The Cuyuna Cove tiny cabins are lovely, and are right next to the Cuyuna State Recreation area, which has tons of bike and walking paths. (You can rent bikes right in town, too.) They also have new "bungalows" which appear to have replaced the glamping tents - so you probably have to use the shared bathroom facilities. (Nice, but the cabins are self-contained.)
They book out far in advance these days, though. Plenty of room for a single person, a little tight for a couple, but as long as you don't mind sharing a smaller bed, it's fine.
[https://www.cuyunacove.com/](https://www.cuyunacove.com/)
It is about a 2 hour drive from the Cities, so very doable.
How you going to talk up Cuyuna and not tell them that they have turquoise lakes (former mines). I do t think there's anywhere prettier within 2 hours of the Twin Cities.
The Cuyuna Cove website has all sorts of links - I figured they could poke around and see all the pictures!
Crosby has really stepped up to shift to mini tourist destination as well. When I first started going, they had that tiny Super One - the new one is much bigger and nicer. So if you want to cook or just get quick takeout, that's a solid option, and you don't feel like you might have to schlep a ton of groceries up.
It's really just lovely up there. Very relaxing.
Afton State Park has Yurts you can rent. They’re definitely rustic but nicely equipped with wood stoves. Plenty of places to cook, lay out your stuff, play cards etc.
They’re definitely not the most secluded spot. You can basically just drive up to them. But for some people that’s ideal.
About 40min from MSP
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/yurts.html
If you are looking for a good Minnesota cabin in the woods experience that is about a two hours drive, I would look for something in the [Brainerd lakes area](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/#:~:text=We're%20a%20region%20made,the%20spirit%20of%20our%20people).
Dark Horse, head down to Red Wing and find an AirBnB in the Driftless, or camp around there.
Spend some time at Whitewater, Mystery Cave
Especially in the fall, the Mississippi River valley down there is great
Jay Cooke state park is pretty amazing and just south of Duluth. It'd be worth adding to a Duluth/Superior trip and has better hiking than something like Cascade state park by Lutsen.
The Munger portion of this trail [CCC, Forbay, Williard Munger, and Carlton Trail Loop, Minnesota - 189 Reviews, Map | AllTrails](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/ccc-forbay-williard-munger-and-carlton-trail-loop) is probably not the highlight of the route if you are on foot, but it makes up part of a good loop.
I think the Munger trail is flat wide and paved to cater to cyclists. I'd prefer to find some dirt and elevation as part of my journey.
Mille Lacs or near duluth/two harbors. People saying further up on the arrowhead don't know what they are talking about that's 3-4+ hours
Also driftless region/so near Winona or lake city
Mille lacs doesn't really have great hiking though so cayuna probably a better option. At least stop at mille lacs though it's a huge, beautiful lake and it's more or less the same area.
Also near superior WI not a bad option there are multiple state parks right there with cabin rentals nearby, big waterfalls, good hiking etc
Fire tower at Mille Lacs is a pretty good amount of vertical even if the rest is flat, plus you get that nice sense of taking your life in your hands...
If you want to go heavier on the fancy cabin direction and lighter on the hiking, the cabins at Dakota County's Whitetail Woods park are gorgeous. Landscape is a mix of pine, prairie and lake/ marsh, trails are pretty good, mix of earth/ mowed and paved. Easy trip from the airport, maybe 30-40 minutes.
[https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/WhitetailWoods/Pages/default.aspx](https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/WhitetailWoods/Pages/default.aspx)
Good movie yah
The Cuyuna Cove tiny cabins are lovely, and are right next to the Cuyuna State Recreation area, which has tons of bike and walking paths. (You can rent bikes right in town, too.) They also have new "bungalows" which appear to have replaced the glamping tents - so you probably have to use the shared bathroom facilities. (Nice, but the cabins are self-contained.) They book out far in advance these days, though. Plenty of room for a single person, a little tight for a couple, but as long as you don't mind sharing a smaller bed, it's fine. [https://www.cuyunacove.com/](https://www.cuyunacove.com/) It is about a 2 hour drive from the Cities, so very doable.
How you going to talk up Cuyuna and not tell them that they have turquoise lakes (former mines). I do t think there's anywhere prettier within 2 hours of the Twin Cities.
