It only makes sense that the Land of 10,000 Lakes would include places for Minnesota dogs to visit. However, it’s essential to check with the places you’d like to take your canine companion ahead of time. Public recreational areas and state parks usually don’t allow pets unless they are service animals. A word to the wise: some websites may claim sites are dog-friendly but verify it before you go. We’ve included a broad spectrum of beach-like experiences in our list. You’re sure to find something to please your family and pooch as you explore Minnesota.
The Top 8 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Minnesota 1. The Paw
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A post shared by Raven Road Kennel (@ravenroadkennel)
🗺️ Address: 1741 Premiere Drive, Mankato, MN
🕐 Open Times: 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM, Monday through Friday; 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM, Saturday; 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, Sunday – by reservation only
💲 Cost: Varies with the swimming experience
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated indoor and outdoor areas
Proof of vaccinations, a must-have
Good choice for pups of all swimming skill levels
Self-serve bathing station
Store with fun pool toys on-site
Indoor-outdoor experience available
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
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A post shared by ↟𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗟𝗘𝗬↟ the Adventure Saint! (@kinleyxnorth)
🗺️ Address: 8901 Grand Ave Place Duluth, MN (Superior National Forest admin building)
🕐 Open Times: Open year-round, but check for closures and other seasonal updates
💲 Cost: Permits required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, but you must have your pet under control at all times
Native wolves and bears on-site
Multiple ways to enter the area
Pre-planning your stay highly recommended
Tick hotspot
No potable water on-site
- Voyageurs National Park
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A post shared by McKenzie Kaylyn Elmberg (@mckenzie0019elmberg)
🗺️ Address: 360 Hwy 11 East International Falls, MN
🕐 Open Times: Open year-round, but check for closures and seasonal updates
💲 Cost: Free to visit, but fees apply for camping
🐕 Off-Leash: Not permitted
Proof of vaccinations required
Leashed pets on the trails but not back-country campsites
A wide variety of trail experiences for hikers of all skill levels
Guided automobile tours
Native wolves and bears on-site
- Minnehaha Off-Leash Recreation Area
🗺️ Address: 5399 Minnehaha Park Drive S Minneapolis, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM
💲 Cost: Daily or annual permit required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, with restricted hours between 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Adjacent garden and walking path, dog-friendly for leashed pets
Partially enclosed
Three-dog limit
Nearby National Park Service (NPS) land, leashed pets only
Falls, a must-see
- Cleary Lake Regional Park
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A post shared by abbyrosekingsley (@abbyrosekingsley)
🗺️ Address: 6246 190th St E, Prior Lake, MN
🕐 Open Times: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Daily or annual permit required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, but only when open
Two-dog limit
Proof of vaccinations required
Fenced-in area with wetland pond
Adjacent golf course and campground
28 acres open to dogs
- Meeker Island Dog Park
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A post shared by B R I G G S Y (@briggs_thegoldie)
🗺️ Address: 471 Mississippi River Blvd N Saint Paul, MN
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to 11:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: In designated areas only, as long as your pets are under control
Dog playtime area and beach
Three-dog maximum
Unfenced park
Check for closures due to seasonal high waters
- Matoska Park
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A post shared by Buzz (@buzz.like.lightyear)
🗺️ Address: 4810 Lake Avenue North White Bear Lake, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: In designated areas only as long as your pets are under control
4-mile shoreline to explore
Boat launch on-site
Public restrooms on-site
Walking path
- Park Point Beach
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A post shared by Fezzik, Marnie and the Crew (@theoddsqwad)
🗺️ Address: 45th Street and Minnesota Avenue, Duluth, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: In designated areas only as long as your pets are under control
7-mile-long sandbar
Cold waters in Lake Superior
Chilly winds off the lake
Check for riptide updates
Beach house
Conclusion Some of the best places to take your pup in Minnesota are the many dog-friendly parks found throughout the state. With the semi-official count of 14,380 lakes, you’re sure to find a beach that will make a great day in the sun and water for your entire family—including your canine companion.
Featured Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock
It only makes sense that the Land of 10,000 Lakes would include places for Minnesota dogs to visit. However, it’s essential to check with the places you’d like to take your canine companion ahead of time. Public recreational areas and state parks usually don’t allow pets unless they are service animals. A word to the wise: some websites may claim sites are dog-friendly but verify it before you go.
We’ve included a broad spectrum of beach-like experiences in our list. You’re sure to find something to please your family and pooch as you explore Minnesota.
