2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cabin amenities throughout the Crane Lake region vary from basic to fully-equipped, with notable options at Bear Head Lake State Park and Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. Most cabins provide electricity, heat, and bunk-style sleeping arrangements accommodating 4-6 people. Bear Head Lake offers cabins with full-size bottom bunks and single top bunks that can sleep up to 6 people, while Lake Vermilion features more modern amenities. "Cabins are very modern and full of modern amenities. The inside of the cabin was wow! Electricity outlets were plenty (in all the bunks - as well as lights in all bunks). Hard floors, a vacuum for when you were done, shelves for gear and food, baseboard heaters, A/C in summer, big windows, ceiling fan, rug to wipe your boots, lots of coathangers," noted one visitor. Many cabins include small tables, screened porches, and outside picnic areas with fire rings.
While some facilities operate year-round, others have seasonal limitations from May through October. Rustic and deluxe options exist throughout the region, with prices typically ranging from $90-150 per night depending on amenities and location. Many cabins have strict pet policies - at Lake Vermilion-Soudan, for example, pets are allowed in the park but prohibited inside cabins and on cabin decks, with significant penalties for violations. The Pines of Kabetogama Resort provides more luxurious cabin accommodations with direct access to Voyageurs National Park. Reservation requirements vary by location but are generally essential during summer months. A review mentioned that "Minnesota does a nice job with their state parks. The campsites are varied in types, sizes and layouts."
Most cabins require guests to bring their own bedding, as sleeping arrangements typically include only the bed frames and mattresses. "You have to bring your own bedding (sleeping bags or sheets/blanket)," explains one reviewer. Kitchen facilities vary significantly - some cabins include small food prep areas with electrical outlets, while others provide only outdoor fire rings for cooking. Bathroom facilities also range from nearby vault toilets to more developed shower houses with hot water. Many locations have community fire wood supplies available for purchase, with Bear Head Lake State Park offering a convenient $10/day permit system for unlimited firewood access. Nearby towns like Ely (approximately 20 minutes from some locations) provide grocery stores and restaurants for additional supplies, though these are limited compared to larger urban areas.
"Sites have picnic table & fire pit and an outhouse on site."
"This campground is about as close as you can get to the Ash River Visitor center of Voyageurs National Park. Full hookups, good spacing, clean bathrooms and showers. Friendly owner."
"Camper cabins are nice. They have bunk type beds. The beds on bottom are FULL size (can sleep 2 each) and the ones on top are singles. So 6 could sleep here."
"Bear Head Lake State Park is just south of the Boundary Waters, and shares a comparable wilderness element. The shoreline is beautiful and very fun to explore by kayak."
Available this weekend
from $23 - $90 / night
"The Pines Of Kabetogama, Minnesota. After Itasca SP we headed North to check out Voyagers National Park & the area."
"Long story short, the resort itself provides direct access to Voyageurs National Park, is immaculately maintained, has top-shelf amenities, and the staff is amazing. You truly get what you pay for."
"Fishing on Pelican lake is great. The fishing dock is accessible ( I rode my mobility scooter out there with no difficulty) and they have boats available so you can get out on the. lake."
"Camp ground right on a large lake, family owned and well maintained."
"Great primitive campsite to hit on the way to Voyaguers National Park. Everyone says stay at Woodenfrog or Ash because it’s close to the park but those parks are very primitive."
"Lakefront, showers need updated, great for fishing"
"While we were there, a park ranger stopped to check us in, including processing us for a free annual MN state park pass for disabled veterans."
"This is one of Minnesota’s more modern state park campgrounds—you even get Wi-Fi with your mosquitoes."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $23 - $300 / night
"A really nice place with lots of fun stuff do to right in the campground including a beach and boat ramp on Pelican Lake. There is a nice playground area for kids."
Campground full this weekend
from $45 - $77 / night
"PETS ARE ALLOWED IN THE PARK BUT NOT THE CABINS - see below for details. This part of the state park is very new!"
"Stayed in a cabin for some winter glamping! Gonna have to make this a yearly thing for sure!"
from $90 / night
from $39 / night
from $48 / night
GuideWe stayed Labor Day weekend 2026. The camp sites are huge. Site 29 has room for 3 hammock set ups. I did a tent with plenty of room to set up perfectly with a 2 person tent. Access to the water was tricky straight from the site but doable. Spent 4 hours on the water kayaking. The views are incredible.
