Best Cabin Camping near Melrose, MN

Several state parks and private resorts around Melrose, Minnesota provide rustic cabins with varying amenities. Lake Carlos State Park Campground offers camper cabins that sleep up to six people with heat and electricity, making them suitable for year-round use. According to one visitor, "Frog Pond sleeps 6 with heat and electricity. There are 4 cabins that share 2 vault toilets." Sibley State Park's Oak Ridge Campground features camper cabins tucked into a hillside setting with picnic tables and fire rings. Creekwood Acres provides a fully furnished cabin with a working kitchen including microwave, stove, refrigerator, and sink. Most cabins include basic furniture, beds, and electrical outlets, while bathroom facilities vary from shared vault toilets to private composting toilets.

Cabin rentals range from basic state park structures to more luxurious private accommodations. Linwood Resort & Campgrounds offers lakefront cabins with views of Lake Osakis and access to numerous amenities. One reviewer noted, "Cabins with beautiful lake view, boathouse lodge and game room, sunbathing dock on the water, large picnic grounds." Head of the Lakes Resort provides cabin options alongside a restaurant and bar for added convenience. Pet-friendly cabins are available at several locations, though policies vary by property. Most state park cabins require advance reservations, especially during summer months from May through September. Winter cabin availability is more limited, with Lake Carlos State Park being one of the few offering heated cabins during colder months.

Most cabins require visitors to bring their own bedding, pillows, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen supplies vary significantly between properties, with state park cabins typically offering minimal cooking facilities beyond outdoor fire rings with grates. Private resort cabins like those at Creekwood Acres include full kitchens with cooking utensils and appliances. Firewood is available for purchase at most locations, typically costing around $6 per bundle. Basic groceries and supplies can be found in nearby towns, though many campers bring essentials with them. Visitors staying during summer months should pack insect repellent, as several reviewers mentioned significant mosquito activity, particularly in wooded areas around cabins.

Best Cabin Sites Near Melrose, Minnesota (21)

    1. Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park

    20 Reviews
    New London, MN
    27 miles
    Website

    "Shower and bathrooms available in the campground. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Firewood is available at the office for about $6 per bundle. There are 2 campgrounds in the park."

    "The campground closest to the lake isn't very private but the sites are spacious. Has a clean bathroom for showering."

    2. Games Lake County Park

    15 Reviews
    New London, MN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 354-4453

    "Games Lake County Park, near New London, Minnesota, is a great spot for camping. With tent, RV, and cabin options, it suits all campers."

    "This is a nicely forested family-oriented campground on the shores of Games Lake."

    3. Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Carlos, MN
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 852-7200

    "I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter."

    "End of October, Stopped for just one night, probably about a 20ish minute drive from 94. Was able to purchase firewood after closing, and the campsite were easy to find after (7$)entry to the park."

    4. Lake Koronis Regional Park

    6 Reviews
    New London, MN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 276-8843

    $20 - $70 / night

    "Went out in spring time and was so shocked to see such a nice park in such an off beaten area. We stumbled upon this place just taking back roads and driving around."

    "Bathrooms are super nice and are heated. Sites a a nice distance apart, lots of trees. Nice playground with swings, close to a larger park near the lake."

    5. Big Sauk Resort

    Be the first to review!
    Melrose, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 352-2510

    6. Linwood Resort & Campgrounds

    1 Review
    Osakis, MN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 859-2175

    "Amenities I remember when we had a seasonal spot here: cabins with beautiful lake view, boathouse lodge and game room, sunbathing dock on the water, large picnic grounds, sand-filled playground, paddleboard"

    7. Canary Beach Resort

    2 Reviews
    Glenwood, MN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 554-2471

    $78 - $1090 / night

    "So many activities and clean shower and restrooms. Folks working here we very pleasant and personable."

    8. Green Lake County Park

    5 Reviews
    New London, MN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 796-5564

    $24 - $34 / night

    "Hands down my favorite spot to get away from the hectic week of work, parenting duties, and just all together adulting."

    "Beautiful clear lake, nice sites, friendly people, affordable rentals, and so much to do!"

    9. Head Of The Lakes Resort

    1 Review
    Osakis, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 859-4252

    "They have cabins, camp sites, and restaurant/bar. Right on Lake osakis, which usually has good fishing."

