Wild River State Park sits along 18 miles of the St. Croix River, offering access to both Minnesota and Wisconsin camping areas. The park features oak savanna, pine forests, and river valley terrain with elevations ranging from 770 to 915 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach the low 80s with cooler nights in the 60s, while spring can bring significant mud conditions on trails.
What to Do
Canoe the St. Croix River: At Wild River State Park Campground, visitors enjoy paddling opportunities. "We snowshoed and skied. 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., highlighting winter activities.
Stargazing in open areas: The region's low light pollution creates optimal night sky viewing conditions. "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance," says Katherine T. about Wild River State Park.
Hiking varied terrain: Boulder Campground in St. Croix State Forest offers more rugged trails. "This is a big park with a diversity of hiking, equestrian, and canoeing options. Since the park runs along the St. Croix, there are beautiful river-side walks to be had. There are also Oak Savanna trails," explains Erik R.
What Campers Like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded feel at St. Croix State Park's Old Logging Trail. "Clean, fairly private sites. Easy to get in and out. Walk in sites available. Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer," shares Tony J.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forests around Grantsburg support diverse animal populations. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," Kate H. enthusiastically reports about Wild River State Park.
River access for fishing: The St. Croix River watershed provides fishing spots. "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. We drove about fifteen minutes to get to a hiking spot along the St Croix river, worth the drive," says Stephanie H.
What You Should Know
Seasonal insect challenges: The river valleys create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. "St. Croix SP: was quite buggy due to a lot of recent rain. Highly recommend fogging your site or having a bug enclosure to help ward of the mosquitos," advises Tori K. from Riverview Campground.
First-come availability at state forest sites: Unlike state parks, some forest campgrounds operate differently. "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," Daniel H. explains about Boulder Campground.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the area. "Cell service was incredibly spotty on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting," notes Ari A. about Old Logging Trail.
Tips for Camping with Families
Water recreation options: Father Hennepin State Park offers lake-based activities near Grantsburg. "It's a beautiful camp site on Lake Mille Lacs. Quite and clean. Big beach area. Water is also very clean," says Sandra&Dunn.
Playgrounds and amenities: Some campgrounds offer additional facilities for children. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," mentions Tiffany W. about Bunker Hills Regional Park, which provides more structured recreation.
Horse-friendly trails and facilities: Multiple equestrian campgrounds near Grantsburg allow families with horses to ride together. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious," notes Doug B., describing the contrast between development and natural areas.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer electric service for RVs. "The upper loop(sits 45-64) is definitely more geared towards RVs, so not what I would consider an ideal tent site," Krista T. observes about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Large rig accessibility: "This campground is great for everyone! It's has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites! You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe,tube, or kayak. Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!" explains Spencer C. about Country Camping on the Rum River.
Weather considerations: RVers should prepare for temperature fluctuations. "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," reports Joanna B. about winter camping at Wild River State Park.
