Cabin camping near Annandale, Minnesota sits within the scenic Central Lakes region, approximately 60 miles northwest of Minneapolis at an elevation of 1,060 feet. The area experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 82°F and cold winters reaching below 0°F, with seasonal cabin availability varying accordingly. Most camper cabins remain accessible from mid-April through mid-October, with select year-round options at Lake Maria State Park.
What to do
Hiking trails at Lake Maria State Park: The park offers multiple backpacking routes with varying difficulty levels surrounding its camper cabins. "This hike-in site is about a half-mile walk from the parking area, and the journey in is half the magic: winding wooded trails, wildflowers, and glimpses of the lake through the trees. Once you arrive, B6 feels like a secret woodland sanctuary — set up on a slight rise, tucked beneath a cathedral of towering oaks and maples," notes visitor Alison O.
Mushroom identification: Several wooded cabin areas provide opportunities for mushroom observation during spring and fall months. According to one visitor, "Our site was on a short private trail off the main loop and opened up to a decent space. We had a picnic table and fire pit and plenty of space for our two tents and an area to play. We were all entertained by the plethora of mushroom varieties that surrounded the camp."
Wildlife viewing: Crow Hassan Park Reserve combines cabin accommodations with excellent wildlife observation. "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!" reports visitor Alison O. The reserve is particularly known for its prairie restoration areas, where visitors often spot deer, foxes, and numerous bird species.
What campers like
Private cabin settings: Many visitors appreciate the secluded nature of cabins in the area. At Lake Maria State Park, one camper observed: "This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness."
Varied comfort levels: From rustic to fully-equipped, cabins near Annandale accommodate different preferences. "RV resort and some lot rentals, Heated pool, lake with beach, boat launch area just block away, tennis/pickle ball, mini golf, resort store with ice cream, goat park, paved roads and much more," explains Alan V. about Cokato Lake RV Resort.
Accessible amenities: Most cabin locations provide clean facilities and convenience features. "Clean bathrooms with hot water, clean laundry room," reports Heidi H. about St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park. Many parks maintain regular housekeeping schedules for shared facilities, especially during peak summer weekends.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Cabin bookings operate differently than traditional campsites. At Baker Park Reserve, the sites are "reservable 3-6 months in advance depending on the season, with summer weekends requiring earlier planning," according to park information. A visitor noted: "After reading a lot of Pinterest reviews I'm glad we stayed at this camp. Managed by ThreeRiversParks.org (make your reservation here) this is one of the cleanest camps I've ever stayed at."
Bug preparation: Seasonal insects affect cabin experiences differently by location and season. One visitor advises: "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon. We prepared the kiddos for a quick grab and run and jumped out of the car... My suggestion to anyone staying at this campground, be sure to call the office ahead and let them know that you want a site with trees and not one backing up to the road."
Water access considerations: Lakes and water features vary significantly between cabin locations. Campers should note: "Gotta cross a county road to get to lake," about Cokato Lake, while at Lake Maria, "The site is private, quiet, and wonderfully shaded, with just enough open sky for stargazing by the fire. The tent pad is level, and there's a solid fire ring and picnic table. Vault toilets and water access aren't too far, especially by backcountry standards."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Look for cabins with nearby recreational facilities. At St. Cloud Campground and RV Park, "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," according to Elizabeth W.
Swimming options: Several cabin locations offer water recreation for children. At Cokato Lake, "Inground, heated swimming pool; mini golf; pickleball; tennis; arcade room attached to the office. Ice cream shop has 8 flavors of hand-dipped yum!" reports Rachel H. Some locations maintain seasonal swim hours with limited lifeguard supervision.
Entertainment alternatives: Rainy day activities matter for family trips. "This a nice family campground. It has a 9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop. They also offer a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade," notes reviewer S L. about St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: When booking cabin camping near Annandale for larger vehicles, research site dimensions. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, one camper advised: "When I asked the owner for another site, he told me they were all taken except for one without a sewer connection. I asked why I was given such an undesirable site when I booked so far in advance and he told me that there is an algorithm that determines the site selection and if I wanted one with trees I needed to put a note on my reservation."
Utility considerations: Check specific hookup information before arrival. "We had 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. It was the worst wifi of about 15 campgrounds we've been to on our trip this year," according to Tina at St. Cloud Campground.
Seasonal operation dates: Verify opening schedules when planning trips. One visitor at Bertram Chain of Lakes noted: "This place had awesome trails and so many deer! It's like they were camping with us," but confirmed seasonal operations generally run from May through mid-October with select year-round exceptions.
