Saint Croix State Forest and surrounding areas provide rustic camping experiences approximately 25 miles from Danbury, Wisconsin. The region features numerous primitive camping options across 33,000 acres of forest with access to the St. Croix River. Winter temperatures can drop below zero, while summer highs typically range from 75-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Hiking trails throughout park system: The Quarry Loop in Banning State Park combines natural beauty with historical exploration. "The Quarry Loop along the Kettle River has a ton of history, allowing you to explore the remains of the 130+ year old sandstone quarry. Seeing the drill holes in the cliffs was really cool and the remains of the old buildings were a highlight even to our small children," shares Jennifer H.
Canoe trips on the St. Croix: The river provides excellent paddling opportunities during summer months. "We rented canoes from the park and did the four hour canoe ride down the st Croix river which was super fun, I definitely recommend doing that," notes Stephanie H. from her trip to the area.
Wildlife viewing: The forests and waterways support diverse wildlife including bears and numerous bird species. "We biked from the campground to Lake Clayton and even saw a bear on our ride!" reports a camper who explored the park trails. Black squirrels are another common sighting at Paint Rock Springs Campground, with one visitor noting, "MANY BLACK Squirrels in the park!"
Fall foliage viewing: Late September through mid-October offers spectacular autumn colors. "We booked a site in advance and hoped to catch the fall colors. Fall came early in MN and it was just past peak. Most of the leaves were yellow (or on the ground), but it was still pretty," reports a camper who visited Banning State Park in October.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of St. Croix State Forest Boulder Campground. "For $17 a night you can't beat a state forest campgrounds. This is real camping for the kids. Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served," notes Daniel H., who adds that "the sites are spaced out and although it is a long drive in from the tar and gravel, it's worth the trip."
Cleanliness of facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained nature of facilities. At St. Croix River Resort, Dave T. emphasizes, "Very nice campground. Can't stress enough how CLEAN the restrooms and showers are. Cleaned 3x daily due to COVID."
Proximity to water: Access to rivers and lakes ranks highly in camper reviews. At Grace Lake Road Dispersed, Michael S. notes, "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."
Variety of landscapes: The mix of prairie, forest and riverfront appeals to visitors. One camper at Paint Rock Springs notes, "The prairie was beautiful this fall with all the native grasses and plants. There is a flat, brand new 5 mile paved bicycle path that goes from the campground to the beach. Many hiking trails! The trails along the river are beautiful in October."
What you should know
Seasonal insect activity: Mosquitoes can be particularly intense during summer months. "There were HOARDS OF MOSQUITOES. We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites," reports one camper who stayed at Riverview Campground with family.
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have better water sources than others. At Boulder Campground in St. Croix State Forest, Michael U. notes, "There's a hand pumped well, but the water is fairly brown. $17 per night. You can pay with an QR, or they have envelopes to mail the payment after you leave."
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. As one camper at Riverview states, "Cell service is fairly spotty here so come with podcasts or shows downloaded ahead of time!" Another visitor at Paint Rock Springs simply states, "Felt nice to spend a weekend without cell service about an hour away from home."
Reservation systems: While some campgrounds accept reservations, others operate on first-come, first-served basis. "This remote campground" has no reservation system, so as Daniel G. advises about Boulder Campground, "We got there around 10am on a Friday and there were a couple sites taken but the rest were up for grabs."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play areas for children. "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 and there are some nice trails," shares Joe S. from his stay at St. Croix River Resort.
Swimming spots: The river provides places to cool off, though conditions vary. "The swimming beach is a couple mile drive but the water was nice and cool. 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!" reports a family who stayed at Riverview Campground.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs suitable for children. The historical aspects particularly engage young visitors. "The hiking here is amazing! The Quarry Loop along the Kettle River has a ton of history, allowing you to explore the remains of the 130+ year old sandstone quarry. Seeing the drill holes in the cliffs was really cool and the remains of the old buildings were a highlight even to our small children," shares Jennifer H.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Danbury: Most campgrounds in the area welcome pets. At Pardun's Jack Pine Campground, pets are permitted at both tent and RV sites. "This campground is only a year old and offers 31 RV sites with full hookups 30- or 50-Amp Service (greywater dump at each site) and 19 wooded (some semi-private) tent sites," notes Joanna B., adding that pets are allowed throughout the facility.
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: The forest roads present challenges for larger rigs. "There is about 6 miles of dirt road back to this campground, but it is a decent dirt road and my trailer was in good shape inside when we arrived," notes Suzann A. about Boulder Campground, adding "it is a bit shady for solar panels to charge up the batteries."
Electrical options: Hookup availability varies significantly between campgrounds. Riverview Campground has electric sites, but Boulder Campground does not. Pardun's Jack Pine Campground provides full hookups with "greywater dump at each site" for $30 per night.
Site drainage: Weather preparedness matters as some sites handle rain better than others. Dave T. notes that at St. Croix River Resort, his "site drained VERY well during and after heavy rain."
Cellular connectivity: Signal strength varies across the area. Suzann A. reports from Boulder Campground: "Verizon Wireless signal 2 bars in many places," which is better than many campgrounds in the area that report minimal or no service.
Traveler
