Best Minnesota Camper Cabins: Roughing It in Comfort

By Tom Watson

Minnesota is known for its beautiful wilderness: pristine lakes, deep forests, flowing rivers. There's no better way to experience the Land of 10,000 Lakes than by camping. For those who might not enjoy the hassles and discomfort of tent camping--and for those who do--outdoors writer Tom Watson presents a wonderful alternative: cabin camping! This is your guide to overnight stays that allow you to get out and enjoy nature without leaving your comfort zone.

Book Features:

Spotlight on 100 camper cabins, most of which have electricity and running water
Cabins in popular locales, as well as more secluded areas
"Tom's Tips": advice about each site and recommendations when visiting the area
Cabin ratings, features, amenities, fees, park highlights and more
Neat-to-know natural history aspects about each park
Opportunities for staying in yurts and teepees at state parks

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adventure Publications
• Release date: Mar 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781591937227

Tom Watson

Tom Watson lives in Chicago with his wife, daughter, and son. He also has a dog, as you could probably guess. The dog is a Labrador-Newfoundland mix. Tom says he looks like a Labrador with a bad perm. He wanted to name the dog "Put Your Shirt On" (please don't ask why), but he was outvoted by his family. The dog's name is Shadow. Early in his career Tom worked in politics, including a stint as the chief speechwriter for the governor of Ohio. This experience helped him develop the unique, storytelling narrative style of the Stick Dog books. More important, Tom's time in politics made him realize a very important thing: Kids are way smarter than adults. And it's a lot more fun and rewarding to write stories for them than to write speeches for grown-ups.

Book preview

Afton State Park

TOM’S RATINGS

Settings/Surroundings: 4/5

Privacy: 4/5

Security: 4/5

Quiet: 4/5

Park Highlight!

This classic hideaway lodging is on the wooded bluffs of the scenic St. Croix, in a park that caters to the more rustic and adventurous camper.

Number of cabins/availability: 4 cabins, 2 yurts; available year-round.

Cabin sleeping capacity: Cabins: Big Bluestem and Bur Oak sleep 6; Bluebird and White Pine sleep 5 and are ADA accessible; Yurts: Gray Fox and Coyote sleep 7 (both ADA accessible).

Cabin features: Cabins: Electricity, heat, table/benches, bunk beds, a light strip over each bunk, fire ring, and picnic table; Yurts: No electricity. Heat via a woodstove (firewood provided), table/chairs, rocking chair, bunk beds, fire ring, picnic table, and a food preparation shelter.

Where to find water/bathrooms: Cabins: There is a vault toilet between Big Bluestem and Bluebird cabins; seasonal water is found by the Bur Oak parking area; year-round water is available across the road at the parking area for yurts. Yurts: A vault toilet and year-round water are adjacent to the parking lot at the walk-in entrance to yurts.

Water and flush toilets are available at the Visitor Center year-round, but there are no shower facilities in the park.

Reservations/fees: 866-857-2757; www.dnr.state.mn.us

Cabins: Sun.–Thurs. $60/night; Fri.–Sat. $70/night

Yurts: Sun.–Thurs. $60/night; Fri.–Sat. $65/night

Restrictions: No cooking, pets, or smoking.

GPS: Entrance to park, 44.847837,-92.797605; entrance to cabins/yurts area, 44.844421,-92.775898

Key information: Afton State Park, 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings, MN 55033, 651-436-5391, www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/afton/index.html