Cabin accommodations near New Hope provide seasonal access to regional parks and recreation areas. Most cabins at area campgrounds require a short drive of 20-45 minutes from New Hope. Winter availability varies significantly, with some parks closing completely from November through March while others maintain year-round cabin reservations.
What to do
Trail exploration: 6+ miles of connected trails at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve allow for extensive hiking and cycling. "There are nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities," reports one visitor. Another notes that "there is a nice 6+mile biking trail that connects to others, so bring the bikes."
Water activities: Rental equipment options include canoes, paddle boats and stand-up paddleboards at several parks. "You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards, and many people bring their own boats," explains one Baker Park visitor. Parks may limit the number of watercraft allowed on lakes at one time during peak summer weekends.
Wildlife viewing: Bird watching opportunities exist throughout the cabin camping areas. At Crow Hassan Park Reserve, visitors report excellent bird watching conditions. "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails," notes one regular visitor. Early morning and dusk provide optimal wildlife viewing times.
What campers like
Site privacy: Tree coverage levels vary significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, "the lower loops are definitely better for tent campers... the sites are decently private and there is nice bathrooms/showers." A visitor noted that "despite many of these things not being anything that I have a slight interest in, this somehow works for the park and it feels like a hidden paradise."
Convenient location: Quick access from urban areas makes these cabin locations practical for short stays. According to one William O'Brien visitor, "I have long overlooked William O'Brien because I thought you had to drive a long way to get away. I was wrong!" Another camper at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park appreciated that the park "feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities."
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained restrooms receive positive reviews across most parks. "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground," shares a Baker Park visitor. Facility quality varies seasonally, with early spring and late fall sometimes having reduced maintenance schedules.
What you should know
Bug preparation: Insect populations peak from June through August. "The bugs are aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area," warns a visitor to Minneapolis Northwest KOA. Some cabins have screened porches which provide protection from mosquitoes and flies during evening hours.
Reservation timing: Weekend availability becomes extremely limited 3-6 months in advance, especially for summer dates. "You'll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I'd say almost all of them were booked," advises a Baker Park visitor.
Winter considerations: Reduced services affect most parks during colder months. While some cabins remain available year-round, water sources may be shut off and roads may have limited maintenance during snow events. One William O'Brien visitor reported, "The cabin we stayed in felt very welcoming. Unknown at the time I booked it, the cabin offered Wi-Fi access that ended up not working for us anyway."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Bunker Hills features a large water park adjacent to camping areas. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," notes one visitor simply. The water park typically operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day with daily admission fees separate from camping costs.
Playground proximity: Multiple play areas exist within most parks hosting cabins. "Perfect for kids, 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," shares a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Animal encounters: Petting zoo options provide additional family activities at some locations. One visitor to Ham Lake Resort reported, "There is a petting arena with goats, ponies, and a llama who gave my partner the stink eye, but fell in love with me rubbing the fence and giving me all googly eyes!"
Tips for RVers
Site selection: Specific loops cater better to larger vehicles. At Bunker Hills, "The upper loop (sites 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site." Site maps typically indicate maximum vehicle lengths and electrical hookup locations.
Off-season availability: Reduced crowds during spring and fall provide more spacious camping experiences. "We spent two nights in the campground. It was fairly busy, but we still felt secluded despite a full campground," reports one Baker visitor about shoulder season camping. Many cabin areas reduce rates by 20-30% during non-summer months.
