Cabin camping near Deerwood, Minnesota provides a range of seasonal options with lake and forest settings. Deerwood sits at 1,309 feet elevation in Crow Wing County, where summer temperatures average 80°F during peak camping season from May through September. Winter cabin rentals are limited to a few resorts that remain open year-round, while most properties close by mid-October.
What to do
Fishing access: Camp Holiday Resort and Campground offers multiple fishing options from private docks. "We had site 4, lake side access. The site was amazing, with a dock to the lake. Has a picnic table with a lean to shelter, and a fire ring," notes one visitor. Turtle Lake connects to neighboring lakes via channels, creating extended boating opportunities.
Mountain biking: True North Basecamp provides direct trail access to the Cuyuna trail system. A camper mentions, "Super convenient to excellent restaurants and Cuyuna Brewery in downtown Crosby. Very clean bathrooms/showerhouse. Connected by trail to Cuyuna Rec Area world class mountain bike trails."
Historical exploration: Crow Wing State Park features the remnants of an 1890s settlement. "There is an old town site with informational plaques along the way that depict what life was like here in the 1890s. Excellent map signage on the hiking trails too," reports a visitor who appreciated the history.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Cabin rentals with direct water access rank highest among reviews. "Right on the lake with private dock. Sites are close by. Most have water and electric. Full hookups are very limited," explains a camper at Camp Holiday Resort, highlighting the premium placed on waterfront locations.
Clean facilities: Red Rider Resort maintains high cleanliness standards. "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," notes one visitor who appreciated the well-maintained facilities.
Seasonal flexibility: Some properties offer early or late season options. A camper at Red Rider Resort mentioned, "Camp Sites were open early (March), if not year round. Other campgrounds don't open until mid-April. Easy access to both single track and to paved cycling path."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Cabin proximity differs significantly between properties. At Crow Wing State Park Campground, "The sites are large and spaced decently from each other. We could have used a little more privacy between sites, but this can be written off as an effect of being nearly in the season."
Seasonal pests: Bug activity peaks in summer months. "Mosquitos are extra brutal mid summer here so be prepared," warns a camper about Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. Some visitors adjust their timing accordingly to avoid peak insect seasons.
Reservation timing: Early booking is essential for summer weekends. For winter cabin stays, Mille Lacs Kathio State Park offers a limited number of heated options: "This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Mission Beach Resort caters to multiple generations. "The resort is small, something we appreciate, but offers enough for my 84 yr old father to my 3 yr old granddaughter," notes a satisfied family camper who found activities suitable for everyone.
Swimming options: Lake swimming areas vary in safety and accessibility. "We had fun fishing for panfish off their dock and although we never made it, they have a swimming beach that was a bit down the MTB access trail," reports a visitor at Red Rider Resort, indicating the separate beach area.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment. Camp Holiday Resort provides "two nice playgrounds here, a slide, water trampoline, nice beach, and nice, clean bathrooms. The sites aren't very private, but some are right on the lake with a beautiful view."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare with adequate leveling equipment. At Camp Holiday Resort, "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."
Electric service: Birch Bay RV Resort offers full hookups with modern electrical service. "Very nice RV resort with clean campground, clean bathrooms & showers. Full hookups, good resort wifi and good Verizon," notes a visitor who appreciated the complete utility connections.
Off-season options: Winter cabin availability is extremely limited. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park provides one of the few winter camping options with electric service: "The beauty of this campground, is that while the campsites available are in a row, there's plenty of space between sites and some of them are even pulled through. Making it easy for RVs to pull in and hook up."
