Cabin camping near Menomonie, Wisconsin offers visitors access to both wooded river valleys and rolling prairie landscapes. Located in the western part of the state, the area features the Red Cedar River watershed and sits at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85Ā°F during peak season, with cooler 55-65Ā°F evenings that create comfortable sleeping conditions in cabin accommodations.
What to do
Tubing adventures: At O'Neil Creek Campground in Chippewa Falls, visitors can enjoy water recreation on the natural creek that runs through the property. "The natural creek that doubles as a lazy river is great," notes Darren L., who also mentions that "the creek flowing through it to tube, swim and even kayak" makes it a popular activity spot. Rental equipment is available on-site.
Hiking varied terrain: Explore miles of diverse trails through Afton State Park Campground, which features multiple ecosystems within a single park. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" shares Mike K. Another visitor, Adam P., notes the "wide variety of landscapes. Prairie, forest, river, it's got it all," making it suitable for different hiking preferences and difficulty levels.
Winter cabin stays: Winter visitors can enjoy heated cabin options with seasonal activities. One visitor at William O'Brien State Park Campground described their February experience: "We decided to take a night trek through the park. The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent. We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape and happened upon a railroad that passed above our trail with a beautiful tunnel-overpass."
What campers like
Secluded camping areas: Nugget Lake County Park offers cabin camping in a quieter setting away from crowds. "Extremely secluded area. Good availability through the season in this smaller park. Most sites have decent cover, site separation is ok," writes John W. Another camper, Ames, noted that "This park had lots of old tree coverage. The site we had was secluded enough from others."
Family-friendly environments: Many campgrounds prioritize activities for children. Greg K. says about O'Neil Creek Campground: "Creek, lake, showers, laundry, full hookups, camp store, arcade, kids play areas, beach and more." Another visitor, Tony G., confirms it's "Great for families. This place has all kinds of activities for children and large pull thru sites, people are very friendly."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a priority. At Big River Resort, Niki und Uwe S. emphasized: "Restrooms, showers, the areal is so clean! We felt very welcome. Elaine is very friendly and helpful!" Similarly, robert noted the "Excellent, clean, roomy restroom/shower" facilities.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Summer weekends fill quickly, especially for cabins. A visitor to William O'Brien State Park Campground shared this advice: "Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dreamāvery few people in the campground loop."
Site selection considerations: Research your specific site before booking. At Sandy Hill Campground, Meredith J. noted it has "Mostly seasonal sites" while offering a "Nice beach across the road." This suggests looking carefully at site maps when booking.
Cost factors: Cabin camping costs vary widely. Greg K. warned about one location having higher fees: "Pricey! Plan on 60$/day." Meanwhile, Lindsay S. noted about St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park: "With all the fees and price of wood we ended up spending as much as we would for a cheap hotel, but I guess it's the experience that counts."
Tips for camping with families
Creek activities for children: The shallow creek at O'Neil Creek Campground works well for families with young children. Stina M. specifically mentioned: "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."
Seasonal events: Look for campgrounds that host special activities. Darren L. shares that O'Neil Creek Campground staff "did a great job putting on Christmas in July. Very Kid friendly environment." The campground also offers outdoor movies in summer according to Jim, who noted they "truly have it all."
Playground access: When selecting a cabin location, check for play facilities. One visitor at Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground mentioned the family-friendly atmosphere with "nice little swimming beach" and scenic nature areas where they "were able to watch eagles from our campsite." Nugget Lake County Park also offers a "decent playground" according to campers.
Tips from RVers
Electric and water hookup locations: Check utility placement before arrival. At Hay Creek Campground, Karin W. encountered challenges: "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."
Site size considerations: RV sites vary considerably in size and leveling. Robert noted at Big River Resort: "Very large, very level sights," making it easier for larger rigs. Meanwhile, ScottnRobin L. shared about O'Neil Creek: "We made it to the campground. They were extremely helpful so much so that we were able to diagnose and resolve the issue on site with tools on hand."
Fire pit placement: At some locations, fire pit positioning can create safety concerns. Karin W. noted: "The fire pits were located in very odd spots too - basically unusable unless you wanted to light your rig on fire." Always check site layouts and fire safety clearances when selecting a cabin or RV site.