    10. Creekwood Acres

    1 Review
    St. Joseph, MN
    24 miles
    +1 (320) 267-6240

    $150 / night

    "I had been out of town and away from home the previous week, and decided I would stop here on the long drive home in order to break up my trip."

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Cabin Reviews near Melrose, MN

171 Reviews of 21 Melrose Campgrounds


  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 9, 2025

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Lakefront (winter edition)

    I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter. We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent. A couple and their 2 dogs stayed in the truck camper and me and another friend stayed in the clam with an electric space heater going in addition to our 0 degree bags. It stayed pretty cozy! Fire ring and picnic table at the site. I believe the bathrooms and showers were closed for the season but cannot recall. Firewood is available at the office.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2022

    Head Of The Lakes Resort

    Lots to offer!

    They have cabins, camp sites, and restaurant/bar. Right on Lake osakis, which usually has good fishing.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2024

    Linwood Resort & Campgrounds

    Great lake

    Amenities I remember when we had a seasonal spot here: cabins with beautiful lake view, boathouse lodge and game room, sunbathing dock on the water, large picnic grounds, sand-filled playground, paddleboard &kayak rentals, boat ramp and launching service, boat & pontoon rental, boatlifts, gas, oil, tackle and live bait, screened-in fish cleaning house, sand volleyball, mini golf, laundry.

    The nearby town of Osakis has convenience stores, grocery, liquor stores, gas, bars and restaurants, etc. Lake osakis is usually pretty good for fishing.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Creekwood Acres

    Tiny-house farm-stay!

    What a privilege it was to spend a night here! I had been out of town and away from home the previous week, and decided I would stop here on the long drive home in order to break up my trip. It wasnt just goid stopover, but a great retreat to restore body, mind and spirit. This listing for the Creekwood Cabin is a new listing on the“Hipcamp” website, which is like Airbnb for campgrounds, campsites, camper cabins, etc, that are located on private properties like farms and vineyards. The Theisens, Todd and Sarah, are the stewards of a beautiful farm focused on organic, sustainable and restorative land practices on acreage that is a mix of prairie, forest, wetlands, and rolling hills. They have free range cows, pigs and chickens who roam the farm freely and who are pretty happy campers themselves, it seems! The Theisens also have a traditional woodcraft and wood products business using sustainable harvest of hardwoods on their land, turning downed trees into planks for hardwood floors, wall panelling, countertops and other home woodwork for area homes. Currently in production when I was there were several outhouses to be uses at the campsites they are setting up in various wooded groves on their farm, and in the works are the production if several tiny homes that will serve as camper cabins on their farm. Any tree wood not used in their products is chipped and used as woods for the miles of walking trails they are setting up over hill and dale on the property, and for sawdust for their composting toilets for their guest facilities. As of yet, the tent campsites and tiny house camper cabins are still being constructed and are a“work in progress”, but given what I saw will be really wonderful when finished. I had the opportunity to stay in their recently opened Creek Wood Cabin, which is an amazing showcase of both their hospitality and their best woodwork artisanry. This cabin is set in a shady grove of mature trees on a hill overlooking a peaceful pond and marsh. I was serenaded all night by frogs and owls and more. The cabin is constructed with all local materials, including of course woodwork from their own trees. The cabin has a full working kitchen including microwave, stove, fridge and sink, so you can bring all you need for your own meal prep. There is one open bedroom with a comfy double bed on the main floor, and two more double beds in the sunny loft above. The sitting area is complete with two rocking chairs and a library of amazing books related to sustainable living, simplicity, camping, and various topics to restore the spirit. There are large sunny windows on all walls which makes the cabin sunny and cheerful and makes the interior woodwork glow with warmth. There is a wood stove and a well stocked wood box, but there is also electric baseboard heat. There is running water with an on-demand water heater, but the toilet is an efficient low impact composting toilet so be prepared to flush with sawdust instead if water when using the facilities! Next to the cabin is a heavenly sauna that is set up for either dry or steam saunas. I loved having a sauna before bedtime and sleeping soundly til the rooster crowed at sunrise. When I had arrived the night before, Todd took me out in his RTV to tour the whole farm to see all the animals and the farming and woodworking operations, and also showed me all the trails I could go on. So, when the rooster called me forth the next morning I knew just where to go for my morning walk. When I returned, I reD for a while and journaled for a while til Sarah showed up at the cabin door with a basket containing my piping hot breakfast complete with fresh scrambled eggs from their henhouse. After breakfast, I visited the cows and their calves in their peaceful meadow, including one calf who was pals with the Bernese mountain dogs of the farm and preferred to frolick with the dogs rather than the other calves! Then more resting, writing and relaxing in the cozy cabin before continuing in my way. I would have to recommend this cabin stay as one if the loveliest I have experienced, and I know I will be back for more! In summer, guests would enjoy being in the farm itself and learning all the Theisens can share able simple low impact living and sustainable farming and restorative land management. If staying here you could also visit like-minded facilities like the organic gardens or art studios of the nearby College of St Benedict, or the solar farm or Arboretum and restored prairie at nearby St Johns University. St Johns and St Bens also have myriad hiking trails and places for meditation both indoors and out. Guests of the cabin can easily access both campuses just minutes away by car or bike, with additional biking further afield on the nearby Lake Woebegone state bike trail. During the school year there are myriad cultural activities on both campuses that cabin guests could take advantage of, and a winter time stay would also be lovely with the chance for snowshoeing or cross country skiing on the farm itself or in the area, as well as the chance to just rest, read, write and restore in the peace and quiet and coziness if the cabin. It would be the kind of retreat that Thoreau himself would heartily recommend, but Thoreau never had it this good in his own cabin! Come check it out for yourself, or come for the tent camping or tiny house experience as soon as those options are ready!

