Best Cabin Camping near Staples, MN

In the off season, it's kind of hard to get a feel for a campground in Minnesota. They aren't terribly well used. But this one had some occupants. However, the office was closed, so I couldn't ask any questions.

The sign by the main road says "resort and campground", but the sign closer to the location only says "resort", however, their website has camping prices as well as cabin prices. But I couldn't seem to find the campground. Maybe it was one in the same for campers and RV's?

The cabins looked lovely from the outside, although there were interspersed with some old, bedraggled sheds. Some of the cabins were right on the lake and had what appeared to be really nice decks. All seemed to have BBQ grills provided as well. The office (lodge?) was a large building with an attached in ground pool. Lots of RV campers were there. So I'm assuming that this is mainly an RV park.

Their website mentions camping rates around $40/night. One of those places I think I'd bypass if I had a tent, but for an RV, it might be a good deal.

There is also a sand beach with canoes that I assume are free to use if you stay there. A nice little perk.

Leap Day 2/29/20-3/1/20 Frog Pond

We headed to Lake Carlos for their candlelight ski, this was our first visit to this state park. Tent camping wasn’t available and we were able to reserve a camper cabin - Frog Pond. It was a nice change and a warmer option, the cabin is gorgeous! Frog Pond sleeps 6 with heat and electricity. There are 4 cabins that share 2 vault toilets.

It was a beautiful 38 degree Leap Day and we took advantage of it. They offer a large number of ski trails so we xcountry skied before dark. The trails were icy, but still enjoyable. At dark we headed to the candlelight event. It was very busy and a huge turnout. We hiked 1.2 miles and then snowshoed 2.4 miles. There are ponds and bogs that they create snowshoe trails on, so there are even more trails to explore in the winter. It was a beautiful night and we enjoyed the wooded trails and starry skies. We had a fire and enjoyed a normal outdoor cookout before bed.

We did more skiing on Sunday and checked out the 2 campgrounds as they were on the ski route. One campground is on Lake Carlos and very open. Sites have beautiful lake views. You can apparently drive your boat right into a sandy shore and dock it. They also have a swimming beach. The other campground is a bit more wooded and more suited for tents. This campground is near the camper cabins. The trails are very wooded and pretty. We enjoyed skiing the hiking club trail and ended up hitting almost every trail in our stay. I assume this park would be equally beautiful in the summer. What a beautiful state park!

Their brochure mentions that they have a modern campground, but I can't find it.

This area has a lot of resorts, and they mainly cater to RV campers and cabin campers. This one, however, also mentions a campground, but it isn't clear where it is. This time of year, this one might be closed, but you can still drive around and look. Good reference points for next season. All the cabins were incredibly close together, not terribly well maintained (at least from the outside), and I have no idea where I would pitch a tent. I tried to call the number on the website, but it kicked to voicemail. It appears that the owners live on site.

They did have picnic tables, firewood, a playground for the kiddos and lake views. Easy access to the lake. It's down a long, gravel type road so there isn't much traffic.

This is a private campground and we were lucky to get in. Has electric and water...shower house and bathrooms...beach to swim and good fishing and boating. A lodge to visit in and cabins to rent. Like I said a great campground in the middle of no where. Beautiful setting and plenty to do.

Most of this camp is reserved for seasonal campers but they have 2 extra sites. One Full hook up and one electric site. The full hook up site is a little tight if you bring a big RV, backing up is a skill you must bring.

When I was here, we were very close to Crooked lake which is a beautiful with a great fishery. I mainly came here for fishing and it was great.

They do have cabins that overlook Crooked lake and all I have to say is that it’s beautiful. They do have there own boat launch if you bring any type of water vessel. It cost $5 per day to dock it on their docks. They treat there RV sites and cabins which is a plus because we don’t have many mosquitoes during the day and night.

I would highly recommend this site for fishing and those who just want to get out. Booking was very easy and straight forward!

Full hook up: $50 a day Electric only: $40 a day.

$100 security deposit once booked which goes into your bill.

Crow Wing State Park is a good choice if you are looking for something close to the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota. with this park being just under two hours away from the Twin Cities metro area it’s an easy choice for a nice weekend getaway. If you’re looking to stay for a long extended time it’s also a good choice as it offers electric and water. The electric sites are pretty open and close together so if you like to be secluded and not see other campers from your campsite I wouldn’t use this park. The electric sites are really on top of each other and don't feel like you are camping to me. The non-electric sites are pretty nice and secluded from each other which would make this park a park I would bring my tent to instead of my travel trailer. There is also a group camp That is separate from the main camping area.

The park office offers ice and firewood for sale. Firewood is 6$ a bundle at the park office. The only firewood you can use is the approved firewood in the local area or scrap lumber. See the Minnesota Firewood law.  Canoe rentals are offered at the park office for $15 for a half-day and $25 for a full day. There is also a water fill station and a dump station for your travel trailer or RV. This is a good park for hiking and exploring. 

If you wanna stay close to the Twin Cities metro area this is a good park for you!

The tent sites are all cart in, making the scenery the main focus. You don't have to stare at vehicles while you are enjoying a fire, which I love. They also have sites that you can canoe in to as well as cabins and yurts. The trails are well kept, the river clean and the lakes are motor free. You would never know that you are as close to the town as you are. And they have plenty of activities to do on the water like canoeing, paddle boarding, paddle boating, kayaking or just swimming.

