Willow River State Park Campground

Pros:

  

\* A long, but pleasant, walk to a beautiful waterfall. Lots of streams and small pools of water, as well as large boulders, for the kids to explore.

\* We didn't use the beach, but it looked nicer than most we've seen in WI state parks.

\* The campgrounds were large and wooded.

  

Cons:

\* Lots of bees this weekend, for some reason. Perhaps due to all the wildflowers blooming!

\* Not as much privacy between sites as we'd like

\* We saw quite a few younger party groups with louder music and drinking games

Amazing campground close to the Twin Cities

`This place is huge with more than 100 campgrounds. Got to stay at camp 356 and it is dead quiet around you. You'll only see a tiny light from a distance from another campsite but that's it. you are completely alone. It cost about 15 dollars to reserve a sight and the site recommended us to reserve 2 days in advance, the site was well maintained with a table and fire ring. the restroom was a long walk away but it was really clean. I came during fall and the temperature was really cold, especially at night. I recommend bringing extra layers and firewood. We decided to go hiking and the nature center was really friendly. They gave us a map and suggested places we should visit.They recommended going on and 1 and a half hour loop which we did. The hike was well worth it. The hike felt like I was doing the Appalachian trail all over again. It was really windy and wet. They told us that the weather changes really quickly here so I recommend bringing a rain jacket.

Huge park, you can climb the cliffs surrounding the falls and there are plenty of trail both paved and unpaved. 

Beautiful place! 

We did SO many miles hiking! And at certain points in the river, you are able to get in and swim! We love camping here!

Beautiful hiking and river access.

I have been here countless times because its about 15 minutes from my house. It’s an awesome getaway for the weekend beautiful falls great trails and it’s really well kept and you’re going to hardly find any garbage. Always a good time camping here and the park rangers are pretty chill

Great local campground

We camped here during June of 2017\. Beautiful campground and hiking. We loved the falls. Our family spent a week here. Went in town to some great places to eat. Stop by the office and get suggestions. The lake was drained so there as no beach, but the dam was going to be repaired and the lake restored in the future. June as the prefect time for us to go. Warm days and cool nights make for great camping and campfires. The Mall of America was not too far of a drive too, if that's your thing!

Great Camping and Hiking

It was really hot and busy when we visited but the sites and facilities were well kept up and seeing the falls was great! Not too busy, okay cell phone service.

Busy but Cool!

This is a beautiful campground. We stayed in the 100 Loop. It is a newer campground in the park this not as many mature trees but very well designed to pull in with large RVs. The sites are very nice. The campground is well kept and the sites are pretty private the way they have left wildflowers growing between.

There are no electric hookups but there are clean, modern toilets and showers. The waterfall is beautiful but beware of the hike back up hill

The only reason I don’t give this 5 stars is this: the dam failed and the lake has been drawn down this itself is not a problem. The park is still very nice with the lake on draw down, which info says it will be while a new dam is built over several years The real disappointment is that the willow river still flows through the park even if it isn’t currently impounded but no temporary means of river access has been provided. This would still be a nice river to float via canoe, kayak or tube, but the boat launch (intended for the lake) allows you to bring your own craft but if you were to attempt it you would have to carry in through waist to shoulder high foliage and then there would be no downstream take out point it’s a real shame because they’ve missed an opportunity for visitors to continue to use the river during the drawdown.

Almost perfect

The waterfall here is absolutely gorgeous and it’s a really nice area if you’re wanting to go on a hike!

Best places to hike

I stayed in the newest loop. This is a great campground. The site felt very private. Vault toilets were closed, so it was a long walk to the bathroom/shower facility. Hiking was not little kid friendly, at least the trail to the waterfall, however there were kid friendly events going on while we were there.

Goegeous Waterfall

The group camping sites were private and spacious but you do have to cart in about .25 mile. For us this was frustrating as the website we booked at didnt say this. we had a few people with heart conditions in our group and wouldn't have chose this sort of site. grounds were clean but there was also no dumpsters in the group camping section.  The man made beach was dried up but there is a beautiful waterfall you can play in 

GROUP CAMPING

Located 5 miles outside of Hudson, Willow Creek State Park is large park with hiking, camp sites, fishing, canoeing, and the waterfall. The waterfall is a steep descent to the bottom but fun to visit and play in when water is low. To get to the waterfall you have to walk like 15-20 min. There are stairs that lead you to a cool view.

Another great WI State Park!

This campsite was nice. A quick trip from Minneapolis will get you there in a half hour. There are a bunch of hiking trails around the campground.

