The St. Croix River Valley provides a diverse range of camping options around Osceola, Wisconsin. Established campgrounds such as Interstate State Park, William O'Brien State Park, and Wildwood RV Park & Campground offer developed sites for tent and RV camping. Several parks in the area feature cabin accommodations, including Wild River State Park and Big Rock Creek. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water, restroom facilities, and fire rings with picnic tables. The riverside location creates opportunities for water-based recreation while still maintaining proximity to small towns for supplies.
Camping in this region is available year-round at several state parks, though amenities may be reduced during winter months. "What a beautiful park! The river is gorgeous, the waterfalls, the pot holes! There were a lot of stairs though but worth the hike," noted one visitor about Interstate State Park. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. The Wisconsin and Minnesota sides of the St. Croix River both offer camping options, allowing visitors to explore both states during a single trip. Campgrounds near highways provide easier access but may experience road noise, while more remote sites offer greater quiet and privacy. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide electrical hookups, though amp ratings vary by location.
Campers consistently highlight the scenic river views, hiking trails, and paddling opportunities in their reviews. Wildwood RV Park receives positive feedback for its family-friendly atmosphere and river access. A review mentioned, "We love this RV Park & Campground because of the location with having so much to do on and off-site." Interstate State Park stands out for its distinctive geological features, including glacial potholes and rock formations that attract hikers and climbers. The region's campgrounds typically offer a mix of open and wooded sites, with some providing waterfront locations. Visitors note that sites with river views tend to book quickly during peak season. Several campgrounds in the area accommodate larger RVs with full hookups, while others maintain more rustic sites better suited for tent camping.
$24 - $50 / night
"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"
"Interstate State Park is situated along the St Croix River just outside the small town of Taylor Falls, MN."
$25 - $90 / night
"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."
$23 - $90 / night
"Stayed for two nights at a drive-in double site here and found it ideal for autumn camping."
"We stayed in campsite 29 in the drive in campsite over Labor Day weekend."
"There is a newly filled lake after the reconstruction of the dam. This is a non motorized lake for paddling, swimming and fishing."
"Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"
$44 - $75 / night
"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!"
$15 - $28 / night
"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."
$35 - $65 / night
"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!"
$23 - $80 / night
"Well placed sites nestled near lovely walking trails - Very nice water hook ups and electric- well maintained! Loved this Camping Site!"
"For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."
$30 - $150 / night
"This this is an amazing Campground with two heated pools one up top and one down below they're also campsites located right alongside the river the campground offers tubing disc golf and many other activities"
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.
ScoutWe 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.
RangerSo, I think you know what you are signing up for here when you stay camp at the backpacking site at Afton, but let me fill in some of the blanks. #1 yes, the hill climb is as big of an effort as other people have said. You will feel like you earned your dinner. I may have found a hack for this, but more in that later. #2 the site are mostly private. I stayed on site #12. I could see (and they could have seen me) site #9, but thankfully no one was there. That would have been a bummer to have other looking into my site. There is even a semi-worn path between 12 and 9. They would make a good combo if you have a group. Other than that, totally secluded. As far space at #12, you could build as big of a tent structure there as you would need, easily room for a massive 16’x24’ palace (if you would dare to carry it) or anything smaller. An Eagle Scout project built hammock posts at this site, so it is ideal for that set up. #3 the campground amenities are very nice. The solar powered water works great year round, the two pits toilets (if you can even call them that) are very new and nice. And the coolest campground feature is the cut your own firewood station. I went a little overboard since it was so nice and had a way bigger fire than I needed. Bring your own saw and you will love it too. #4 After walking around the park, I discovered a possible hack. There is an unmarked entrance to the park on the north side. Instead of walking all my gear back to the parking lot, I walked the .5 miles to the service entrance, dropped my pack, and then walked the 1.8 miles back to the parking lot. I tend to carry too much. The flat short walk to drop my gear was worth it. Then I drop around the park and picked up my stuff. Probably not MN DNR endorsed way to do it, but I was proud of my discovery. All in, this is a unique and wonderful camping experience. Highly recommend.
GuideNice spot with plenty of space between sites, which gives you some privacy. It’s right off a busy road, so you’ll hear some traffic noise. The hunters were out during my stay, so there were gunshots throughout the day, but that’s to be expected this time of year. Overall, a good spot for a quick overnight stay and it’s conveniently close to the cities.
RangerI was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!
This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.
This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.
This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.
This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!
This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!
TravelerNever again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin
GuideInterstate State Park has some nice features, but overall it wasn’t my favorite. Many of the exterior loop sites have river access, which was a highlight, and we didn’t have to deal with mosquitoes thanks to being right on the water. The nearby towns are also very charming and worth exploring.
