Interstate State Park on the Wisconsin side accommodates pets across both tent and RV sites with well-maintained trails and river access. Campers note that the North Campground has good separation between most sites, making it comfortable for those traveling with animals. Several pet-friendly campgrounds cluster around the St. Croix River valley, including Camp Waub-O-Jeeg and Wild River State Park Campground, both offering water and electric hookups for RV campers with pets. The Minnesota side of Interstate State Park maintains similar pet policies with spacious riverfront sites that provide convenient access to walking paths.
Pet owners frequently use the River Trail at Interstate State Park, a 1.1-mile path with scenic overlooks suitable for leashed dogs. The St. Croix River provides water access at several points, including a small beach area accessible from South Campground site 65, perfect for dogs that enjoy swimming. Wildwood RV Park & Campground offers full hookups with both 30 and 50-amp service for RVers traveling with pets. During summer months, early morning walks are recommended as the glacial pothole trails can become busy with visitors. All campgrounds in the area require pets to remain leashed when outside vehicles or campers, and owners should be prepared for wildlife encounters including deer and small mammals.
$23 - $90 / night
"We stayed in campsite 29 in the drive in campsite over Labor Day weekend."
"Great trails! Most sites are located along the river. We were at the furthest location called buck hill. About a 2 mile hike from your car."
$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."
$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
"Taylor’s Falls and St Croix Falls nearby. Great hiking in the hardwoods in the campground or along the scenic St Croix river."
"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."
"Campsites are pretty private except to people walking the trails. The falls are gorgeous!! Great for swimming when the water is not too high."
"There is a newly filled lake after the reconstruction of the dam. This is a non motorized lake for paddling, swimming and fishing."
"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."
TravelerIt’s rustic with charm. Friendly management that will surprise you with their willingness to make your experience the best it can be. Taylor’s Falls and St Croix Falls nearby. Great hiking in the hardwoods in the campground or along the scenic St Croix river.
GuideHaving grown up in Wisconsin I would visit the St Croix Falls side frequently. Swimming and hiking the bluff many an afternoon. Now that I live in Minnesota, I find myself frequenting the Taylors Falls side. Here you have the amazing "Pot Holes" from glacial waters and some pretty spectacular rock climbing. My son does that, I belay and cringe from the bottom! No papers need to be shown when crossing the border and a visit to either side of the beautiful St Croix River is well worth the trip! Not far from the MN side is a lovely sculpture park in Franconia - check it out should you find yourself in this part of the state - both are well worth the visit and the sculpture park is FREE!
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.
GuideThis campsite is about an hour away from where I live. The listing here on The Dyrt seemed promising, and I hoped that by getting out there early I would find a nice spot. I first went to the National Park Service Scenic Riverway Visitor Center in St. Croix Falls to obtain a permit and learned that I don't need one for Sandrock Cliffs, I was already there so I got one anyway. About 40 minutes later I arrived at Sandrock Cliffs. The campsites all have a fire ring and are decently spaced apart, but most of the sites were full of trash and broken tent poles. There was a large group of kids that arrived by canoe/kayak just after I did. Soon the parking lot was also full of cars of some shady looking people who appeared to be looking for a spot to party. The kids seemed to have deterred these people from staying. I set up my camp and started to read a book. The kids began running through my campsite and upset my dog. After 3 times of them running through my campsite I just packed up and went home. Since this spot is accessible by road I'm assuming that its best not to visit in the summer, it seems to be a place that gets abused by the locals as a party area. I may consider visiting again in the fall when it is hopefully less busy.
