The St. Croix River Valley near Marine on St. Croix features rocky outcroppings and flood plains spanning elevations from 675 to 825 feet. Summer temperatures typically range between 60-85°F with increased humidity in July and August. Tent campers should plan for significant mosquito activity after rainfall, particularly during evening hours near water sources.
What to do
River recreation: Country Camping RV Park provides tubing down the Rum River with a shuttle service that takes campers into town to float back to the campground. "Love this place. Close to the Twin Cities, right on the Rum River. Great tent sites right on the river. Tubing! They have a bus that takes you into town float back to the campground, love it," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: William O'Brien State Park Campground offers numerous trails through various landscapes. A camper reports, "I have long overlooked William O'Brien because I thought you had to drive a long way to get away. I was wrong! We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths. There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling."
Waterfall exploration: Willow River State Park Campground features dramatic waterfalls accessible by trail. "We did SO many miles hiking! And at certain points in the river, you are able to get in and swim!" explains one reviewer. Another notes, "Walked about a mile to the falls area. This was really beautiful and was only a the head was only a couple hundred yards from my site."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River receives praise for its generous campsites. "Large sites. Great tubing and canoeing," says one camper. Another reviewer adds, "HUGE sites! You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak."
Wildlife viewing: William O'Brien State Park provides opportunities to observe diverse wildlife. A camper shared, "You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite." The park also attracts numerous bird species during spring migration.
Recreation facilities: Multiple campgrounds offer built-in recreational amenities. Country Camping Tent & RV Park provides "a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room," according to one reviewer. Another camper mentions, "Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most private RV parks operate from May through October with limited winter camping options. "Although we did not stay in the main campground the sites are very close in there and were small," notes one William O'Brien visitor regarding winter camping.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region. At Wildwood RV Park & Campground, one camper reports, "Sadly I needed 4 hours of internet and my cellular data here was spotty. I spent this time right outside the office."
Site privacy concerns: Several campgrounds have mixed reviews regarding site privacy. At Willow River State Park, a camper noted, "We stayed at Site 133 and found it to be fairly spacious. One downside was that there's a trail running just behind the site, and several campers cut through our area to access it, which disrupted the sense of privacy."
Wildlife encounters: Nocturnal visitors can be expected at many campgrounds. A William O'Brien camper reported, "Raccoons will visit your site at night. We had everything secured but they still tried and plenty of racket until we chased them away."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Country Camping Tent & RV Park features numerous family amenities. "I stayed here 3 weeks ago with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart 10-10 would most defiantly go again! A ton for the kids to do!" reports one satisfied parent.
Multi-generational options: Country Camping RV Park caters to various camping preferences. "We've stayed at Country Camping for years! Great variety of things to do for everyone. Group sites, tent sites, covered wagon sites! Floating on the Rum River, swimming pool with splash pad, little camp store, Golf cart rentals! Our grandkids love it too!" shares a regular visitor.
Adventure opportunities: Wildwood RV Park & Campground provides family-friendly paddling experiences. "The kayaking/canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6," notes a camper with young children.
Cultural attractions: Consider side trips to unique area attractions. "Be sure to check out Franconia sculpture garden if you're staying here and have the time! It's such a fun and quirky place," suggests a Wildwood camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For rv sites near Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota, consider pull-through options for larger rigs. At Country Quiet RV Park and Campground, "This is a very nice RV Park. There's plenty of sites and they appear to be expanding. Sites are fairly spread out. Easy loop system makes this campground very easy to navigate through."
Seasonal considerations: RV campers visiting during shoulder seasons should prepare for limited services. At William O'Brien State Park, winter camping offers "only electric sites without water hookups" during cold months.
Navigation tips: When approaching camping areas near Marine on St. Croix, larger RVs should consider access points carefully. Several RV-friendly campgrounds within 30 miles provide easier navigation for big rigs, with Country Quiet RV Park specifically designed with "wide open" spaces and "easy loop system."
Utility access: For rv camping near Marine on St. Croix, most sites offer electric hookups only. North Park RV Campground provides "Easy in & out. Just far enough off road to be fairly quiet. In city park. Tennis. Frisbee golf. Skateboard park. BB hoops. Toilets. Showers. Boat launch. Swimming. Easy walk to downtown."
