Saint Croix National Scenic River cuts through 252 miles of Minnesota and Wisconsin wilderness, with elevations ranging from 675 to 1,150 feet above sea level. The climate features warm, humid summers and cold winters with significant snowfall. Camping options near the river vary from state park campgrounds with full facilities to remote hike-in sites accessible only by trail or water.
What to do
Hiking along the riverfront: Wild River State Park offers extensive trail networks with scenic views. "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. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails," notes Joanna B., who visited in winter.
Water recreation: At Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park, canoe outfitters operate during summer months. Tony J. mentions, "Clean, fairly private sites. Easy to get in and out. Walk in sites available. Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer."
Wildlife viewing: The region hosts diverse wildlife including deer, eagles, and various bird species. "Wild River State Park is my go-to campground since it is within an hour of my home. I make it my first place to camp every season. Love the scenic trails and all the park has to offer. Hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, exploring, informational programs, and the wooded campsites," reports Jeff L.
Stargazing: Clear nights provide excellent star viewing opportunities. "This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire," shares Sarah D. about a secluded backpack site.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Wild River State Park Campground receives praise for its secluded sites. "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. The facilities were nice and we'll kept," says Stephanie H.
Accessibility to metro areas: Many campgrounds offer wilderness experiences within reasonable driving distance of cities. "It's a nice distance from the cities, not too far. We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp," writes Joanna B. about Wild River State Park.
Year-round opportunities: The Saint Croix area offers camping beyond summer months. Erik R. notes, "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."
Dog-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specialized facilities for pets. A visitor to Banning RV Park and Campground shares, "The fenced in dog park was a big bonus for our pup. The grounds hosted outdoor games and volleyball/basketball courts."
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: Bugs can be problematic depending on timing. Lili R. cautions about St. Croix State Park: "Unfortunately we chose the peak of mosquitos season and camping next to slow moving water is a recipe for disaster. It was also a very hot weekend."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies greatly between campgrounds. Katherine T. notes at Wild River State Park, "Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance."
Water access variability: During drier periods, river levels can drop significantly. One camper at a riverside backpack site reported, "There's a teeny somewhat treacherous path to the river- no beach or anything (water was super low when we went) - Just can get your feet wet."
Off-season considerations: Winter camping requires additional preparation. A winter camper shared, "The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent. The sites were far enough apart and it looked like it would be more private when the leaves come in."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park offers family-friendly amenities close to the Twin Cities. "Wonderful site! Feels very secluded in spite of being so close to the cities. Great beach & sunrise. Highly recommend!" writes Max P.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs and historical sites. A visitor notes, "The hike to the former Dam site is the neatest thing about the park. I recommend reading the historical information at the site of the dam."
Kid-friendly glamping: For families seeking luxury glamping near Saint Croix National Scenic River, several options provide comfortable accommodations with access to nature activities. "This campground is massive! Our campsite was on the farthest loop and was very private! We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites!" shares Kate H.
Winter activities: Family programming continues through cold months. "The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing. We really enjoyed that," reports one winter visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: At Banning RV Park and Campground, water access can vary. Sam C. reports, "We were quick to learn that water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots. Our water source ended up being 75' plus from our RV. Thankfully I just happened to be carrying the extra hose."
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional work to level RVs. "Our sites were grass that was a little long and rutted from what seemed from previous tenants. This made getting leveling a little difficult and out fold out stairs touched the ground before fully being deployed," notes an RV camper.
Beginner-friendly options: First-time RVers can find supportive environments. Matt P. shares, "This was our first time out, we stayed with our RV and really enjoyed this place. The staff was great and willing to help with any questions or concerns we as rookies had! They have pull through sites that made our first time that much easier."
Seasonal site availability: For regular visitors, some campgrounds offer seasonal arrangements. One camper notes, "If you looking for a great ATV campground or looking for a campground under $1500, this is the place to go!"
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