Cute and close to waterfall

wooded, private sites, no trouble getting a site midweek in October, nice hiking along the water

lovely in the fall

A good little campground for tents and trailers with trails nearby and some sweet waterfalls not far off.  Good for those who want to explore the twin cities without staying in town.

A fine camp east of Minneapolis

Serene campground and gorgeous falls to hike to!

Great for hiking and camping!

Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above! Beware in winter the hike down to the falls is a grueling one when icy and covered in snow. 

Amazing Waterfall

This is a true gem. Amazing waterfall you can explore. Great hiking and nearby lake being restored. Great family vacation. Be careful. This place is addicting!

Amazing waterfall campground 



We had a RV, Class C, and no addl vehicle.  This park is HUGE &amp; a separate vehicle or bikes at the minimum are needed.  We camped in the 100 campground and the lake was 2+ miles (one way) away.   

Also, we had a pre-schooler.  I felt this park was fabulous for older kids.  The playground was fine (closed due to corona) was fine.  But really with the amount of space, older kids and bikes would be ideal.  

Walk to waterfall was fabulous.  My 4 year old granddaughter struggled with super steep hill on return route.  But was able to do it!

Private sites at well spaced.  No water on site.   There is water and dump station at the 300 campground.  

Great picnic table and fabulous restrooms &amp; showers. 

Beautiful & BIG

Great for hiking and mountain biking! 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 also a little park for kids near the day parking area towards the end of the park. Saw a tone of deer while walking the trails- even though my dogs were with me! 

Hiking!!

The hike to the falls is a must-do. Like others said, it gets crowded in the summer. There’s a nice 6 mile loop with lots of hills, and plenty shorter hikes around the lake a dam. Camp in the 100 or 200 sites for a more peaceful camping experience. There’s a small beach and boat launch, and plenty of picnic sites. We also biked on the st croix river trail, and enjoyed the cute small towns on both sides of the river. For rvs, this is the dream campground. There’s wide gravel and mostly level sites, with plenty of space for slide outs. Big sites, yet private ! Nice bathrooms and great showers in the 100 campground. Can’t wait to come here again!!


Best state park in Wisconsin 

This park has literally everything to offer for campers. There is a newly filled lake after the reconstruction of the dam. This is a non motorized lake for paddling, swimming and fishing. The lake is fed by the Willow River which features one of the most beautiful water falls in Wisconsin. There are miles of well maintained trails from easy and flat to hilly and challenging. 

The campgrounds in both the 300 and group camp areas are heavily wooded. Shower facilities and easy potable water access. This campground would get a 5 star if the camp sites were bigger. Most of the spots in the 300 by Little Falls lake are close together with little separation or privacy. The park offers so much recreation that this downside can be overlooked. 

Oh, and the bug levels are extremely low. They must treat the park as there are virtually no mosquitos on the summer trails and heavily used areas of the park!

Beautiful camping and hiking destination

Sites are spacious, bathhouses are clean and well-maintained, lots of trails for walking and biking. Campers are friendly and respectful. Hosts were very helpful. Firewood is available in the evenings. 

Has It All.

Three campgrounds, first come first serve.  $10/day entry $40/daily for electric hook up (non-resident); no full hook-ups, no water, only 1 vault toilet open per campground.  Year round availability, however- tough to find!  Very hard to get a cellular connection (T-mobile).  Beautiful views of the river, right along the edge if you tent camp.  Multiple playgrounds, hiking trails and loads of nature, large beach and waterfalls.  

A nice getaway off season

Nice campground close the cities. This was a large campground with 3 different loops. Loop 200 didn’t have a shower house, will need to use the one in 100 loop. For the size of the campground, it should have 2 dump stations and potable water fill ups. The hiking and falls were great. Good cell phone coverage. 

Campground with falls

Very beautiful park. Falls were great and plenty of trails. Good exercise. 10$ for parking just fyi.

Awesomeness 

Would be 5 star review if there was more privacy, but this is to be expected from state park camping.

Campsite was flat, open, and had plenty of room. Plenty of trails nearby and the falls and scenic outlooks were well worth the walk.

Amenities included wood available onsite until 8pm, bathrooms (pit style, but clean), playgrounds, and a nature center.

Fire-pits had a place for cooking, but do not place hot cookware on the picnic bench because the coating of the table will melt….

Nice campround with all the amenities

I really like the hiking and waterfall part of this park. We visit it regularly. I've only camped here once but it was fun. Drive in campsites that are only a short hike away from the falls and observation point.

One of our favorites

Campgrounds are very well maintained.  Very clean and when we arrived we could tell that the site was recently groomed and even the firepit was cleaned out.  Bathrooms were very clean but did not check out the showers but I can only assume they were well kept as well.