That said, the campground is small and very crowded, likely because it’s so close to the Cities and popular with canoe rentals. Expect a lot of traffic noise, and in the fall, migrating geese can be very loud (which didn’t bother me, but might for some). The ranger office had limited hours, and since firewood is locked up, there’s no self-serve option. Another downside: a riverboat cruises by frequently, blasting music in the evenings and giving tours during the day.
The sites are close together, with RVs and tents mixed on one loop, so generator noise is common. It wasn’t a terrible stay, but just too small and busy for my preference—I don’t think I’d return.
Best sites seemed to be 21 (great river views, less private), 23 (fun detached tent pad), and 18 (most private). Sites 4–5 were also lovely but close to the bathrooms and camp host, so expect more foot traffic.
ScoutJust a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy
TravelerSites are a little close with little to no privacy in most. Fun little trails nearby for an afternoon walk. Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All rv sites are the listed length plus 16’ for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out.
Campgrounds near Osceola, Wisconsin offer a wide range of terrain for camping, from riverside spots to wooded retreats. The St. Croix River Valley features glacial-formed landscapes with hardwood forests and river bluffs at elevations ranging from 675 to 800 feet above sea level. Winter camping is available at several locations, though winter temperatures regularly drop below 10°F in December through February.
Paddle the St. Croix River: Interstate State Park provides excellent river access for kayakers and canoeists. "We had some challenge getting past the island with such low waters, but we persevered. If you launch from the River Bottoms Picnic Area boat launch, you can avoid those challenges," notes one visitor about Interstate Park on the Wisconsin side.
Explore glacial potholes: Both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of Interstate State Park feature unique geological formations. "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," reports a camper at Minnesota Interstate State Park.
Stargaze at designated areas: Wild River State Park offers dedicated star viewing spots. "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," comments a visitor who appreciated the clear night skies.
Private, wooded campsites: Wild River State Park offers secluded camping experiences. "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," shares a reviewer who appreciated the sense of seclusion at Wild River State Park.
Riverside camping: Many campsites allow direct river access. "When we first arrived to Interstate State Park our very first thought was 'that this is awful'. We hoped that our campsite that we had reserved was not as equals to those on the lower end of the northside, very open space more field like then camp ground to us. And then we came upon our site. With a waterfall on the back side and saint croix river on the other. I could not asked for a better site," explains a visitor.
Winter camping opportunities: Some parks offer winter camping experiences. "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. The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent," reports a winter visitor to Wild River State Park who enjoyed both snowshoeing and skiing.
Campsite privacy varies significantly: At William O'Brien State Park, site selection matters. "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites. I wouldn't want to stay here when the loop is fully reserved. On a Sunday evening with only one other site reserved, it felt like I had the place to myself," explains a camper at William O'Brien State Park.
Seasonal flooding impacts: River levels can drastically change access. "We stayed at William O'Brien in the middle of February with two college roommates. As you can imagine, this meant snow was everywhere in the heart of winter in Minnesota. We decided to take a night trek through the park. The moon was very bright that night so visibility was excellent."
Highway noise affects some sites: Traffic sounds reach certain campsites. "Site 11 is on the overpass side so there was vehicle noise or varying volume the whole time. Site 11 is partially shaded and that allowed us enough sun to top off the Jackery when needed," notes a visitor to Interstate Park Wisconsin.
Kayaking with kids: Wildwood RV Park offers family-friendly water activities. "The kayaking/canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6," shares a visitor to Wildwood RV Park & Campground.
Swimming options: Lake Elmo Park Reserve offers unique swimming facilities. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," explains a visitor to Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
Park programs: Some campgrounds offer organized activities for children. "On Saturday nights they have a campgound program for the kids and families to watch. Very organized and clean facilities. Reasonably priced," notes a Lake Elmo visitor about the weekend entertainment options.
Best sites for RVs: At Willow River State Park, site selection matters. "We stayed at Site 133 and found it to be fairly spacious. One downside was that there's a trail running just behind the site, and several campers cut through our area to access it, which disrupted the sense of privacy," shares a camper at Willow River State Park.
Electric hookup information: Some sites have limited electrical capacity. "The electricity was not for a 30 amp hook up. It's 50 amp or use an adapter. We used the adapter and blew a circuit breaker when we used the A/C and the microwave at the same time," warns a visitor to Big Rock Creek.
Leveling requirements: Site terrain varies across camping sites near Osceola. "We stayed at #65: smallish but adequate, sloped down on (South) passenger side on backing in—needed leveling blocks for our squaredrop. Tentpad was small but workable," notes a camper at Interstate Park Wisconsin regarding the site conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Osceola, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Osceola, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 141 campgrounds and RV parks near Osceola, WI and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Osceola, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Osceola, WI is Interstate State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 52 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Osceola, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Osceola, WI.
What parks are near Osceola, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Osceola, WI that allow camping, notably Saint Croix National Scenic River and Eau Galle Lake.
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