15 Pet-Friendly Resorts in Minnesota for Fun with Furry Friends (2023)
Are you hoping to take a vacation this summer with your furry friend and are looking for the best pet friendly resorts in Minnesota?
With there being so many amazing lakes and forests spread across Minnesota, it makes it easy to find places to kick back and relax in nature.
And what’s better than going on a weekend getaway and being able to bring your pets with you? After all, they are part of the family!
I grew up in Minnesota and have always been of the mindset that I’m going to bring my dog everywhere with me, so I totally get why you want to travel with your pet.
In this post, I’m going to share with you some of the very best resorts in Minnesota that allow pets, so they can tag along on your adventures.
Pet-Friendly Resorts in Minnesota
1. Appeldoorn’s Sunset Bay Resort
Location: Isle
Open Season: Year-Round
If you’re looking for a place to stay with your furry friend, Appeldoorn’s Sunset Bay Resort in Isle makes for a great location.
The resort is located on the shores of Mille Lacs Lake, one of the best and most popular fishing lakes in the state.
You can book a stay at Appeldoorn’s and have your furry friend stay with you, as long as they’re under 30 pounds.
There are a variety of lodging options including the main lodge with lake view rooms, as well as small cabins.
During your time at the resort, be sure to head out onto the water for some fishing, or swim at their beautiful sandy swimming beach.
There are kayaks, pedal boats, and water toys available for all guests to use, or you can rent everything from paddleboards to jet skis to a pontoon.
And then sit back and relax near the courtyard firepits or watch the sunset along the lakeshore.
2. Little Norway Resort
Location: Park Rapids
Open Season: Summer
I grew up visiting Little Norway Resort in Park Rapids, and have loved getting to spend time relaxing on the shores of Little Mantrap Lake in the summer.
Having fun on your summer vacation with your furry friend is made easy with their allowance of dogs up to 50 pounds in some cabins.
There are a variety of pet friendly cabins in Minnesota available, from small one-bedroom cabins to larger three-bedroom options.
You can enjoy things like a sandy beach, going out on the boat, letting the kids play at the playground, or relaxing in a lounge chair during your visit.
And nearby, you’ll find plenty more to do in Park Rapids, from the Mississippi Headwaters to an adorable Main Street.
You can bring your dog out for some fun at places like Itasca State Park or bring them for a walk along the Heartland State Trail.
3. Grand View Lodge
Location: Nisswa
Open Season: Year-Round
At Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, you’ll be within a short distance of the Brainerd Lakes Area, which is a beautiful spot in Minnesota.
Certain rooms are pet-friendly, and you can bring small dogs, which weigh under 25 pounds.
There are several lodging options from golf course rooms to a boutique hotel and a main lodge.
You can enjoy all of the fantastic amenities at the resort, from their indoor pool and waterslide, as well as a hot tub, and an outdoor pool area.
Other fun activities include basketball hoops, a sand volleyball court, ice skating rinks for the winter months, and a playground for the kids.
Nearby, you can check out multiple golf courses, including the one right on-site at Grand View Lodge.
There are multiple restaurants on-site to enjoy, including breakfast, a pizza shop, a pub, and more. As well as a spa to sit back and relax at.
Grand View Lodge is a beautiful lodging choice and a great resort to stay at in Minnesota.
4. Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge
Location: Bemidji
Open Season: Year-Round
This pet friendly resort in Minnesota offers beautiful lodging options, along with some of the best amenities for guests to enjoy.
Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge is a beautiful resort located on the shores of Lake Bemidji in Northern Minnesota.
The resort welcomes pets in select accommodations, including the cottages, cabins, and Cedar Lodge for an additional nightly charge.
Aside from just the lodging, guests can enjoy recreating on Lake Bemidji, lakefront views, fishing, canoeing or kayaking, and more.
There’s an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and a fitness center to take advantage of, and multiple golf courses nearby for golfers.
Plus, Bemidji is big on winter sports, from snowmobiling to ice skating on their private rink, and snowshoeing around the property.
Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge is an ideal destination for families and individuals who want to enjoy a memorable vacation with their furry friends.
5. Lake Darling Resort
Location: Alexandria
Open Season: Year-Round
Visiting the Alexandria Chain of Lakes will give you the peace and seclusion that you’re searching for on your vacation!
And the best part is that you can bring your furry friend along to the year-round Lake Darling Resort.
There are several villas available with a variety of sizes, including four and five-bedroom homes, just steps from Lake Darling.
Guests can all take advantage of the amenities like the sandy beaches with fire pits, screened porches on all of the homes, and boat rentals.
Whether you want to sit back and relax on the beach or enjoy recreating on the lake, you can do it all at Lake Darling Resort!
6. Cascade Lodge
Location: Lutsen
Open Season: Year-Round
Lutsen is a year-round destination for outdoors lovers and those looking to sit back and relax along a lakeshore, and offers great dog-friendly cabins on the North Shore, MN.
Doing so along the North Shore is one of the best things to do, so a stay at Cascade Lodge will be perfect for you!
