St. Croix National Scenic Riverway encompasses 252 miles of riverway across pine forests and glacial terrain in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Seasonal access to many campgrounds typically runs May through November, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping months. Camping options in this region range from first-come, first-served primitive sites to developed campgrounds with varying amenities and reservation requirements.
What to do
Hiking the fire tower: At St. Croix State Park, visitors can climb the 100-foot fire tower for panoramic views of the forest landscape. "The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St. Croix River, plus there are hiking trails, a paved bike path, a fire tower you can climb, an old CCC camp area you can tour, and more," notes a visitor at Old Logging Trail Campground.
Water activities: The riverfront location offers excellent fishing opportunities for families. At Paint Rock Springs Campground, one camper reported, "We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!" Canoe rentals are available on weekends during summer months.
ATV trail access: Several campgrounds provide direct access to ATV trail systems. "This is a great ATV campground," reports a seasonal camper at Pardun's Jack Pine Campground. "Lots to do near by Legion 1.3 miles away and a great cafe as well across the street."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently appreciate secluded spots at Boulder Campground in St. Croix State Forest. "The sites were big and felt fairly secluded. We had a great time here," reports one visitor. Another notes that "there are some great secluded spots and the campground is always empty."
Wildlife viewing: The forest setting provides opportunities to observe diverse wildlife. "We seen Bear, Wolf, and plenty of Coyote's. This is nature at its finest," reports a visitor to Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground. Multiple trails through the forest increase chances for wildlife encounters.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. "Can't stress enough how CLEAN the restrooms and showers are. Cleaned 3x daily due to COVID. Site drained VERY well during and after heavy rain," notes a camper at St. Croix River Resort.
What you should know
Mosquito preparedness: Insects can be problematic throughout summer months, particularly near water. "It was very buggy, so be prepared for that," warns a camper at Old Logging Trail. Another advises, "We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites."
First-come, first-served limitations: Several campgrounds including Boulder operate without reservations. "Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served," advises a camper at Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground. Arriving mid-week increases chances of securing a site.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor or non-existent connectivity. "Cell service is incredibly spotty on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting," reports a visitor to Old Logging Trail Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access considerations: The swimming areas vary in quality throughout the riverway. At Riverview Campground, a visitor notes "The swimming beach is a couple mile drive but the water was nice and cool. There is a playground but we didn't use it." Some beaches are described as "slimy" due to years of artificial beach maintenance.
Indoor options for rainy days: St. Croix River Resort offers amenities that work regardless of weather. "We stayed here with my extended family in a couple of cabins. It is nice and wooded. The pool is indoors which is nice and has drawbacks. It is a good sized pool. There is a nice playground for the kids."
Ranger programs: Educational activities enhance family camping experiences. One visitor reported, "We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger."
Tips from RVers
Site selection factors: RV campers should consider shade availability when choosing sites. "There is very little shade in most sites and was very hot in a tent," notes a camper at Paint Rock Springs Campground, an issue that affects RVs as well. Sites around the outer edges often provide more tree coverage.
Dump station access: While some campgrounds offer full hookups, others provide more limited services. At Dongola Campground, all 60 sites feature full hookups including sewer connections, while at Norman's Landing Campground, electric, water and sewer hookups are available despite the small size of the facility with just 6 sites.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can present challenges. A camper at Grace Lake Road Dispersed notes, "Gate is very narrow had to fold the mirrors on my Tacoma to squeeze through but if you park at the entrance it's a short walk." Many forest roads are unpaved but generally passable for most vehicles.
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