RV camping near St. Croix National Scenic Riverway offers outdoor recreation along 252 miles of riverway spanning Minnesota and Wisconsin. The riverway's elevation ranges from 675 to 800 feet above sea level, with seasonal temperature variations from below freezing in winter to humid 80-90°F days in summer. Campers can access the river from multiple points with varying degrees of privacy and amenities depending on the campground location.
What to do
Canoe and kayak rental access: Pardun's Jack Pine Campground in Wisconsin provides convenient canoe rentals for river exploration. "Pardun's also offers canoe and tube rentals in town and also at St. Croix State Park - which sounds wonderful on hot summer days," notes Joanna B.
Wildlife viewing along riverbanks: The river corridor hosts diverse wildlife including bald eagles. "We even saw bald eagles on the ride," reports Amy F. after taking a paddlewheel boat tour from Wildwood RV Park & Campground.
Sculpture garden visits: For art enthusiasts, unique attractions lie near campgrounds. "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," recommends Tori K. about day trips from Wildwood RV Park.
State park exploration: Many campgrounds provide quick access to state parks. "St Croix State Park is also about 20 minutes away in MN and a great place to explore with miles of hiking," mentions a reviewer staying at Pardun's Jack Pine Campground.
What campers like
Dog-friendly facilities: Pet owners appreciate dedicated spaces at several rv sites near St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. "We absolutely loved the dog park. It was not just some small dog area it was top of the line dog park," writes Matt P. about Banning RV Park and Campground.
Spacious site layouts: Some campgrounds offer roomy sites perfect for larger setups. "Sites are fairly spread out. Easy loop system makes this campground very easy to navigate through," notes Judy B. about Country Quiet RV Park and Campground.
Family-oriented amenities: Many parks feature kid-friendly facilities. "The pool and playground were clean and nice. Our site had its own picnic table and firepit," shares Amy F. about Wildwood's amenities.
Lower bug populations: Campers note varying insect levels based on location. "Because it is at a higher elevation further from the river it is remarkably less buggy which Banning State Park can be in springtime or after recent rains," explains Janet R. about Banning RV Park.
What you should know
Water hookup challenges: Some campgrounds have shared water hookups requiring special equipment. "We were quick to learn that water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots," cautions Sam C. about Banning RV Park, adding "Ours source ended up being 75' plus from our RV."
Site angle considerations: RV sites can present backing challenges based on road configuration. "Back-in site was 90 degrees to the road - if the bathhouse parking lot wasn't across from it, wouldn't have been able to swing in on a 24' travel trailer," reports Cathleen V. at Grand Casino RV Resort.
Varying seasonal availability: Most RV campgrounds near St. Croix operate seasonally. Banning RV Park runs from May through October, while Wolf's Den operates April 15 to October 1, with limited availability during peak summer weekends.
Internet connectivity varies: For those needing to stay connected, wifi quality fluctuates. "Sadly I needed 4 hours of internet and my cellular data here was spotty. I spent this time right outside the office," notes Jaime N. about Wildwood's wifi limitations.
Tips for camping with families
Look for primitive sites: Tent campers with children can find more secluded options. "We tent camped for two nights in site CC, which had a small quiet creek beside it. These primitive sites are down a small dirt road away from the main RV camping area," shares Stacy S. about Wildwood RV Park & Campground.
Consider shower facilities: Family-friendly bathhouses make longer stays more comfortable. "They have a beautiful bath and shower house (the shower takes quarters $1.25 for 10 minutes)," notes Joanna B. about Pardun's Jack Pine facilities.
Check trail accessibility: Family biking opportunities exist directly from some campgrounds. "The kids tried the bike trail that they could access right from the campground," mentions Amy F. about Wildwood's convenient trails.
Verify swimming options: Water recreation varies by location. "The kayaking/canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6," shares dominick C. about Wildwood's family-friendly paddling.
Tips from RVers
Park maintenance quality: Well-kept facilities make for better RV camping experiences. "Best maintained RV resort ever! Adjacent to a large casino with hotels and restaurants. Less than two miles from I35," notes Teri I. at Grand Casino RV Resort.
Sewer connection positioning: Check sewer hookup configuration before booking. "All of the sewer connections are cut off about 12 inches above the ground. This means that even in a relatively tall fifth wheel, you are going to be trying to make shit filled water flow uphill," warns Adrian G. about Grand Casino RV Resort.
Site leveling conditions: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain affecting setup. "Our sites were grass that was a little long and rutted from what seemed from previous tenants. This made getting leveling a little difficult," reports Sam C.
RV size compatibility: Not all parks accommodate larger rigs equally. "All the sites are back in only, and are a tight squeeze for bigger rigs," cautions TyAnn J. about Grand Casino RV Resort, despite its designated big-rig friendly status.