The Top 8 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Minnesota
1. The Paw
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Raven Road Kennel (@ravenroadkennel)
🗺️ Address: 1741 Premiere Drive, Mankato, MN
🕐 Open Times: 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM, Monday through Friday; 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM, Saturday; 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, Sunday – by reservation only
💲 Cost: Varies with the swimming experience
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated indoor and outdoor areas
Proof of vaccinations, a must-have
Good choice for pups of all swimming skill levels
Self-serve bathing station
Store with fun pool toys on-site
Indoor-outdoor experience available
2. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by ↟𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗟𝗘𝗬↟ the Adventure Saint! (@kinleyxnorth)
🗺️ Address: 8901 Grand Ave Place Duluth, MN (Superior National Forest admin building)
🕐 Open Times: Open year-round, but check for closures and other seasonal updates
💲 Cost: Permits required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, but you must have your pet under control at all times
Native wolves and bears on-site
Multiple ways to enter the area
Pre-planning your stay highly recommended
Tick hotspot
No potable water on-site
3. Voyageurs National Park
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by McKenzie Kaylyn Elmberg (@mckenzie0019elmberg)
🗺️ Address: 360 Hwy 11 East International Falls, MN
🕐 Open Times: Open year-round, but check for closures and seasonal updates
💲 Cost: Free to visit, but fees apply for camping
🐕 Off-Leash: Not permitted
Proof of vaccinations required
Leashed pets on the trails but not back-country campsites
A wide variety of trail experiences for hikers of all skill levels
Guided automobile tours
Native wolves and bears on-site
4. Minnehaha Off-Leash Recreation Area
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Raven Road Kennel (@ravenroadkennel)
A post shared by Raven Road Kennel (@ravenroadkennel)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Proof of vaccinations, a must-have
Good choice for pups of all swimming skill levels
Self-serve bathing station
Store with fun pool toys on-site
Indoor-outdoor experience available
- Proof of vaccinations, a must-have
- Good choice for pups of all swimming skill levels
- Self-serve bathing station
- Store with fun pool toys on-site
- Indoor-outdoor experience available
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by ↟𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗟𝗘𝗬↟ the Adventure Saint! (@kinleyxnorth)
A post shared by ↟𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗟𝗘𝗬↟ the Adventure Saint! (@kinleyxnorth)
Native wolves and bears on-site
Multiple ways to enter the area
Pre-planning your stay highly recommended
Tick hotspot
No potable water on-site
- Native wolves and bears on-site
- Multiple ways to enter the area
- Pre-planning your stay highly recommended
- Tick hotspot
- No potable water on-site
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by McKenzie Kaylyn Elmberg (@mckenzie0019elmberg)
A post shared by McKenzie Kaylyn Elmberg (@mckenzie0019elmberg)
Proof of vaccinations required
Leashed pets on the trails but not back-country campsites
A wide variety of trail experiences for hikers of all skill levels
Guided automobile tours
Native wolves and bears on-site
- Proof of vaccinations required
- Leashed pets on the trails but not back-country campsites
- A wide variety of trail experiences for hikers of all skill levels
- Guided automobile tours
- Native wolves and bears on-site
🗺️ Address: 5399 Minnehaha Park Drive S Minneapolis, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM
💲 Cost: Daily or annual permit required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, with restricted hours between 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Adjacent garden and walking path, dog-friendly for leashed pets
Partially enclosed
Three-dog limit
Nearby National Park Service (NPS) land, leashed pets only
Falls, a must-see
5. Cleary Lake Regional Park
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by abbyrosekingsley (@abbyrosekingsley)
🗺️ Address: 6246 190th St E, Prior Lake, MN
🕐 Open Times: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Daily or annual permit required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, but only when open
Two-dog limit
Proof of vaccinations required
Fenced-in area with wetland pond
Adjacent golf course and campground
28 acres open to dogs
6. Meeker Island Dog Park
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by B R I G G S Y (@briggs_thegoldie)
🗺️ Address: 471 Mississippi River Blvd N Saint Paul, MN
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to 11:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: In designated areas only, as long as your pets are under control
Dog playtime area and beach
Three-dog maximum
Unfenced park
Check for closures due to seasonal high waters
7. Matoska Park
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Buzz (@buzz.like.lightyear)
🗺️ Address: 4810 Lake Avenue North White Bear Lake, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: In designated areas only as long as your pets are under control
4-mile shoreline to explore
Boat launch on-site
Public restrooms on-site
Walking path
8. Park Point Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Fezzik, Marnie and the Crew (@theoddsqwad)
🗺️ Address: 45th Street and Minnesota Avenue, Duluth, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: In designated areas only as long as your pets are under control
7-mile-long sandbar
Cold waters in Lake Superior
Chilly winds off the lake
Check for riptide updates
Beach house
Adjacent garden and walking path, dog-friendly for leashed pets
Partially enclosed
Three-dog limit
Nearby National Park Service (NPS) land, leashed pets only
Falls, a must-see
- Adjacent garden and walking path, dog-friendly for leashed pets
- Partially enclosed
- Three-dog limit
- Nearby National Park Service (NPS) land, leashed pets only
- Falls, a must-see
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by abbyrosekingsley (@abbyrosekingsley)
A post shared by abbyrosekingsley (@abbyrosekingsley)
Two-dog limit
Proof of vaccinations required
Fenced-in area with wetland pond
Adjacent golf course and campground
28 acres open to dogs
- Two-dog limit
- Proof of vaccinations required
- Fenced-in area with wetland pond
- Adjacent golf course and campground
- 28 acres open to dogs
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by B R I G G S Y (@briggs_thegoldie)
A post shared by B R I G G S Y (@briggs_thegoldie)
Dog playtime area and beach
Three-dog maximum
Unfenced park
Check for closures due to seasonal high waters
- Dog playtime area and beach
- Three-dog maximum
- Unfenced park
- Check for closures due to seasonal high waters
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Buzz (@buzz.like.lightyear)
A post shared by Buzz (@buzz.like.lightyear)
4-mile shoreline to explore
Boat launch on-site
Public restrooms on-site
Walking path
- 4-mile shoreline to explore
- Boat launch on-site
- Public restrooms on-site
- Walking path
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Fezzik, Marnie and the Crew (@theoddsqwad)
A post shared by Fezzik, Marnie and the Crew (@theoddsqwad)
7-mile-long sandbar
Cold waters in Lake Superior
Chilly winds off the lake
Check for riptide updates
Beach house
- 7-mile-long sandbar
- Cold waters in Lake Superior
- Chilly winds off the lake
- Check for riptide updates
- Beach house
Conclusion
Some of the best places to take your pup in Minnesota are the many dog-friendly parks found throughout the state. With the semi-official count of 14,380 lakes, you’re sure to find a beach that will make a great day in the sun and water for your entire family—including your canine companion.
Featured Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock
