Is Camper Cabins first-come first-served or reservation?

Camper Cabins accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Camper Cabins?

Camper Cabins is open Opening and closing dates vary by campground and are dependent on weather; consult the campground webpage or managing unit for exact season dates.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Camper Cabins?

Camper Cabins does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Camper Cabins?

Fire policies at Camper Cabins: Light fires only within fire rings and charcoal grills; do not leave fires unattended; extinguish all fires before leaving. Use approved or local firewood to prevent spread of pests.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Camper Cabins?

Yes, pets are allowed at Camper Cabins. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Camper Cabins?

Camper Cabins offers: Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Camper Cabins?

Popular activities at Camper Cabins include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Camper Cabins

5 reviews

11411 Clementa Ave NW, Monticello, MN 55362

Featured in:Hiking Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Opening and closing ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Book on Minnesota DNR - Minnesota State Parks Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Opening and closing ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Book on Minnesota DNR - Minnesota State Parks Official Website

Camper Cabins

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Campsite fees apply for managed campgrounds; fees and payment methods vary by site. The official guidance notes payment is typically completed online...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367, 651-296-6157

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Camper Cabins

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Campground Map

11411 Clementa Ave NW, Monticello, MN 55362

No map location available

Weather at Camper Cabins

Best Time to Camp at Camper Cabins

Fall delivers the best combination of crisp weather, hardwood foliage, and quieter trails. Daytime temperatures run roughly 40–65°F (cooler in October), with low-angle light that makes the lake and canopy especially photogenic. Hiking and birding peak in September and early October, and crowd levels drop compared with midsummer. The cabins stay open year-round, so winter snowshoe or ski trips are possible if you're willing to haul gear through snow.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Overview: fall best for crisp weather, hardwood foliage, quieter trails and low‑angle light on lakes.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Opening and closing dates vary by campground and are dependent on weather; consult the campground webpage or managing unit for exact season dates.

About Camper Cabins

Lake Maria State Park's Camper Cabins sit a quarter- to three-quarter-mile hike from parking, trading electricity and running water for quiet forest isolation. Each cabin sleeps four and requires visitors to pack in their own water and supplies. The park handles reservations through the Minnesota state park system, though some visitors report unclear booking instructions.

Camper cabins (hike‑in) are the lodging type reported in secondary sources and user reviews.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best combination of crisp weather, hardwood foliage, and quieter trails. Daytime temperatures run roughly 40–65°F (cooler in October), with low-angle light that makes the lake and canopy especially photogenic. Hiking and birding peak in September and early October, and crowd levels drop compared with midsummer. The cabins stay open year-round, so winter snowshoe or ski trips are possible if you're willing to haul gear through snow.

Natural Features and SceneryThe cabins occupy rolling hardwood forest dotted with glacial lakes. Oak and maple trees dominate the canopy, and trails wind close enough that hikers occasionally pass nearby yet seldom enough that reviewers describe the setting as peaceful. Loons call from the lakes. The terrain reflects Minnesota's glacial past: low ridges, wetland pockets, and forest dense enough to muffle most sounds beyond birdsong and wind.

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Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Cabin Lodging

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Official DNR text highlights evening naturalist activities and moonlit walks; secondary sources and reviews describe the cabins as hike‑in, supporting trail‑based recreation.

Hiking

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsFollow park rules and fire safety guidance: use only local or approved firewood to prevent spread of forest pests; light fires only in designated fire rings or charcoal grills; never leave fires unattended and fully extinguish them before leaving. General campground rules (respect other campers, keep pets under control) apply.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

0.0

5 reviews

Limited Reviews

Camper Cabins has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Limited user reviews praise a peaceful, trail‑adjacent cabin experience and confirm reservations are handled through the Minnesota state park reservation system. Reviewers note no in‑cabin water or electricity and that showers are not provided.

Review Summaries

Based on 5 reviews

What Campers Love

Peaceful setting; light trail traffic despite proximity to a trail; cabin sleeps four.

Based on 5 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve through the Minnesota state park reservations system; be prepared to hike gear in (about 1/4–3/4 mile); bring water and supplies and do not rely on on‑site showers.

Based on 5 reviews

Camper Quotes

Booking is not clearly spelled out. | Booking is on MN state park reservations. Amazing spot. Only downside is it is close to the trail. Just fyi: no water or electric in cabin. Includes 4 beds (2...

Based on 5 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Fall weekend campers who want a roof over their heads without RV crowds. Pack all your water, haul gear up to three-quarters of a mile, and you get a four-person cabin inside rolling oak-maple forest with almost no noise beyond birds.

Skip if

No showers, no electricity, no on-site water, and no cell service make this a hard pass for anyone expecting basic utility hookups. The unclear booking process through UseDirect trips up first-timers, so read the reservation instructions carefully before you commit.

Campgrounds

Lake Maria State Park

Camper Cabins

About Merritt Reservoir

Context for the broader area surrounding Camper Cabins, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

<A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Merritt+Dam">Merritt Dam</a>, a feature of the <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Ainsworth Unit Project">Ainsworth Unit, Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program</a>, is on the Snake River 14 miles upstream from the confluence of the Snake and Niobrara Rivers. Recreation is managed by Nebraska Game and Parks. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Available species include walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, crappie, and yellow perch. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing moderate fluctuations. THe reservoir peaks has 2,906 water surface acres, 6,147 land acres and 44 miles of shoreline. Fishing season is year-round. <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_mrne.pl">Current reservoir levels.</a>

Directions

Located 21 miles southwest of Valentine, Nebraska. Nearest highway is Nebraska 97.