Cabin camping options near Waite Park, Minnesota range from rustic state park structures to more amenity-rich resort cabins. This central Minnesota area sits at approximately 1,050 feet elevation with a continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Most cabin facilities operate May through October, with a few year-round options available for winter enthusiasts.
What to do
Hiking at Lake Maria State Park: Several miles of trails wind through hardwood forests and around the lake. A visitor noted, "Good trails and a fun experience," while another mentioned "the vibe... It's close enough to Lake Maria's best hiking trails and just a short walk to the lake itself."
Swimming beaches: Ann Lake offers a quieter swimming experience than larger recreational areas. One camper shared, "The beach is nice and private, but it's a bit of a hike from the campsites. I'd recommend just hopping in the car and driving over if you've got young kids with you."
River tubing: Two Rivers Campground provides access to river recreation between the Mississippi and Platte Rivers. A reviewer emphasized, "tubing down the river is a MUST! Lots of fun. There's mini golf, a decent arcade, a camp store."
Horseback riding: Guided trail rides available at El Rancho Manana, allowing visitors to explore the countryside on horseback. According to a guest, "On site horseback riding was great. Unfortunately, during COVID, the bar was not available."
What campers like
Sauna access: The rustic Creekwood Acres cabin features a dedicated sauna facility, providing relaxation after outdoor activities. One visitor described it as "a heavenly sauna that is set up for either dry or steam saunas. I loved having a sauna before bedtime and sleeping soundly til the rooster crowed at sunrise."
Winter camping availability: Love's RV Hookup remains open year-round, making it one of few winter options in the area. A camper confirmed it's "Still open in the winter! Convenient location right off I94 and HWY 23. Close to Waite Park for entertainment and food."
Clean facilities: St. Cloud Campground & RV Park maintains their grounds and amenities well. One visitor noted, "This campground is well maintained. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The shower house was clean. We enjoyed our stay here and will return."
Variety of accommodation types: Several campgrounds offer multiple options from tents to cabins. At Lake Maria State Park, a visitor explained, "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."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds have more privacy than others. At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, a camper observed, "Shaded lot, much quieter than other sites I've been too. Many lots seem to be seasonal owners, but all were very well kept."
Poison ivy awareness: Several natural areas contain significant poison ivy growth. At Ann Lake, a visitor warned, "Sites are large with varying degrees of privacy. Well spaced out, just some have less undergrowth. Be aware that the undergrowth is at least 25% poison ivy."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. One visitor advised, "Show up early on weekends if you want one of the better spots."
Cell coverage limitations: Signal strength varies throughout the area. A camper at Ann Lake reported, "2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Two Rivers Campground offers multiple family-friendly amenities. A visitor detailed, "They have a lazy river, a splash pool for little ones, and another pool for all ages. Kids will love the giant inflatable bouncy house, mini golf, and the many activities offered."
Site selection for kids: Choose locations with appropriate features for children. One parent suggested, "If you have young kids with you" to consider driving rather than walking to beach areas from more distant campsites.
Weekend programming: Some campgrounds offer scheduled activities. At El Rancho Manana, a camper noted, "Every weekend have something different going on to do."
Noise considerations: Party atmosphere may exist at some locations. A visitor to El Rancho Manana warned, "We stayed here last year and it was fun although if you like quiet nights I would not recommend it. It does get loud into the night."
Tips from RVers
Tree clearance: Lake Maria State Park Campground has some sites with limited overhead clearance. An RVer cautioned, "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides."
Pull-through availability: Limited dedicated pull-through sites exist in the region. At A J Acres Campground, a visitor observed, "Limited availability to sewer hookups, only about 5 true pull thrus, taken by seasonal."
Site leveling: Some campgrounds have more level sites than others. One RVer reported, "The site was level and easy to get into."
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet access can be spotty. A camper at St. Cloud Campground noted, "It was the worst wifi of about 15 campgrounds we've been to on our trip this year. They warned us it was slow, but we couldn't even connect to it from our site."
