Dispersed camping sites near Webster, Wisconsin provide alternatives to established campgrounds in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and surrounding forests. This area features elevations between 900-1,100 feet with mixed hardwood forests and wetlands. Summer nights in this region remain relatively cool even during July and August, with temperatures dropping into the 50s.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: St. Croix State Park offers extensive trail systems for outdoor activities. "We biked from the campground to Lake Clayton and even saw a bear on our ride! We rented canoes from the park and did the four hour canoe ride down the st Croix river which was super fun, I definitely recommend doing that," notes a visitor at St. Croix State Forest.
Canoe along the river: The St. Croix provides excellent paddling opportunities. "We also hiked along the kettle river to where it meets with the st Croix river and that was a cool hike," shares another camper from St. Croix State Forest. Water levels can fluctuate significantly throughout the season.
ATV trail access: Several campgrounds offer direct access to ATV trail systems. At Grace Lake Road Dispersed, a camper reports, "A lot of ATV traffic but super friendly people, really buggy but a few nice spots to pull into for the night."
Star gazing opportunities: The limited light pollution creates excellent conditions for night sky viewing. "It was a great place to star gaze," notes a visitor to Wild River State Park, referring to their secluded riverfront site.
What campers like
Secluded river spots: Riverfront camping provides privacy and direct water access. "The St. Croix is beautiful," states a review from St. Croix State Forest. Access points vary in quality from well-maintained boat launches to primitive shoreline trails.
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room between sites at certain campgrounds. "Our campsite was a little cramped, the canopy from the camper was almost directly over the fire pit, but it was surrounded by trees and very private and quiet!" shares a visitor to St. Croix State Forest.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife populations. "We had an all around great time. The campsites were all pretty secluded. We got there around 10am on a Friday and there were a couple sites taken but the rest were up for grabs," reports a camper at St. Croix State Forest, who also noted "Lake was clean. The road to the park had water access to the river as well."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. "Very nice campground. Can't stress enough how CLEAN the restrooms and showers are. Cleaned 3x daily due to COVID. Site drained VERY well during and after heavy rain," notes a camper at St. Croix River Resort.
What you should know
Bug intensity varies by location: Mosquitoes can be especially problematic in certain areas. "There are some great secluded spots and the campground is always empty. It is definitely more primitive with pit toilets and hand pump wells. My only complaint was how bad the mosquitos were... but it's Minnesota," shares a camper from St. Croix State Forest.
Water availability concerns: Some campgrounds have limited or questionable water sources. "Maybe 20 sites. No power. There's a hand pumped well, but the water is fairly brown. $17 per night. You can pay with an QR, or they have envelopes to mail the payment after you leave," notes a visitor to St. Croix State Forest.
First-come, first-served options: Several dispersed camping areas don't take reservations. At Paint Rock Springs Campground, a camper shares: "Reserved this site through the Minnesota dnr state park phone line, having been turned away from full camp grounds by two other state parks. Not being familiar with the place, I didn't know the differences between sites, and got placed in site 80, which was right by the road and rather exposed."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is inconsistent throughout the area. "There is about 6 miles of dirt road back to this campground, but it is a decent dirt road and my trailer was in good shape inside when we arrived... We enjoyed the sense of camping 'away from it all' although it is a bit shady for solar panels to charge up the batteries... Verizon Wireless signal 2 bars in many places," reports a St. Croix State Forest visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Dongola Campground, "There are groomed/mowed trails that wind through the beautiful 40 acre property, great for walking, bicycling, or golf carts. We even saw a bald eagle during our stay here."
Indoor facilities for rain backup: Weather can change quickly in this region. "We stayed here with my extended family in a couple of cabins. It is nice and wooded. The pool is indoors which is nice and has drawbacks. It is a good sized pool. There is a nice playground for the kids and there are some nice trails," notes a visitor to St. Croix River Resort.
Wildlife education opportunities: Take advantage of ranger programs. "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," shares a family who visited Riverview Campground.
Consider alternative accommodations: Beyond tents, other options might suit families better. "We spent a weekend at the park and had a. great time. Lots of trails for hiking. Cool buildings from the CCC era as well as some signs talking about camp life. There is also a 100' fire tower you can climb up and get an epic view," reports a visitor to Old Logging Trail Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site drainage: The area receives significant rainfall during certain seasons. "Very nice campground. Can't stress enough how CLEAN the restrooms and showers are. Cleaned 3x daily due to COVID. Site drained VERY well during and after heavy rain. Recommended," notes an RVer who stayed at St. Croix River Resort.
Access challenges: Some roads leading to campgrounds have width restrictions. "Stayed a night here on our way up to the boundary waters gate is very narrow had to fold the mirrors on my Tacoma to squeeze through but if you park at the entrance it's a short walk You're about 20 foot from the water and fishing is good," reports a camper at Grace Lake Road Dispersed.
Shade and power considerations: Some campsites lack adequate tree cover for summer heat. "This campground was great. The sites were big and felt fairly secluded. We had a great time here," shares a camper from St. Croix State Forest, while another notes that sites can be "a bit shady for solar panels to charge up the batteries."
Seasonal site availability: Many campgrounds near Webster transition to seasonal rentals. "If you looking for a great ATV campground or looking for a campground under $1500, this is the place to go! Lots to do near by Legion 1.3 miles away and a great cafe as well across the street. Ice is inexpensive and so is firewood," notes a seasonal camper at Pardun's Jack Pine Campground.
