Cabin accommodations near Knapp, Wisconsin range from rustic to modern with varying levels of amenities. Located in the St. Croix River Valley region at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, the area experiences warm summers and cold winters. Most cabin sites are open from late April through October, with some offering year-round availability for winter recreation opportunities.
What to do
Tubing adventures: At River's Edge Campground, visitors can enjoy floating down the Apple River directly from camp. "Fun to be able to camp and tube all weekend!" notes one camper.
Hiking trails: Explore the diverse terrain at William O'Brien State Park Campground, which features miles of walking paths through varied landscapes. "We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths. There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling -so many shades of green!" reports a recent visitor.
Winter exploration: Several cabin sites remain open during colder months, providing heated options for winter recreation. "We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape and happened upon a railroad that passed above our trail with a beautiful tunnel-overpass," notes a winter visitor at William O'Brien State Park.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Nugget Lake County Park offers cabins with generous spacing between sites. "This park had lots of old tree coverage. The site we had was secluded enough from others. But they had sites available that were open to each other good for groups," notes a reviewer.
Modern amenities: O'Neil Creek Campground provides clean facilities and modern cabin options. "Very clean, quiet, great amenities. The restrooms were spotless. It appears many of the sites are season rentals," reports one visitor.
Natural features: Unique landscape elements add character to cabin locations. "It combines the things that I like about the stereotypical hipcamp listing (farm animals of some sort and enough privacy) with things that the stereotypical hipcamp site doesn't offer (mowed grass and not being in someone's backyard)," writes a camper at Lily Springs Regenerative Farm.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many cabin facilities fill quickly, particularly during peak season. "We planned this weekend with friends to camp in our matching teardrop trailers. We have never really camped with friends before, so the point was to just go, not to really travel far," notes a William O'Brien State Park visitor who benefited from advance planning.
Water conditions: Some parks have limited water access during certain periods. "Less than an hour drive from Minneapolis this is a good get away. As expected it has many walk trails. Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isn't motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk," reports a visitor to Afton State Park.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds cater to party crowds rather than those seeking quiet retreats. "If you like a party you will love this place. You can tube down the river which is fun and it's close to town. But it can get loud. Not a campground for children though," warns a visitor to Float-Rite Park.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground offers family-oriented cabin options with nearby recreation. "This campground is a bit more spendy than state parks and regional campgrounds, but the security and family friendly atmosphere make it worth the extra cash."
Creek exploration: Shallow water features provide safe play areas for younger children at O'Neil Creek Campground. "Really enjoyed the experience! It's beautiful and good mix of quiet and lots of activity's. Can tube down the creek, very shallow so even littles can do it too."
Wildlife viewing: Many cabin sites offer opportunities to observe local animals. "On our last stay, we were able to watch eagles from our campsite, which was amazing," reports a visitor to Hok-Si-La City Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose cabins based on specific needs rather than availability. "Our site was rather odd as the electric and water post was on the opposite side of our camper. Our standard water hose and electrical cord wouldn't reach so we ended up backing up the hill to get next to the water and filled our tank for the weekend," cautions a visitor to Haycreek Valley Campground.
Hookup options: Verify what utilities are available before booking. "They have electric and water hookups for horse campers, and they have overflow for horse campers. The trails here are amazing," notes a regular visitor to Haycreek Valley Campground.
Seasonal access: Some facilities limit operations based on weather. "The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids."
