Campsite options near Taylors Falls, Minnesota include walk-in tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and specialty accommodations like geodesic domes and yurts. The surrounding area sits within the St. Croix River Valley at approximately 750 feet above sea level, featuring distinctive glacial terrain formed during the last ice age. Winter camping is available year-round at state parks, with temperatures dropping below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Hike the pothole trails: Interstate State Park features unique hiking experiences beyond the main pothole area. "Really cool hiking along the river, some of the trails where a little confusing and trying to figure out where we at, but we made it just hiked a little further than we wanted to," notes a visitor at Wild River State Park.
Kayak the St. Croix River: Paddle opportunities range from calm stretches to moderate rapids. A camper at Wildwood RV Park & Campground shares, "The kayaking/canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6."
Night sky viewing: Several campgrounds offer designated stargazing areas away from light pollution. "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet," reports a camper at Wild River State Park.
Winter activities: Multiple campgrounds maintain open sites for cold-weather camping. "2/8/20-2/9/20. #91. First time to this park. We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp... The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds feature secluded options with natural buffers. "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," explains a visitor at Wild River State Park.
River access sites: Campsites with direct water views rank highest in reviews. At Interstate State Park, one camper shares, "When we first arrived to Interstate State Park our very first thought was 'that this is awful'. We hoped that our campsite that we had reserved was not as equals to those on the lower end of the northside, very open space more field like then camp ground to us. And then we came upon our site. With a waterfall on the back side and saint croix river on the other."
Less crowded alternatives: Several smaller campgrounds offer quieter experiences than the main state parks. A visitor to Camp Waub-O-Jeeg notes, "We live in Minneapolis and love having this camp close to home, yet far enough to feel like we are up north. The camp is rustic, in a good way. Lots of trees, nice sites with water and electric and a dump station."
Tent-specific areas: Dedicated tent camping zones provide more natural settings. "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 and are nicely wooded, but you can still see neighboring sites," writes a Wildwood RV Park camper.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Campground layouts vary significantly, with some offering more privacy than others. "My site was #24. It was tiny and my neighbors were right on top of me. Even in April the campground was mostly full. Do not pick a site inside the loop (the electrical hookup sites) if you want privacy. A few of the sites along the river have a real nice view and are slightly more secluded," advises a camper at Interstate State Park.
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds feature steep access roads. A visitor to Lily Springs Regenerative Farm reports, "You park your car where the gravel driveway ends, and you have the choice to set up your tent down by the lake or in the upper area which is more by the goats. Be prepared to make multiple trips back and forth between your car and your campsite."
Noise factors: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds more than others. "Non-electric loop is quiet and enclosed. The power loop runs right along a 4-lane highway, which you can't really see but for sure will hear," notes a camper at Interstate State Park.
Winter preparedness: Cold-weather camping requires additional planning. "The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent. The sites were far enough apart and it looked like it would be more private when the leaves come in," shares a Wild River State Park winter camper.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Several campgrounds specifically cater to families with play areas and activities. A visitor to Camp Waub-O-Jeeg shares, "It is a kid friendly campground. I often see kids meeting each other from different sites and then hanging out and playing games together. There are nice playgrounds on both the A and B hill."
Nature programs: Check for ranger-led activities at state parks. "The park has many interesting trails," notes a visitor to Interstate Park Wisconsin, which offers similar educational opportunities to the Minnesota side.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds feature abundant wildlife. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," reports a Wild River State Park camper.
Beach alternatives: When official swimming areas are unavailable, look for river access points. "There is a great spot below the dam to cool off if needed," suggests a camper at Willow River State Park, which is within driving distance of Taylors Falls.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all campgrounds accommodate big rigs. "The roads are rough in spots. A lot of the negative reviews about this campground come from people who encounter issues trying to drive through here with campers," cautions a visitor to Camp Waub-O-Jeeg.
Electrical hookup variations: Power options vary widely between campgrounds. At Interstate State Park, a camper notes, "The electricity was not for a 30 amp hook up. It's 50 amp or us an adapter. We used the adapter and blew a circuit breaker when we used the A/C and the microwave at the same time."
Cellular connectivity: Service varies by provider and location. "Good ATT and Verizon cell service," reports a camper at Interstate Park Wisconsin, while another notes, "Cell reception was minimal to non-existent for T-Mobile" at William O'Brien State Park.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full RV services. Some, like Wildwood RV Park, provide complete hookups, while others offer only electric with a central dump station.
