Cabin camping near Lake Benton, Minnesota sits in the southwestern portion of the state where prairie landscapes and small lakes create favorable camping conditions year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with overnight lows around 55-65°F, while winter temperatures can drop below 0°F. The region's elevation averages 1,800 feet above sea level, creating distinct seasonal opportunities for campers.
What to do
Trout fishing: Accessible at Camden State Park Campground, where visitors can fish the stocked stream. "Great trout stream, swimming, tubing, camping, horse trails, hiking... my kids loved it," reports Emma V., highlighting the variety of water activities available.
Biking: Explore paved trails connecting park areas to nearby towns. "The Camden Regional trail is 14 miles of paved trails between Camden State Park and Marshall, MN," notes Kyle B., making this an excellent option for day trips from your cabin base.
Disc golf: Available at Plum Creek Park Campground, approximately 40 minutes from Lake Benton. "Hiking, biking, canoeing, disc golf, playground... All sorts of fun stuff. Clean park and facilities," explains Scott K., who visited while staying in one of the park's cabins.
Winter activities: Cabin stays can include cold-weather recreation. The parks maintain select trails for winter hiking, and some cabins remain accessible year-round. "We stayed in a Camper Cabin in this park in the wintertime. It was a great experience for our kids and a fun winter camping experience," reports one visitor about their winter stay.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Campgrounds offer varying degrees of seclusion. At Camden State Park Campground, "There are two campgrounds in this park - the upper one is on the prairie while the lower one is situated among trees along the river," explains Makayla B., helping campers choose between more exposed or sheltered cabin locations.
Clean facilities: Maintained restrooms and showers receive consistent praise from reviewers. "The bathroom was well taken care of," notes Shelly E. about Camden State Park, an important consideration since most cabin accommodations use shared bathroom facilities.
Lake views: Cabins at Sunrise Campground provide excellent water vistas. "We had a great view of the lake from our tent site. Sites were very large for a state park," reports Lisa H., highlighting the spaciousness not mentioned in other descriptions.
Seasonal variety: Each season offers different advantages. While summer provides full access to swimming and water activities, fall and spring offer quieter experiences. "In early October the leaves are mostly fallen and you have an unobstructed view of the lake and surrounding hills," one camper notes about their experience.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Book well ahead for cabin stays, especially at popular parks like Lake Shetek and Camden. Weekend dates in summer can fill 3-6 months in advance.
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds have limited winter availability. "Plum Creek Park Campground is open from May 1 to October 15," according to their seasonal information, while some state park cabins remain accessible year-round.
Variable amenities: Cabin facilities differ significantly between locations. At Oak Woods Campground, "Sites are well marked and they are all in close proximity to one another. There are little to no natural features that divide each site from the next," explains Stephanie G., describing the layout that affects privacy.
Wildlife encounters: Expect to see local fauna around your cabin. "Lots of deer, raccoons and turtles roam through campground often," reports Nicole L. about Sunrise Campground, adding to the nature experience.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select cabins near play areas for convenience with children. At Plum Creek Park Campground, "There's a tent site close to the playground and bathrooms perfect if you have kids," advises Megan R., providing specific placement information.
Swimming options: Beaches and swimming ponds provide water recreation. "The swimming pond looked nice, but it was too cold to use," notes Shelly E. about Camden State Park's swimming area, indicating seasonal temperature variations.
Family reunions: Some parks accommodate large family gatherings. "My family does a annual family reunion camping once a year! We stayed here and it was beautiful! Perfect for all the kids off all ages, adults, grandparents," shares Anne G. about their experience at Camden State Park.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites near cabins provide learning experiences. "It's 2.5 miles from Walnut Grove if you're visiting the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum," notes Scott K. about Plum Creek Park's convenient location for historical tourism.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Limited at most parks. At Oakwood Lakes State Park, "Large grassy sites with fire pit and picnic table. Clean bathrooms with hot showers," reports Janet K., but notes most sites have electric-only hookups.
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies significantly between parks. "We didn't have cell service (Verizon), which wasn't a big deal," mentions Makayla B. about Camden State Park, while Scott K. reports "T-Mobile 40mbps download and Verizon 5mbps download" at Plum Creek Park.
Site spacing: More room at county parks than some state facilities. "The sites were very spacious and the park staff was very friendly," reports Zach E. about Plum Creek Park Campground, contrasting with tighter configurations at other locations.