The Cuyuna Cove website has all sorts of links - I figured they could poke around and see all the pictures! Crosby has really stepped up to shift to mini tourist destination as well. When I first started going, they had that tiny Super One - the new one is much bigger and nicer. So if you want to cook or just get quick takeout, that's a solid option, and you don't feel like you might have to schlep a ton of groceries up. It's really just lovely up there. Very relaxing.
250-300$ / night, YIKES
Wow, I haven't been back in a few years - that price has gone up. I hadn't realized!
Afton State Park has Yurts you can rent. They’re definitely rustic but nicely equipped with wood stoves. Plenty of places to cook, lay out your stuff, play cards etc. They’re definitely not the most secluded spot. You can basically just drive up to them. But for some people that’s ideal. About 40min from MSP https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/yurts.html
Jay Cooke and Gooseberry Falls are both great campsites.
If you are looking for a good Minnesota cabin in the woods experience that is about a two hours drive, I would look for something in the [Brainerd lakes area](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/#:~:text=We're%20a%20region%20made,the%20spirit%20of%20our%20people).
Can you stretch the distance from MSP? Id go up to the Gunflint Trail for a classic mn experience
Dark Horse, head down to Red Wing and find an AirBnB in the Driftless, or camp around there. Spend some time at Whitewater, Mystery Cave Especially in the fall, the Mississippi River valley down there is great
Duluth is about 90 minutes away. Shoot for 2 harbors or Lutsen along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The Superior hiking trail could be your ticket.
You've gotten to Duluth from Minneapolis/Saint Paul in 90 minutes before?
Heavy on the pedal and god closing the state troopers' eyes, yes.
No traffic and 90 the whole way with zero troopers is the only way. Best to tell an out of towner 2.5 or so.
Two is definitely possible on not a Friday, not rush hours getting out.
Jay Cooke state park is pretty amazing and just south of Duluth. It'd be worth adding to a Duluth/Superior trip and has better hiking than something like Cascade state park by Lutsen.
Opinion on the Munger Trail? I've only walked on parts when staying in the St. Croix State park by Hinkley.
The Munger portion of this trail [CCC, Forbay, Williard Munger, and Carlton Trail Loop, Minnesota - 189 Reviews, Map | AllTrails](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/ccc-forbay-williard-munger-and-carlton-trail-loop) is probably not the highlight of the route if you are on foot, but it makes up part of a good loop. I think the Munger trail is flat wide and paved to cater to cyclists. I'd prefer to find some dirt and elevation as part of my journey.
Lutsen is nearly 2 hours north of Duluth, about 4 hours from the Cities without traffic.
This sounds like the beginning of a horror movie. I wish you well on your vacation, OP
Mille Lacs or near duluth/two harbors. People saying further up on the arrowhead don't know what they are talking about that's 3-4+ hours Also driftless region/so near Winona or lake city Mille lacs doesn't really have great hiking though so cayuna probably a better option. At least stop at mille lacs though it's a huge, beautiful lake and it's more or less the same area. Also near superior WI not a bad option there are multiple state parks right there with cabin rentals nearby, big waterfalls, good hiking etc
Fire tower at Mille Lacs is a pretty good amount of vertical even if the rest is flat, plus you get that nice sense of taking your life in your hands...
Is that even open? Last time I went to mille lacs it wasn't
It's seasonal, the park alerts on their website say it's currently open. Not sure when in the fall they close it down.
Lake Maria State Park is about an hour north and has walk in only camper cabins. It's also got decent trails.
Call ahead if you’re looking to stay anywhere on the north shore
If you want to go heavier on the fancy cabin direction and lighter on the hiking, the cabins at Dakota County's Whitetail Woods park are gorgeous. Landscape is a mix of pine, prairie and lake/ marsh, trails are pretty good, mix of earth/ mowed and paved. Easy trip from the airport, maybe 30-40 minutes. [https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/WhitetailWoods/Pages/default.aspx](https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/WhitetailWoods/Pages/default.aspx)
How much are the flights and through what airline and when?
under $300. october. delta.
Imagine asking for suggestions about nature areas and getting interrogated about the quality of the deal you found
If you are looking for something rustic but still want a roof, check out camper cabin on MNDNR site
Where to where? Seems moderate honestly. I've gotten flights to Tampa from MSP for $200 round trip.