsite has "picnic tables and outhouses at the campground, maintenance is needed and appears to be a bit lacking," according to Janet R.
Look for kid-friendly activities: Gull Lake Recreation Area offers multiple recreational options. "There is a picnic area, playground, and fishing pier on the river, and another playground at the beach on the lake," writes Janet R. The campground is "nicely handicapped accessible, with broad open campsites, accessible bathrooms, and paved trails."
Consider swimming areas: Lakes with sandy beaches work best for children. "The beach was nice and clean with playgrounds and the water crystal clear," notes Jessi about Gull Lake. Rock Lake has "a day use area with beach and boat launch," though one camper mentions "it is a smaller lake and if you have little kids you can catch a million Sunnys but not much past that."
Bring insect protection: Bugs can be prevalent during warmer months. "If you visit in the summertime, expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly!" warns Sarah D. about Crow Wing State Park. Similarly, at Dower Lake, "lots of black flies but that's the lake," notes Corrie.
Site selection matters: Dower Lake Recreation Area provides varied hookup options. "Some full hookup sites but we just had electric only. Sites are nicely spaced but tight width wise," reports Corrie. For those seeking more basic options, Rock Lake has "a few sites that are open with no trees between the sites. These are great for trailers and 5th wheels or a large group requiring multiple sites."
Know hookup limitations: Many campgrounds have minimal services for RVs. "Water is old fashioned pump so no hook up. Just fill buckets," mentions Don L. about multiple campgrounds in the area. Gull Lake Recreation Area has "nice sandy beach on the other side of the dam" but charges a "$5 dumping charge," according to Scott G.
Plan for varying site surfaces: Surface types differ between campgrounds. At Gull Lake, "the pads are gravel, have plenty of space, and are also very well maintained," notes Jesse H., while other campgrounds may have grass pads without designated tent areas. "The sites are flat gravel (class5) no leveling blocks needed," adds Scott G.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Staples, MN is Crow Wing State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 27 reviews.
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