25 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camper cabins near Fort Ripley provide a range of accommodations with varying amenities. Crow Wing State Park Campground offers cabins with electricity and heat, while Mille Lacs Kathio State Park features camper cabins with electrical outlets and heating systems but no plumbing facilities. "Perfect little camper cabin and site. Fabulous park staff that even turned the heater on for us before we arrived. The cabin has electricity, heat, no plumbing. No cooking inside, wonderful fire ring for cooking," noted one visitor about the Mille Lacs Kathio cabins. True North Basecamp provides lakeside cabins with heat and air conditioning units, comfortable beds, and WiFi access. Lake Carlos State Park Campground includes camper cabins that sleep up to six people with heat and electricity.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Birch Bay RV Resort offers cabin rentals with more amenities than state park options, while Camp Holiday Resort provides lakeside cabins with private docks. Most cabins require advance reservations, especially during summer months from May through September when occupancy rates are highest. Pet policies vary by location—many state park cabins prohibit pets inside, while some private resorts allow them. A camper described True North Basecamp: "Cabins are basic but clean with comfortable beds, a table and AC! Right on the lake and direct access to the trails."
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Cooking facilities vary widely—state park cabins typically prohibit indoor cooking but provide outdoor fire rings with grill grates for meal preparation. Private resort cabins may include more extensive kitchen facilities. Red Rider Resort and Fritz's Resort & Campground offer cabins with access to shower facilities and flush toilets. On-site firewood is available for purchase at most locations, though prices vary. Visitors should check specific campground websites for current rates and reservation requirements, as many cabins book months in advance during peak summer season.
"Although they have lots of sites, it is a State Park. That means that they are close together. We canoed into the park on the Mississippi and had to carry a canoe to our site."
"Water fill and firewood available at the registration building. The water was high in iron. Canoe and kayak rentals available. Lots of trails for hiking and biking."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Sites are huge, very dog friendly, quiet, ice and firewood on site, cute little lake with gorgeous sunsets, huge kiddy play area on water, free kayak and paddle board use, nice little onsite store."
"Very nice RV resort with clean campground, clean bathrooms & showers. Full hookups, good resort wifi and good Verizon."
from $60 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Kathio is a big park with lots of trails. Camp sites are decent sized and most have trees in between them. some of the sites are bigger and more secluded."
"This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Cabins are basic but clean with comfortable beds, a table and ac! Right on the lake and direct access to the trails"
"I've stayed in both the cabins and the camping area. The cabins are my favorite because of the lake views, proximity to the bathhouse, and heat/AC units."
"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."
"Right on the lake with private dock. Sites a close by. Most have water and electric. Full hookups are very limited. Only 4 site near the back. Off of a quiet road. No traffic noise."
from $30 - $66 / night
Check Availability"There are 10 tent sites and many cabins. We stayed in tents. The sites are rustic but have fire rings and some have charcoal grills in them."
"Stayed at RV site 4 which is bordered by trees on one side which was nice for privacy."
"Perfect little camper cabin and site. Fabulous park staff that even turned the heater on for us before we arrived. The cabin has electricity, heat, no plumbing."
"Without the whole storm fiasco, here are some pros and cons: Pro *the cabins are gorgeous and cozy. *they have electric and heat (a gas burning stove heats the cabin, how cute!)"
from $90 / night
Check Availability"I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter."
"End of October, Stopped for just one night, probably about a 20ish minute drive from 94. Was able to purchase firewood after closing, and the campsite were easy to find after (7$)entry to the park."
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"No tent sites available on the lake as those are reserved for rv, but the tent area is nice and wooded."
GuidePerfect little camper cabin and site. Fabulous park staff that even turned the heater on for us before we arrived. The cabin has electricity, heat, no plumbing. No cooking inside, wonderful fire ring for cooking, which we used at night.
LegendI stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter. We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent. A couple and their 2 dogs stayed in the truck camper and me and another friend stayed in the clam with an electric space heater going in addition to our 0 degree bags. It stayed pretty cozy! Fire ring and picnic table at the site. I believe the bathrooms and showers were closed for the season but cannot recall. Firewood is available at the office.
GuideThe thing about State Parks is that they don't always know what they want to be.
Are they here to celebrate nature, and provide a moments breath away from the pace of urban life? Are they here for historical facts? Are they for revenue?
