Pet friendly camping near Wadena, Minnesota offers options for tent camping, cabin stays, and RV sites in central Minnesota's wooded setting. Campgrounds in this region are situated at approximately 1,330 feet elevation in a transitional zone between prairie and forest ecosystems. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, with higher humidity levels and occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Fishing and water recreation: At McGivern Park Campground, campers can access the Crow Wing River for fishing and paddling. "Great spot. Very nice to stay. On the crow wing river. Clean and well spaced sites," notes Don L., who appreciated the riverside location.
Disc golf courses: Several area campgrounds feature disc golf courses. Sebeka Public Park and Campground offers a disc golf course alongside horseshoe pits and a playground. The park also features "a small historic site" with "groceries available within walking distance," according to Katrina M.
Wildlife viewing: While dogs must remain leashed, campers can observe local wildlife at various locations. Sunnybrook Park includes buffalo and deer in their children's zoo, along with peacocks and golden pheasants. Tori K. noted the park offers "lots of fun amenities, most notable are disc golf and a small zoo with some bison and deer."
What campers like
River access for pets: Campers appreciate the opportunity for pets to cool off in local waterways. Old Wadena County Park sits "on the river. So you can launch canoes&kayaks," according to Don L., who found it to be a "beautiful park" with convenient water access.
Spacious campsites: Golden Eagle Campground offers room for pets to move around. Morghain C. noted, "Campsites had plenty of space to spread out and enjoy," making it ideal for those traveling with pets needing exercise space.
Swimming opportunities: Dower Lake Recreation Area provides a sand swimming beach where pets can cool off after a hike. Tori K. mentioned that the recreation area "offers sites with no hookups and sites with electric" and includes "a dock, sand swimming beach, horseshoe pits, disc golf, basketball court, and softball field."
What you should know
Limited hookups at some locations: Not all pet-friendly campgrounds offer full amenities. At Old Wadena County Park, "water is old fashioned pump so no hook up. Just fill buckets," according to Don L., who still rated the experience highly.
Variable bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies between campgrounds. At Sebeka Public Park and Campground, Brylee observed, "The bathrooms were nice with all things considered. There were two bathrooms and one shower stall." Meanwhile, Katrina M. noted they are "older, but generally kept clean and well stocked."
Fee structures: Camping costs vary by location and amenity level. Smith Park Campground offers electric hookups with water availability and sewer dump access. Sebeka Public Park has updated their pricing, as Brylee pointed out: "The price is no longer $10 for tent camping, it is now $15. Full hook ups was $30 now."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Sebeka Public Park includes "a great playground" alongside picnic shelters and a small historic site, making it suitable for families with both children and pets.
Consider swimming options: Smith Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities within walking distance to town. Caleb M. describes it as "a great campground to stop at along your way" with "bathrooms, sewer dump, and charcoal grills available. Also plenty of picnic tables and a playground for the kids."
Choose locations with multiple activities: Sunnybrook Park provides diverse recreation options with "fishing in Whiskey Creek, (stocked with rainbow trout, crappies, and sunfish), picnic area, children's playground, semi-enclosed shelters" plus "softball fields, frisbee golf, volleyball area," according to Tori K.
Tips from RVers
Check road access: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Knob Hill, John N. advises, "It's more of a trail than a road for the last part... 4 wheels is advised or a dirt bike."
Site width considerations: While many sites offer adequate spacing between neighbors, RVers should check width dimensions. At Dower Lake Recreation Area, Corrie observed, "Sites are nicely spaced but tight width wise," which could be challenging for larger RVs with slideouts.
Utility limitations: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Wadena offer only partial hookups. Golden Eagle Campground has "electric and water" but "no full hook up...but dump station on site," according to Sandra, who stayed for six days despite these limitations.
