Camping near Grantsburg, Wisconsin centers around the St. Croix River watershed with several state forests and parks within a 30-mile radius. The area lies at approximately 900 feet elevation with sandy soil and mixed hardwood forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during camping season, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for nighttime temperatures that can drop below 50°F.
What to do
Hike the riverside trails: Wild River State Park offers secluded hiking with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. "The park is huge and beautiful. We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise," reports Joanna B. at Wild River State Park Campground.
Kayak the St. Croix: Access the river at Snake River County Park for day trips on the water. "About a mile or so walk to the Saint Croix River. Camp grounds have restrooms, water (have to boil or purify it)," notes Chrystina G. at Snake River County Park Campground.
Explore glacial formations: Visit Interstate State Park to see unique geological features including potholes formed by glacial activity. "The draw here is the world's largest glacial potholes. When the river ran 200' higher than it does today, tornados of water eroded smooth round, massive holes in the rock," explains Erik R. who visited the park.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Many sites at St. Croix State Park provide natural separation between campers. "The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. The park rangers were very helpful and informative," shares Stephanie H. from Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Banning State Park offers chances to see diverse bird species in their natural habitat. "The real magic of Banning State Park was the beautiful river and the fauna. It was so so incredibly beautiful. Tall and lush trees in every direction! We also saw several different Warblers!" writes Tori M. at Banning State Park Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer open areas with minimal light pollution. "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," notes Katherine T. about her experience at Wild River State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal bug challenges: Mosquitoes can be intense, especially in early summer. "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.
Limited shade at some sites: Several campgrounds have experienced storms that reduced tree cover. "The sites here are very open and there is little trees or shrubs. Some of the campsite around the very outer edge have some coverage, which is helpful in the hot summer sun," explains Amber Z. about Paint Rock Springs Campground.
Tick awareness needed: Take precautions when hiking with pets or children. "We did visit during a tick-heavy time of year, so we had to have protection and removal tool ready, especially after hiking all day," reports Emily.Michael B. who stayed at St. Croix Family Campground.
Traveler