This is one of the few state parks where they have canoe-in sites. It's right in the heart of lake country so there's always water around you. They have cabins as well as tent sites so its pretty easy to get around. They have a few of the new yurts that the Mn State Park system put in. These are very nice.

There's also an old house/museum where the former owner of the land lived. Apparently a few presidents visited there during the turn of the century.

End of October, Stopped for just one night, probably about a 20ish minute drive from 94. Was able to purchase firewood after closing, and the campsite were easy to find after (7$)entry to the park. Campsites are reserved through an online system. We found the top campsite completely empty and plenty of sites had good tree coverage for privacy/ way no protection. Nice level sites with soft ground. Each site had a fire ring and picnic table. The only bathroom in walking distance to the upper campsites was a vault toilet located amongst the cabins. Seems like a great place to stay any season.

This resort and campground only has a few reservable campsites and a couple of cabins (at least one is more like a Park model). There are bathrooms and showers available, but only one of each for each gender. The sites are close together and a bit of a walk to the swimming beach. The staff is amazingly accommodating though and let us put 2 campers per site to accommodate our large group. I was also impressed that they had many beach toys that were able to be used by anyone and a decent playground that is right near the campsites. It rained 4 inches the first night we were there and many of the low lying areas were flooded, but it did not affect any of the campsites and the kids loved playing in the huge puddles.

While this seems to be mainly an "RV" campground, but there were a few cabins on the lake and two gorgeous tent sites that would be the envy of many other camps. They were ideal, especially for the family that wanted the "tent" experience without having to huff it through the woods with toddlers in tow.

Sleeping Fawn is very clearly marked from the road, and although they don't say "campground" on the sign, there are a few tent sites available. It's about a 3/4 mile drive off the main road, but signage is apparent the entire way, and it's super easy to find once you get there. There is an office for check in, cabins to rent and lots of RV sites available too. Even though RV's seem to dominate here, the roadway through the woods and past them is peaceful and serene. Pine needles cover the ground and create a softness to the scenery. The posts that mark each site are wooden, tall, and are clearly numbered. Close to the entrance is a "tent parking" area, a cart for hauling your things, and 2 tent pads, just across the drive and down a little path about 20 yards. Perfect!

The tent sites are far enough apart to be "separate", but close enough that if you had family or friends, they are close by. Garbage cans are at the split in the path between #1 and #2 and each site has a fire ring, picnic table, gorgeous, flat tent pad and a view of the lake. And again, if you needed something from the car, it's a 50 yard walk. Not a 3 mile trudge through the woods.

Camping in tents May 18 - Oct 1

Camping rates were a bit steep for my liking, but I like primitive sites in the woods. So if you were a family trying to introduce wee ones to camping, it would still be worth it. $28 for a site as of 2018. Or a weekly rate of $170. Showers and laundry available, as well as free coffee in the morning. They also have a beach, nature trail, small store and other amenities.

NOTE: Pets are not allowed at this resort

walk in campground on a non-motorized lake, great for canoe or paddle board, paved bike trail around the park, rentals for bikes and watercraft available, sand beaches

Woah love this park! Has so many things to do.

• Went on the hiking club trail around Annie Battle Lake, most of it is even paved for biking or groomed for skiing.

• The yurt and watercraft sites are secluded and so awesome with great views, right on the lake, firewood and water back there available specifically for that area... so cool.

• The cart in sites and camper cabins are in a little old growth forest area right on the lake up in a little hill area. Spaced out quite well, all have views of lake (even though on a hill so for swimming/boating access you gotta go to appropriate spots). What a site for camping!

• Very clear and calm lakes, sandy, and the little creeks/rivers betwixt them are just begging to be canoed or kayaked.

• Great swimming areas and picnic tables and fire pits everywhere. Vast views and also pretty wooded areas.

• Shower and rest rooms very modern by the trail center.

All in all so cool that they kept it so rustic has a cool history! Big views and wooded views which I love. Various walks, streams and lakes. Campground is the real deal and good for anyone who wants a wilderness experience without actually backpacking! Great for kids, for sure!

I am a tent camper and usually prefer primitive wilderness camping, thus I dont usually consider staying at RV campgrounds or resort type campgrounds. This place would have to be an exception if you wanted a really comfortable camping opportunity on a really beautiful lake! Located not far outside the quaint town of Park Rapids, and great for a variety if day trips to state parks and in state bike and water trails, the campground and the lake it is on is a pleasant destination in and of itself. Most folks are here with RV’s, but there are also camper cabins for glamping, and several tent-only sites that are large and wooded and in great locations near the lake and other campground recreational facilities like the lodge, the beach, the pool, and the game barn. The grounds are heavily wooded and beautifully maintained, the atmosphere is very family friendly, and the lake is great for swimming, fishing and boating. Lots of “resort amenities” without the resort prices, and campers have free access to a fleet if canoes and kayaks. Weekly, monthly and seasonal rates, plus many perennials store their boats and RVs here over the winter. Highly recommended for a northwoods retreat for all kinds of campers!

Nice wooded campground. Gravel sites, fairly level. Water fill and firewood available at the registration building. The water was high in iron. Canoe and kayak rentals available. Lots of trails for hiking and biking. Bring bug spray in the summer!
Historical sites along hiking path. Bathrooms and showers were decent. Dump station on site.