The Grantsburg area sits in northwestern Wisconsin near the St. Croix River, which serves as a natural border with Minnesota. At approximately 900 feet above sea level, this region experiences cold winters with temperatures frequently dropping below 10°F and warm summers averaging in the mid-80s. Camping options span both Wisconsin and Minnesota sides of the river, with many sites offering direct water access for paddling activities.
What to Do
River exploration: Many campers enjoy paddling the St. Croix River during summer months. At Wild River State Park Campground, visitors can explore miles of the scenic riverway. "I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails," notes Joanna B.
Winter activities: The camping season extends year-round with snow-based recreation. "We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp. The campground was fully reserved but was empty, the low was 10 so people must have bowed out," writes one winter visitor to Wild River State Park. The park maintains groomed ski trails and offers special events during winter months.
Agility course for dogs: Banning RV Park and Campground features a unique dog recreation area. According to Janet R., there was a "huge dog walking and play area that was grassy and beautifully clean—and, of special interest, included a complete dog playground with all the standard elements of a dog agility course!"
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Many campsites offer good separation from neighbors. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, "the sites are spacious, and the loop we were in (whichever one site 52 is in) all had decent tree cover," according to Krista T. This creates a sense of seclusion even at busier campgrounds.
Wildlife sightings: The region supports diverse animal populations visitors regularly encounter. Kate H. from Wild River State Park reports, "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls." Black squirrels are also common in the area.
Riverside camping options: Several campgrounds offer sites directly overlooking or near the water. "Backpack site Buck Hill is right on the river, beautiful view to the east. Circled by flowers (goldenrod in the late summer), brush and trees. End of the path so zero foot traffic/passersby," describes amber N. about a secluded river site at Wild River.
What You Should Know
Water hookups can be shared: Some campgrounds have shared water connections. At Banning RV Park and Campground, Sam C. notes, "We were quick to learn that water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots... Ours source ended up being 75' plus from our RV."
Cell service is limited: Many campgrounds in the area have poor connectivity. According to Katherine T., at Wild River State Park you'll find "Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance." Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park offers a similar digital detox experience.
Seasonal bug considerations: Mosquitos can be problematic in certain months. "It was very buggy, so be prepared for that," warns one camper at Old Logging Trail. Another visitor suggests, "Highly recommend fogging your site or having a bug enclosure to help ward of the mosquitos."
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly amenities: Country Camping Tent & RV Park offers numerous activities for children. "It has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites!" according to Spencer C., making it ideal for families seeking glamping in Grantsburg, Wisconsin area.
Consider site location: Some campgrounds have varying bathroom accessibility. Kate H. advises about Wild River State Park: "Only one shower house and we had to drive there, the primitive toilet smelled so bad it burned! If we did come back we would definitely camp closer to the shower house."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer interpretive programs. Joanna B. mentions, "The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing." The visitor centers often provide additional learning activities for children.
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing matters: Setting up in daylight makes for easier camping. One RVer at Banning RV Park notes, "Campground was very dark in the area of campsites which made setting up a bit difficult. Our sites were grass that was a little long and rutted from what seemed from previous tenants."
Leveling challenges: Some sites require extra attention for level positioning. "This made getting leveling a little difficult and our fold out stairs touched the ground before fully being deployed," reports Sam C. about their RV experience at Banning. Bringing leveling blocks is advisable for many area campgrounds.
Proximity to amenities: When seeking luxury camping or glamping in Grantsburg area, consider location within the campground. "We stayed in the campground for two nights. It was cold, rainy, and that turned into 5" of snow. Like many MN State Park campgrounds, you are close to your neighbors with no real private offerings," shares Erik R. about his Paint Rock Springs Campground stay.
