Cabin camping near Minneapolis, Minnesota offers visitors access to year-round outdoor recreation within an hour's drive of the metro area. The region features a mix of prairie lands, wooded river valleys, and glacial lakes with elevations ranging from 700-1,100 feet above sea level. Winter cabin temperatures can drop below zero, while summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Hiking trail networks: Baker Park Reserve provides extensive trail options for day hikers. "The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great. With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," notes Bryan S. about the park's activity options.
Beach swimming: St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park offers river access for cooling off. "The beach was very nice to swim in, but was a bit crowded no surprise in mid July," shares Lizzy Z. about the park's summer water options.
Winter cabin activities: William O'Brien State Park maintains winter-accessible trails. "I visited William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent. We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape and happened upon a railroad that passed above our trail with a beautiful tunnel-overpass," reports David K.
Wildlife viewing: Bunker Hills Regional Park's diverse habitats support bird watching. "I was immediately enthralled by the scenery as we drove into the park. It truly felt like a state park, and it's definitely bigger than some of them (for instance it is 8x larger than Carley State Park)," notes Krista T.
What campers like
Bathroom facilities: Rice Creek Campgrounds maintains well-serviced bathroom buildings. "Level private sites, lots of trees, Showers were clean. Would definitely camp again," writes Corey P. Many campers appreciate accessible facilities when staying in non-plumbed cabins.
Site spacing: Campers frequently mention the importance of privacy between cabins. "The sites are decently private and there are nice bathrooms/showers. We camped here while our friends used a camper cabin and they loved it too," explains Bryan S. about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Family entertainment: Minneapolis Southwest KOA provides additional entertainment beyond cabin stays. "The staff is helpful and friendly," notes Sheryl, while another camper mentions "It has a pool that stays open late, and it's got some playgrounds."
Group gathering spaces: Many cabin sites offer communal areas. "Our site has a large picnic shelter with 6 picnic tables two grills and its own volleyball place," describes Lizzy Z. about St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. The park's group sites accommodate 20-50 campers with ample space.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular cabin sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "The campgrounds are grouped, well maintained, and always have firewood(etc) stocked for their guests," notes Alison O. about Baker Park Reserve.
Seasonal access issues: Some parks close certain areas during construction or seasonal maintenance. "The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids," Tim mentions about William O'Brien State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons frequently visit cabin areas. "We had raccoons both nights so be sure to clean and put away food AND garbage before calling it a night," warns Lizzy Z. Another reviewer notes, "Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away."
Site-specific conditions: Researching individual cabin locations helps avoid disappointment. "Sites that I loved: 3, 8, 10," recommends Krista T. when describing Bunker Hills. Another reviewer notes, "The lower loops are definitely better for tent campers, even though quite a few spots could support an RV."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Choose cabin sites near play areas for convenience. "There is a gorgeous beach area with tables, a pavilion, changing rooms and a well equipped playground," shares Kristin C. about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
Space for multiple activities: Consider how much room your family needs. "It was clean and separated from the other campers. I liked this spot because there is so much space to spread out, we had 5 tents set up and room to spare," reports Lizzy Z. about group sites.
Water access options: Check if beach areas require hiking. "But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk. Campgrounds are nearby beach and require further walk," warns Alison about Afton State Park.
Off-season cabin benefits: Winter and shoulder season visits offer different experiences. "I plan on going back to experience the park with more time on my hands in the future," notes David K. about William O'Brien's winter cabin availability.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: RVers using cabins as supplemental lodging should note electrical options. "The upper loop (sits 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site," explains Krista T. when describing Bunker Hills campground layout.
Arrival timing strategies: Late arrivals should plan accordingly. "Easy late check in with campsite hosts. Lots of site options from open field options to pretty tree covered areas," Lynsey M. mentions about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Weather contingency options: Consider nearby activities during inclement weather. "Nearby horseback riding. Quick trip to Afton for lunch at Afton House Inn. Quick trip to Prescott for bloodies at Muddy Waters," suggests Rikki I., highlighting off-site options when cabin camping conditions aren't ideal.
Water and waste management: Note water fill stations when planning cabin stays. "Water fill stations readily available so we loaded up prior to continuing out west," Lynsey M. points out about facilities important to RVers even when using cabins.
