Cabin camping near Harris, Minnesota offers year-round outdoor recreation opportunities in the St. Croix River Valley. Located within an hour of the Twin Cities, these rustic accommodations vary from basic structures at state parks to more equipped rentals at private resorts. Winter camping options remain available when many traditional campgrounds close, with temperatures often dropping below 10°F during January and February.
What to do
Explore river trails: Wild River State Park features multiple scenic paths along the St. Croix River with opportunities for wildlife viewing. "Wild River State Park is my go-to campground since it is within an hour of my home. I make it my first place to camp every season. Love the scenic trails and all the park has to offer. Hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, exploring, informational programs, and the wooded campsites," notes Jeff L. at Wild River State Park Campground.
Winter activities: Several cabin facilities remain open during colder months for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. "We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails," shares Joanna B. about her winter experience at Wild River State Park.
Historical exploration: Banning State Park offers unique historical sites within walking distance of cabin accommodations. "The hiking here is amazing! The Quarry Loop along the Kettle River has a ton of history, allowing you to explore the remains of the 130+ year old sandstone quarry. Seeing the drill holes in the cliffs was really cool and the remains of the old buildings were a highlight," reports Jennifer H. at Banning State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many cabin locations offer secluded settings with natural screening. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. The park rangers were very helpful and informative," explains Stephanie H. about her experience at Wild River State Park.
Spacious cabins: William O'Brien State Park provides well-designed cabins with essential furnishings. "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. The cabin we stayed in felt very welcoming. Unknown at the time I booked it, the cabin offered Wi-Fi access," notes David K. at William O'Brien State Park Campground.
Star-gazing opportunities: Several cabin locations offer dark sky viewing areas. "This is a solid state park offering. The sites are decently spaced with good tree cover. The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance," mentions Katherine T. about her stay at Wild River State Park.
What you should know
Toilet facilities vary significantly: Cabin locations have different bathroom arrangements, from vault toilets to shower houses. "The water source was off for the season, but water was available at the park office," a visitor noted about William O'Brien. Another camper at Rice Creek Campgrounds reported: "Showers were clean. Would definitely camp again."
Seasonal availability: Not all cabin rentals operate year-round, and amenities change seasonally. "2/8/20-2/9/20. First time to this park. We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp. The campground was fully reserved but was empty, the low was 10 so people must have bowed out," mentioned Joanna B. about winter camping at Wild River.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely between cabin locations. "Cell reception for T-Mobile was minimal to non-existent. Wifi is available in the visitor center parking lot," notes Dani K. about staying at William O'Brien State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Many cabin locations offer structured recreation for younger visitors. "There's a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved," explains Arielle P. about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Educational opportunities: Several parks provide nature programming suitable for children. "The hiking here is amazing! The Quarry Loop along the Kettle River has a ton of history, allowing you to explore the remains of the 130+ year old sandstone quarry. Seeing the drill holes in the cliffs was really cool and the remains of the old buildings were a highlight even to our small children," shares Jennifer H. about Banning State Park.
Accessibility considerations: Some cabin locations provide better access for families with young children or mobility needs. "We stayed at William Obrien State Park Campground as part of #questival. We found the campsite easy to get to and very clean," reports Nicole B., highlighting the convenience factor important for family trips.
Tips from RVers
Electrical capabilities: Cabin campers with electronic needs should check power availability. "We used an adapter and blew a circuit breaker when we used the A/C and the microwave at the same time," warns Jaime P. about electrical limitations at Big Rock Creek.
Winter access: Winter cabin campers should verify road conditions and accessibility. "Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop (especially the non-electric ones), but still able to take advantage of a weekend day," shares Dani K. about off-peak timing at William O'Brien State Park.
Supply planning: Cabin visitors should know what amenities are provided and what to bring. "The cabin we stayed in felt very welcoming. Unknown at the time I booked it, the cabin offered Wi-Fi access that ended up not working for us anyway, so that at least allowed for a bit more of a rustic experience in the end," explains David K. about his winter camping experience at William O'Brien.