As for your furry friend, you can bring up to 2 dogs with you, and they can stay in any cabins or basecamp units at Cascade Lodge.
The beautiful log pet friendly cabins in Minnesota offer lake views, your own private space, and a variety of sizes, depending on how much space you need.
You can also stay in the basecamp units, which are a bit older and smaller, but still have the same great charm and feature everything you may need for your stay.
During your stay, you can enjoy things like direct trail access, ski and canoe rentals, a campfire area, and much more. And be sure to take a trip to Grand Marais!
Whether you’re visiting the North Shore in the winter, with kids, or with a dog, this is a great place to call homebase.
7. Chase on the Lake
Location: Walker
Open Season: Year-Round
Located in the small town of Walker, on Walker Bay of Leech Lake, this resort is perfect for fishermen and women and those seeking rest and relaxation.
Enjoy all things Minnesotan as you splash around on the lake, go out and catch some fish, or just admire the sunset and sunrise from shore.
Pets under 50 pounds can stay with you at Chase on the Lake in select rooms, as long as you call ahead and make sure they’re aware of your furry friend coming!
There are lakeside dining options, so you can enjoy the views as you eat, or relax in their spa with a massage or facial.
Check out their large indoor pool and hot tub, as well as the fitness center. Guests can take advantage of rentals for things like fish houses for ice fishing, boats, and bikes.
Leech Lake is one of the best places to catch walleye and northern pike, so you’ll for sure want to get out on the water if you’re a fisherman!
8. Superior Shores Resort
Location: Two Harbors
Open Season: Year-Round
Enjoy the sounds of Lake Superior’s waves crashing into shore and check out all of the amazing hidden gems on the Nore Shore at Superior Shores Resort.
Sit right on the shore of Lake Superior and relax on its pebble beach, roast a marshmallow at the lakeside fire pits, and wander the shores with your pet.
Dogs can take along for your North Shore vacation and stay in either the Main Lodge or in the Lakehomes, with a maximum of two dogs per room.
The Lakehomes vary in size from one to three bedrooms, and the Main Lodge offers hotel-style rooms with upgrades such as jacuzzi and fireplace suites.
Humans can enjoy the year-round indoor pool and hot tub, as well as an outdoor pool and hot tub which are open seasonally.
An on-site restaurant are available, and of course, the close proximity to the North Shore’s best hikes and activities is the best feature.
When you aren’t spending time at the resort, be sure to head into Two Harbors to explore all that there is to do in the small town.
Superior Shores Resort offers some of the best pet friendly cabins on Lake Superior.
9. Quarterdeck Resort
Location: Nisswa
Open Season: Year-Round
This luxury resort offers great amenities for both humans and pets alike, because the Quarterdeck Resort knows that your pet deserves the world.
They can enjoy everything from a specific bed just for them, a feeding mat with food and water bowls, and a complimentary goodie bag with treats and a toy.
All of this is available to you, as long as you’re sure to register your pet for the ‘Quarterdeck Loves Pets’ program before arriving.
As for the humans, you can take advantage of everything from a lakeside beach grill, complimentary kayak rentals, boat rentals, and a seasonal snack shack.
And as if that weren’t enough, a new year-round outdoor pool, sauna, and hot tub are on their way this summer, called Club Quarterdeck.
You can also take advantage of all of the fun things to do in the Brainerd Lakes area such as ice fishing and snowmobiling in the winter to boating and swimming in the summer.
10. Grand Ely Lodge Resort & Conference Center
Location: Ely
Open Season: Year-Round
This pet friendly resort in Minnesota is a bit different since you’ll stay in the lodge, rather than in small cabins, but it’s still great.
You’ll be located in Ely, known as the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, nestled away in the forested land.
The resort sits right on the edge of Shagawa Lake, and you can rent a boat to take out or use their complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, and more.
Along with all of the outdoor amenities, there’s an on-site restaurant and lounge, as well as a heated indoor pool and sauna.
Furry friends can tag along for your Ely vacation, as there are a few designated rooms for pets, and you can bring two pets with you!
There are many great hikes nearby, so you can get out on the trails and bring your pet out for some exercise!
11. Madden’s on Gull Lake
Location: Brainerd
Open Season: Year-Round
Everyone from golfers to those looking to relax to kids will love spending a week at Madden’s on Gull Lake this summer.
Situated right on a peninsula of Gull Lake, this resort offers spectacular views and even better activities to keep you busy!
The entire family, even your four-legged companion can have fun here with a stay in one of their Wilson Bay Sunset Villas.
A few of these units are pet-friendly and allow one dog per room, so your pet can tag along!
Within Brainerd, you can find an off-leash dog park to bring your dog to, or you can walk your dog around the resort as long as they’re leashed.
Aside from the rooms, you can enjoy an inflatable waterpark on the lake, a large fitness room, time relaxing on the beach, or renting a boat.
And of course, there are several great golf courses in the area, from private to public options, to check out.
12. Northern Lights Resort & Outfitting
Location: Kabetogama
Open Season: Year-Round (select cabins)
Located way up north near the Canadian border and Voyageurs National Park is Northern Lights Resort & Outfitting.
