Glamping close to Beaver, Minnesota ranges from heated cabins to safari-style tents with many properties operating April through October. With sites located near the Root River, many accommodations provide access to multi-purpose trails through limestone bluff country. Average summer temperatures reach 80°F with overnight lows in the 60s, creating comfortable conditions for outdoor stays at campgrounds throughout the area.
What to do
Cave exploration: $10-16 per person. Forestville Mystery Cave State Park offers guided tours through impressive underground formations. A camper noted, "The cave tours are well done and the sites are scenic and tucked into the woods. There is also a winery (Four Daughter) not far away that's more than worth stopping at."
River activities: $5-25 rental fees. Tubing and kayaking on the Root River create popular warm-weather recreation options. "This campground was really good. It was located right on the Root River Trail System which we liked for biking and running," explains a visitor to The Old Barn Resort.
Wildlife viewing: No fees. Bluff overlooks provide optimal bird watching locations. According to one camper at Whitewater State Park, "Best part: very few mosquitoes!! (The cold, constantly moving water helps keep them away.) One of my favorite parks in the state of Minnesota."
Historic village exploration: $5-10 admission. Period buildings and demonstrations showcase 1800s rural life. A visitor remarked, "All in all this was a great get away for our family, and I highly recommend staying at the park."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained. Multiple campgrounds feature updated shower houses and restrooms. A camper at Chester Woods Park commented, "The bathrooms and showers we pristine clean and close and easy to walk to. The beach was great and clean. Fishing was great. Would definitely come back."
Private sites: Natural barriers. Many campgrounds feature wooded sites with vegetation providing separation. At Kruger Campground, a visitor noted, "Very affordable, a lot of space between sites so you feel like you have some privacy. A beautiful hiking trail. Definitely bring some bug spray for the mosquitos."
Riverside locations: Direct water access. Several glamping sites feature direct access to water. One visitor explained, "Nice and tucked away. Sites are very private. Has beautiful trails. Next to the river great for exploring and fishing."
Multi-activity options: Diverse amenities. Resort-style properties combine glamping with additional recreation options. A guest mentioned, "Great experience- the sites were a perfect size, not over crowded. Easy to get in and out of. Nice pool and shed area. The restaurant had good food and nice atmosphere."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Plan accordingly. Several campgrounds have poor or no connectivity. "I had the entire State Park to myself. It was super cool be eerie. Great hikes and the view from the top was worth it," shared one visitor at Whitewater State Park.
Weekend crowds: Book early. Most sites fill quickly May through September, especially holiday weekends. A camper observed, "We had a reservation on the North Shore, but switched it to Whitewater when we saw the ice and snowstorms in the forecast. Our site was large and easy to back into, all sites have a picnic table and fire ring."
Seasonal limitations: Weather impact. Most glamping accommodations close during winter months. According to a winter camper, "This campground is small and quaint...plenty of space without being too close to your neighbors. Super easy to social distance here."
Train noise: Location factors. Properties near railroad tracks experience periodic train noise. One reviewer noted, "Trains come by every 15-30 minutes just feet away from camp site."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple locations. Safe water recreation spots exist at several campgrounds. A visitor reported, "we had so much fun playing on the river and exploring the park! Everything is right there and the river is so pretty! Despite the rain we had a great time!"
Playground access: Child-friendly. Several sites feature dedicated play areas. A visitor to Great River Bluffs State Park remarked, "Stayed here in the fall. Had a site right next to the bathroom big enough for 2 tents and 2 vehicles. Hikes here offer great views of the river and bluffs and the fall colors are gorgeous!!!"
Educational opportunities: Learning options. Cave tours, nature centers, and historic sites provide educational value. One camper shared, "We hiked up chimney Rock and then looped bacj to tackle park of the Dakota trail! The hiking paths were well taken care of."
Firewood availability: $6-8 per bundle. Most campgrounds sell wood onsite. A visitor mentioned, "Firewood is available for $8 per bundle, you can pay by QR code if you have enough service."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Plan utilities. Most glamping sites offer electric hookups while fewer provide water connections. At Stockholm Park Campground, an RVer shared, "No showers, but bathrooms which were closed due to COVID. You need to fill up on water before arriving, there are electric hookups."
Reservation timing: Plan ahead. Many parks allow same-day reservations without service fees. According to one camper, "Price is $35 for the space/night with electric, and this time of year, there are no other options besides electric spaces. The bonus of making 'day of' reservations means there is no extra service fee."
Dump stations: Limited availability. Not all campgrounds provide dump facilities onsite. A visitor noted, "Electric only at the camp sites but have water and dump station on site. Clean bathrooms and showers. Best value I've seen for fire wood."
Size limitations: Check requirements. Some glamping areas cannot accommodate larger RVs. One visitor observed, "This was an interesting little campground sandwiched between the road and the Trempealeau River."
