Cabin camping near Cable, Wisconsin offers access to the Chequamegon National Forest and the Namekagon River, part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The area sits at approximately 1,400 feet elevation with seasonal temperature fluctuations ranging from winter lows near -30°F to summer highs averaging 75-80°F. Summer cabin rentals typically require booking 2-3 months in advance, particularly for weekend stays.
What to do
Water recreation on Nelson Lake: At Nelson Lake Lodge, visitors can access easy water activities. According to a visitor, "There is easy water access to Nelson and a short drive in Hayward WI." The lake offers good fishing and boating opportunities.
Scenic waterfall hiking: Copper Falls State Park Campground provides exceptional waterfall viewing with accessible trails. A camper noted, "You can hike here and see 3 different waterfalls or take a short drive to numerous others in the area." Another mentioned, "The hiking trails are well-maintained and offer beautiful scenic views, making for an enjoyable trek through nature."
Winter activities: The area maintains extensive winter trail networks for snow activities. At Roam Base Camp, a reviewer highlighted the "miles of trails for multiple uses like mountain biking, hiking, running, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and winter fat biking." Cabin options remain available during winter months for cold-weather enthusiasts.
What campers like
Private wooded settings: Many cabin sites provide natural separation and forest surroundings. A guest at Top O' the Morn Resort & Campground mentioned, "Large camp site with trees and wide open area," while noting the peaceful atmosphere with "sounds of loons in the AM and evening."
Clean facilities: Cabins and amenities receive regular maintenance. A reviewer at Top O' the Morn reported, "Very clean and well maintained," while another stated their campsite was "very spacious and treed for hammocks or tents or trailers." The shower facilities at many locations receive positive feedback.
Lake access: Direct water access ranks high with cabin campers. At Lake Chippewa Campground, a visitor praised the "beautiful campground with lots of available activities" and mentioned they "rented a pontoon for the day and beached it on one of the many islands the lake has."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Cabin availability becomes extremely limited during peak season. A Lake Chippewa camper shared, "They start their booking for the year on January 1st. We called all day long (4500 times not kidding) and finally got a spot."
Insect preparation: Bug protection is essential, particularly in early summer. A visitor to Roam Base Camp noted, "Lots of mosquitoes - so many it was hard to be outside and enjoy a fire at all," while another mentioned "small sites with long grass around all the sides, which makes for a fair amount of ticks."
Site selection considerations: Cabin locations vary in privacy and accessibility. At Hayward KOA, a reviewer observed, "Sites are close together, but that's okay, because everyone keeps to themselves," while another mentioned "there are alot of trees that make it very challenging for larger rigs."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule structured recreation options for children. Hayward KOA offers "a pool, kamping kitchen, pavillion, snack bar, mini golf, bike rentals, wi-fi, propane, firewood, fenced in dog area, two playgrounds, basketball, horseshoes, tetherball, arcade/game room, Friday s'more party, volleyball, and themed weekends!"
Beach access considerations: Swimming areas vary in quality and accessibility. A visitor to Lake Chippewa mentioned the "lodge is beautiful and full of games, good playground and the swim area is fantastic!" Look for cabins with easy walking access to swimming areas for families with younger children.
Multi-cabin reservations: For larger family gatherings, some properties accommodate group bookings. A Lake Chippewa camper shared, "We stay at this group site for a week every summer with our extended family and look forward to returning as soon as we pull-out. The group sites with water access and full hook-ups can't be beat. Plenty of space for our 4 RV's of various sizes plus tents/easy ups."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some cabin areas have limitations for larger vehicles. A Hayward KOA visitor noted, "Awesome amenities, challenge for bigger rigs... there are alot of trees that make it very challenging for larger rigs. There are a handful of sites that would be easy to access, I recommend calling first. We have a 43ft 5th wheel."
Hookup variations: Water and electrical connections differ between properties and specific cabin sites. A camper at Top O' the Morn explained, "#48 was tent site recently made into a RV site with water and electric hook up. This site did not have sewer but there is a dumping station right on sight."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly by location and provider. One visitor to Top O' the Morn shared, "WiFi only worked in the lodge and ATT signal was very weak," while another mentioned, "I wish we had a way to connect to WiFi or a hotspot in our camper."
