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Crow Wing State Park Campground welcomes pets across all accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping options. The park maintains clean pet-friendly facilities with modern restrooms, showers, and sanitary dump stations. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the campground and hiking areas. Red Rider Resort and True North Basecamp also accommodate pets with designated pet-friendly tent sites and cabins. Campers with dogs appreciate True North's proximity to downtown Crosby while maintaining a northwoods feel. Some campgrounds like True North Basecamp charge additional pet fees. The area's campgrounds generally require pets to be supervised at all times and owners to clean up after their animals. Campground tent sites are clean with flat grassy ground ideal for setting up with pets.
Multiple trails accessible directly from campground sites provide excellent walking opportunities for dogs and their owners. Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area connects to miles of pet-friendly trails that wind around crystal-clear mine pit lakes. Pets are welcome at the small beaches adjacent to many campgrounds, though they should be kept away from designated swimming areas. Most sites feature fire rings and picnic tables where pets can rest nearby while families enjoy meals outdoors. The proximity to Serpent Lake and other water bodies offers cooling options for dogs during summer months. Crosby Memorial City Park provides walking distance access to downtown shops and restaurants, making it convenient for quick supply runs while camping with pets. True North Basecamp's campsites allow easy access to mountain bike trails while providing space for pets to rest at camp between adventures.
"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"A 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 cabins are my favorite because of the lake views, proximity to the bathhouse, and heat/AC units. Cabin #5 has the best unobstructed views of the lake. Cabins have WiFi."
"Stayed at RV site 4 which is bordered by trees on one side which was nice for privacy."
"Easy access to both single track and to paved cycling path. Sites are close but still felt private, especially when leaves fill in. Nice shower house, and a sauna we didn’t use."
"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
Check Availability"Right on the lake with private dock. Sites a close by. Most have water and electric. Full hookups are very limited. Only 4 site near the back. Off of a quiet road. No traffic noise."
"We had site 4, lake side access. The site was amazing, with a dock to the lake. Has a picnic table with a lean to shelter, and a fire ring."
from $30 - $66 / night
Check Availability"Amenities include: playground, pool, lake, dog park, and store. Each site has a table and fire pit. Keep an eye on your account."
"Clean bathrooms, nice sized park for kids, pool (not open in Sept), lake with ample docks for fishing or you can rent boats."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability"Small campground but nice location with it being close to shopping and other activities."
"My dogs loved exploring the woods. The other campers were fun and social. And, this campground is close to the fun downtown in Crosby and the great bike trails and parks there."
"It’s clean, well-maintained, and close to town for groceries and restaurants. Would stay here again."
from $57 - $65 / night
Check Availability"The mountain biking trails were in great shape and were great for all skill levels. The lake was super clear and the small beach was wonderful."
"The old mine pits around and in the park are pristine and literally crystal clear! You can see hundreds of feet down through crystal clear water making it an amazing place to canoe and kayak."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Easy trail access to the Cuyuna MTB trails and paved bike paths. Right on Serpent Lake for boating and swimming access."
"On park, next to playground and beach. Walking distance to restaurants and bars, And easily bike to the Cuyuna Mountain Bike Trails.
Cons. Road noise and low privacy."
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.
LegendOur RV GPS brought us right to the campground(CG). We arrived about an hour early of their 3:00 PM check-in time with no issues checking in. We drove to FHU site 38 and backed in one and done. Our utilities were at the back of the site, and we needed about 35’ of electric and water hose. The sewer was more central, and I needed about 18’ of sewer hose for our rig. Our area had a few shade trees, but we had no problem hitting the north sky for Starlink. The water pressure was good, and we put on a reducer. Our nightly rate is based on an average over the weekday and weekend rates with no discounts offered. We stayed here three years ago when the CG was fairly young and not so built up. The clubhouse had gone to a full-service restaurant and bar, and when we were there around 10:30 AM, quite a few people were eating breakfast. We were told that the seasonal guests can golf on the weekends/holidays for free as part of their package, so tee times are needed. We saw a few seasonal folks going out, but just about every seasonal guest here has a golf cart, and they drove them around continuously during our Labor Day stay. Many of the seasonals also had ATVs, which they took off to ride the local trails. With the pool, new putt-putt golf, and other family activities, the CG was full of people. We were pleasantly surprised that the kids who rode on all sorts of electric bikes and scooters plus golf carts behaved themselves, and the parents seemed attentive. Everyone was friendly, and we happily noticed that the seasonal guests kept their sites clean and picked up after their dogs. They had expanded their dog park that’s up near the clubhouse, basketball court, and playground, but the dog area was not very convenient to the backside of the CG now that there are about 142 sites plus cabins/trailer park models available(with plans for more sites). However, there was plenty of room and little trails to walk your dog. The original/older sites 4-12 and the 30-40 area are currently being used for short-termers. Sites 1-3 are now cabins/park models. They have WiFi, but the signal was not very strong in our area. The golf course was under new design construction due to adding additional sites, but it was playable. Based on this CG becoming a seasonal golf cart community, we probably will not return.