LegendWe 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. As luck would have it, there were no campsites avaialble at any of the local state parks on the Wisconsin side or Minnesota side of the river. So, we checked for other area campgrounds and discovered this gem of a private campground right on the shores of the Apple River. This is mostly a campground that rents seasonal sites to RV owners, and these are tucked away in the woods near the river with a real sense of privacy. But, for the casual camper, they also have a swath of sites located right ON the river, including sites with hookups if desired, or a separate lane of very large and very secluded tent sites also right on the river that I dare say are nicer than any of the tent sites at area state parks. The Apple River is really beautiful, and if we had brought our kayaks we could have plopped them right in the river from our campsites and had an amazing paddlle on this pristine tributary of the St Croix. (See attached photo for map of the Apple River upstream towards its various headwaters lakes. Further down the Apple River is a canyon and whitewater section for tubing or paddling:
https://www.stcroix360.com/2013/06/floating-the-apple-river-canyon/)
We were in site T3, which had an electric hookup used by friends who joined us in their van; there was also a water hookup which was handy even if we didnt hook up to it. There was a fair amount of space at our site, but If we were to come back again we would want a bit more space and privacy so we would absolutely go for one of the tent sites, any one of them would be great! The campground over all is clean and well maintained, a lot of retired folks as seasonal campers but also a lot of families with kids, and a nice family atmosphere. Given that is was Labor Day weekend and every site ended up being taken, you might expect it to be busy and loud, but it was pleasant and quiet, and the neighbors friendly, The bathrooms and showers were clean and well kept, and bleach water disinfectant was avaialble to wipe down surfaces if anyone had concenrs. There is a small pub with a patio attached to the campground office, but it was surprisingly quiet and low key. There is volleyball and more outdoor games adjacent, and this is all a bit set apart from the campground anyway. Along the river is a small beach, boat dock for canoes and kayaks and fishing, and a nice playground for kids. It is a good 20-minutes to half hour drive to Interstate State Park and the Falls towns, which has pluses and minuses. We also took the opportunity to try some hiking a little closer to the campground, and enjoyed the Stower Seven Lakes Trail on the old Soo Line : https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/stower
Other outdoor activities and special places to visit in Polk County near the campground:
https://www.co.polk.wi.us/landinfowisdnrmaps
Really a lovely spot, and a nice surprise.
TravelerWe 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. Lots of trees, nice sites with water and electric and a dump station (that’s not stinky!) Bathrooms have been renovated recently too.
Depending on what type of camper you are, there are lots of options. What you won’t find is an RV Park that is open and on top of each other. There are sites big enough for large campers, there are drive-in tent sites (several have been upgraded with electric this year), and a few walk-in sites. There are some seasonal campers too who are friendly and willing to help out if you need something.
A previous review mentioned the roads. They washed out one night when there was really heavy rain and big storms but the owners where fixing them right away the next day. They said that happens now and then because it is a dirt road but they have all the equipment to fix them promptly. You can tell they care a lot about the campground and they are very attentive. They are good about coming around and monitoring what’s going on. They enjoy good conversation too.
It is a kid friendly campground. I often see kids meeting each other from different sites and then hanging out and playing games together. There are nice playgrounds on both the A and B hill.
The campground owners are great and very helpful. They will help you get situated into your site and bring you firewood and even a cooked Heggies pizza! They are also great about explaining the different sites and making sure it will work for the type of camping you are doing. They truly are hosts!
There is a walking path down to the river and the Lions Park is in walking distance. There is a big hill up into the campground, (because of the river) but there is parking at the Lions Park if you want to drive. The Lions Park also has a boat launch for the St. Croix and there is a parking lot at camp where you can store it during your stay.
Taylors Falls is two miles away where you will find cute shops, ice cream and good dining. St. Croix Falls is right over the river where you have more restaurants, a grocery store, Menards and a Walmart.
There are a few ATV’s and mini bikes but they mostly stay over on another hill where there are trails set up for them and no campsites are over there. If you enjoy riding, bring them along!
For the most part, people are respectful of the 10pm quiet hours. If people are loud, the campground owners have asked that you call them no matter how late so they can take care of it. They appreciate k owing if others are not being respectful, day or night.
The camp store has lots of necessities like ice, snacks, s’mores stuff and more. They have games you can check out and little items you may have forgotten at home.
We often stay at State Parks. We liked this camp because it is similar when it comes to rustic and wooded, but they don’t have all the strict rules like the State Parks. We will keep coming to Camp Waub O Jeeg!
GuideThis is a nice city campground with lovely views of the Rum River. There is a nice playground with a small climbing wall, benches to sit looking over the river. Picnic tables and a shelter are great for eating at. There is a dog park just across the river, within easy walking distance.