  • L
    Nov. 2, 2022

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Beautiful and quiet

    End of October, Stopped for just one night, probably about a 20ish minute drive from 94. Was able to purchase firewood after closing, and the campsite were easy to find after (7$)entry to the park. Campsites are reserved through an online system. We found the top campsite completely empty and plenty of sites had good tree coverage for privacy/ way no protection. Nice level sites with soft ground. Each site had a fire ring and picnic table. The only bathroom in walking distance to the upper campsites was a vault toilet located amongst the cabins. Seems like a great place to stay any season.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 23, 2022

    Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park

    Nice swimming beach

    Nice beach for swimming. Shower and bathrooms available in the campground. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Firewood is available at the office for about $6 per bundle. There are 2 campgrounds in the park.

  • K
    Jul. 12, 2018

    Lake Maria State Park Campground

    Beautiful and Relaxing

    Really enjoyed the short hike to our campsite, BP7. There is a bathroom and water station before you head out which is awesome! The campsite was secluded and absolutely beautiful. Definitely will be going back again!

    Campsite included: 2 tent pads, a few areas to hammock, fire ring w/large grill, small bench, picnic table, bear box and latrine.

    I don’t think I would change a thing about the campsite.

  • M
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Absolutely Beautiful!

    We are camping/glamping in. 30’ fifth wheel. The sites here are spacious and cozy at the same time. Feels like we are deep in the forest but civilization is close enough for WiFi! Get some firewood from the Ranger, the fire pits are great!!

  • Joanna B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Beautiful camper cabin

    Leap Day 2/29/20-3/1/20 Frog Pond

    We headed to Lake Carlos for their candlelight ski, this was our first visit to this state park. Tent camping wasn’t available and we were able to reserve a camper cabin - Frog Pond. It was a nice change and a warmer option, the cabin is gorgeous! Frog Pond sleeps 6 with heat and electricity. There are 4 cabins that share 2 vault toilets.

    It was a beautiful 38 degree Leap Day and we took advantage of it. They offer a large number of ski trails so we xcountry skied before dark. The trails were icy, but still enjoyable. At dark we headed to the candlelight event. It was very busy and a huge turnout. We hiked 1.2 miles and then snowshoed 2.4 miles. There are ponds and bogs that they create snowshoe trails on, so there are even more trails to explore in the winter. It was a beautiful night and we enjoyed the wooded trails and starry skies. We had a fire and enjoyed a normal outdoor cookout before bed.