If you’re a fisherman or woman, then this is the resort for you. You’ll find lots of great fish in Lake Kabetogama from this fishing resort.
There are a variety of dog-friendly cabins available that allow pets, which range in size from 1 bedroom to 3 bedrooms.
You can choose to stay in either Sunset, Bass, Caribou, or Bear cabins, but you must get approval before booking. So be sure to call beforehand!
During your stay, you can enjoy their occasional weekly activities on their events calendar like youth get-togethers or arts and crafts.
Kids will also love playing on the water trampoline and climbing walls that are found in the lake.
Listen to the beautiful sounds of nature on the private beach, go fishing from the dock, relax around the campfire, and keep an eye out for wildlife!
There also is a sauna available for guests to use, as well as kayaks, paddleboats, and more to take onto the water.
13. Kamp Dels
Location: Waterville
Open Season: Summer
If you’re traveling with kids and want somewhere to let them burn off some energy, then Kamp Dels is going to be your best option.
This unique resort is one of the best, as it combines an amazing campground and resort with a fantastic outdoor waterpark.
If you don’t mind staying at their campground rather than in the cabins, you can bring your pet along to enjoy the fun! Pets aren’t allowed in the cabins.
During your stay, you can enjoy their massive waterpark that has multiple slides, a climbing wall, swimming pools, and more.
Kick back and relax at the campsite as you roast marshmallows over a fire, or head out onto Lake Sakatah for some kayaking or swimming.
There are even seasonal campsites available, so if you want to relax all summer long with your pet, you can do so!
A stay at Kamp Dels will ensure that the entire family has fun, no matter your ages.
14. Lost Lake Lodge
Location: Nisswa
Open Season: Summer
Found right in the Brainerd Lakes Area, Lost Lake Lodge offers a variety of great activities during the summer months on their 80-acre property.
You can choose between a variety of cabins and cottages, and dogs are welcome to stay in a few of their different cabins.
There will be an additional fee per night, and pets must be on a leash, but it’s worth it for your dog to join in on the fun.
Aside from the lodging, you can enjoy relaxing right on the shores of Lost Lake, which is just a short distance from the popular Gull Lake.
There’s a swimming raft that you can take a dip in the water and swim to, or just sit back and relax by the campfire.
Kids can also play at the playground, or you can take advantage of their other fun activities like an arcade, volleyball court, or basketball court.
Lost Lake Lodge is the perfect destination for everyone, from four-legged friends to adults.
15. Lodge at Giant’s Ridge
Location: Biwabik
Open Season: Year-Round
This year-round resort has something for everyone, from skiers and snowboarders to mountain bikers to those just seeking rest and relaxation.
The Lodge at Giant’s Ridge is found right at the base of Giant’s Ridge Ski Resort and offers easy ski-in, ski-out access to the slopes.
And during the summer months, you can check out their amazing mountain biking trails, or the great golf course that is on-site.
For your accommodations, you’ll be staying in a condo that features between 1 and 4 bedrooms as well as a kitchenette to cook meals during your stay.
There are a select number of dog-friendly rooms available for furry friends under 40 pounds.
You’ll find plenty of places to wander around and explore with your pet, as long as they are on a leash.
So whether you’re visiting in the summer in hopes of soaking up the sun or are looking forward to hitting the slopes in the winter, there is something for you to do at Giant’s Ridge.
Tips for visiting Resorts in Minnesota with Pets
While you as a pet owner must know your furry friend pretty well, it’s important to remember a few things when you’re bringing them onto someone else’s property.
Pets can get rowdy at times, and it’s vital that you control them to protect themselves and others. Here are a few tips to know.
- Keep them leashed: Unless it’s otherwise stated that it’s an off-leash area, be sure to keep your dog on a leash.
- Only bring well-controlled pets: If you dog tends to get aggressive or mean when around other people or animals, it’s best to leave them at home with a pet sitter.
- Don’t forget food and water dishes: This might be an easy one to forget! Bring your pets food and water dishes for your stay.
- Clean up after them: You should always clean up after your pets. Bring doggy bags and carry them with you. It’s miserable to step in a pile of… ya know… on vacation!
- Check that there are pet-friendly rooms: While these are pet-friendly resorts, be sure to call ahead and double-check that they have an available room. At some locations, only select cabins or rooms are dog friendly.
- Check their vaccination records: Some resorts will require certain vaccinations for dogs, so be sure to check into those details.
- Know that you are responsible: You are solely responsible for your pet. It isn’t up to anyone but you to keep track of them! You may incur fees if they damage anything, and some people don’t like dogs. So always have an eye on them.
Wrap-Up: Minnesota Pet-Friendly Resorts
With its stunning natural beauty, Minnesota is the perfect destination for pet owners who want to enjoy a relaxing vacation with their four-legged companions.
I totally understand not wanting to leave your pet at home when you go on a family vacation because they are part of your family!
There are so many great pet friendly resorts in Minnesota that make for the perfect place to stay when your furry friend is tagging along.
