Boulder Campground in Saint Croix State Forest offers primitive equestrian camping with vault toilets on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites cost $17 per night and include fire rings and picnic tables. Available from May through November, the campground provides a natural setting with good spacing between sites. While basic in amenities, the grounds are well-maintained and clean. Equestrians can access multiple trail systems from the campground, with the surrounding forest and Tamarack River providing scenic riding opportunities.
What to do
Wildlife viewing along waterways: The St. Croix area provides excellent wildlife observation opportunities. At Wild River State Park Campground, visitors often spot diverse wildlife. As one camper noted, "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls." The park offers river views that enhance wildlife sightings.
Star gazing at designated areas: Clear night skies offer excellent star viewing conditions. The region's limited light pollution creates prime stargazing opportunities. Katherine T. described her experience: "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."
Explore historic sites: Visit remnants of the region's logging past and CCC-era structures. At Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park, visitors can explore historical features. According to Scott G., "There is also a 100' fire tower you can climb up and get an epic view. Cool buildings from the CCC era as well as some signs talking about camp life."
What campers like
Private sites with good spacing: Campers consistently praise the sense of seclusion at many sites. At Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground, Daniel H. mentioned, "The sites are spaced out and although it is a long drive in from the tar and gravel, it's worth the trip... Mid week it was quiet and there was only three other people there in this remote campground."
Natural water features: Proximity to rivers and lakes ranks high with visitors. Riverview Campground — St. Croix State Park offers water access for various activities. One family noted, "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!"
Winter camping options: Some sites remain open year-round, allowing for unique winter experiences. Joanna B. shared her winter camping experience: "2/8/20-2/9/20. #91. First time to this park. The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent. We snowshoed and skied. The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries."
What you should know
Mosquito pressure varies by season: Insect activity can be intense, particularly near water in early summer. Preparation is essential for comfort. At Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park, one camper warned: "We had a terrible experience last year trying to camp here, BUT it's not the campgrounds fault! Unfortunately we chose the peak of mosquitos season and camping next to slow moving water is a recipe for disaster."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is spotty throughout the region. A camper at Riverview Campground noted: "Cell service is fairly spotty here so come with podcasts or shows downloaded ahead of time! But if you don't, you can always run into Hinckley for some WIFI or cell service to download some things."
Arrive early for first-come sites: Non-reservable campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. Daniel H. advised about Boulder Campground: "Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served. The campground was clean and in better shape than any state park campgrounds I have been to."
Tips for camping with families
Fishing access for kids: Several campgrounds offer shore fishing suitable for children. RK M. shared from their family experience: "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!"
Ranger programs enhance visits: Many parks offer educational activities led by rangers. At Riverview Campground — St. Croix State Park, Sara P. recalled: "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."
Consider bug protection strategies: Beyond repellent, site fogging may be necessary during peak seasons. One family camping at Riverview noted: "We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites."
Tips for RVers
Limited hookups at forest sites: State forest campgrounds typically offer minimal services for RVs. Scot L. confirmed about Boulder Campground: "Heads up! No hook up's. Vault bathrooms only." These limitations make forest sites better suited for self-contained units with good battery capacity.
Electric sites concentrate in specific loops: For those needing power, certain campground sections offer more options. At Riverview Campground — St. Croix State Park, Amber Z. noted: "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."
Shade limitations affect comfort: Some campgrounds have limited tree cover, impacting temperature regulation. ERolf P. observed: "Because of a large wind storm several years ago, there is very limited tree coverage in the campground. As a result, the sites get very little shade and protection from the hot summer sun."
