Best Campgrounds near Denmark, MN

Cabin camping options near Denmark, Minnesota center around state and regional parks along the St. Croix River valley. Several parks within 30 miles offer cabin accommodations, including St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, William O'Brien State Park, and Afton State Park. These parks feature a mix of modern cabins and rustic options, with most requiring advance reservations through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or Washington County Parks reservation systems.

Cabins at these parks typically include basic amenities such as beds, tables, and fire rings, though features vary significantly between locations. Most cabins require a short walk from parking areas, with some designed as hike-in destinations. "The camper cabins at Whitetail Woods are nicely spaced and diverse. Some are more wooded while others sit in open prairie areas," notes a camper who stayed at a nearby park. Afton State Park's cabins involve a more challenging hike, approximately 1.4 miles from the parking area, making them suitable for those seeking a backpacking-style experience with cabin comforts.

Most cabin sites in the region maintain strict regulations regarding pets and alcohol. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, for instance, prohibits both pets and alcohol at their cabins, while policies vary at other parks. Cabin availability tends to be limited, especially during summer weekends and fall color season, with reservations often opening months in advance. The cabins typically include electricity but lack running water, with centralized bathroom facilities available nearby. Many parks also provide firewood for purchase. Campers frequently mention the privacy between sites as a significant advantage, with one visitor noting, "There is a lot of space between cabins. Everyone is super spread out, so we had very good privacy while still being able to access amenities."

Best Camping Sites Near Denmark, Minnesota (125)

    1. Afton State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Denmark, MN
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 436-5391

    "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks."

    "It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees."

    2. Willow River State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Hudson, WI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 386-5931

    "Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"

    "Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall."

    3. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    37 Reviews
    Lake Elmo, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8370

    $23 - $80 / night

    "For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."

    "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."

    4. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park

    20 Reviews
    Denmark, MN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8240

    "Minnesota is beautiful and there is so much to do here. The bathrooms are spotless and everything is new here."

    "Washington County, which manages campgrounds at both the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St Croix Bluffs Regional Park, does a great job of maintaining campgrounds, trails, and bathroom facilities at both parks"

    5. Lebanon Hills Regional Park

    43 Reviews
    Apple Valley, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 480-7773

    $24 - $42 / night

    "Professional built mtn bike trails for adventure. Camping in Minnesota suburbs. Miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross country ski trails. . perfect for my family's weekend Stay-cation"

    "We live about 15 mins. away from this campground. We stayed in the East Loop which is for smaller RVs and tents. it has electricity but no water hookups, however there are water pumps."

    6. Hoffman City Park

    4 Reviews
    River Falls, WI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 425-0924

    $10 - $20 / night

    "There is a dumping station at the exit.  There are no fire pits, bring your own. Great wooded hiking trails."

    "Right next to the freeway, so you will hear that at night. There are a lot of restaurant options near by if you don’t want to cook."

    7. William O'Brien State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Marine on St. Croix, MN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 539-4980

    $16 - $250 / night

    "Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."

    "We O'Brian has some of the best groomed trails that I have been on."

    8. Lake Byllesby Regional Park

    12 Reviews
    Cannon Falls, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 263-4447

    "Near lake and excellent bike path. Great brewery and winery close by."

    "Lakeside sites are close together, with W/E hookups, but they’re right in the lake with a wonderful view. The facilities are very clean and well-kept."

    9. Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins

    4 Reviews
    Empire, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (952) 891-7000

    $85 / night

    "There is a fire ring outside of each cabin, along with a table. No cooking is allowed inside the cabins, which can make things rough if the weather isn't cooperating. "

    "There is no cooking inside the cabin so you have to use the fire ring outside. Shower facilities are really nice and match the cabins. Plan ahead as these are hard to come by."

    10. Greenwood Campground

    1 Review
    Hastings, MN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 437-5269

    "Very popular due to location to the Twin Cities. There is a swimming pool. Campground is well maintained."

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Recent Reviews near Denmark, MN

765 Reviews of 125 Denmark Campgrounds


  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Whippoorwill Ranch Kampground

    Nice traditional rural campground

    This is in a rural area and has many seasonal sites. Transitional sites too. There is a restaurant/bar on site. The river is behind the property.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Bailey Park in Wabasha MN

    Small campground in the City of Wabasha MN

    Small basic campground in Wabasha MN. Mostly permanent sites. There is a dog park directly next to the campground.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Beach Park at Hungry Point

    City of Wabasha campground (seasonal)

    This is the city of Wabasha MN campground. It is only for seasonal camping meaning they DO NOT offer daily/weekly sites. Lots are situated at the end of a Main Street and there is a public bathroom with a shower nearby. There is also a beach (Mississippi River) a marina/docks/slips, and a public park nearby.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Big River Resort

    Nice camping in the city of Wabasha

    Well maintained campground in Wabasha. They have sites and other accommodations as well.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Kruger Unit - RJD Memorial Hardwood State Forest

    Great area with a lot of activities in the area.

    This is a nice basic campground near Wabasha/Kellogg area. Mississippi is within a few miles. Lark Toys nearby also. The Zumbro River is at the bottom of the campground on opposite side of the road where you can put kayaks/canoes in. (Or swim or fish). Sites are nice size with some having more privacy than others. Campground is on top of/up the hill. Vault toilets. No showers. Fire rings and picnic tables present.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Zumbro Bottoms Central — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest

    Nice small horse camping

    The campground is down a minimum maintenance road, but the road is pretty good though. Just one circle with 17 sites. There are many miles of horse and hiking trails in the area. 2 Vault toilets. No showers. Some picnic tables/fire rings/tie outs for horses.