  

Ice, firewood and fire starters are available at the main office and firewood only is available at the host site 300.

  

The waterfall is beautiful - make sure to pack some water sandals or shoes so you can do some exploring within the waterfall.  All trails are marked well and the map provided at the main office is very nice.

Great Campground - Excellent State Park

Next to the lake and a mile hike to the falls. Deer literally 10 feet away on the trail. Bathrooms easily accessible. Couldn't ask for a better family camping experience. 

Hands down my favorite campground

I grew up camping here with my parents so I am biased! There are 3 campgrounds and I would recommend getting a site in the 300 loop. It is right on the lake and the sites are wooded. Some sites are more private than others. It is only a 20 minute drive from the Twin Cities and you can visit Pitchfork Brewing down the road on rainy days. Great hiking to the falls area.

One of my favorites!

**General:** Three campground loops, each with a mix of electric and non-electric sites; the 300 Campground is the one closest to Little Falls Lake. 

  

**Site Quality:** Sites (at least in the 300 Campground where we stayed) are very wooded, providing decent privacy, and spaced a good distance apart. Pads are dirt and gravel and most appeared to be level. Our site (352) had a filtered view of the lake. 

  

**Bathhouse:** This almost caused me to deduct a star! Decent enough but could not accommodate the number of campers. Hot water in the two showers was out as of 10 am on Saturday; a sign was finally posted by 7 pm. Toilet paper was out in one stall by Saturday night and out in the second of three stalls by Sunday morning. Soap was out in one of the two dispensers. Fortunately, the toilet paper was replenished by the time we left at noon. 

  

**Activities:** Bring your canoes, kayaks, or SUPS. There was a sign indicating rentals, but I am unsure if the season was over when we were there in mid-September. The lake does have a lot of algae but it was calm and we enjoyed a nice time in our kayaks. There are several hiking trails, some of which are marked better than others. The most popular one is the Willow Falls Trail, leading to Willow Falls (about a mile from the 300 Campground). It is so popular, in fact, that there is an established selfie station at the falls. After that, it was a little less clear which trail we were on. In September, there were also guided nature hikes on the weekends. 

  

Even though the large campground was full, we enjoyed our two nights here but with the extra fees ($13/day for non-residents) in addition to the camping fees we paid, I would expect the bathrooms to be better maintained. Also, the trash receptacles are not within easy walking distance from the campsites, so people tended to dump their trash in the bathrooms.

Nicely wooded sites

The campsites were very nice. Showers and bathrooms were clean. Hiking great trails mosquitos are prevalent.  Falls and river access both sides. You can hike along falls and crawl the back concave wall to other side. 

Beautiful place full of fun 

Lots to do here. Hiking, Mountain Biking, bird watching and Campin! Three great campgrounds with the 300 loop being the oldest. However, it is the only one with lake sites and has a night playground in the center of it for kids. Great trail from the campground to the falls as well with very little elevation gain. 200 and 100 loops are newer and the 100 loop has the best shower facility as well as a small playground. The draw back for 200 and 100 is more road noise (Cty A) and less tree cover. Cell service is solid 5G in the 200 and 100 campgrounds. 300 isn't quite as good as you are in the valley more and have more trees.

  

We've camped here in every season by winter and at multiple sites.

Great State Park in the St. Croix Valley

Stayed here for our first camping of the season.  It's a great park that has hiking, mountain bike trails, water features and good mix of electric and non electric sites.  

Nice state park close to the twin cities

Plenty of sites and hiking to do. Very cool area. The falls are awesome! 

Awesome park!

Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area. The water itself is ok, lots of geese and algae. The falls are wonderful though. The bathrooms are fine. I could not find a garbage bin to save my life, not near the bathrooms or anywhere in campground 200 or by the park ranger post. If there were garbage cans dispersed throughout the campground, I would have given 5 stars. Especially along the trail to the waterfalls because there was garbage all along the trail unfortunately. Not the camps fault, but maybe people would be more responsible if garbage bins were placed along the route. 

Very nice camping

This campground is really beautiful. It's big with over a hundred sites, some with power. No water at the site. Water nearby at stations. Large campsites, most with thick wooded areas between the sites. Most of the trail heads start at the campground. Walked about a mile to the falls area. This was really beautiful and was only a the head was only a couple hundred yards from my site. Unfortunately, I was only able to stay one night as my cross country trip hit this campground on the Thursday before memorial day and the whole weekend was booked. It was cold and a bit muddy (though packed gound) but with some management I was able to keep the inside of the  tent clean 