Cabins near Brook Park, Minnesota offer year-round accommodations in a region known for its dense forests and river landscapes along the St. Croix watershed. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, while summer brings highs around 80°F with significant humidity. Mosquito activity peaks in June and July, particularly near the slow-moving rivers that characterize the region.
What to do
Climb the fire tower: At St. Croix State Park, visitors can ascend a 100-foot fire tower that provides panoramic views of the surrounding forest. "The hiking here is amazing! The Quarry Loop along the Kettle River has a ton of history, allowing you to explore the remains of the 130+ year old sandstone quarry. Seeing the drill holes in the cliffs was really cool," notes Jennifer H.
Winter camping and activities: The forested areas near Brook Park offer unique winter camping opportunities. "This is a great place for winter camping! The campsites are large enough (despite the snow) to set up suitable winter tents, and each site has a picnic table and fire pit. In the park, there's a lot of ice climbing and cross country skiing," reports Alexa S.
Explore historical sites: Mille Lacs Kathio State Park features archaeological sites with evidence of human activity dating back thousands of years. "The park hosts various seminars throughout the week. There are several places to swim and a big playground for the little ones," notes Liz H. The park is registered as a national historical site due to numerous archaeological digs.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of sites at Wild River State Park Campground. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. The park rangers were very helpful and informative," writes Stephanie H. The park features scenic hiking along the St. Croix River.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards for bathroom and shower facilities. "Very nice campground. Can't stress enough how CLEAN the restrooms and showers are. Cleaned 3x daily due to COVID. Site drained VERY well during and after heavy rain," reports Dave T. about St. Croix River Resort.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Seasonal animal sightings enhance the camping experience. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," notes Kate H. about Wild River State Park. Some campgrounds report occasional bear sightings, particularly at Mille Lacs Kathio where one camper mentioned, "There was a black bear in our camp 15 minutes after we went to sleep."
What you should know
Seasonal bug considerations: Insects can be intense in certain seasons. "We had a terrible experience last year trying to camp here, BUT it's not the campgrounds fault! Unfortunately we chose the peak of mosquitos season and camping next to slow moving water is a recipe for disaster," shares Lili R. about St. Croix State Park.
Bathroom accessibility: At Banning RV Park and Campground, bathrooms are well-maintained but have varying availability. "The bathrooms do get heavy use and, though nicely cleaned a few times during the day, are in need of attention in the evening," notes Janet R.
Water hookup logistics: Some campgrounds have shared water sources requiring special equipment. "Water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots. Our water source ended up being 75' plus from our RV. Thankfully I just happened to be carrying the extra hose," reports Sam C.
Tips for camping with families
Look for designated play areas: Some campgrounds feature special recreational spaces for children. At Grand Casino RV Resort, "There is a great pool. Beautiful grounds. All very well maintained," notes Teri I. The resort offers a shuttle service to nearby attractions.
Consider noise levels: Family-friendly sites often prioritize quiet hours. "Remarkably, in addition to playgrounds for children in different places around the campground, there was a huge dog walking and play area that was grassy and beautifully clean—and, of special interest, included a complete 'dog playground' with all the standards elements of a dog agility course!" reports Janet R.
Check shoulder season availability: Fall offers beautiful colors with fewer insects. "We decided to try an extend the camping season by staying here in the first weekend of October, and we were rewarded greatly! The colors were near peak and the water was really high, so there were many kayakers going down the river as we hiked along the parallel trails," shares Bryan S.
Tips from RVers
Site angle considerations: Some RV sites require careful navigation due to their design. "Back-in site was 90 degrees to the road - if the bathhouse parking lot wasn't across from it, wouldn't have been able to swing in on a 24' travel trailer," cautions Cathleen V. about Grand Casino RV Resort.
Electrical access in winter: Limited winter camping options exist for those needing hookups. "The designers of this park have clearly never spent a night in an RV. This place pushes all of my buttons for things not to do when building an RV park. Virtually every site in the park is a blind back in from the driver seat," warns Adrian G. about St. Croix River Resort, highlighting the importance of researching site layouts before arrival.
