Cabin accommodations near Lake Elmo, Minnesota provide secluded woodland escapes within 30 minutes of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The region sits in the St. Croix River Valley at elevations ranging from 880 to 1,100 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 83°F and winter lows regularly reaching below freezing. Camper cabins in this area typically operate with different seasonal availability than tent camping areas, with many remaining accessible through winter months.
What to do
Hiking with wildlife viewing: Wild River State Park offers extensive trail networks along the St. Croix River. "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," reports one visitor who explored during winter months.
Beach swimming: Several parks feature swimming areas for cooling off during summer months. At St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, "Beach is great. Easy boat launch. Clean facility," notes one camper, adding "Great hiking trails, bike trails, nearby horseback riding."
Snowshoeing and skiing: Winter activities expand camping options when staying at heated cabins. "We snowshoed and skied. The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing," writes a camper at Wild River State Park.
Paddle sports: Many parks rent watercraft for river and lake exploration. "The pontoons they offer for rent are beautiful!! The lake is nice," explains a visitor to Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Campers consistently mention site privacy as a key advantage. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, "Level private sites, lots of trees, Showers were clean. Would definitely camp again," writes one visitor.
Family-friendly amenities: Parks often include playgrounds and recreational facilities. "The waterpark is a blast and we were able to find discount passes online," notes a camper at Bunker Hills Regional Park, which offers cabin accommodations alongside developed facilities.
Star-gazing opportunities: Open areas provide excellent night sky viewing. "The star gazing area was great!" reports a camper at Wild River State Park, noting the dedicated viewing areas that complement cabin accommodations.
Multiple accommodation options: Beyond standard cabins, several parks offer unique structures. "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks. These have some great amenities and are perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring," explains one visitor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most parks require advance booking. At Baker Campground, "You'll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I'd say almost all of them were booked."
Firewood considerations: Quality and availability vary between locations. "Firewood at $7 a bundle doesn't burn, it just smokes. I asked for a refund. Buy firewood elsewhere," advises a Rice Creek Campgrounds visitor.
Alcohol and pet policies: Rules differ significantly between parks. "This seems to be the hot spot for horses and if we go back I definitely want to do the horseback riding right outside the park!" notes one visitor to Wild River State Park, while another camper at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park points out: "YOU CANT BRING ALCOHOL OR PETS!"
Insect preparation: Minnesota's woodland and lakeside environments support active insect populations. "The mosquitoes were absolutely nuts!" reports a Rice Creek camper, while another visitor warns about "horseflies making it known that we were 'trespassing on their turf'."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities planning: Lake access provides recreation opportunities. "Swimming beach, boat dock, boat rental, kayak rental, golf cart rental, game room, parks" are all available at Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake according to a regular visitor.
Playground access: Multiple parks feature dedicated children's areas. "Nice playground for the kids. Fantastic bathrooms zoned showers," notes a visitor at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal sightings enhance camping experiences. At William O'Brien State Park, "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
Group site options: Some parks accommodate larger family gatherings. "This place has two group sites the one we stayed at Birch Hollow, hosts up to 20 campers and the other one up to 50," explains a St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: Specific loops offer better RV accommodation. "The upper loop (sits 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site," advises a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Off-season advantages: Visiting during shoulder seasons provides more space. "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," notes a William O'Brien camper.
Hookup variations: Electric and water connections differ between parks. At William O'Brien State Park, "There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities (which were very nice)."
Driving considerations: Some parks have tight access roads. "Do yourself a favor and arrive in Marine on St. Croix via Broadway Street / Maple Street. The tree canopy, winding roads, and tunnel are worth it," suggests one William O'Brien camper.
