Cabin accommodations within an hour of Northfield provide convenient access to the rolling hills and prairie landscape of southeastern Minnesota. Situated between the Cannon and Straight Rivers, this area features a mix of hardwood forests, agricultural land, and river valleys with an average elevation of 912 feet. Winter cabin camping can be particularly peaceful with temperatures often dropping below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Hiking trails: Baker Park Reserve offers extensive walking paths through diverse landscapes. "I spent a lot of my childhood playing and exploring this park... I love birding here as well," notes one camper who grew up next to the Baker Campground.
Riverside exploration: Campers at Haycreek Valley can enjoy proximity to both wooded terrain and water. A visitor mentioned, "The trails are shaded, no bugs, friendly campers and staff. They have electric and water hookups for horse campers, and they have overflow for horse campers. The trails here are amazing."
Wildlife viewing: Sakatah Lake State Park offers exceptional bird watching opportunities. "I was so amazed with all the sounds of birds in this park. I heard Everything from Eagles, Canadian Geese and Swans to Woodpeckers and multiple song birds. Also the frogs and toads were adding their voices too," shared one nature enthusiast.
What campers like
Spacious sites: St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park campers appreciate the roominess of their accommodations. According to one visitor, "Spacious sites and very clean restrooms," with another noting the park offers "Beautiful park. Lots of hiking."
Winter comfort: The cabin options at Whitetail Woods work well during colder months. As one winter camper detailed, "The cabins in the woods are great in winter with snow on the pine trees... The cabins are well-built and heated... Each bunk has its own reading light. The storage in this place is amazing."
Lake access: Many campsites offer water recreation access. One Sakatah visitor stated, "This was my third time camping at this campground and I love it more and more every time. It's next to a lake so we can easily bring our kayaks with."
What you should know
Seasonal water access: Some parks limit water availability during colder months. At Afton State Park, a visitor warned, "NO WATER ON TRAIL 4TH JULY WEEKEND 2019 (FILL UP AT VISITOR CENTER)."
Shower facilities: Cabin options vary in their bathroom arrangements. At Whitetail Woods, a camper noted, "The biggest downside is the middle-of-the-night trek to the bathroom... don't plan on a long shower to unwind unless you like cold water. There was maybe 2 minutes of hot water."
Reservation competition: Popular cabins near Northfield book quickly. One camper advised, "Super simple camping cabins... Plan ahead as these are hard to come by."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Minneapolis Southwest KOA provides numerous family-friendly amenities. "The staff is helpful and friendly," states a visitor to this campground, which features both indoor and outdoor recreation options.
Water recreation: River View Campground offers family-friendly swimming. One visitor shared, "This is a great site for kids. They have a lot of great amenities for kid's entertainment. A lot of families camped here."
Nature experiences: Multiple parks offer opportunities to connect with wildlife. A Sakatah camper noted, "Loved this park!! Very quiet and peaceful. Biked the trail. Campfires, hammocked and just enjoyed chillin!"
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Several campgrounds accommodate larger rigs but with some limitations. At Sakatah Lake, an RVer advised, "Very nice park if your RV is not to big. I put our 38 foot 5th wheel in a site but you better be on your game here. Lots of shade and big trees."
Seasonal accessibility: RVers should check road conditions when booking cabins near Northfield during shoulder seasons. Shades of Sherwood offers RV sites and cabin rentals, with one visitor noting, "Great tent sites some along river lots of activities for children and adults tubing down the river."
Utility connections: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup layouts. One Haycreek Valley camper explained, "Our site was rather odd as the electric and water post was on the opposite side of our camper. Our standard water hose and electrical cord wouldn't reach."
