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.
