Rustic cabin accommodations dot the landscape around Burnsville, Minnesota, a city situated in the glacial moraines of Dakota County. Most cabins in this region sit at elevations between 750-900 feet above sea level, with seasonal availability affected by the area's continental climate that brings humid summers and cold winters. Rental cabins near Burnsville typically reach full occupancy during peak summer weekends, especially those at lower elevation sites along the St. Croix River valley.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Afton State Park Campground, trails showcase diverse landscapes. "Lots of hiking. Nice campsites. Beautiful park," notes Chris S. The park features significant elevation changes unusual for the area, with Timothy S. mentioning it has "lots of elevation" and is "right on the river."
Swimming options: Regional parks offer beach access for cooling off. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, visitors find "a gorgeous beach area with tables, a pavilion, changing rooms and a well equipped playground." According to Kristin C., the water facilities are complemented by "a paved path under a green canopy" when walking toward the golf course.
Winter recreation: Cabins provide cold-weather shelter for outdoor activities. Scott M. says Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins are "great cold weather options" with "contactless entry as you get sent a code to use." These units are described as "super simple camping cabins" that "each have 4 spots."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Campgrounds vary in site separation. Andrew C. describes Afton State Park's prairie sites as having "just hilly enough" terrain and, in August, "grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion." Krista T. notes that Bunker Hills Regional Park has "spacious and secluded sites" that are "surprisingly woodsy" despite being in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.
Modern amenities: Clean facilities enhance stays. Melissa A. reports that Bunker Hills offers "nice trails to help explorer the regional park" and "bathrooms were nice and clean," though she notes "there was no trash cans in the campground only with you were leaving the campground." At Baker Park Reserve, Bryan S. appreciates that "the bathroom/showers are great" making it "a gem so very close to the Twin Cities."
Cabin construction: The cabin designs receive positive reviews. At William O'Brien State Park Campground, Karla J.B. enjoyed camping with friends in "matching teardrop trailers" and found "the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling - so many shades of green!" The cabins at Whitetail Woods are described as "well-built and heated" with "what seems like full-sized mattress bunk beds built into the wall."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Plan well ahead for cabin stays. Blair notes that for Whitetail Woods, "it's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve." They add that "as of this review (early June), all weekends are booked for all cabins."
Cooking limitations: Many cabins restrict indoor cooking. At Whitetail Woods, "no cooking is allowed inside the cabins, which can make things rough if the weather isn't cooperating," explains Blair. However, Krista T. mentions "you can use a slow cooker and a coffee pot in the cabin. Otherwise you can cook over the fire as well."
Water access: Seasonal restrictions affect water availability. According to Blair, "outside water is shut off during some parts of the year, so bring your own drinking water if you are camping close to/during winter." At Baker Park Reserve, Alison O. notes the site has "basic yet essential facilities, including clean showers and well-maintained restrooms."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks offer play structures. Krista G. says Bunker Hills has "amazing campsites nice trails clean shower's and bathroom's. There's a water park down the road and friendly staff." The water park includes a wave pool, and Arielle P. adds that the park has "several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved."
Site spacing: Consider neighbor proximity when booking with children. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, Jessica M. found that "the site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees," though other reviewers noted some sites are more exposed. Bryan S. mentioned it's "a great place to cut your teeth on camping and gather with friends."
Indoor options: Bad weather contingencies matter for family trips. The cabins at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park provide shelter when needed, and the park's amenities earned praise from Lisa D. who called it "such a beautiful park with large sites. Nice playground for the kids. Fantastic bathrooms zoned showers."
Tips from RVers
Electric access: Most cabin sites offer power hookups. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, Corey P. found "level private sites, lots of trees, showers were clean." Amy G. noted that "the tent/small trailer loop didn't appear to have electric either. And the RV loops obviously did."
Site dimensions: RV sites vary in size and separation. At Minneapolis Southwest KOA, Mia F. reported "very difficult to negotiate at night" with the place "packed like sardines." In contrast, Paul W. found "spacious spaces, friendly staff" and a "great indoor pool, clean shower and bathroom building."
Dump station access: Extended stays require waste management planning. Bunker Hills Regional Park provides sanitary dump facilities, and Kenan R. shared that he was "very happy with the trails and accommodations available" during his stay, adding that despite nearby shops and facilities, "the actual campsite, bike/walking/horse trails make you forget all of that."
