Camping opportunities around Lindstrom, Minnesota sit within the St. Croix Valley at approximately 900 feet elevation. The area features a mix of oak savanna, prairie, and river ecosystems that create diverse camping environments. Winter temperatures often drop below 10°F, making winter camping in a heated yurt or cabin particularly appealing in this region.
What to do
Snowshoe along the St. Croix River: At Wild River State Park, winter visitors can explore snow-covered trails with views of the frozen river. "The park is huge and beautiful. We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise," notes a camper at Wild River State Park Campground.
Attend seasonal events: Winter candlelight skiing events provide a unique way to experience the parks after dark. "The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing," explains a Wild River visitor who stayed during February.
Try tubing on the Rum River: For summer activities, the Rum River offers sandy-bottomed water recreation. "The tubing is a plus... Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," shares a visitor at Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer secluded spots among the trees. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. The park rangers were very helpful and informative," reports a visitor at Wild River State Park.
Star gazing opportunities: Clear nights away from city lights provide excellent astronomical viewing. "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," mentions a camper at Wild River State Park.
Variety of accommodation options: Beyond traditional camping, yurt camping near Lindstrom, Minnesota provides unique lodging experiences. "Campsite C1 offers basic yet essential facilities, including clean showers and well-maintained restrooms. The convenience of these amenities makes it easy to enjoy a longer stay without sacrificing comfort," writes a visitor to Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve.
What you should know
Remote backpack sites require planning: Some riverside sites require significant hiking to access. "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. No drinking water (we brought a bladder)," explains a Wild River camper.
Campground proximity to roads: Even secluded sites may experience some road noise. "Only downside to the site — you can hear cars on both sides (river and opposite side of forest). It was a 2.37 mile walk from the parking lot, mostly shaded," notes the same backpacker.
Bathroom facilities vary by location: While some campgrounds offer full facilities, others have more primitive options. "The primitive toilet smelled so bad it burned!! It needed to be emptied and wasn't the entire time we were there," cautions a visitor at Afton State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with play amenities: Some properties offer extensive family activities. "This campground is great for everyone! It has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites!" shares a visitor at Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
Consider camper cabins for family convenience: Yurt and cabin camping near Lindstrom provides more comfort for families with young children. "Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!" describes a visitor who stayed at a camper cabin in Afton State Park.
Check site location relative to bathrooms: Families with young children may want to prioritize bathroom proximity. "Only one shower house and we had to drive there... if we did come back we would definitely camp closer to the shower house," advises a family that camped at Wild River State Park.
Tips from RVers
Sites accommodate various RV sizes: Many campgrounds can handle larger rigs. "This place does have 30amp and 50amp hook ups and has pull through spots and sewer sites... Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!" explains an RVer at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
Power reliability varies by campground: During peak season, electrical systems can be strained. "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off then it was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max," notes an RV camper at Country Camping.
Some campgrounds offer suburban convenience: Locations close to the Twin Cities provide urban amenities with natural settings. "We love to camp here. Access to lake independence. A lot of biking trails. Nice clean bathrooms. Nice park for kids just a small hike away," comments a camper about Baker Park Reserve.