  • Sarah D.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Wild River State Park Campground

    Secluded Backpack/Canoe Site with Sunrise Views

    I was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!

    This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.

    This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.

    This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.

    This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!

    This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!

  • Sarah D.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Frontenac State Park Campground

    Secluded Site and Great Views Close to the Twin Cities

    We did a one night camping trip for my birthday at Cart-In Site 1 the second to last weekend of September.

    We loved the hiking at Frontenac State Park - walking along the lake and then walking along the bluffs at sunset was magical! Fantastic views. I imagine if we had gone two weeks later, we would have had a fantastic display of fall color. We went a little too early to catch the changing leaves.

    We loved how easy Frontenac was for a casual weekend getaway. It was an easy, scenic one hour drive from St. Paul that was very enjoyable. The park was also nice with great bathrooms at the main campsite, nice trails, and they even had board games to check out at the front office for a rainy day- a great idea!

    We stayed at Cart-In Site 1. I would rate the site itself a 3. It was very secluded and spacious, which was fantastic! We could not see any other campsites from our site, which was fantastic. We only occasionally saw some hikers on a nearby trail. We could hear some other noisy campers, but it wasn't too much of a disturbance. Very wooded, nice, spacious site. There is not water at the Cart-In parking lot, so be aware that you will have to fill up prior to parking and heading to your site (easiest place to do so is the main office/ visitor center).

    I also slept poorly because of a nearby train that kept going past and honking at least until midnight. So if you're a light sleeper, be aware of persistent train noise at these sites!

    Overall good site and an easy, fun, and relaxing weekend getaway from the twin cities.


Guide to Denmark

Cabin camping near Denmark, Minnesota includes options in Washington and Dakota counties as well as neighboring counties in Wisconsin. The region sits at approximately 800 feet above sea level and features a mix of rolling river bluffs, prairie landscapes, and mature forests. Many cabins remain open year-round, though amenities and access routes change with the seasons and weather conditions.

What to do

Waterfall hiking: 1-2 miles from campsites at Willow River State Park, just 20 minutes from Denmark. "Willow River falls is definitely a beautiful site to see. Definitely a place to camp if you like to be active and explore the trails. Winter, summer or fall!" notes Jessica B. The park offers varying trail difficulties for all experience levels.

Beach and water recreation: Swimming pond with sand bottom at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," explains Timothy S. The park also features fishing piers, boat rentals, and water access points suitable for non-motorized craft.

Winter camping activities: Heated cabin options available for cold weather visits. "The cabins in the woods are great in winter with snow on the pine trees," reports Krista T. about Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins. Many parks maintain plowed access roads and cleared trails for winter recreation including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and wildlife viewing.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers value spacing between cabins. "The sites are nice and level, with plenty of space between each one. This feels very much like a nice state park," writes Joanne M. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park. The park maintains wooded areas between many sites to create a more secluded feeling despite proximity to urban areas.

Clean, modern facilities: Bathrooms and showers receive high marks at many cabin locations. "The bathroom facilities are nice. Outside water is shut off during some parts of the year, so bring your own drinking water if you are camping close to/during winter," advises Blair about Whitetail Woods. Most parks prioritize facility maintenance even in shoulder seasons.

Diverse terrain access: Cabins offer quick access to multiple landscape types. "The campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite," shares Laura E. about William O'Brien State Park. Many parks feature a mix of river frontage, prairie, and forested areas within walking distance of cabin sites.

What you should know

Reservation timing requirements: Cabins book quickly, especially at newer facilities. "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve," explains Blair about Whitetail Woods. Most reservation systems open at 8:00 am on the first day of availability.

Cooking restrictions: Some cabins prohibit indoor cooking. "No cooking is allowed inside the cabins, which can make things rough if the weather isn't cooperating," notes Blair. Prepare for outdoor-only meal preparation at many locations by bringing weather-appropriate cooking gear.

Bathroom distance considerations: Cabins typically lack indoor plumbing. "The biggest downside is the middle-of-the-night trek to the bathroom. The bathroom is heated and open year round," reports Krista T. at Afton State Park. Distance to facilities varies significantly between parks and specific cabin locations.

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. "Our spot was spacious, and close to the bathrooms and play area. The play area was really nice and looked brand new. Our girls loved making new friends to play with," shares Angela L. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Several parks maintain modern play equipment within walking distance of cabin areas.

Swimming options: Plan for seasonal swimming limitations. "Less than an hour drive from Minneapolis this is a good get away. As expected it has many walk trails. Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk," advises Alison about Afton State Park.

Cabin sizes and capacities: Check sleeping arrangements before booking. "Each cabin has four sleeping spots: 2 bunk beds, and the 2 couches convert to beds," explains Blair about Whitetail Woods. Many park cabins sleep 4-6 people, but configurations vary between parks and specific units.

Tips from RVers

Full hookup availability: Limited full service sites exist in the region. "Sites with full hookups or more remote sites with electric that are more tucked away in the pines," notes Katie C. about Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Most cabin areas are separate from RV camping sections but share central facilities.

Seasonal restrictions: Many parks limit water access in cold months. "Water was $8 bundle. This was steep in my opinion. They do not all any gathering of firewood," reports Tim about William O'Brien State Park. Prepare for seasonal utility shutoffs and service limitations, particularly for water lines during freezing temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Denmark, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Denmark, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 125 campgrounds and RV parks near Denmark, MN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Denmark, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Denmark, MN is Afton State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Denmark, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Denmark, MN.