    We did more skiing on Sunday and checked out the 2 campgrounds as they were on the ski route. One campground is on Lake Carlos and very open. Sites have beautiful lake views. You can apparently drive your boat right into a sandy shore and dock it. They also have a swimming beach. The other campground is a bit more wooded and more suited for tents. This campground is near the camper cabins. The trails are very wooded and pretty. We enjoyed skiing the hiking club trail and ended up hitting almost every trail in our stay. I assume this park would be equally beautiful in the summer. What a beautiful state park!


Guide to Melrose

Cabins near Melrose, Minnesota provide access to a landscape characterized by glacial lakes, prairie remnants, and hardwood forests. The region's 1,200 to 1,300-foot elevation creates diverse water features, with average summer temperatures ranging 70-85°F and winter lows reaching below zero. Winter cabin camping remains available at select locations, though fewer facilities operate during the November to March season.

What to do

Fishing at multiple lakes: Lake Osakis near Head Of The Lakes Resort typically offers productive fishing spots. "Right on Lake osakis, which usually has good fishing," notes a camper who appreciated the combination of cabins and water access.

Winter activities: At Lake Carlos State Park Campground, seasonal options include lantern-lit snowshoe trails. "I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter," explains one winter visitor who found creative ways to stay warm.

Hiking to Mount Tom: The elevation provides panoramic views at Sibley State Park. "I would recommend the hike to mount Tom to check out that view!" suggests a camper who enjoyed exploring the park's diverse terrain and wildlife viewing opportunities.

What campers like

Clean bathroom facilities: Green Lake County Park maintains exceptional standards. "The bathroom/showers are clean and they have cleaners go in and clean 3 times a day. YES COODOS FOR THAT!!!" writes an enthusiastic visitor who ranked this as their favorite getaway spot.

Family-friendly amenities: Canary Beach Resort scores high for its recreation options. "Fun campground to be part of. Lots of things to do for the whole family," notes a reviewer who gave the resort five stars for its comprehensive offerings.

Beach access: Multiple locations feature swimming areas, including Games Lake County Park where one visitor mentioned, "There is a nearby boat launch with parking. As well as a playground and beach area with a slide."

What you should know

Site orientation: Some campgrounds have unusual layouts. At Lake Koronis Regional Park, "1/3 of their sites are setup backwards and they hope to eventually move the sites around but for now, you 'camp' on the wrong side of your camper," explains a reviewer who found this arrangement challenging.

Seasonal availability: Most cabin rentals operate on different schedules. "Winter cabin availability is limited to select heated options in places like Lake Carlos State Park, which provides electricity and heat for cold weather stays.

Reservation requirements: Oak Ridge Campground at Sibley State Park can get busy during peak season. "Low key, quiet retreat. Well staffed with nice people. Clean, well maintained. Nice beach area, but crowded," reports a visitor who appreciated the seclusion of certain sites.

Tips for camping with families

Look for comprehensive recreation: Parks with multiple activity options keep children engaged. "This park has everything from bike trails, hiking trails, look out tower at the top of Mount Tom, to swimming and fishing," notes a Sibley State Park visitor who considers it their favorite Minnesota state park.

Consider lakefront locations: Waterfront sites provide additional entertainment value. "Large beach area for swimming and pylons to tie up boats. Good trail system and a great swimming area. Nature center is really good," recommends a Lake Carlos visitor.

Seek out playground facilities: Creekwood Acres provides a unique farm environment with natural play opportunities. "I visited the cows and their calves in their peaceful meadow, including one calf who was pals with the Bernese mountain dogs of the farm and preferred to frolick with the dogs rather than the other calves!" describes a visitor who enjoyed the rural setting.

Tips from RVers

Winter electrical options: Year-round camping requires planning for Lake Carlos State Park. "We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent. A couple and their 2 dogs stayed in the truck camper and me and another friend stayed in the clam with an electric space heater going," explains a winter camper.

Campsite spacing: Look for locations that provide adequate room between sites. "The sites are spacious with close access to the lake from any of the lower campground sites," notes a Lake Carlos visitor who appreciated the generous spacing.

Weather preparation: Spring and fall camping may bring temperature swings. "I camped here during an MEA weekend in October and even though we woke up to snow covering our tent, it was a great experience!" shares a Lake Carlos camper who persevered through unexpected conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Melrose, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Melrose, MN is Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Melrose, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 21 cabin camping locations near Melrose, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.