Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Minnesota is preparing to expand its overnight accommodations with four new camper cabins, with an opening targeted for early June 2027. The project will add to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) inventory of alternative camping accommodations as demand for camper cabins continues across the state park system.
The four cabins will be located near Shipwreck Creek Campground, the park’s newest campground, which opened in 2022. Situated in the northeastern corner of the park, Shipwreck Creek has 46 electric campsites developed to accommodate recreational vehicle (RV) users seeking locations with electrical hookups. Before the campground opened, the park primarily offered cart-in and backpack camping sites.
Rachel Hopper, visitor services and outreach manager in the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division, said the North Shore location was selected partly because of demand for camper cabins and limited opportunities to develop additional accommodations in the area. The North Shore parks are historically among the most visited destinations in Minnesota’s state park system, which includes 73 parks and recreation areas.
“With limited opportunities for camper cabin development along the North Shore, Split Rock was one of the best options for us to expand overnight amenities,” she said.
Split Rock will become the 28th state park in Minnesota to offer camper cabins, according to . The DNR has expanded the accommodation category at other locations, including Lake Vermilion-Soudan Mine State Park, which opened four cabins in 2020 and added another four in 2021.
The one-room cabins typically include heating, electricity and bunk beds that accommodate five to six people, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. Their relatively simple facilities provide an alternative for visitors who want an overnight outdoor experience without bringing tents or other camping equipment. The availability of heating and indoor sleeping space also makes them suitable for winter stays, a segment of camping that has been gaining interest, according to national outdoor participation reports.
Unlike some camper cabins in Minnesota’s park system, which operate only from April through October or have limited weekly availability, the new Split Rock accommodations are planned to remain open year-round, seven days a week. This could provide additional opportunities for the park to attract visitors outside the traditional summer camping season.
Construction of the four cabins and associated infrastructure cost approximately $1.4 million. The project includes road improvements, parking areas, a vault toilet and utility installations. Funding came from Minnesota’s Parks and Trails Fund, which receives revenue generated through sales taxes under the Legacy Amendment.
The DNR had initially planned to complete asphalt work during autumn 2026 but was unable to proceed. As a result, the opening schedule will depend partly on spring weather conditions along the North Shore. Hopper said the department is targeting early June 2027, although the exact date has not been finalized.
The timing will also determine when visitors can begin making reservations. Minnesota’s state park system generally allows reservations up to 120 days before arrival, but the DNR has not confirmed when bookings for the new cabins will become available.
“We will only open them up for reservations once we are confident on an opening date,” she said.
The project reflects a broader approach to expanding camping options within established outdoor recreation destinations. For campground and RV park operators, the development highlights how adding different accommodation types can help serve visitors with varying equipment, comfort and seasonal preferences. Although the cabins will operate within a public park, their year-round availability and proximity to an RV campground also demonstrate the potential for combining traditional campsites with fixed-roof accommodations.
For private campground and outdoor hospitality businesses, this type of expansion may offer a point of comparison when evaluating demand for cabins, seasonal revenue opportunities and the use of existing infrastructure to support additional overnight inventory.
