Wild River State Park sits on a scenic bluff overlooking the St. Croix River, about 30 minutes from Osceola, Wisconsin. The park covers more than 7,000 acres with wooded terrain and river access points. Camping sites throughout the region can experience temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night in spring and fall seasons, making layered clothing essential for overnight stays.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Wild River State Park offers excellent deer spotting opportunities across its extensive grounds. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. We drove about fifteen minutes to get to a hiking spot along the St Croix river, worth the drive. There weren't many people on the trail and it was very pretty," notes Stephanie H. from Wild River State Park Campground.
Seasonal activities: Winter camping provides a completely different experience with snowshoeing and skiing 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," shares Joanna B. about her winter visit.
Fishing and paddling: The St. Croix River offers excellent fishing and paddling opportunities near all regional campsites. At Country Camping Tent & RV Park, "Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," according to David G., making it ideal for water activities.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of campsites near Osceola. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees," reports Stephanie H. about her experience at Wild River State Park.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies make for excellent star viewing at several campgrounds. Katherine T. mentions that at Wild River State Park, "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."
Year-round accessibility: Unlike many campgrounds that close seasonally, some spots near Osceola remain open all year. "Wild River State Park is my go-to campground since it is within an hour of my home. I make it my first place to camp every season," says Jeff L., highlighting the year-round appeal.
What you should know
Weather fluctuations: Spring camping can bring unexpected weather, including late-season snow. "I stayed in the campground for two nights. It was cold, rainy, and that turned into 5" of snow," reports Erik R. about his March experience at Wild River State Park.
Bug protection: Summer brings mosquitoes to the area, especially in wooded sites. At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, "The bugs are aggressive here, especially near the tent sites which are located near a swampy area," warns Zach H.
Noise levels: Some campgrounds have variable noise levels depending on your site location. "Noise seemed to travel between sites, I had some loud neighbors during the day but they settled down before quiet hours," notes Katherine T. about Wild River State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Some glamping locations close to Osceola, Wisconsin feature excellent facilities for children. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, "They have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved," says Arielle P.
Consider heated pools: For family glamping with swimming options, some campgrounds offer heated pools. "This campground is great for everyone! It's has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites!" according to Spencer C. at Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
Look for bathroom proximity: With young children, bathroom access becomes important. "We spent an entire day hiking and it was decent hiking along the river, some of the trails where a little confusing... Overall it was good camping trip, but if we did come back we would definitely camp closer to the shower house," advises Kate H. after staying at Wild River with her toddler.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When glamping near Osceola in an RV, site selection matters. At Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, "Stayed here when we got our first camper and it is nicely shaded large sites. Great walking paths and clean restrooms. Great for a quick weekend camping trip," reports Courtney C.
Hookup availability: Electric hookups are available at most sites, but full hookups vary by campground. "This place does have 30amp and 50amp hook ups and has pull through spots and sewer sites... Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!" notes Spencer C. about Country Camping.
Reserve early for wooded sites: RVers seeking shade should book well in advance. "Be sure to call the office ahead and let them know that you want a site with trees and not one backing up to the road," advises Diane A. based on her experience at Minneapolis Northwest KOA.
