Tent camping opportunities around St. Croix National Scenic Riverway span across approximately 230 miles of riverway through northern Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Seasonal conditions vary significantly, with midsummer temperatures frequently reaching 80-90°F and spring bringing muddy conditions to many backcountry sites. Most tent campsites in the area close during winter months from late October through early May.
What to do
Fishing access spots: Campers at Grace Lake Road Dispersed appreciate the proximity to water for fishing. One camper noted, "Stayed a night here on our way up to the boundary waters 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. You're about 20 foot from the water and fishing is good."
Canoe expeditions: The Namekagon River portion of the riverway offers excellent paddling opportunities. A visitor to Namekagon Trail Bridge suggests a different approach: "Instead of paddling down the river I'd recommend turning this into a nice float/fishing trip. They provide nice maps depicting where off shore camping sites are. We spent 3 days and 2 nights in the river in our canoe."
Ice Age Trail hiking: Connect to regional trail systems directly from some campgrounds. Tent sites at Straight Lake State Park Campground offer access to one of Wisconsin's premier long-distance trails, with a camper mentioning, "The Ice Age Trail also runs next to this park."
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Several tent camping areas offer isolated sites away from crowds. Visitors to Grace Lake Road Dispersed mention it as "super nice and peaceful" with "lots of different dispersed spots," while noting you should "Go down Tamarack Forest Road, which is a little further than the location on here."
Group camping options: Some areas cater well to larger parties. Howell Landing provides a different setup with one camper describing it as a "Clean, well kept little campground, which consisted of one large group site. Tent only with access to the Namekagon River. Plenty of parking."
Small trailer accessibility: While most sites are tent-focused, some accommodate modest-sized trailers. A camper at Schoen Park explained, "Don't try to bring any thing to big into here or you will be in trouble. We have a 19' travel trailer and it wasn't a problem but turning around is tight."
What you should know
Gate access challenges: Some dispersed sites have physical barriers to limit vehicle types. Grace Lake Road Dispersed has a "gate is very narrow had to fold the mirrors on my Tacoma to squeeze through," according to one visitor.
Bug protection essential: Mosquitoes are frequently mentioned as a concern, particularly in summer months. A camper at Straight Lake State Park Campground observed, "The amount of mosquitos seemed higher than other Wisconsin locations."
Site configurations vary significantly: Some areas offer defined sites while others function more as dispersed camping zones. A visitor to Cedar Point Resort and Campground described "Nice campground with easy access sites," while Schoen Park has "no real sites more of a dispersed camping area."
Tips for camping with families
Cart availability: Some parks provide equipment to help transport gear. At Straight Lake State Park Campground, "The park offered carts to help pack in camping supplies," which is particularly helpful for families with young children who can't carry their own gear.
Water access challenges: Consider water access points when camping with children. A camper at Straight Lake noted, "The lake shore, when we visited, was blocked by lots of vegetation, geese droppings with one small access point which would be great for kayaks."
Alternative access points: If official directions seem confusing, local knowledge helps. According to one camper at Grace Lake Road Dispersed, "This spot was super nice and peaceful! Lots of different dispersed spots. Go down Tamarack Forest Road, which is a little further than the location on here."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Large RVs and trailers are not suitable for most tent camping areas along the St. Croix. Schoen Park campers note "There's enough room for small campers. Road is good," but caution "Don't try to bring any thing to big into here or you will be in trouble."
Dispersed parking logistics: For RV and trailer campers, parking strategy matters. One Grace Lake Road visitor advised, "if you park at the entrance it's a short walk," suggesting a practical approach for those with larger vehicles.
Shuttle services: Some commercial campgrounds offer transportation services to recreation areas. Cedar Point Resort provides a "Shuttle is nice, takes you right to the park," which is particularly valuable for RVers who don't want to break camp to visit nearby attractions.
