Campgrounds near Lindstrom, Minnesota cluster along the St. Croix River Valley within a 30-mile radius. The terrain consists primarily of glacial plains with mixed hardwood forests and river bluffs reaching elevations of 700-900 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with high humidity, while winter camping requires preparation for temperatures regularly dropping below freezing. The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway provides the region's defining waterway feature with numerous access points for paddlers.
What to do
Hiking glacial terrain: Interstate State Park offers distinctive glacial pothole hiking experiences with varied difficulty levels. "This is a beautiful spot just an hour outside of the cities... The trails also lead to the glacial potholes. Wonderful getaway, will come back again," notes Celina M. from Interstate State Park.
Paddling the St. Croix: Wildwood RV Park & Campground provides canoe and kayak rentals with shuttle service directly from their office. "We went canoeing and kayaking and they provided a shuttle right from their main office... We even saw bald eagles on the ride," reports Amy F. from Wildwood RV Park & Campground.
Winter recreation: Several state parks maintain winter accessibility with plowed campsites. "2/8/20-2/9/20. #91. First time to this park. The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent. We snowshoed and skied... The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails," shares Joanna B. who visited Wild River State Park during winter.
Star gazing: The area offers designated areas for night sky viewing away from city light pollution. "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance," notes Katherine T. about her experience at Wild River State Park.
What campers like
Riverside campsites: Sites with direct river access rank highly with visitors. "Group campsite one is a lovely open site right on the St Croix River with plenty of grassy space to play and set up several tents," mentions one camper. Another visitor at Wild River State Park observed, "Backpack site Buck Hill is right on the river, beautiful view to the east. Circled by flowers, brush and trees. End of the path so zero foot traffic/passersby."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region hosts abundant wildlife, particularly along the river corridor. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," explains Kate H. from Camp Waub-O-Jeeg.
Trail connectivity: Campers appreciate trails directly accessible from campgrounds. "Gorgeous Trails! This was a last minute camping trip that needed to be near the metro to utilize time... The trails nearby were gorgeous and a good workout," shares Lisa O. about Interstate Park Wisconsin.
Off-season solitude: Fall and spring visits provide greater privacy. "Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop (especially the non-electric ones), but still able to take advantage of a weekend day," writes Dani K. about William O'Brien State Park.
What you should know
Site selection strategy: Many campgrounds have significant variation between sites. At William O'Brien State Park, "Per others' advice, I stayed at Savannah campground because the sites are slightly bigger and more private than Riverway... Site 117 was level, had decent privacy, and was more spacious than some of the other sites."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some sites. "The North Campground has sites on the overpass side so there was vehicle noise of varying volume the whole time," notes Mallory S. at Interstate Park Wisconsin, while at Wild River, a camper observed, "Only downside to the site—you can hear cars on both sides (river and opposite side of forest)."
Variable phone reception: Cell service varies by location and provider. "Cell reception for T-Mobile was minimal to non-existent. Wifi is available in the visitor center parking lot," reports a camper at William O'Brien State Park, while Interstate State Park visitors report "Good ATT and Verizon cell service."
Timing matters: Summer weekends experience heavy usage. "We loved the campsite and the park ranger was SOOOO helpful!!" shares Josie V. about Interstate State Park, while noting reservations are essential during peak season when river-adjacent sites fill quickly.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly sites: Choose spacious sites with play areas. "Our site was large and flat with a nice fire pit. Thank you!" reports Mackenzie G. about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, a camping area that remains accessible to metropolitan residents while offering natural surroundings.
Water recreation options: Many campgrounds offer swimming and boating access. "Fantastic clean campground with a ton of things to do at the campground and in the local area. The pool and playground were clean and nice. The kids tried the bike trail that they could access right from the campground," explains Amy F. about Wildwood RV Park & Campground.
Wildlife education: Nature centers enhance family camping experiences. "The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours," notes Krista T. about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
Group camping accommodations: For multi-family trips, select designated group sites. "We have never really camped with friends before, so the point was to just go, not to really travel far. We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths," shares Karla J.B. about her experience at William O'Brien State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric service varies between campgrounds. "We stayed at the North Campground at an electric site 26E for two nights in a hard side pop up. Nice campground with good separation between most sites," reports Lindsay T. about Interstate State Park Wisconsin.
Road conditions: Access roads present challenges at some campgrounds. "The road to the sites named after birds was rough and I was nervous that I would bottom out going up the hill," cautions Krista T. about Camp Waub-O-Jeeg, while others note some state park roads remain well-maintained.
Size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "Sadly I needed 4 hours of internet and my cellular data here was spotty. I spent this time right outside the office. There is a mini golf course, and an outdoor pool (closed for the fall). A bit close to the highway but quick access to city amenities," notes Jamie N. about Wildwood RV Park & Campground.
Dump station availability: Most established campgrounds provide sanitary services. Erik R. mentions about Wild River State Park, "Like many MN State Park campgrounds, you are close to your neighbors with no real private offerings. I stayed in site 66e. It was a typical site with nothing bad nor special about it."
