Glamping near Hastings, Minnesota offers climate-controlled cabins and unique accommodations situated along the St. Croix River watershed. The region features rolling terrain with elevations ranging between 675-815 feet, creating varied camping landscapes from riverside flats to wooded hills. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F while summer averages 83°F, making cabin options particularly valuable during seasonal extremes.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: Afton State Park Campground provides extensive trail options beyond basic pathways. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" reports one visitor. The park combines prairie and wooded sections with significant elevation changes.
Beach access: Lake Byllesby Regional Park offers swimming areas when water conditions permit. "The lake is right next to the campground with RV sites right on the water. The only thing disappointing is the lake becomes green with algae as the summer goes on," notes one camper, suggesting early season visits for water activities.
Wildlife viewing: Cleary Lake Regional Park provides natural habitat viewing opportunities. "Each was unique and pretty. I would have liked staying at any of the sites. Cleary Lake is a good size and a kayakers delight!" according to a recent visitor who found the park surprisingly secluded despite its suburban location.
Biking accessibility: Sakatah Lake State Park Campground connects to an extensive state trail system. "The campground is located on a state trail that goes from Mankato to Fairbault. We had a great time from Friday-Sunday hanging out at the campsite, roasting marshmallows, riding bike on the state trail, and hiking around the lake!" explains one reviewer.
What campers like
Private sites with natural barriers: Afton State Park Campground offers sites with natural separation. "The terrain is just hilly enough - and in August - the grass long enough to give the sites a sense of privacy and seclusion," notes one visitor who appreciated the prairie camping experience.
Year-round availability: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park maintains facilities through winter. "We love to camp here as it's so close to home. Decent amenities, however NOT the feel of a State Park. Think suburbia meets nature," explains a regular visitor, highlighting its practicality for year-round access.
Clean facilities: Bunker Hills Regional Park maintains high standards for restrooms and grounds. "The facilities are well kept, the park is patrolled by rangers and the local sheriff after closing hours. Very safe place to camp," notes a visitor, emphasizing the security aspects often overlooked at other locations.
Lakeview sites: Lake Auburn Campground provides waterfront camping. "We stayed here in late September and into October. There are 57 sites with an unguarded beach, playground, volleyball court and tons of miles of trails to shred on foot or bike," explains a camper who appreciated the variety of recreational options.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Cleary Lake Regional Park requires planning, particularly for premium sites. "Site 13 is the only one right on the water and it's HUGE with lots of trees and absolutely beautiful scenery," reports one camper, indicating the importance of securing specific locations well in advance.
Water conditions vary: Many lakes in the area experience seasonal algae issues. At Lake Byllesby, one camper notes: "The only thing disappointing is the lake becomes green with algae as the summer goes on," suggesting early season visits for water activities.
Campsite placement considerations: Some locations feature unusual site layouts. "The fire ring placement. That thing is doing its own thing like 30 feet from the tent pad—felt like I needed a shuttle to roast a marshmallow," reported a camper at Baker Campground, highlighting the importance of checking site details before booking.
Limited cell service: Some glamping locations have connectivity challenges. At Whitetail Woods, a visitor noted: "There's WiFi available, but depending on which cabin you reserve signal will be took weak for real usage. Same for mobile data -- don't plan on cell service here."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Baker Campground provides additional recreation options. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," shares one family, finding the location ideal despite limited privacy between sites.
Playground facilities: Lake Auburn Campground includes recreational equipment for different ages. "The playground is awesome for all ages as it accommodates something for all ages and size groups from a traditional playground set for the younger ones, volleyball net and concrete bag toss boards," notes a visitor who found the facilities well-designed for multi-age groups.
Beach amenities: Some locations provide extra features for comfortable swimming. "The beach area looks nice" at Lake Auburn, while Bunker Hills offers "a water park with a wave pool" that appeals to families seeking structured water recreation beyond natural swimming areas.
Educational opportunities: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes has nature-focused learning options. "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours," reports a visitor who found indoor alternatives valuable during inclement weather.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing and access: For larger rigs, Sakatah Lake State Park Campground requires careful navigation. "Very nice park if your RV is not too big. I put our 38 foot 5th wheel in a site but you better be on your game here. Lots of shade and big trees," cautions an RV owner who successfully managed the tight spaces.
Hookup availability: Lake Byllesby Regional Park offers comprehensive services. "Water and electric hookups. The lake is nice for fishing, boating or swimming. Has a small store," reports an RV camper who appreciated the conveniences.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require extra preparation. "The site was very unlevel" notes a camper at Minneapolis Southwest KOA, highlighting the importance of bringing leveling equipment to certain campgrounds in the region.
Site surface considerations: Surface types vary across locations. "Paved RV pads. Near lake and excellent bike path," notes a visitor to Lake Byllesby, pointing out the convenience of hard surfaces for RV setup and accessibility to recreation.
