The St. Croix River valley near North Branch sits at approximately 900 feet elevation with distinct seasonal temperature variations ranging from winter lows near 0°F to summer highs in the 80s. The terrain features a mix of hardwood forests, rolling prairies, and wetlands that create diverse camping environments. Most campgrounds in the area open from April through October, though some offer year-round access with winter facilities.
What to do
Canoe and kayak rentals: At Country Camping Tent & RV Park, visitors can rent equipment and enjoy guided river excursions. "The kayaking/canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6," notes a camper who visited with family.
Pothole exploration: The unique glacial potholes at Interstate State Park formed when the river ran 200 feet higher than today. "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," explains one visitor who explored the formation.
Star gazing: Several campgrounds offer designated star viewing areas away from 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," reports a visitor to Wild River State Park who appreciated both the natural views and connectivity options.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded feeling at William O'Brien State Park. "The sites are decently spaced with good tree cover. Noise seemed to travel between sites, I had some loud neighbors during the day but they settled down before quiet hours. The grass was easy to get tent stakes into," notes a recent visitor who found the park comfortable despite some noise.
Farm experiences: The Jubilee Homestead offers a unique camping setting with animal interactions. "We loved the goats, chickens, geese, and the cats. We are not cat people but they had a newly acquired kitty that stole our hearts and entertained us. We laughed and got some great pictures for our family who won't believe we had so much fun with this kitty," shares one camping family.
Winter camping options: Several parks maintain winter camping facilities. "I stayed in the campground in late March, 2025. This is a big park with a diversity of hiking, equestrian, and canoeing options. Since the park runs along the St. Croix, there are beautiful river-side walks to be had. There are also Oak Savanna trails," reports a camper who experienced Wild River State Park during a spring snowfall.
What you should know
Campsite selection: The more private sites may require advance booking. At Camp Waub-O-Jeeg, "The Robin site was spacious, flat, great sandy soil for driving in tent stakes, has privacy from your closest neighbors, and it is off in its own corner so there wasn't a lot of car or foot traffic that went back there," according to a camper who appreciated the secluded spot.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "The roads are rough in spots. A lot of the negative reviews about this campground come from people who encounter issues trying to drive through here with campers, but I didn't expect to have issues driving through here in a sedan," warns a visitor about Camp Waub-O-Jeeg.
Site dimensions: For those with larger setups, researching site sizes is essential. "The sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites. I wouldn't want to stay here when the loop is fully reserved," notes a solo camper at William O'Brien State Park who visited during a quieter period.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several dog friendly campgrounds near North Branch offer swimming options. "Family friendly getaway for a quick camping fix. Nice pool and a lake. Room between campsites and some tree coverage. All in all a nice place to camp," says a visitor to Kozy Oaks Kamp, which provides both water features and adequate spacing.
Playground facilities: Many area campgrounds maintain play areas for children. "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. Our site had its own picnic table and firepit," reports a family who stayed at Wildwood RV Park & Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife viewing. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," shares a camper who enjoyed the natural encounters at Wild River State Park.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Not all pet-friendly campgrounds near North Branch offer full hookups. "Open area lot of grass, sites old, lots of room," notes a visitor to Isanti County Fairgrounds, where basic services are available in a spacious setting.
Campsite privacy varies: RV campsites range from secluded to closely spaced. "I often see kids meeting each other from different sites and then hanging out and playing games together. There are nice playgrounds on both the A and B hill," mentions a regular visitor to Camp Waub-O-Jeeg who appreciates the social atmosphere.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation but offers unique experiences. "This seems to be the hot spot for horses and if we go back I definitely want to do the horseback riding right outside the park! DRIVE to the visitors center from the campsites it's a bit away," advises a camper who discovered additional activities near Wild River State Park.
Traveler
