The best camping near St. Croix State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next St. Croix State Park adventure.

83% (6 reviews)
83% (6 reviews)

Discover the natural splendor of St. Croix State Park.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near St. Croix State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in St. Croix State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near St. Croix State Park

98%
(113)

The Wooded Retreat/breakfast/spa

5 sites · Lodging8 acres · Pine City, MN
Situated just 3 miles from the interstate, our retreat offers the tranquility and beauty of a state park while being conveniently accessible and private with comforts of home! Prepare to be mesmerized by the stunning grounds featuring rolling hills, towering white pines, and a variety of deciduous trees. Immerse yourself in nature's beauty with ponds and trails scattered throughout. Discover an abundance of flowers and wildlife that call this haven home. On our 9 acres we have 5 private ponds, 3 unique cottages ; and a vintage safari tent on a platform! With all of our cottages (sorry not the tent) we provide a breakfast basket in your refrigerator. For ALL guests on the Wooded Retreat we now have a Spa Cottage! (State of the art exercise equipment and a two person infrared Health sauna) Each space is strategically placed on the property to provide utmost privacy and beauty. Welcome to the Wooded Retreat and don't forget to bring your camera and binoculars!
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$102
 / night
98%
(25)

Holiday Road

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · Isle, MN
Enjoy unforgettable sunsets over Lake Mille Lacs, painting the sky with vibrant hues. Step onto the sandy beach from your campsite and surround yourself with the soothing sounds of nature and the lapping of the lake's waves to help you unwind and connect with the outdoors. We have kayaks and paddle boards available, as well as a dock for fishing and swimming fun. There is a communal firepit on the beach, along with two portable fire rings available on a first-come, first-served basis. We are close to Father Hennepin and Kathio State Parks, where you can enjoy wildlife and hiking. There is a bowling alley in town along with a city park. Local fishing launches are available and ATV rentals with nearby trails provide even more opportunities for adventure. There are also boutiques and shopping in Isle as well as nearby towns of Wahkon and Aitkin. Adding to the welcoming atmosphere, are two friendly dogs – Frank, a Goldendoodle, and his sister/sidekick, Lucy, a Mini Goldendoodle. They roam freely on part of our property with the help of an invisible fence. Feel free to shoo them away if they bother you or if any other rogue neighborhood dog wanders over. On this property you can have your pets off leash but please contain your pet as you see fit with other pet personalities. Sometimes, like humans we don't all get along. Please clean up after them as they roam the property and respect others campers/neighbors spaces. Keep your dog within your sight at all times. When we camp, we value privacy, and we'll ensure the same for you. Upon arrival, please head directly to your campsite or cabin. We can communicate through messaging to assist you with anything you need. ***Campers must back campers in from the tar (Vista Rd). Guests will need to be self contained, take waste with them and leave no trace. ***Attention Summer Guests: Swimmer's Itch Prevention*** During the warmer summer months, please be aware of the potential for swimmer's itch in our lake. To help prevent it, follow these guidelines: 1. Apply Water Repellent Substances: Waterproof sunscreen, or other skin oils (put a layer of something between them and you). 2. Dry Off Immediately: As soon as you get out of the water, dry off with a towel. Do not let the water evaporate off your skin!
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$40
 / night
99%
(241)

