Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground offers rustic equestrian camping near Hillside Terrace Homes, Minnesota in a secluded woodland setting. Located within the 33,000-acre state forest, campsites sit amid mixed hardwood forests and river valleys at approximately 1,000 feet elevation. The campground operates May through November when temperatures range from 40°F to 80°F, creating variable trail conditions for horse riders.
What to do
Trail riding access: Multiple trail systems connect directly to Boulder Campground for horseback riding through diverse terrain. "Wonderful forests, pleasantly quiet. Beautiful views along the Tamarack river. We like camping in state forest for the wild life experience. We seen Bear, Wolf, and plenty of Yote's," reports Scot L.
Fishing opportunities: Cast for panfish and bass in nearby lakes within 5 miles of the campground areas. At Father Hennepin State Park Campground, located on Lake Mille Lacs, "This is a great lake for fishing and boating," mentions Kerri N. The park provides shore fishing access for those without boats.
Wildlife observation: Early morning or evening provide optimal wildlife viewing times along forest edges. "We had a great weekend here. There were a few trails that we walked and got to see several deer in the woods," notes one visitor to St. Croix State Park.
What campers like
Primitive experience: Equestrian campers appreciate the rustic accommodations and natural surroundings at state forest campgrounds. "For $17 a night you can't beat a state forest campgrounds. This is real camping for the kids," writes Daniel H. about Boulder Campground.
Spacious sites: Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park offers more separation between campsites than many other options. "The site we had was isolated nicely and the ground was easy for a tent set up," reports Adam, while another camper noted "Clean, fairly private sites. Easy to get in and out."
River access: Several campgrounds feature direct water access for canoeing, fishing, and swimming. "We spent a weekend at the park and had a great time. Lots of trails for hiking. Cool buildings from the CCC era as well as some signs talking about camp life," writes Scott G. about St. Croix State Park.
What you should know
No reservations required: Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. "Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served. The campground was clean and in better shape than any state park campgrounds I have been to," advises Daniel H.
Seasonal insects: Bug protection is essential, especially during early summer. "We had a terrible experience last year trying to camp here, BUT it's not the campgrounds fault! Unfortunately we chose the peak of mosquitos season and camping next to slow moving water is a recipe for disaster," warns Lili R. about camping at St. Croix State Park.
Limited amenities: Vault toilets provide the only bathroom facilities at some locations, with no running water or electricity. "Heads up! No hook up's. Vault bathrooms only," notes Scot L. about Boulder Campground, highlighting the rustic nature of equestrian camping facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Riverview Campground — St. Croix State Park offers accessible recreation for children of various ages. "We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!" shares RK M.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas when trail riding needs a break. "There is a playground but we didn't use it," mentions one Riverview Campground visitor, while another notes that Father Hennepin has "a nice big sandbox for the kids that has sand toys to play with."
Educational opportunities: "We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger," reports Sara P. about her family's experience at St. Croix State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Father Hennepin State Park Campground offers designated RV sites with varying levels of privacy. "We had site #50 in Lakeview Campground, this site is located on the rise and had nice breezes, close to showers, lake and playground," recommends Jeff G.
Hookup availability: Electric sites concentrate in specific campground sections. "The Riverview loop is 1 of 3 at St. Croix State Park. This loop is where 90% of the electric sites are, but it is also a very open campground," explains Amber Z.
Shower facilities: Campgrounds vary in bathroom quality and availability. "Shower facilities are mediocre, but do provide sufficient privacy, and were relatively clean," notes ERolf P. about Riverview Campground, while another camper mentioned, "Their reservation system could not find St. Croix without the period."
Scout
