Best Dog-Friendly Camping in Minnesota
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground and Jay Cooke State Park welcome dogs and other pets at their established camping sites. Located along Minnesota's scenic North Shore, these parks offer picturesque settings with hiking trails accessible to leashed pets. Campground amenities include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water, while bathroom facilities provide clean, modern accommodations with hot showers. Many reviewers note that while sites are relatively close together at some parks, the natural wooded settings still provide adequate privacy for pets and their owners. The combination of electric hookups at most sites and pets-allowed policies makes these parks popular choices for both tent campers and RV enthusiasts.
Dogs particularly enjoy the varied trail systems throughout Minnesota's state parks, including the 4.5 miles of hiking trails at Minneopa State Park where the Red Fox Campground provides pet-friendly accommodations near the bison range. Leash requirements are strictly enforced at all Minnesota state parks, typically requiring pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Campers should bring adequate water supplies for pets during summer months when temperatures can rise significantly. Sites at Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground are particularly dog-friendly with short walks to water access points. Mosquitoes and flies can be intense after rainfall, making bug spray essential for both humans and pets during Minnesota's summer camping season. Sites near train tracks at some campgrounds may disturb noise-sensitive pets, so requesting sites away from railways is recommended for campers with anxious dogs.
