Dog-Friendly Camping near Waite Park, MN

Pet friendly camping near Waite Park, Minnesota offers options for tent campers through RVers with sites ranging from rustic to full-service. Located in central Minnesota's glacial moraine landscape, the area features rolling hills and numerous lakes within a 30-minute drive. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during camping season with mosquitoes typically most active during June and July.

What to do

Horseback riding adventures: El Rancho Manana has on-site horseback riding trails where campers can experience guided excursions. According to one visitor, "On site horseback riding was great. Unfortunately, during COVID, the bar was not available. Can't wait to stay during one of the music events" at El Rancho Manana.

River tubing opportunities: Two Rivers Campground offers tubing experiences down the river. A camper notes, "Nice and clean, tubing down the river is a MUST! Lots of fun. There's mini golf, a decent arcade, a camp store" at Two Rivers Campground.

Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming areas including beaches and pools. One visitor to Schroeder County Park mentioned, "This campground is about 1.5 hours from the twin cities and it has a beautiful sandy beach and swimming area. There is also a fishing pier and boat launch available, great lake for water ski and other water sports."

What campers like

Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the generous site sizes at many locations. A visitor to St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park stated, "Absolutely beautiful campground with mature trees. Cedars, white oaks, hickory's and more. The birds are singing and so are the kids because this place has so much to do for them."

Family activities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated amenities for families. One camper noted, "They have a lazy river, a splash pool for little ones, and another pool for all ages. Kids will love the giant inflatable bouncy house, mini golf, and the many activities offered."

Natural surroundings: The wooded settings provide shade and privacy at many locations. A visitor to Lake Maria State Park Campground mentioned, "If you're looking for a peaceful escape where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birdsong, and frogs singing at dusk — Site B6 at Lake Maria State Park is the one."

What you should know

Backpacking options: Lake Maria State Park offers backpack-in sites of varying distances. According to a camper, "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites."

Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from May through October with limited winter options. Love's RV Hookup-Rockville stands out as a reviewer noted, "Still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food."

Variable pricing structures: Some campgrounds have implemented new fee systems. One camper commented, "New 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."

Tips for camping with families

Beach access: Schroeder County Park provides excellent swimming options for children. A visitor shared, "The beach front is long and beautiful, lots of room to roam," making it ideal for families with kids who enjoy water activities.

Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas designed for children. A visitor to St. Cloud Campground mentioned, "Nice facilities including 2 bathroom facilities, playground, volleyball court, dog walking area, baseball field, a lodge with games and a store, and a hall where they hold bingo and other events."

Cabin accommodations: For families new to camping, cabin options provide comfort with outdoor access. One visitor to Lake Maria noted, "Appreciated the camper cabin and the clean sites. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves. Good trails and a fun experience."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: When choosing an RV site, consider tree coverage and positioning. A camper at St. Cloud Campground shared, "We were in a pull through at the north end of the campground and the site itself was nice and had decent spacing between sites, but I noticed some of the other sites were quite close."

Convenience stops: For those traveling through, Love's offers practical overnight options. A reviewer noted, "I love that Love's has RV spots that are big rig friendly! These are a great option for a stop halfway through a trip. You have clean bathrooms in Love's, Hardee's for food, Love's for snacks and drinks."

Navigational challenges: Some campgrounds present difficulties for larger rigs. One camper at A J Acres Campground shared, "Navigating around trees was not so fun with our 5th wheel. We got the slideouts to fit in between the trees."