Camping in the Marine on St. Croix area offers access to the St. Croix Valley's unique geological features, including glacial potholes and river bluffs ranging from 50 to 200 feet high. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, with summer highs frequently reaching 85-90°F and winter camping opportunities when temperatures can drop below freezing. Most campgrounds maintain separate tent and RV sections with varying degrees of site privacy.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Visit Willow River State Park Campground's dramatic falls, accessible via hiking trails from most campsites. "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!" shares Jessica B.
River paddling: Rent canoes or kayaks at Wildwood RV Park & Campground for a self-guided adventure on the St. Croix. "We went canoeing and kayaking and they provided a shuttle right from their main office," notes Amy F., adding that the service makes river access convenient even for beginners.
Geological features: Explore the world's largest glacial potholes at Interstate State Park. Erik R. explains: "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."
Winter activities: Experience winter camping at Wild River State Park, which maintains year-round accessibility. Joanna B. recounts: "2/8/20-2/9/20. The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent. We snowshoed and skied. The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing."
What campers like
Site privacy: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of Wild River State Park's camping areas. Stephanie H. notes, "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."
River views: Select riverside sites at Apple River Family Campground for direct water access. "We had a river front site (63) and the river sites are AMAZING! The tubing is obviously fun and this campground has tree cover unlike anything I've ever seen!" reports Mariah F.
Stargazing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer designated stargazing areas away from light pollution. Katherine T. mentions that Wild River State Park has "a great star gazing area" and notes that sites have "decent tree cover" while still allowing for night sky viewing.
Diverse terrain: William O'Brien State Park offers varied landscapes within a compact area. Jason S. comments: "This is a great place to see all the various landscapes of the St. Croix River Valley. The surroundings were stunning, and really unexpected for a park so close to the Twin Cities."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Choose campsites strategically based on specific needs. At William O'Brien State Park, Dani K. advises: "Per others' advice, I stayed at Savannah campground because the sites are slightly bigger and more private than Riverway. Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites."
Weekend crowds: Weekends bring significantly more campers to the area. "Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop (especially the non-electric ones), but still able to take advantage of a weekend day," shares Dani K. about William O'Brien State Park.
Cell reception varies: Connectivity differs drastically between campgrounds. For William O'Brien State Park, Dani K. reports: "Cell reception for T-Mobile was minimal to non-existent. Wifi is available in the visitor center parking lot."
Insect preparation: Horseflies and mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly in wooded areas. At Rice Creek Campgrounds, Ariel H. warns: "Horseflies nonstop attacked us. To not get bite we had to run around like chickens with our heads cut off! No joke."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rice Creek Campgrounds offers extensive recreational facilities for children. Lenora H. mentions the campground has "lots of trails, a beach, and many playgrounds," making it ideal for families seeking structured outdoor activities.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer beach access and water recreation. At Wildwood RV Park, Amy F. notes: "The pool and playground were clean and nice. Our site had its own picnic table and firepit. The kids tried the bike trail that they could access right from the campground."
Wildlife viewing: Children can observe various wildlife in their natural habitat. At William O'Brien State Park, Laura E. shares: "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite."
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds feature interpretive centers with family programming. At Interstate State Park, one camper mentions: "The Park Ranger Theresa is the best ranger I have ever met. She is part of a multigenerational heritage of MN State Park Rangers, and her family has a year-round residence in the park."
Tips for RVers
Hookup availability: For pet-friendly camping near Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota, electric hookup sites are available at most major campgrounds but often fill quickly. At Willow River State Park, Maria D. notes: "We also appreciated being in a no-generator loop, which kept things peaceful—though highway noise was noticeable in the evenings."
Site dimensions: RV sites vary significantly in size and leveling requirements. At William O'Brien State Park, multiple reviewers note that the Savanna campground can accommodate larger rigs better than the Riverway campground, which has more limited space and maneuverability.
Access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. Apple River Family Campground camper Amber C. cautions: "The road to get to our water view site (69) was narrow and tricky with the camper but it was worth it for that peaceful view!"
Seasonal considerations: Many RV campgrounds in the area operate seasonally. Wildwood RV Park & Campground operates from May 5 to October 8, providing full hookups during this period, while others like William O'Brien State Park maintain year-round accessibility with limited winter services.
