Cabin camping options near Sandstone, Minnesota provide direct access to the St. Croix River valley, a glacially carved corridor featuring sandstone formations and diverse forest habitats. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, while summer brings 70-85°F days with frequent evening thunderstorms. Most cabin rental locations sit within a 25-mile radius of town, providing year-round access to the region's extensive trail systems.
What to do
Explore historical quarries: At Banning State Park Campground, visitors can explore Minnesota's industrial past. "The hiking here is amazing! 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," notes Jennifer H.
Climb the observation tower: Drive 40 minutes to Mille Lacs Kathio State Park where an observation platform offers expansive views. "There is an observation platform- the climb can be intimidating, but the views are well worth it!" writes Brian C. The tower provides visibility across miles of forest and waterways.
Winter ice climbing: Several cabin locations maintain winter access for cold-weather sports enthusiasts. "This is a great place for winter camping! The campsites are large enough (despite the snow) to set up suitable winter tents... In the park, there's a lot of ice climbing and cross country skiing," explains Alexa S. at Banning State Park.
What campers like
Proximity to rivers: Cabin rentals near St Croix River Resort offer direct river access. "You are able to go tubing down the river when the water is low enough," notes Joe S. The resort maintains seasonal river access points and equipment rentals.
Well-maintained trails: The extensive trail network receives consistent praise. "We spent an entire day hiking and it was decent hiking along the river," reports Kate H. about Wild River State Park Campground. "Great hiking! In a few areas it became difficult to know where the trail was but that just made it interesting!" adds Mike K. about nearby trails.
Wildlife viewing: Many cabin areas provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," mentions Kate H. about Wild River State Park. Morning hours typically provide the best wildlife viewing conditions.
What you should know
Seasonal bug conditions: Mosquitoes and flies vary dramatically by season. "The bugs were awful, but I think they were awful everywhere at that time," explains Casie S. about Banning State Park. For reduced insect activity, book cabins for mid-September through October.
Water hookup limitations: Some cabin sites have unusual utility arrangements. At Banning RV Park and Campground, "water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots... Ours source ended up being 75' plus from our RV," reports Sam C.
Train noise considerations: Several cabin locations experience periodic train noise. "One of the only things that was obnoxious about this park is that there is a frequently used train track nearby- and the trains really lay on whistle. I slept with earplugs in because of this, but I was still woken up around 4 times that night," notes Krista T.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly facilities: Many cabin locations welcome pets with appropriate facilities. At Grand Casino RV Resort, "There's a pet walking area, and kennels if you want to spend time at the casino," explains TyAnn J. Check individual locations for pet fees, which typically range from $5-15 per night.
Indoor pool access: For rainy day activities, consider cabins with indoor facilities. "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," says Joe S. about St. Croix River Resort.
Historical programming: Several cabin locations offer educational opportunities. "The park hosts various seminars throughout the week. There are several places to swim and a big playground for the little ones," reports Liz H. about Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site angle challenges: RV cabin sites often have challenging angles. At Grand Casino RV Resort, "Back-in site was 90 degrees to the road - if the bathhouse parking lot wasn't across from it, wouldn't have been able to swing in on a 24' travel trailer," warns Cathleen V.
Alternative to state parks: When state parks fill up, private campgrounds offer good backup options. "Banning RV Park is an excellent backup alternative for overflow demand. And, actually, it may be your go-to option even if campsites at Banning are available, because this RV campground is located only ½ mile from the Banning State Park entrance," explains Janet R.
Seasonal rental availability: Cabin rentals vary significantly by season. "Wild River State Park is my go-to campground since it is within an hour of my home. I make it my first place to camp every season," shares Jeff L. Most cabin locations open reservations 120 days in advance, with winter cabin availability limited to a few locations.
