Cabins near Cold Spring, Minnesota offer a mix of private and public facilities across the region's distinctive oak savanna and glacial moraine landscape. Situated at approximately 1,100 feet elevation, the area experiences warm summers with potential for heavy rainfall and colder winters with snow coverage. Campgrounds typically open from early May through October, with many cabin facilities requiring advance reservations.
What to do
Hiking at Lake Maria State Park: The park features multiple backpacking sites with varying distances from parking areas. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," notes a visitor to Lake Maria State Park Campground.
Water activities on Green Lake: Located near Spicer, this lake offers excellent fishing and recreation opportunities. A camper explains, "Beautiful clear lake, nice sites, friendly people, affordable rentals, and so much to do!" at Green Lake County Park.
Bird watching year-round: The mixed habitat around Baker Park Reserve provides diverse bird species. "I love birding here as well," mentions a regular visitor who grew up next to the park and enjoys its natural amenities.
Visit the Arboretum: Nearby St. John's University offers restored prairie areas and an arboretum. Cabin guests at area campgrounds can "easily access both campuses just minutes away by car or bike," according to visitors familiar with the region.
What campers like
Secluded cabin sites: Many cabin accommodations offer privacy from other campers. At Lake Maria, one camper describes site B6 as "a secret woodland sanctuary — set up on a slight rise, tucked beneath a cathedral of towering oaks and maples."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The varied landscape provides habitat for diverse wildlife. "We saw pileated woodpeckers, red squirrels, and a chorus of chorus frogs. Nature feels close here — in the best way," reports a visitor to Lake Maria State Park.
Clean facilities: Many parks maintain well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. At Baker Park Reserve, a camper notes "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!"
Pool access at select locations: Some private campgrounds offer swimming pools in addition to lake access. A visitor to Cokato Lake RV Resort mentions the "Inground, heated swimming pool; mini golf; pickleball; tennis; arcade room attached to the office."
What you should know
Seasonal bug considerations: Insect activity varies greatly by season and location. A Lake Maria camper warns, "The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon... First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos."
Fire pit locations vary: At some sites, fire rings may be positioned unusually. At Baker Campground, a camper notes of site C14, "the fire ring placement... is doing its own thing like 30 feet from the tent pad—felt like I needed a shuttle to roast a marshmallow."
Water pump efficiency: Water access points may have operational issues. One Lake Maria visitor's "only complaint... The pump for the water was very slow."
Reservation timing: Most cabin facilities require booking well in advance, especially for summer weekends. Many campgrounds are "crowded with RVs and tents alike but it never seemed loud or cramped" according to a Baker Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Several campgrounds feature playground facilities for children. A visitor to St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park mentions "Pool was nice and store too. We stayed here to visit the nearby quarry park and that was a blast!"
Biking opportunities: Paved trails connect many parks and campgrounds. "There is a nice 6+mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes," recommends a Baker Park camper.
Beach access considerations: Lake access varies between facilities. A Sibley State Park visitor notes, "Beautiful swimming beach short walk from campground. Good hiking trails. Good biking trails nearby."
Cabin capacity awareness: Most standard cabins accommodate 4-6 people, but configurations vary. A visitor to Lake Maria advises "Site comes with a fire ring, picnic table, and bear locker. Site 1 is my favorite despite the road noise due to the location of the tent pad."
Tips from RVers
Site orientation challenges: Some campgrounds have unusual site configurations. At Lake Koronis Regional Park, a camper cautions, "Pretty disappointed to arrive and be in a backwards site. This is a back-in only site and yet the site is backwards. The firepit is on the backend of the camper instead of the front."
Seasonal camper areas: Many parks have permanent or seasonal residents. At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, "Many lots seem to be seasonal owners, but all were very well kept."
Cell service reliability: Coverage varies by location and carrier. Most campgrounds near major towns offer reliable service, while more remote locations may have limited connectivity.
Dump station access: Most larger campgrounds provide sanitary dump facilities. For smaller campgrounds or those without sewer hookups, plan accordingly for longer stays.
