Camping cabins near Cuyuna, Minnesota provide access to the area's unique iron-rich waters and over 5,000 acres of recreation land in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. At 1,250 feet elevation, the region features deep mine pit lakes with water depths reaching 550 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below -30°F, while summer averages around 80°F with humid conditions.
What to do
Trail access from camp: True North Basecamp connects directly to the Cuyuna mountain bike trail system. "Super convenient to excellent restaurants and Cuyuna Brewery in downtown Crosby. Connected by trail to Cuyuna Rec Area world class mountain bike trails," writes Craig O.
Lake activities: Paddle on the mine lakes directly from many campgrounds. "I brought our paddleboard and had a great time on the quiet lake. We did hike up to the top of the camp area and were glad we stayed in the cabins," shares Stacy M. about her True North experience.
Fishing options: Many lakes in the area offer unique fishing opportunities. At Mission Beach Resort, sites provide shoreline fishing access. "The resort is small, but everyone is friendly. No tent sites available on the lake as those are reserved for rv, but the tent area is nice and wooded," notes Brandon F.
What campers like
Cabin amenities: Red Rider Resort offers thoughtful facilities beyond basic sleeping quarters. "Staff was very friendly and helpful. Firewood is for sale. There is a very nice kitchen with running water and showers were large, private, and clean," explains Lauren.
Beach access: Many cabins feature swimming areas for cooling off during summer visits. "We loved this campground and this area! We have site 1 which was right on the lake. We were able to park the camper parallel to the lake which was amazing. Such a beautiful view!" writes Nick K. about Camp Holiday Resort.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies provide excellent viewing conditions. "Great stargazing at both the cabins and the tent sites," notes Makayla B. about True North Basecamp's cabins and campground.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book early for peak season, particularly for mountain biking. "Super convenient to excellent restaurants and Cuyuna Brewery in downtown Crosby. Very clean bathrooms/showerhouse. Owners are very responsive," explains Craig O. about True North.
Site characteristics: Some cabins offer more privacy than others. "Only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because it is right off highway and you can hear traffic and I was hoping for a bit more space between sites given what I saw on map," Lauren notes about Red Rider Resort.
Seasonal considerations: Winter accommodations are limited in the area. At Crow Wing State Park, "This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping. The vault toilet is not easy to find from where the electric openings are in the winter," advises Amy G.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some resorts offer dedicated children's areas. "Nice campground for a family experience. Camping with two toddlers can be a lot, it helps when there are two nice playgrounds here, a slide, water trampoline, nice beach, and nice, clean bathrooms," shares lexie about Camp Holiday Resort.
Water fun for kids: Look for cabins with shallow swimming areas. "We tent camped and appreciated the clean facilities, activities for kids to do, and close to great fishing lakes," Kylie M. mentions about Camp Holiday Resort.
Group accommodations: For family reunions or large gatherings, specific sites work better. "True North Basecamp is a more recent development in the Cuyuna area. Since I've only stayed at the Group campsite I shall reflect on that. When you enter into the camp it is clearly marked," Susan H. explains.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Be prepared with leveling blocks as some RV sites aren't perfectly flat. "Most of the lake side sites were pretty uneven, bring plenty of leveling blocks. That was really the only negative we had, but it wasn't really a big deal because we came prepared with just enough leveling blocks," advises Angela J. from Camp Holiday Resort.
Golf access: Wildwedge Golf and RV Park combines camping with recreation. "This is a great little campground we discovered a few years ago. It has large sites that are on the golf course with nice trees and shade. The kids loved the mini golf and maze and we all loved the cute little golf course that was very well maintained," Jesse J. shares.
Winter RV options: Limited full-hookup sites exist for cold-weather camping. "While these spaces are right next door to a shower house with toilets, this is closed in the winter. The vault toilet is several rows over and down, making it hard to find if you don't already know where it is," notes Amy G. about Crow Wing State Park's winter camping.
