Camping spots near Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota range from secluded riverside sites to family-friendly facilities across Washington County. The St. Croix River Valley features diverse topography with elevations between 675-1000 feet, creating microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Overnight temperatures can drop significantly even in summer, with July lows sometimes reaching 55°F despite daytime highs in the 80s.
What to Do
Explore glacial potholes: At Interstate State Park, unique geological formations created by ancient water erosion offer an educational hiking experience. One visitor noted, "The draw here is the world's largest glacial potholes. When the river ran 200' higher than it does today, tornados of water eroded smooth round, massive holes in the rock. Some are so big that they still to this day have no idea how deep they go."
Try night hiking: William O'Brien State Park provides excellent nighttime trail experiences in winter. A camper shared, "We decided to take a night trek through the park. The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent. We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape and happened upon a railroad that passed above our trail with a beautiful tunnel-overpass."
Wildlife observation: Wild River State Park offers excellent bird and animal viewing opportunities along the river. One visitor experienced, "Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical! A blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls."
What Campers Like
Secluded riverside sites: Interstate State Park offers waterfront campsites with natural sound buffers. As one camper described, "When we first arrived to Interstate State Park our very first thought was 'that this is awful'. We hoped that our campsite that we had reserved was not as equals to those on the lower end of the northside, very open space more field like then camp ground to us. And then we came upon our site. With a waterfall on the back side and saint croix river on the other."
Cell service variations: Connectivity varies significantly between camping areas, important for those needing to stay connected. At William O'Brien State Park, one camper reported, "Cell reception for T-Mobile was minimal to non-existent. Wifi is available in the visitor center parking lot."
Filtered swimming pond: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers a unique swimming experience different from natural lakes. A visitor explained, "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming."
What You Should Know
Campsite privacy levels: Site selection significantly impacts your camping experience. At Wild River State Park, "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."
Firewood considerations: Quality varies between campgrounds, affecting your camping experience. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, one camper advised, "Only recommendation is to get the firewood from down the road and not at the campground."
Shower facilities: Bathroom and shower quality differs between parks. A William O'Brien State Park visitor noted, "The shower house needs some paint, but had been cleaned," while another mentioned, "The shower house needed a cleaning as well. There is no adjusting the shower temperature. Push the button and you get what you get."
Tips for Camping with Families
Children's programming: Lake Elmo Park Reserve offers scheduled activities for younger campers. A visitor mentioned, "On Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch. Very organized and clean facilities."
Multiple recreational options: Parks with diverse activities keep children engaged. A camper at Lake Elmo reported, "Great campground, sites are spacious and spread out, electric hookups at all sites, swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic for kids."
Waterfall hiking: Willow River State Park offers accessible natural features for families. A visitor shared, "Willow River falls is definitely a beautiful site to see. Definitely a place to camp if you like to be active and explore the trails. Winter, summer or fall!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for RVs: At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, campsites accommodate larger rigs but vary in quality. One RVer noted, "Stayed here when we got our first camper and it is nicely shaded large sites. Great walking paths and clean restrooms. Great for a quick weekend camping trip."
Dump station locations: Some campgrounds offer dump stations near park entrances rather than at sites. At Apple River Family Campground, a camper mentioned, "Very conveniently located great sights in a very nice location highly recommended for families with all utilities at site except for sewage they have a dump station at the entrance of the campground."
Power options: Understanding electrical hookup variations helps with planning. Veterans Campground On Big Marine Lake offers robust options, with one visitor noting, "We have stayed in cabins and in our trailer. The pontoons they offer for rent are beautiful!! The lake is nice."
