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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
