Wild River State Park and St. Croix State Forest provide horse-friendly camping options within a 45-minute drive of Sarona, Wisconsin. The region features wooded terrain with mixed hardwood forests and pine stands at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,100 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day with cooler evenings around 55-65°F, while mosquitoes peak from late May through July.
What to do
Hiking with views: Wild River State Park offers scenic trails where you can spot wildlife and enjoy river vistas. "The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails. The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing," notes Joanna B. about Wild River State Park Campground.
Canoe or kayak: St. Croix State Park has rental options available seasonally. "Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer. A great way to spend a weekend," says Tony J. about the Old Logging Trail campground.
Climb the fire tower: Get panoramic views of the forests and rivers from the observation tower. "There is also a 100' fire tower you can climb up and get an epic view," shares Scott G. about Riverview Campground.
Star gazing: Clear nights offer excellent views of the night sky. Katherine T. mentions that Wild River State Park has "a great star gazing area" with minimal light pollution.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campsites offer good separation and natural screening. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees," writes Stephanie H. about Wild River State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The forests provide habitat for diverse animal species. "We like camping in state forest for the wild life experience. We seen Bear, Wolf, and plenty of Yote's," reports Scot L. about Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground.
River access: Many sites provide proximity to the St. Croix River. "Right on the main loop of the campground, but without having the neighbors right on top of you! Beautiful spot on the St Croix River," describes Brian C.
CCC history: Historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps can be found throughout the parks. "Cool buildings from the CCC era as well as some signs talking about camp life," explains Scott G.
What you should know
Mosquitoes are intense: Bug protection is essential during summer months. "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. about Riverview Campground.
Limited cell service: Coverage is spotty throughout the area. "Cell service is fairly spotty here so come with podcasts or shows downloaded ahead of time," mentions Tori K., while Ari A. adds, "depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting."
Ticks are prevalent: Take precautions during spring and early summer. "The second we walked out the door, you had at least 5 ticks on you. If you spent any extended amount of time outside, there were 20+," warns Sara P.
Boulder Campground is primitive: No hookups and basic facilities only. "For $17 a night you can't beat a state forest campgrounds. This is real camping for the kids," states Daniel H., adding "no reservations and it's first come first served."
Tips for camping with families
Look for secluded sites: Some campsites offer more privacy for family groups. "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," describes Sarah D. about the Deer Creek site at Wild River State Park.
Fish from shore: Kids can enjoy catching fish without a boat. RK M. reports, "We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!"
Prepare for weather extremes: Summer conditions can change quickly. "We experienced the most intense and violent thunderstorm of my life. One lightning strike hit within 100 yards of our site," recounts Duncan G.
Visit ranger programs: Educational activities are available for children. Sara P. mentions, "We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger."
Tips from RVers
Choose sites carefully: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. "The sites in the Old Logging Campground were close together but many had vegetation between them offering some privacy. Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent," advises Ari A. about Old Logging Trail.
Electrical hookups: Wild River and Riverview campgrounds offer limited electrical sites. "The Riverview loop is 1 of 3 at St. Croix State Park. This loop is where 90% of the electric sites are, but it is also a very open campground," notes Amber Z.
Shower facilities vary: Quality and availability differ between campgrounds. "Some of the loops have old bathhouses that desperately need to be replaced, but they are in the process of doing so, which means some loops have great new bathrooms and showers," explains Ari A.
Ranger