ScoutThis is one of Minnesota’s more modern state park campgrounds—you even get Wi-Fi with your mosquitoes. We had perfect weather, a great fire, and a private-feeling site with 50-amp service; they allowed EV charging after I called ahead. A nearby trail and occasional passing car were the only traffic. Many sites appeared to be occupied by longer-term RV campers, complete with flags and welcome signs. The mine tour was absolutely worth it—book ahead, because several people were turned away.
GuideFrom the website, this place looks amazing. It checked all the right marks for our trip across the northern Midwest. When you pull in to the “resort,” it looks more like the set of a horror movie. The buildings are run down, the campsites are parking spots with no shade, a land of rich, lush forests. How is that even possible? We messaged the day before arrival and no one mentioned the raging wild fires just north of town about 10 miles, or the fire ban. Seems like something to mention. WiFi is only in the main building (hardly what can be called a lodge) and the restaurant/facilities aren’t even open on mondays when we arrived. We were grossly disappointed and with the state of the property and left to find anything somewhere else.
TravelerThis is a lovely campground. If youre looking for a family getaway its nice here. From my site the showers/toilets with dish washing sinks were right around the corner as well as the outhouse. The beach is large and has a beautiful view at sunset. This site is also close to a landing and the beach trail. The trails are well groomed and maintained with signs every so often. The sites are average size. They have picnic tables and fire pits.
Lots of wildlife here. We've seen a fox, just missed a big black bear, birds, and snapping turtles. The lake is quite large and has good fishing from the dock.
We camped on July 1st. The campground was not all the way full but definitely busy with the kiddos.
LegendThe Pines Of Kabetogama, Minnesota.
After Itasca SP we headed North to check out Voyagers National Park & the area. There's a whole lot of resorts in this area & I chose The Pines because it was central to the 3 visitor centers we wanted to see.
The Pines is a VERY nice campground with 2 areas. There are 9 lake level sites which are laid out side by side. They have 2 toilet/shower combos & the laundry. These are full hookup sites.
There's cabins to rent also. They have boat rentals & boat tours to the park & fishing.
Up on top are the 26 cliff sites which are really nice! All full hookup. With only 2 of the toilet/shower combos. They're checked frequently. We were at site 10, which offers a partial view of the lake. Unfortunately, some of our view was taken up by a huge "glamping" trailer & the trailer next to us in site 8.
My advice would be not to get too hung up on a site with a view- you do pay more for that. There were nice sites on the cliff on the perimeter. I was philosophical about it cause most of the sites on the cliff had NO view of the lake.
We saw bald eagles fly by every afternoon. This is a night sky park, so they ask you to turn off your outside lights after quiet hours. Everyone we camped by did this & it was appreciated. The staff was very friendly & ready to help you if needed.
About the worst thing I could say about this campground is the road leading up to the cliff was pretty rough. Maybe repave? A couple more toilets would be nice too.
We had a great stay!
GuideLovely state park. Quiet and clean. Non electric sites were pretty private with trees and bushes between sites. We had a family get together and had plenty to do. The lake and beach were beautiful. We caught lots of sunnies and bass plus a northern and small walleye.
TravelerCamped in site 14 as part of our visit to all MN state parks. Very familiar with the area due to the BWCA but not this state park. Our site had a great combination of open area for wind flow and sun and shade to put our tent in. Again faced with great bathrooms a short walk and showers/larger rest room a short distance away. The site itself offered some of the more sheltered/remote camping locations of our trip (found those on the North Shore to be stacked on top one another) which is becoming nicer and nicer with the increase in RVs and generators in state parks. Lovely park, friendly staff, would love to visit again!
ScoutBeautiful location right on Lake Kabetogama. Lake views and full hookups. Prettier than pictures show.
ScoutCamp ground right on a large lake, family owned and well maintained.
Cabins near Crane Lake, Minnesota offer a true northwoods experience at elevations around 1,150 feet above sea level. The area features over 1,000 islands and 65,000 acres of water surface across interconnected lakes near the Canadian border. Temperatures range from summer highs around 80°F to winter lows reaching -30°F, with cabin rental availability varying seasonally.
Kayaking and canoeing: Lake Kabetogama provides excellent paddling opportunities with protected coves and islands. "We kayaked to Bittersweet Island and got out to stretch in a cove. Took a dip and relaxed. There are some leeches in the water so check you feet if your walking around in it," noted a visitor to Arrowhead Lodge.
