Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers glamping accommodations within 30 minutes of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, with seasonal availability typically from May through October. The area sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level in Anoka County, creating a landscape of interconnected waterways and woodlands. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, making heated cabins particularly valuable during colder months.
What to do
Hiking trails year-round: Wild River State Park contains an extensive network of trails that remain accessible throughout all seasons. "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 Campground.
Disc golf excursions: Bunker Hills Regional Park features a top-rated disc golf course just a short drive from the camping area. "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing (it's ours)," mentions a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park, who appreciated this recreational option during their travels.
River tubing adventures: During summer months, the Rum River provides excellent tubing opportunities with sandy bottom sections and clear water. A camper at Country Camping notes, "The key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," making it ideal for water recreation from late May through early September when water levels permit.
What campers like
Secluded glamping sites: Afton State Park offers cabin accommodations in varied settings. "The cabins in the woods are great in winter with snow on the pine trees. I would probably prefer the prairie cabins in the summer, especially with mosquitoes," shares a winter visitor to Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins, highlighting the seasonal considerations for different cabin locations.
Well-appointed shelters: The camper cabins at Whitetail Woods feature thoughtful design elements. "The storage in this place is amazing. Storage under the bed, one counter with ample storage under it, and even the windows are so deep that I was able to store most of my food on the sill," notes a cabin user appreciating the functional design.
Proximity to water recreation: Many glamping options provide direct access to lakes or rivers. "The gem of this campground for us was Centerville Lake! There is ample picnic space and a very nice swim beach, plus there is room to beach your boat," comments a visitor to Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.
What you should know
Winter amenities: Heated facilities vary between parks during cold months. At Whitetail Woods, "The bathroom is heated and open year round. There are two year round showers as well, but don't plan on a long shower to unwind unless you like cold water. There was maybe 2 minutes of hot water."
Cabin reservation challenges: Securing glamping accommodations requires advance planning. "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve," advises a visitor to Whitetail Woods.
Electricity restrictions: Some cabins limit electrical appliance usage. "You can use a slow cooker and a coffee pot in the cabin. Otherwise you can cook over the fire as well," notes a Whitetail visitor, explaining the practical cooking constraints of the facility.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Multiple locations offer swimming facilities specifically designed for families. "The campground is great for everyone! It has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites," shares a visitor to Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River.
All-weather activity options: Parks near Mahtomedi typically provide both indoor and outdoor recreation. "They have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved," explains a Bunker Hills visitor.
Rental equipment availability: Many parks offer equipment rentals to minimize what families need to bring. "You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards, and many people bring their own boats (although they do charge to park your boat trailer unless you bring it back to the campground)," notes a Baker Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Winter accessibility: Some glamping sites remain open year-round with heated facilities. "We stayed here when we got our first camper and it is nicely shaded large sites. Great walking paths and clean restrooms. Great for a quick weekend camping trip," explains a visitor to Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
Power considerations: Electrical systems vary between parks and may experience strain during peak usage. "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off. It was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max," notes a Country Camping visitor, highlighting the impact of weather on electrical systems.
Site selection strategies: RV sites vary significantly in privacy and amenities. "The lower loops are definitely better for tent campers, even though quite a few spots could support an RV. The campground map does a good job of providing visual indicators of what a site provides," advises a visitor to Bunker Hills.