Crow Wing State Park suffers from this dilemma. While the tent sites are nice and spacious, the RV sites are stacked one on top of another, with no illusion of privacy. The weekend we were there, they were pretty full, but noise coming from other campers was acceptable.
There are plenty of water spigots, and toilet/shower facilities. The facilities are clean, but old.
There is an almost constant booming, however, coming from Fort Ripley, just down the river. The Fort serves as training for everything from the national guard, to state police, to the DNR. At one point, we could clearly hear live rounds being fired.
The walks and paths were well maintained, except that some were flooded out due to recent heavy rains. The area dedicated to the Old Crow Wing Village was well done.
What causes me the most confusion though, is that someone made the call to cover the roads with sand, instead of the traditional crushed stone. So, never mind that the sand made it harder to walk up hill to the water and showers, it got everywhere. When we tore down camp, I emptied enough sand from my tent, that I could have added a fresh layer to a cat's litter box.
I am very conflicted about this park. It is very pretty, but when you get right down to it, the little quirks that surround it add up. I'm not sure if we will be back. Not that we won't, it's just that we won't be rushing back.
LegendThey have cabins, camp sites, and restaurant/bar. Right on Lake osakis, which usually has good fishing.
LegendThis park features fishing in Whiskey Creek, (stocked with rainbow trout, crappies, and sunfish), picnic area, children's playground, semi-enclosed shelters, campground area with full hook-up and tent sites, two camping cabins, softball fields, frisbee golf, volleyball area and a children's zoo, which includes buffalo, whitetail deer, peacocks, and golden pheasants. Site had picnic table and fire ring.
Camping with the whole family so there may be some familiar rigs from other reviews of mine.
GuideI had a very...interesting experience at the camper cabins this week! I stayed at the cabin #3 this week, Monday through Thursday (3 nights). Monday and Tuesday were awesome. I was the only one there on the whole side of the road, and it was soooo peaceful.
Early Wednesday morning (around 3am)is where things stopped being peaceful. A really bad storm developed (that I had no idea was coming). It was probably the worst storm I had ever experienced in my life. Five trees fell in the yard, one small one hitting the cabin. One tree even fell a couple of feet behind my car, blocking me in. After taking a short walk when the sun came up, I realized the damage was everywhere in the park. I was seeing downed trees all over every single trial and road. I emailed the park office which opened at 8 that I was trapped, and they cleared all the trees from the office to where I was (almost three miles away) and was getting me out by 9:30. I was so impressed with how fast they worked. Amazing job! They offered to give me a refund if I wanted to go home early (I didn't, because I was still really enjoying my time there). I will definitely be back!
Without the whole storm fiasco, here are some pros and cons:
Pro *the cabins are gorgeous and cozy. *they have electric and heat (a gas burning stove heats the cabin, how cute!) *there's a screened in porch allowing you to enjoy the weather without bugs. *the vault toilet is really close, but there is also flush toilets with a shower in the campground, which is like a five minute walk, or a very short drive. *the mattresses on the bunk beds appear to be newer than some cabins I stayed in, that being said, a foam mattress topper isn't a bad idea if you struggle to sleep *the trails are gorgeous. The cabins aren't far from the lake either. There's a visitor center that's currently closed for renovations (2026) but I think will be open next year. There's a short interpretive trail behind it too. *there's a fire ring and picnic table outside.
Cons (there aren't many!) *I think being separated from the main campground is both a pro and a con, depending on your personality. If you like solitude then it's perfect. If you enjoy being where everyone else is, then it's a con.
LegendWe love Minnesota, almost more than we love Wisconsin - only because the natural beauty and the numerous, non-ending lakes to explore. Instead of “ruffing it” we decided to treat ourselves with a cabin rental and don’t regret the splurge. Adorable cabins, with nice layout, on Pine Mountain Lake, which is one of many is of Minnesota's hidden treasured lakes. I don’t fish but it was fun watching others. This stay was quiet, relaxing and we left feeling rejuvenated. Excellent amenities and folks. Ya know, MN nice is a thing!
