Cabin accommodations near Lakeland, Minnesota include various rental options within an hour's drive from the Twin Cities. The region sits at the transition zone between hardwood forests and oak savanna, with elevations ranging from 700 to 950 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures can drop to -10°F, requiring cabin campers to prepare for seasonal temperature extremes when booking year-round facilities.
What to do
Trail exploration: 11-mile hikes are possible at Afton State Park Campground, where elevation changes provide challenging terrain. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" reports Mike K., who gave the park a 5-star rating.
River activities: The St. Croix River offers seasonal recreation opportunities with varying water levels. "The campsite has a nice little hike in and it feels very secluded," notes a visitor to Wild River State Park Campground. During summer, water levels may drop significantly, as one visitor observed: "There's a teeny somewhat treacherous path to the river - no beach or anything (water was super low when we went)."
Winter recreation: Many cabin areas maintain winter accessibility with groomed trails. "We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St. Croix River and watched the full moon rise," writes Joanna B., who visited Wild River State Park in February.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Wooded sites provide natural screening between cabins at most locations. Adam P. notes about Afton: "The woods made it very secluded. It was close enough to water and bathrooms so it wasn't bad if you planned."
Seasonal variation: Each season offers distinct experiences for cabin visitors. "The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing," writes a winter visitor to Wild River. Summer visitors appreciate swimming options at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, where one camper mentioned "a nice beach & sunrise."
Wildlife encounters: Area parks feature abundant wildlife viewing from cabins. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," wrote Kate H. about her Wild River State Park experience.
What you should know
Firewood considerations: At Afton, "They do have firewood available however it is long slab wood, so you do need to cut it yourself. Hand hacksaws are provided, but we're not great quality which made cutting the wood difficult." Self-service options may require physical effort not mentioned in promotional materials.
Off-season limitations: Water sources may be unavailable during certain times. "None of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center," reports Warren H.
Accessibility challenges: Some cabins require significant hiking to access. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, the campground offers better accessibility: "The bathrooms were nice and clean. The only downfall was there was no trash cans in the campground only with you were leaving the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Water park options: Families seeking additional recreation can find it at Bunker Hills. "There's a water park down the road and friendly staff," notes Krista G. Another visitor explained the amenities: "They have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds."
Cabin selection for privacy: When booking cabins with children, consider site spacing. At St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, "Spacious sites and very clean restrooms!" according to one visitor. Another reviewer noted, "Very well maintained, family friendly, clean updated bathrooms."
Insect preparation: Families should plan for significant insect activity, especially in June and July. One visitor to Rice Creek Campgrounds reported: "Horseflies nonstop attacked us. To not get bite we had to run around like chickens with our heads cut off!"
Tips from RVers
Group site advantages: RV groups can find accommodations at several parks. At St. Croix Bluffs, Lizzy Z. reported, "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... Our site has a large picnic shelter with 6 picnic tables, two grills and its own volleyball place."
Utilities and hookups: Most cabin and RV sites provide limited electrical access only. At Veterans Campground On Big Marine Lake, baylee notes they have "small bar, small trail, fishing dock, swimming beach, boat dock, boat rental, kayak rental, golf cart rental, game room, parks, showers and bathrooms, pavilion." Remember that Veterans Campground requires military affiliation: "must be a vet or sponsored by one."
