Cabin accommodations near Saint Croix National Scenic River vary in style from rustic structures in state parks to more elaborate cabin rentals at private campgrounds. Located along the boundary between Minnesota and Wisconsin, the river flows through forested hills and rocky outcrops with elevations ranging from 675 to 800 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, making heated cabins essential for year-round visitors.
What to do
Hiking riverside trails: Several campgrounds offer direct access to hiking paths along the Saint Croix River. At Banning State Park Campground, visitors enjoy trails with historical features. According to one camper, "The Quarry Loop along the Kettle River has a ton of history, allowing you to explore the remains of the 130+ year old sandstone quarry. Seeing the drill holes in the cliffs was really cool and the remains of the old buildings were a highlight even to our small children."
Winter activities: For those seeking camping cabins near Saint Croix National Scenic River during colder months, multiple locations offer winter recreation. "We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp. The campground was fully reserved but was empty, the low was 10 so people must have bowed out," notes one winter visitor at Wild River State Park Campground. "The park is huge and beautiful. We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise."
Wildlife viewing: The river corridor supports diverse wildlife visible from cabin sites. A reviewer at Wild River State Park noted, "This campground is massive! Our campsite was on the farthest loop and was very private! We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls."
What campers like
Secluded cabin sites: Many campers appreciate private accommodations away from crowded areas. At Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park, a visitor reported, "The site we had was isolated nicely and the ground was easy for a tent set up. There was some mosquitos, but the disappeared at night which was nice. The trail near by was nice, but driving into the park and finding a trail were better."
River access: Cabins with proximity to the water receive positive feedback. One reviewer described their experience at a remote cabin site: "Backpack site Buck Hill is right on the river, beautiful view to the east. Circled by flowers (goldenrod in the late summer), brush and trees. End of the path so zero foot traffic / passersby."
Star gazing opportunities: The area's distance from major cities creates good conditions for night sky viewing. A camper at Wild River noted: "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance."
Indoor facilities: St Croix River Resort offers more developed cabin options with amenities not found at state parks. A visitor commented: "We stayed here with my extended family in a couple of cabins. It is nice and wooded. The pool is indoors which is nice and has drawbacks. It is a good sized pool. There is a nice playground for the kids and there are some nice trails."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Not all cabin facilities operate year-round. Some locations like Banning State Park Campground have limited seasons, typically "April to October," while others maintain winter operations.
Bug preparation: Insects can be problematic during certain seasons. One camper at Old Logging Trail warned, "Unfortunately we chose the peak of mosquitos season and camping next to slow moving water is a recipe for disaster. It was also a very hot weekend. We showed up and set up camp and within the first hour our dog was clearly stressed by all the bugs."
Reservation requirements: Advance booking is essential, especially for weekend stays. A visitor at Paint Rock Springs Campground mentioned: "Reserved this site through the Minnesota dnr state park phone line, having been turned away from full camp grounds by two other state parks."
Cell service limitations: Many cabin locations have limited connectivity. "Cell service was incredibly spotty on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting-- don't think about using the web or social media or getting any work done while you're here," reported a camper at Old Logging Trail.
Tips for camping with families
Look for cabins with playground access: Several locations offer play areas for children near cabin sites. A reviewer at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park noted: "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours."
Consider educational opportunities: Historical sites within parks provide learning experiences for children. At Banning State Park, a parent shared: "The remains of the old buildings were a highlight even to our small children. Would definitely make a trip back to explore even more!"
Check site spacing: Cabin proximity varies between locations. One family at Wild River State Park commented: "This campground is massive! Our campsite was on the farthest loop and was very private! We spent an entire day hiking and it was decent hiking along the river, some of the trails where a little confusing and trying to figure out where we at, but we made it just hiked a little further than we wanted to!"
Tips from RVers
Water hookup distances: At some locations with both cabins and RV sites, utility connections may require extra equipment. A camper at Banning RV Park and Campground advised: "Then we all collectively began searching for our water source. Ours source ended up being 75' plus from our RV. Thankfully I just happened to be carrying the extra hose for several years but never had to use it before."
Arrival timing: Setting up in daylight makes the process easier. "Campground was very dark in the area of campsites which made setting up a bit difficult. Our sites were grass that was a little long and rutted from what seemed from previous tenants. This made getting leveling a little difficult," noted an RV camper at Banning RV Park.
Check accessibility: Some cabin areas have better RV access than others. A visitor to Grand Casino RV Resort observed: "Virtually every site in the park is a blind back in from the driver seat. You're trying to back your trailer into a site on the right side without being able to see anything over there."