ScoutCabins are basic but clean with comfortable beds, a table and ac! Right on the lake and direct access to the trails
LegendAmenities I remember when we had a seasonal spot here: cabins with beautiful lake view, boathouse lodge and game room, sunbathing dock on the water, large picnic grounds, sand-filled playground, paddleboard &kayak rentals, boat ramp and launching service, boat & pontoon rental, boatlifts, gas, oil, tackle and live bait, screened-in fish cleaning house, sand volleyball, mini golf, laundry.
The nearby town of Osakis has convenience stores, grocery, liquor stores, gas, bars and restaurants, etc. Lake osakis is usually pretty good for fishing.
Cabin camping near Fort Ripley, Minnesota offers access to the Mississippi River basin with elevations ranging from 1,100 to 1,300 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with winter temperatures often dropping below 0°F and summer highs averaging 80°F. Most camper cabins in this region remain open year-round, though amenities vary significantly by season.
Paddling opportunities: The Mississippi River at Crow Wing State Park Campground provides excellent water access. "Great access for canoeing and kayaking the Mississippi water trail. If you start at Kiwanis Park in Brainerd- you can make it to crow wing in four hours leisurely, or three fairly easily," notes one visitor.
Historical exploration: Learn about early settlements at Crow Wing State Park. "Historic signs describing the old town are along the beginning part of the trail near the picnic area. Kinda fun to read about and feel what old settlements were like!"
Sunset hiking: Many trails offer spectacular evening views. "Love doing a sunset hike, this trail is just over two miles, all along the river, with pretty much continual sunset views if you take the trail East to West."
Mountain biking: Red Rider Resort offers direct trail access to the Cuyuna trail system. A visitor mentions, "MTB access to the Yawkey section was nice and will be even better after more trail is added to the zone."
Winter recreation: Several parks maintain winter activities. "We headed to Lake Carlos for their candlelight ski, this was our first visit to this state park... At dark we headed to the candlelight event. We hiked 1.2 miles and then snowshoed 2.4 miles."
Lakeside accommodations: Fritz's Resort & Campground and other properties offer direct water access. At Camp Holiday, a camper described their experience: "We had 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!"
Clean shower facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms. A visitor at Red Rider Resort mentioned, "The bathrooms are spotless and come with real flush toilets and sinks. There is even showers in both of them."
Rustic seclusion: Some cabins offer more private settings. "The site was amazing, with a dock to the lake. Has a picnic table with a lean to shelter, and a fire ring. Was quiet and peaceful."
Seasonal variety: Each season brings different experiences. "Stayed in a camper cabin that was just perfect. Lots of hiking to be done and the fire towers are one of my favorite!"
Winter availability: Lake Carlos State Park Campground offers limited winter camping. "They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter. We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access. At True North Basecamp, "While driving to the group campsite the road is dirt and very rutted. Be mindful if you have a car."
Reservation timelines: Book well in advance for summer stays, especially for cabins. Weekends from May through September typically fill 3-6 months ahead.
Cabin variations: Basic cabins typically include beds, electricity, and heat but no plumbing. "We stayed in one of the walk-in sites. It was great, not too too buggy. Mostly quiet."
Insect preparedness: Several areas report heavy insects during peak summer. "If you visit in the summertime, expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly!"
Family-friendly amenities: Camp Holiday Resort and Campground offers multiple activities for children. One reviewer states, "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."
Educational programs: Several state parks offer ranger-led activities. A visitor to Mille Lacs Kathio noted, "The park hosts various seminars throughout the week."
Swimming locations: Look for lakes with designated swimming areas. "Lake Carlos State Park has a large beach area for swimming and pylons to tie up boats."
Space considerations: Some cabin layouts accommodate families better than others. "Lake Carlos State Park Campground includes camper cabins that sleep up to six people with heat and electricity."
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at some waterfront sites. "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."
Off-season camping: True North Basecamp offers extended season options. "Camp Sites were open early (March), if not year round. Other campgrounds don't open until mid-April."
Hookup availability: Full hookups can be limited. At Camp Holiday, "Most have water and electric. Full hookups are very limited. Only 4 site near the back."
Site selection: Consider your privacy needs when booking. "The electric site area isn't super awesome, as it gets crowded and is more like a huge group camp. But the rest are way more private."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Fort Ripley, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Fort Ripley, MN is Crow Wing State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Fort Ripley, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 cabin camping locations near Fort Ripley, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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