Cabins near Morton, Minnesota provide access to southwest Minnesota's prairies, woodlands, and waterways. Most state park accommodations sit at elevations between 800-1,200 feet in an area known for its hot summers and cold winters. Seasonal availability varies significantly, with most cabin facilities operating May through September while some remain open year-round with winter heating options.
What to do
Hiking prairie trails: Fort Ridgely State Park offers multiple trail systems with water fountains placed even on remote paths. "In JULY The Prairie Trails are stunning with all the wild flowers in full bloom. Many trails and nice overlooks too. I walked and hiked the trail over and over because of the beautiful flowers," notes a visitor to Fort Ridgely State Park Campground.
Beach swimming: Lake Shetek State Park maintains a sandy swimming area during summer months. "The swimming beach was clean and nice sand," reports a camper at Sunrise Campground. Water clarity can vary seasonally, and some visitors note that alternative beaches exist within the park when the main one floods.
Creek exploration: Children particularly enjoy wading in creek areas at several campgrounds. At Fort Ridgely, "The creek is cool temperature even in July but kids have fun swimming and splashing. There are marked areas for crossing the creek which make great wading areas too."
Historical sites: Several parks contain historical significance worth exploring. "Make sure to read up about the fort before arriving so that you can appreciate the importance of the site you're camping on," suggests one Fort Ridgely visitor. The area contains multiple sites connected to settlement history and the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862.
What campers like
Lakefront views: Waterfront sites at several parks offer direct water access. "Campsite 37 is right on a bend in the river and has an amazing view!" says a camper about Fort Ridgely. At Oak Woods Campground, "All of the campsites are large and open and grassy. They lack privacy but have good spacing, tall trees, and lake views."
Wildlife watching: Multiple parks provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. A visitor to Oak Woods notes, "We saw and heard many birds including songbirds, woodpeckers, geese, turkeys, pelicans, turkey vultures, and a nesting swan. We saw deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and a mink. We heard coyotes the first night."
Newly updated facilities: Some parks have recently renovated their amenities. Fort Ridgely features a "BRAND NEW Bathroom/shower building with large ADA showers," while Plum Creek Park Campground receives praise for being "well maintained with friendly staff" and having "nice trails around the lake."
Accessibility: Many cabin areas provide good access for different mobility needs. "The park is well maintained... The sites were very spacious and the park staff was very friendly," notes a visitor to Plum Creek Park.
What you should know
Cell service varies: Coverage differs significantly between campgrounds. "No cell phone coverage at the campground but there is service around the historical site," reports one Fort Ridgely visitor. Another notes that at Camden State Park Campground, "we didn't have cell service (Verizon), which wasn't a big deal."
Shower facilities: Bathroom and shower availability differs by location. At Fort Ridgely, "Unlike most state parks, there is a $2 fee to shower." Some campgrounds only offer vault toilets while others have modern facilities.
Site privacy: The level of seclusion between sites varies considerably. At Flandrau State Park, "The non electric sites are secluded but 'LOTS of owls made it tough to sleep, but it was pretty cool as well.'" Meanwhile, at Oak Woods Campground, "sites are well marked and they are all in close proximity to one another. There are little to no natural features that divide each site from the next."
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience periodic train noise. At Camden State Park, "There are nearby train tracks and trains ran by several times a day, though luckily they don't blow the horn so we didn't notice them much."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer play equipment for children. At Flandrau State Park, families can access "a sand bottom pool" during summer months. Plum Creek Park features "a swimming beach, and playground equipment" with "great sites, trails, a swimming beach, and playground equipment."
Water activities: Swimming opportunities vary by season and water levels. One Lake Shetek visitor noted, "The actual swimming beach gets flooded out easily, however there are secret beaches all over!" Another mentioned, "We kayaked (a short Portage) to 2 smaller lakes that had no one on them."
Kid-friendly trails: Multiple parks feature trails suitable for younger hikers. Camden State Park gets praise as a "great place to take your kids" with "pretty spacious separated by lots trees." One family noted it was "Perfect for all the kids off all ages, adults, grandparents."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger-led programs. One Fort Ridgely visitor shared, "One day a ranger came around an offered a wildlife edible 'class' which I decided to go to - that was interesting! I learned a lot and it was fun to meet some of the other campers."
Tips from RVers
Electric site selection: RV sites with electric hookups tend to be more open with less privacy. "The electric sites are very open and offer little privacy," notes a Flandrau visitor. At Sportsman Park, full hookup sites are available with "a 5k paves trail that goes around the lake connecting the campground to the park on the other side of the lake."
Water access considerations: RVers should check whether water hookups are available at their site. Lake Shetek's Sunrise Campground offers "full hookups" where "sites are very level, open with newer smaller trees. Sites are spaced apart really nicely."
Seasonal limitations: RV accommodations have different seasonal availability. Sportsman Park operates "mid may-mid sep" while Camden State Park remains open "all year" with winter camping options.