LegendThis 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 St Croix National Waterway. Although the campsites themselves are pretty run of the mill, the setting is spectacular in terms of breathtaking scenery, and myriad outdoor activities from rock climbing in the river gorge, paddling the river, hiking miles of trails, and learning geology at the Ice Age geology visitors center. If you are tenting camping, the south loop is great, and if you pick campsite 65 or 67 you will have direct access to the river which is peaceful and good for paddle opportunities. There are picnic areas with swimming along the river which is nice for group gatherings, and one is designated for folks with pets. Some of the rugged hiking trails along the bluffs and cliffs go right along the edge with minimal guard rails or walls, so keep a close eye on kids and pets because going over the edge is a possibility so utmost caution is advised.
GuideSites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground.
St. Croix Falls sits along the scenic St. Croix River forming the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. The river valley's glacial geology features distinctive basalt cliffs and potholes, with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping season. Winter camping opportunities exist at several parks in the area, though overnight temperatures can drop below 10°F from December through February.
Hiking glacial potholes: Interstate State Park on the Wisconsin side offers access to distinctive geological formations. "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," notes one visitor to Wild River State Park.
Star gazing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide designated viewing areas away from 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," reports a camper at Wild River State Park.
Paddling the Apple River: For water activities beyond the St. Croix, explore this pristine tributary. A visitor to D N Campground notes, "The Apple River is really beautiful, and if we had brought our kayaks we could have plopped them right in the river from our campsites and had an amazing paddle on this pristine tributary of the St Croix."
Private, wooded sites: The separation between campsites is notable at many campgrounds. "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," says one camper at William O'Brien State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to spot local fauna. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," shares a visitor to Wild River State Park.
Winter camping options: Several parks remain open year-round with unique seasonal experiences. "2/8/20-2/9/20. #91. First time to this park. It's a nice distance from the cities, not too far. 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 a winter camper at Wild River.
Site selection matters: Research specific site characteristics before booking. At Interstate Park, "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."
Seasonal closures: Check for construction or maintenance work before visiting. One camper at William O'Brien noted, "The east part of the park was all closed for construction. Everything on the east side of the highway was closed so we could not hike a lot of the trails or use the beach which was a challenge with kids."
Traffic noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise. "We stayed at site 11, one of the few non-electric sites in the North Campground. This site is on the overpass side so there was vehicle noise of varying volume the whole time," reports a camper at Interstate Park.
Canoe rentals for kids: Several outfitters provide family-friendly water experiences. At Wildwood RV Park & Campground, "Through a short weekend trip the camp site was a great size for us. Everyone was nice and friendly especially camp staff. The kayaking/canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6."
Dog friendly campgrounds near St. Croix Falls: Most state parks and private campgrounds accommodate pets. At Camp Waub-O-Jeeg, a visitor noted it's "a kid friendly campground. I often see kids meeting each other from different sites and then hanging out and playing games together. There are nice playgrounds on both the A and B hill."
Access to shower facilities: When camping with kids, shower access varies by campground. "Bathroom and shower house were great," reports a tent camper at Camp Waub-O-Jeeg, while at William O'Brien, a visitor noted "The shower house needed a cleaning as well. There is no adjusting the shower temperature. Push the button and you get what you get."
Electrical hookup options: Pet-friendly RV sites with hookups are available at several campgrounds. "We stayed at the North Campground at an electric site 26E for two nights in a hard side pop up. Nice campground with good separation between most sites," notes a camper at Interstate Park Wisconsin.
Wifi access limitations: Internet connectivity varies significantly by location. At Wildwood RV Park, "Sadly I needed 4 hours of internet and my cellular data here was spotty. I spent this time right outside the office." The campground offers wifi, but it's only reliable near the main building.
River access for sites: Some campgrounds offer premium spots with direct water access. "We stayed at south camp #65. 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," explains a visitor to Interstate Park Wisconsin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near St. Croix Falls, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near St. Croix Falls, WI is Wild River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 45 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near St. Croix Falls, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 98 dog-friendly camping locations near St. Croix Falls, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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