Camping areas near Stillwater, Minnesota range from natural wooded settings to river-adjacent sites, with elevations between 700-900 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with higher humidity levels from June through August. Fall camping season brings cooler temperatures and colorful foliage along the St. Croix River valley, making September and October popular months for reservations.
What to do
River activities: Water recreation on the Rum River draws campers to Country Camping Tent & RV Park, where visitors enjoy tubing, canoeing, and kayaking. "Great tubing and canoeing," notes one camper, while another mentions "The river is very clean and sandy bottom," making it ideal for swimming during summer months.
Trail exploration: Hiking paths near Willow River State Park Campground provide access to waterfalls and diverse terrain. "We did SO many miles hiking! And at certain points in the river, you are able to get in and swim," reports one visitor. The park features both paved and unpaved trails suitable for various skill levels.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning or evening hours offer the best opportunities for spotting local wildlife. "We had a few run ins with white tail deer further in the brush," reports a winter visitor to William O'Brien State Park. Spring and early summer months provide optimal bird watching conditions, with multiple species visible throughout the region.
What campers like
Natural water features: The cascading waterfalls at Willow River State Park attract hikers and photographers. "Beautiful waterfall at the end of the hiking trail," notes one camper. The falls area is approximately a one-mile hike from many campsites and remains accessible year-round, though water flow varies seasonally.
Family amenities: Country Camping RV Park receives positive feedback for its recreational options. "Great variety of things to do for everyone. Group sites, tent sites, covered wagon sites! Floating on the Rum River, swimming pool with splash pad, little camp store, Golf cart rentals! Our grandkids love it too!" writes one regular visitor.
Seasonal events: Fall color viewing draws crowds in late September through mid-October. "We stayed at Site 117 [at William O'Brien]. The fire pit was clean and had a grate on top. There were trees to hang a hammock," reports a camper who visited during a less crowded Sunday evening. Weekday camping generally offers more privacy and better site availability.
What you should know
Reservation timing: State parks fill quickly during peak seasons. At William O'Brien State Park Campground, one camper advises: "Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop."
Cell coverage: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "Cell reception for T-Mobile was minimal to non-existent. Wifi is available in the visitor center parking lot," notes a William O'Brien camper. At Wildwood RV Park, a visitor reports: "Sadly I needed 4 hours of internet and my cellular data here was spotty. I spent this time right outside the office."
Site privacy: Campsite spacing differs between facilities. "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah [William O'Brien] are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites," shares one camper. Another notes that "Sites 98, 110, 111, 112, 113, and 114 are right on the road into the campground with some tree coverage and prairie behind. These do not feel very private at all."
Tips for camping with families
Splash features: The water play areas at Dakotah Meadows RV Park provide entertainment for younger campers. The park maintains "cement parking pads with full hookups" and "the grass around the lots is very green, lush and well maintained," according to a visitor, making it comfortable for family setups.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment for children. At Country Camping Tent & RV Park, a family notes: "I stayed here 3 weeks ago with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool the spaces were well kept and spaced apart 10-10 would most defiantly go again! A ton for the kids to do!"
Budget-friendly activities: Free hiking trails and water access provide economic options for family entertainment. At North Park RV Campground, one visitor notes the park offers "tennis, frisbee golf, skateboard park, BB hoops, boat launch, swimming" and is an "easy walk to downtown," providing multiple no-cost activity options.
Tips from RVers
Site surface considerations: The composition of RV sites affects comfort and setup. At Treasure Island RV Park, a reviewer explains it's "basically a parking lot with mostly pull through sites" but "is well maintained, the sites are level, the park was clean, and the utilities were in good working order."
Pet accommodations: Most rv campgrounds near Stillwater, Minnesota welcome pets with specific guidelines. One Treasure Island RV Park visitor notes: "They are dog friendly and have some grassy areas to walk your pets which was great," though the predominant gravel surface requires walks to designated areas.
Utility reliability: Power capacity matters during peak usage times. A camper at Country Camping Tent & RV Park reports: "Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off then it was fine. Also very hot and humid so everyone was running AC to the max." RVers should prepare for potential utility fluctuations during extreme weather conditions.
