Cabin camping near Plymouth, Minnesota provides year-round accommodation options within 25 miles of the city center. Located in the western Twin Cities metro area at approximately 960 feet elevation, Plymouth experiences cold winters with average lows of 7°F in January and warm summers with highs near 83°F in July. The area features a mix of prairie and woodland environments with several lakes and creeks offering water access.
What to do
Hiking trail access: The extensive trail system at Bunker Hills Regional Park provides multiple terrain options within minutes of cabin sites. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," notes one visitor, while another mentions the park is "8x larger than Carley State Park" with "a wide variety of landscapes. Prairie, forest, river, it's got it all."
Water activities: Swimming beaches and boat rentals are available at many of the parks. At Baker Campground, visitors appreciate the lake access. "There are 2 swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors. You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards, and many people bring their own boats," explains one camper.
Winter accessibility: Many cabin sites remain open during winter months when tent camping isn't practical. At Lake Maria State Park, the cabins provide cold-weather shelter. "Appreciated the camper cabin and the clean sites. Most if not all sites are in the woods from what I could tell so there is a lot of leaves. Good trails and a fun experience," reports a winter visitor.
What campers like
Proximity to urban amenities: The cabin locations near Plymouth combine wilderness feel with convenient access to city services. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, campers appreciate that it "feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities. Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!"
Well-maintained facilities: Many cabins receive regular maintenance and updates. At Afton State Park Campground, the camper cabins get positive reviews: "Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!"
Site privacy: Cabin placement at most parks maximizes separation between units. "The sites are decently private and there is nice bathrooms/showers. We camped here while our friends used a camper cabin and they loved it too," notes a visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park, while another states the "campsites were nice, good tent pads too! Very clean. Respectful neighbors."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Demand for cabins exceeds supply, especially during peak seasons. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, a reviewer notes: "The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot." However, their popularity means "sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff."
Seasonal accessibility: Some facilities change seasonally, affecting cabin comfort levels. "Water fill stations readily available so we loaded up prior to continuing out west," notes a visitor to Afton State Park, while others mention that "water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are not working" during certain times.
Firewood regulations: Rules about firewood vary by location. At Baker Park Reserve, firewood is available for purchase, but some parks have unique situations: "They do have firewood available however it is long slab wood, so you do need to cut it yourself. Hand hacksaws are provided, but we're not great quality which made cutting the wood difficult."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several cabin locations feature playground facilities for children. Bunker Hills Regional Park offers multiple options: "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."
Swimming options: Most cabin locations include swimming areas but check for seasonal availability. Baker Park Reserve provides good options: "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Bug protection: Insect populations vary by season and location. "The bugs are aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area," warns a visitor to Minneapolis Northwest KOA, while another at Lake Maria State Park suggests "Pack light and bring permethrin-treated clothes during bug season."
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: RV sites with cabins nearby often have different configurations. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, "Level private sites, lots of trees, Showers were clean. Would definitely camp again," while Baker Park Reserve offers "nice paved trails around a couple of lakes/ponds for biking, and easy access to the shower and bathroom facilities (which were very nice)."
Seasonal limitations: Accessibility changes throughout the year. "The campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities. The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great," notes a visitor to Baker Park Reserve, but cautions "The sites are about as private as the typical state park, so not very."
