169 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The St. Croix River Valley around Luck, Wisconsin features a range of campgrounds amid forests and waterways. Several developed campgrounds like Wild River State Park, Interstate State Park, and D N Campground provide facilities for tent and RV camping, with most sites offering electric hookups and shower facilities. Straight Lake State Park Campground offers more rustic tent camping experiences with hike-in sites, while specialty accommodations such as the cabin options at Big Rock Creek provide glamping-style lodging for those seeking more comfort. Most campgrounds in the area maintain proximity to water features, particularly the St. Croix River and its tributaries like the Apple River.
Camping areas around Luck operate primarily from May through October, with some facilities like Wild River State Park remaining open year-round for winter camping enthusiasts. Water access represents a significant draw but also affects seasonal availability, especially during spring flooding periods. The terrain features a mix of flat riverside sites and more elevated wooded areas that provide natural screening between campsites. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when visitation peaks. Cell coverage varies significantly throughout the region, with better reception near the small towns of Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls. As one camper noted, "There are two parking lots. Path in good condition. Fire ring and picnic table with private site. 10 total."
Campers consistently highlight the region's outdoor recreation opportunities, with hiking trails, kayaking, and fishing frequently mentioned in reviews. The Ice Age Trail runs through portions of the area, providing connectivity between camping areas and longer-distance hiking options. State park campgrounds generally offer more privacy between sites compared to private campgrounds, though several visitors note that the private campgrounds provide better amenities and river access. "The river shore, when we visited, was blocked by lots of vegetation, geese droppings with one small access point which would be great for kayaks," reported one visitor about Straight Lake State Park. Campgrounds located farther from the main highways tend to offer more seclusion but may have limited facilities. Mosquitoes represent a common complaint during summer months, particularly in wooded areas near water.
"We stayed in campsite 29 in the drive in campsite over Labor Day weekend."
"Stayed for two nights at a drive-in double site here and found it ideal for autumn camping."
from $23 - $90 / night
Check Availability"This is a state park on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix River, which is mirrored by a comparable but smaller state park in Minnesota on the wrst side of the river, both being part of the wild and scenic"
"Having grown up in Wisconsin I would visit the St Croix Falls side frequently. Swimming and hiking the bluff many an afternoon."
from $24 - $50 / night
Check Availability"This campground is a great option close to the Twin Cities. There are small number of hike in camp sites with nearby water (Straight Lake). The park offered carts to help pack in camping supplies. "
"On by the stream connecting straight lake and Rainbow Trout lake. Path good condition. Fire ring and picnic table with private site 10 total)."
"We live in Minneapolis and love having this camp close to home, yet far enough to feel like we are up north. We come here a lot during the summer! The camp is rustic, in a good way."
"This is an awesome campground in a wooded setting just outside of the nearby town. Can't wait to come back!"
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $225 - $500 / night
Check Availability"I had read somewhere that sites 65 and 67 had direct access to the river--true! But the path does come off the camp road and it really does serve the entire campground, so anyone can use it. "
"Beautiful sites but be careful when booking as some sites are very close to others. North campground is about 1/2 mile from downtown Taylor Falls via a bridge. So a quick walk to town is possible."
from $15 - $28 / night
Check Availability"Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."
"Our site was a non-electric site on the outside ring, with just a thin slip of woods and a hiking trail between us and the St. Croix river."
from $25 - $90 / night
Check Availability"We had a last minute idea to go camping on Labor Day weekend, hopefully omewhere near St Croix Falls so we could visit Interstate State Park and explore the surrounding area. "
"In June 2024 we had a one day primitive spot on sperry lane you can drive over a tight steel bridge “crossing a small creek."
"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."
"The kids tried the bike trail that they could access right from the campground.
Plenty of space to social distance. We never felt uncomfortable and everything was really clean!"
from $44 - $75 / night
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ScoutThe Veterans Campground is by far the best campground we have ever been to! The people are amazing The grounds are well kept, very clean. This is our home away from home. It's the perfect place for your kids to be kids like we did in the 90's home by the time the street lights come on. Us parents can finally relax!
TravelerStaying here currently & they have been very accommodating, friendly & flexible. Water & electric hookup but no sewer however there is a dump station, a bathhouse with real toilets & nice showers. Pretty quiet for being so close to the main highway. My cats are able to free roam the property & my dog can be tied up outside. Usually pretty nice neighbors too.
ScoutFound this spot pretty late at night, pulled in to see a sign that says No Camping. Had to backtrack to the highway and found a truck stop for the night.
TravelerElectric hookup, dump station on site. Sites are a little close together. $25/night with a 7 day max stay.
LegendInterstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35. The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby. There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.
The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin. The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age. The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.
There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites. The South is a bit more rustic. The showers are located at the North campground.
For amenities there are flush toilets and showers. There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities.
This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area. You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options. If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.
Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the hwy crossing over the river. The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.
TravelerWe stayed here with a group of hot tent campers in early January. The site is large and had a couple of fire pits. Includes a few picnic tables, and a pit toilet. It's a beautiful open area not far from the parking lot with a gorgeous view of the St. Croix River.
ScoutThe sites are VERY close to each other.
TravelerWe visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
ScoutMany sites with lake access! Clean as I've ever seen a campground!
Camping options around Luck, Wisconsin feature a mix of state parks and private facilities, with elevations ranging between 925-1150 feet throughout the St. Croix River Valley region. The area's northern location offers cooler summer temperatures than nearby Minneapolis, typically 5-10°F lower during peak camping season. Winter camping is available at select locations, though most facilities close from late October through April.
Kayaking the St. Croix River: Access the river from Interstate State Park's North Campground where "Several people seemed to be there in groups, but we had no issues with noise. The pit toilets were cleaned and stocked with TP and sanitizer." Sites near the water provide convenient river access with "a small beach, boat dock for canoes and kayaks and fishing" available at D N Campground.
Ice Age Trail hiking: Follow glacier-formed terrain through multiple campgrounds in the region. "We loved the trails. It was easy to takes hikes of varying lengths. There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling -so many shades of green!" reports a camper at William O'Brien State Park.
Explore glacial potholes: Visit the unique geological formations at Interstate Park. "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. Some are so big that they still to this day have no idea how deep they go."
Private campsites: Many locations offer good site separation. At Wild River State Park, campers appreciate that "The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. The park rangers were very helpful and informative." Sites vary in privacy levels across the region.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies are frequently mentioned in reviews. "This is a solid state park offering. The sites are decently spaced with good tree cover... The star gazing area was great!" noted one visitor to Wild River State Park. Similar conditions exist at many campgrounds in the region, especially those farther from town lights.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse animal populations. At Interstate State Park Wisconsin, visitors enjoy "many interesting trails" with wildlife sightings common. Another camper at Wild River State Park mentioned: "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. "We had a last minute idea to go camping on Labor Day weekend... As luck would have it, there were no campsites available at any of the local state parks on the Wisconsin side or Minnesota side of the river."
Site selection considerations: Research carefully before booking as site quality varies significantly. "Be careful when booking as some sites are very close to others," warns a camper at Interstate State Park Wisconsin. For tent campers, one visitor to Straight Lake State Park noted: "There are two parking lots. Path good condition. Fire ring and picnic table with private site. 10 total."
Shower availability: Facilities range widely between campgrounds. "The bathrooms had been renovated" at one location, while at others "The pit toilets in the South Camp were not the cleanest, but it was a big end-of-summer holiday weekend. Some went up to use the showers at North Camp and they said they were nice (strong water pressure)."
Swimming access: Several campgrounds offer water access for children. At Wildwood RV Park & Campground, "The pool and playground were clean and nice. Our site had it's own picnic table and firepit." Another family mentioned "The kayaking/canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6."
Playground amenities: Multiple locations feature play areas. "Along the river is a small beach, boat dock for canoes and kayaks and fishing, and a nice playground for kids" at D N Campground, providing entertainment options beyond hiking.
Noise considerations: Sound carries between sites at many locations. One camper at Wild River State Park reported that "Noise seemed to travel between sites, I had some loud neighbors during the day but they settled down before quiet hours." Family groups should select sites away from main roads when possible.
Limited big rig access: Many campgrounds have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Big Rock Creek, "We came up with our camper with the expectation we'd have electric and water hook ups... 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."
Levelness challenges: Prepare for uneven sites. "Site was level and plenty. There was a shallow area not far from our door that we put the picnic table in as it seemed likely to be a place to fall otherwise," reported a camper at Interstate State Park Wisconsin.
Electric site limitations: While many campgrounds offer electric sites, they fill quickly and may have restrictions. One camper noted that Interstate State Park has "very small sites" and recommends against picking "a site inside the loop (the electrical hookup sites) if you want privacy."
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available near Luck, Wisconsin?
Luck, Wisconsin offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Straight Lake State Park Campground features hike-in sites near Straight Lake with cart assistance for gear transport and access to the Ice Age Trail. Interstate State Park along the St. Croix River offers traditional campsites with spectacular scenery including unique glacial potholes and river views. Other nearby options include D N Campground, Highland Ridge with clean facilities and great for RVs, Anchor Woods Campground, and Big Rock Creek with water and toilet facilities. For those willing to drive slightly further, Wild River and William O'Brien State Parks in Minnesota provide additional camping opportunities with excellent hiking trails and river access.
What camping is available near Luck, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Luck, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 169 campgrounds and RV parks near Luck, WI and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Luck, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Luck, WI is Wild River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 45 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Luck, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Luck, WI.
What parks are near Luck, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Luck, WI that allow camping, notably Saint Croix National Scenic River and St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
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