Cabin camping in the St. Croix River Valley provides rustic overnight options within 45 minutes of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Located at elevations between 675-950 feet, the Hudson area experiences distinct seasonal changes with average summer highs of 83°F and winter lows around 6°F. The region's glacial terrain creates diverse camping environments from riverside locations to prairie settings.
What to do
Hiking varied terrain: Wild River State Park Campground features extensive trail networks with varied difficulty levels connecting to riverside views. A visitor noted, "We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails."
Seasonal fishing opportunities: Lake Byllesby Regional Park provides shore fishing access and boat launching facilities. According to one reviewer, "The lake is right next to the campground with RV sites right on the water," though they caution "the lake becomes green with algae as the summer goes on."
Equestrian-friendly trails: Wild River State Park accommodates horse riders with dedicated paths. A camper mentioned, "This seems to be the hot spot for horses and if we go back I definitely want to do the horseback riding right outside the park!"
Cross-country skiing: Winter activities extend beyond standard camping seasons at many parks. A visitor to Wild River State Park shared, "The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing."
Water activities: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers multi-lake access for paddlers. One reviewer described it as having a "Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!" while another mentioned it feels "very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Bunker Hills Regional Park receives consistent praise for site separation despite suburban location. A camper explained, "This park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious. There are both primitive (tent) non-electric sites, and sites with electricity, even some 50 amp."
Solar-powered yurts: Yurt camping near Hudson, Wisconsin offers sustainable accommodation options. One visitor to Afton State Park Campground shared, "Minnesota State Parks have just started to build Yurts for 3 campgrounds around the state; Afton, Cuyuna and Glendalough State Parks. These have some great amenities and are perfect for family camping, especially in Fall, Winter and Spring."
Accessibility features: Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins incorporates design elements for varied mobility needs. A reviewer noted, "Cabins are accessible for those who need special assistance, which is nice. The only caveat is I don't recall there being an automatic door opener to the cabins."
Year-round cabin options: Several parks maintain heated structures for winter camping. A Whitetail Woods visitor explained, "The cabins are well-built and heated. The wooded cabins have what seems like full-sized mattress bunk beds built into the wall. Each bunk has its own reading light."
Waterfront sites: Lake Byllesby Regional Park offers premium lakeside camping. One camper shared, "Lakeside sites are close together, with W/E hookups, but they're right in the lake with a wonderful view. The facilities are very clean and well-kept."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most cabin and yurt facilities book quickly, especially for weekend dates. For Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins, a visitor advised, "It's difficult to get reservations, so I recommend trying to start booking 120 days in advance, which is the farthest out you can reserve. For example, as of this review (early June), all weekends are booked for all cabins."
Cooking restrictions: Cabin policies often limit indoor food preparation. A camper at Whitetail Woods noted, "No cooking is allowed inside the cabins, which can make things rough if the weather isn't cooperating."
Shower limitations: Some facilities have restricted hot water availability. A visitor shared about Whitetail Woods, "There are two year round showers as well, but don't plan on a long shower to unwind unless you like cold water. There was maybe 2 minutes of hot water."
Winter bathroom access: Cold-weather camping requires planning for facilities. A camper reported, "The biggest downside is the middle-of-the-night trek to the bathroom. The bathroom is heated and open year round."
Cell service variability: Digital connectivity fluctuates throughout the region. One reviewer at Whitetail Woods mentioned, "There's WiFi available, but depending on which cabin you reserve signal will be took weak for real usage. Same for mobile data -- don't plan on cell service here."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve offers quality play areas near camping. A parent shared, "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schedule early morning or dusk animal watching. A visitor at Wild River State Park reported, "There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip."
Group camping options: Several parks accommodate larger family gatherings. A visitor to Cleary Lake Regional Park mentioned, "We always stay at the Cleary point group camp and we love it. It used to have toilets but last year only had a port-a-potty which was less than ideal for a group of 40 people."
Water parks: Bunker Hills Regional Park features aquatic recreation beyond natural swimming. A camper noted, "Within the park is large water park and wave pool. There are many paved trails, and an activity center."
Indoor options for rainy days: Some parks offer nature centers with activities. A Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park visitor mentioned, "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours."
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: Not all campgrounds assign sites based on preferences. A camper at Minneapolis Northwest KOA advised, "When I asked the owner for another site, he told me they were all taken except for one without a sewer connection. I asked why I was given such an undesirable site when I booked so far in advance and he told me that there is an algorithm that determines the site selection."
Utility hookup access: Electric, water and sewer connections vary between sites. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, one RVer reported, "The sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot."
Late arrival protocols: Gate closures affect after-hours check-ins. A Cleary Lake Regional Park camper warned, "Word to the wise, gates ACTUALLY close at 10pm, there's no way to contact anyone and I had to walk about a mile in parked outside the gate."
Seasonal dump station availability: Sanitation facilities may close during colder months. A visitor noted about Whitetail Woods, "Outside water is shut off during some parts of the year, so bring your own drinking water if you are camping close to/during winter."