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.
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.
ScoutMinnesota in the summer the parks are very full of large RVs. Our teardrop fits inside one. Nice clean campground. Friendly rangers. Nice showers. Beach area is small and no where the dogs can get in. Great charity that sells and delivers firewood.
Crow Wing State Park Campground provides river-based camping in north-central Minnesota where the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers meet. The park sits at an elevation of 1,211 feet with mixed hardwood forests that transition between seasons. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting fishing conditions and campsite selection, particularly in spring when snowmelt raises river levels.
Historic exploration: Walk the self-guided trail through the abandoned Crow Wing town site dating to the 1890s. "Historic signs describing the old town are along the beginning part of the trail near the picnic area. Kinda fun to read about and feel what old settlements were like!" notes HollyRose M. from Crow Wing State Park Campground.
Paddling the Mississippi: Launch canoes or kayaks directly from the park for river adventures. "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," according to HollyRose M.
Mountain biking: Access world-class trails at Cuyuna Country Recreation Area, offering varied difficulty levels on distinctive red dirt paths. "The mountain biking trails were in great shape and were great for all skill levels," writes Dave T. about Cuyuna Country State Rec Area.
Trout fishing: Fish the stocked mine pits for multiple trout species. "The yurts are set on a beautiful only mine pit that is stocked with all kinds of trout... fishing isn't bad either if you know how to fish trout," reports Allison K.
Sunset river walks: Take evening hikes along riverside trails. "Love doing a sunset hike, this trail is just over two miles, all along the river, with pretty much continual sunset views if you take the trail East to West," shares HollyRose M.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between campsites. "The site was nice and wooded. Definitely a bit more private than other Cuyuna options," says Jake N. about Red Rider Resort.
Lake views from cabins: Reserve waterfront cabins for direct lake access. "The cabins are my favorite because of the lake views, proximity to the bathhouse, and heat/AC units. Cabin #5 has the best unobstructed views of the lake," recommends Makayla B. from True North Basecamp.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower houses. "The bathroom and shower were clean and easily accessible," reports Sarah D. about Crow Wing State Park Campground.
Crystal-clear mine pit lakes: Unique water bodies created from former mining operations offer exceptional water clarity. "The old mine pits around and in the park are pristine and literally crystal clear! You can see hundreds of feet down through crystal clear water making it an amazing place to canoe and kayak," shares Allison K.
Walking distance to towns: Several campgrounds offer convenient access to local communities. "Walking distance to downtown shops and restaurants," notes charlie S. about Crosby Memorial City Park.
Mosquito preparation: Summer brings heavy mosquito activity, especially near water. "If you visit in the summertime, expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly!" warns Sarah D.
Booking windows: Reserve well ahead for popular times. "Book early on Recreation.gov - we reserved 6 months out for memorial weekend," advises Deb M. about Gull Lake Recreation Area.
Pet fees: Some dog friendly campgrounds near Woodrow charge additional fees for pets. "They do charge for pets," mentions Lacey F. about True North Basecamp.
Limited water hookups: Not all campgrounds offer water connections at individual sites. "There are no water hookups at the sites so be sure to fill up when you arrive," notes Curt D.
Shower house access: Codes may be required for bathhouse entry at some locations. "Check-in information is shared via email (key codes for the bathhouse and the cabin locks)," explains Makayla B.
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas for convenience with children. "This campground is perfect for families with the heated pool, swimming beach, super playground and activities like horseshoes, shuffleboard, basketball, ladder golf, disc golf, and more," recommends Kristen B. about Crow Wing Lake Campground.
Evening entertainment: Check for scheduled activities during summer months. "During summer months, there's music in the park Thursday evening!" notes charlie S.
Beach safety: Mine pit lakes get deep quickly near shores. "It has a great swimming area, though it did get deep fast for little kids," cautions Stacy M.
Supply runs: Most towns are within short drives for forgotten items. "It's a short 10 minute drive into Brainerd. If you are looking to eat out we love The Boulder Tap House and Rafferty's pizza!" shares Curt D.
Multi-activity options: Plan for varied activities to keep kids engaged. "We loved this campground and this area! The owners and staff were great. They have a small market and a game room," writes Nick K. about Camp Holiday Resort and Campground.
Leveling requirements: Bring adequate leveling equipment, especially for lakeside sites. "Most of the lake side sites were pretty uneven, bring plenty of leveling blocks," advises Angela J.
Site width variations: Some campgrounds offer particularly spacious sites for larger setups. "The sites are wide to give you space. It's hidden in the woods but close enough for you to go adventure," notes melanie F.
Full hookup limitations: Availability of complete utilities varies between campgrounds. "Full hookups are very limited. Only 4 site near the back," explains katherine O.
Site surfaces: Know what base material to expect for parking. "The sites are flat gravel (class5) no leveling blocks needed," reports Scott G.
Staff assistance: Some campgrounds provide parking guidance. "Campground owner was helpful by leading us to our site and directing us into spot," shares James and Susan K.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Woodrow, MN is Crow Wing State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 27 reviews.
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