Camping cabins near Lent, Minnesota dot the forested landscape around the Rice Creek watershed at an elevation between 900-950 feet. The region sits at the transition zone between hardwood forests and prairie lands, creating diverse ecosystems for wildlife viewing. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F, while summer cabin stays provide relief from heat with daytime averages around 80°F.
What to do
Snowshoe and ski trails: Wild River State Park maintains groomed winter trails for seasonal cabin users. "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," notes a winter visitor to Wild River State Park.
Waterfront activities: Paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing options exist at several locations. "We checked out Deer Creek site which is much closer to the car. It is a hike in / canoe site. It's wayyy more spacious, and even has two separate clearings. Also has cool stairs down the to water," explains a visitor about Wild River State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife observation opportunities. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," reports a camper at Wild River State Park.
What campers like
Private campsites: Many cabins and campsites offer substantial privacy between units. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees," explains a visitor about William O'Brien State Park.
Diverse trail systems: The region features extensive trail networks through various ecosystems. "We love this park!! Very friendly and well kept! Two campgrounds to chose from. Tons of hiking, fishing, and great picnic area next to the river," shares a camper at William O'Brien State Park.
Convenient location: Despite feeling remote, many cabins remain accessible to urban amenities. "We had a quick overnight stay here and it was just far enough to feel like we were out the cities withiut driving for hours. Campsites are not too close to eachother, lots of trees and wildlife," notes a visitor at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality and availability of restrooms differ significantly between locations. "The pit toilets were cleaned and stocked with TP and sanitizer. The shower house needs some paint, but had been cleaned," reports a visitor at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.
Firewood considerations: Quality of available firewood varies by location. "We can harvest your own wood (at this time) and that was really great - bring a backpacking saw!" suggests a camper at Wild River State Park.
Seasonal operations: While some cabins operate year-round, others have limited seasons. "Sites that I loved: 3, 8, 10. Overall I had a great time walking the trails, it was always kind of exciting to see what random feature was tucked seamlessly into the next bend," shares a visitor at Bunker Hills Regional Park, which operates from May to October.
Military affiliations required: Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake operates under specific requirements. "Must be a vet or sponsored by one. I've been going here for years. They have a small bar, small trail, fishing dock, swimming beach, boat dock," explains a visitor about reservation policies.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and water activities: Multiple locations feature family-focused amenities. "Great campground with lots of trails, a beach, and many playgrounds. Only recommendation is to get the firewood from down the road and not at the campground," shares a visitor to Rice Creek Campgrounds.
Kid-friendly sites: Some cabin locations specifically cater to families with young children. "For our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids," notes a visitor to Baker Campground.
Swimming options: Several locations provide swimming beaches for family recreation. "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite," reports a camper about the Savanna Campground at William O'Brien State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites vary significantly in size and amenities across parks. "Level private sites, lots of trees, showers were clean. Would definitely camp again," explains a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary between parks. "I went camping alone on this campground, I brought my smaller 20ft trailer and had the most peaceful experience," shares a camper at Rice Creek Campgrounds where both electric and water hookups are available.
Seasonal operations: Most RV-compatible sites operate seasonally with winter closures. "I stayed in the campground for two nights. It was cold, rainy, and that turned into 5" of snow. Like many MN State Park campgrounds, you are close to your neighbors with no real private offerings," notes a winter visitor to Wild River State Park.