Underground mine tours: Visit the historic Soudan Mine for a unique underground experience. "Soudan mine tours were awesome. Travel down in the mine and ride cars to see the way iron ore was mined in early 1900s," shared a camper at Lake Vermillion - Soudan Mine State Park.
Fishing: The region offers exceptional fishing for walleye, northern pike, and panfish. "Fishing on Pelican lake is great. The fishing dock is accessible (I rode my mobility scooter out there with no difficulty) and they have boats available so you can get out on the lake," reported a visitor at Aspen Resort & Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The area hosts abundant wildlife including bald eagles, loons, and white pelicans. "We saw bald eagles fly by every afternoon. This is a night sky park, so they ask you to turn off your outside lights after quiet hours," mentioned a camper at The Pines of Kabetogama Resort.
Secluded sites: Many campsites throughout the region provide privacy among the pines. "Campground is quite busy, but there is enough foliage in the summer to make it more private. Sites are good sizes and a good distance from each other," noted a camper at Bear Head Lake State Park.
Lake access: Direct water access ranks high among visitor preferences. "Beautiful location right on Lake Kabetogama. Lake views and full hookups. Prettier than pictures show," shared a visitor at The Pines of Kabetogama Resort.
Winter options: Some cabins remain open year-round for winter adventures. "Stayed in a cabin for some winter glamping! Gonna have to make this a yearly thing for sure! I love this area of the state...and the mine area sure is something else in the winter time after a large snow accumulation," commented a winter visitor to Lake Vermillion Soudan Mine State Park.
Firewood systems: Many parks offer convenient firewood access. "Firewood was a good deal - all you could use for $6/day," noted a camper at Lake Vermillion - Soudan Mine State Park.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. "One note, no cell signal on Verizon," mentioned a visitor at Ash River Campground.
Pet policies: Restrictions on pets vary by location, particularly in cabins. "PETS ARE ALLOWED IN THE PARK BUT NOT THE CABINS... NOT on the deck of the cabin. Pretty steep fees if they find this happening," warned a visitor at Lake Vermillion Soudan Mine State Park Cabins.
Seasonal rates: Expect varying prices depending on season and amenities. "Pricey @$95/night but great location for Voyageurs NP. Staff very helpful. Truly a scenic & peaceful area," noted a visitor at The Pines of Kabetogama Resort.
Reservation requirements: Most cabins require advance booking, especially during summer months. "We stayed at site 14 as part of our visit to all MN state parks. Very familiar with the area due to the BWCA but not this state park," shared a visitor at Bear Head Lake State Park.
Playground options: Some resorts offer dedicated children's play areas. "The owners were very nice and helpful, as well as the staff. Very clean. A beautiful spot! My grandkids loved it! Me too! We spent a lot of time in the pool and hot tub and enjoyed the nightly campfire," reported a visitor at Aspen Resort & Campground.
Water activities: Beaches and swimming areas provide family entertainment. "The lake and beach were beautiful. We caught lots of sunnies and bass plus a northern and small walleye," shared a visitor at Bear Head Lake State Park.
Wildlife centers: Nearby attractions include educational wildlife facilities. "In Ely both the Wolf Center and the Bear Center are great places to visit. If you can only visit one I would recommend the Bear Center as you get to see the animals more up close and the guided tour is very informative," advised a visitor at Lake Vermillion - Soudan Mine State Park.
Site selection: Choose campsites with natural features kids can enjoy. "We were in site 402. It is a really nice campground. We had a few big rocks on the border of our campsite that our kids played on," shared a camper at Lake Vermillion - Soudan Mine State Park.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are available at several locations. "This campground is about as close as you can get to the Ash River Visitor center of Voyageurs National Park. Full hookups, good spacing, clean bathrooms and showers," reported an RVer at Pine Acres Resort and Campground.
Site terrain: Be prepared for various surfaces at different campgrounds. "This is a grass surface campground. Suited for car camping, smaller trailers & 25' RV's. Sites have picnic table & fire pit and an outhouse on site," noted an RVer at Ash River Campground.
WiFi access: Some parks offer internet connectivity for those needing to stay connected. "This campground had wifi throughout the campground and cabins. This let me work while we were there with my computer without issues," mentioned a visitor to Lake Vermillion Soudan Mine State Park Cabins.
Road conditions: Interior campground roads vary in quality. "About the worst thing I could say about this campground is the road leading up to the cliff was pretty rough," observed a visitor at The Pines of Kabetogama Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Crane Lake, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Crane Lake, MN is Ash River Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 16 cabin camping locations near Crane Lake, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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