The Jubilee Homestead

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Stanchfield, MN
Our family at The Jubilee Homestead is looking forward to another great camping season in 2024! This small hobby farm is where I (Esther) grew up and now my husband Joel, our four children, and my parents, are developing it into a self-supporting farmstead and event venue as we raise chickens and Nigerian dwarf goats, and grow a pick-your-own elderberry field. Our oldest son loves to plant and manage a small market garden with our campers in mind, so depending on when in the season you come, you may find some garden treasures to take home! We offer a single site for off-season and winter camping for longer visits at a discounted rate. Please reach out for more information if you're interested. What you can expect when you camp at The Jubilee Homestead: Free firewood Free 20amp electricity hookup at all sites (not enough to run A/C, plenty for everything else) Free water Free farm fresh, free-range eggs to collect yourself in the mornings plus more for sale when available. Free access to broomball court and equipment in barn loft Rustic trail around back of property about 1/4 mile long Playground Dishwashing sink Campers are welcome to enjoy The Milk Room which is our Lounge and Farm Store. You'll find self-serve coffee, hot cocoa, and other options available for purchase, including fresh garden produce when available. There is a microwave, places to sit and visit, and even a game table. Joel and I have co-authored several books (under the pen name J.E. Ribbey) which are also available in the Farm Store. We have an American post-apocalyptic thriller series and a historical fiction series for middle grade readers about the American Revolutionary War. We have a nice, fully private outdoor shower with hot water available for $2.50/shower. Guests can pay on-site via our posted QR codes or cash box. We have Nigerian dwarf goats, chickens, and geese. We also have several apple trees, cherries, and elderberries. We're also available for other events like birthday parties, intimate weddings, and group gatherings at our gazebo and/or 20ft x 40ft party tent. As a homeschooling, home business building family, there is usually a project or two always in the works to join in on if you feel so inclined or just sit back and enjoy the peace of clean air and loving goats! Several lakes in the area provide numerous options for fishing, boating, and hiking. And nothing beats those evening country road walks while agate hunting! Other area attractions include Mini golf in Cambridge, public aquatic center with water slides in Mora, and several state parks an hour or less away.
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$25
 / night
100%
(9)

Trails End Retreat

2 sites · RVs, Tents185 acres · Hinckley, MN
Discover serenity at Trails End Retreat, a secluded haven nestled amidst the natural beauty of the countryside. Settle into our private campsite, perched just beyond the hayfield at the edge of tranquil woods and enchanting wetlands. Explore miles of diverse terrain where encounters with deer, grouse, turkey, and other wildlife are a daily delight. Our peaceful clearing offers the perfect space to unwind and enjoy nature in its purest form, where you can feel free to relax and embrace the laid-back vibe. Accessible by car or truck via a scenic trail along the hayfield, or by hiking/mountain biking. Trails End Retreat encourages you to reconnect with nature and fully immerse yourself in the natural surroundings, where the atmosphere fosters both peace and creativity under the open skies and starry nights. Whether you seek solitude or prefer to share the experience with like-minded free spirits, Trails End Retreat promises an authentic and enriching camping experience, where you're welcome to relax and enjoy life's simple, natural pleasures.
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$18.75
 / night
99%
(132)

Bundo's Cabin

2 sites · Lodging10 acres · Finlayson, MN
This cabin was built by hand in the 1970s from white pine that was harvested and milled on-site. Our family purchased and rehabbed this beautiful cabin throughout 2021. Indoor and out, there are so many ways to relax and connect with loved ones during all seasons at Bundo's Cabin. Learn more about this land: Where the forest meets the field. Unplug and relax at Bundo's Cabin with extraordinary views of wildlife and endless outdoor opportunities. The modern yet cozy cabin has electricity and features a front patio, an external outhouse and outdoor rainwater bucket shower, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area, a living area, and a sleeping loft with a reading nook. No matter the season, this cabin is a wonderful, cozy, and clean, place to relax and unwind. Feel free to roam around the 10-acre property and explore the 80 acres of state land to the north. Deer, foxes, coyotes, turkeys, owls, eagles and more are likely to be seen or heard. Explore, Banning, Moose Lake, and Father Hennepin State Parks which are all within 30 minutes, and return to the cabin to read, play games, listen to records, have a fire, and relax. The kitchen provides you with everything you need to prepare your meals including a refrigerator, small freezer, stove, oven, cookware, cutting boards, sink, seasonings, oil, and coffee. Water for washing is available from an electric pump faucet in the kitchen, and a brand-new outhouse is located steps from the cabin. The cabin is efficiently heated and cooled with a user-friendly heat pump and gets the cabin to your desired temperature very quickly. We are grateful to honor the Dakota and Anishinaabe people whose land we occupy by donating $10 from every booking to the Makoce Ikikcupi Land Recovery Project. This project is actively working to return the land to the indigenous people from whom it was stolen. You can learn more about this project in reparative justice at www.makoceikikcupi.com.
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$122.85
 / night
100%
(15)

O'Dalaigh Hideaway

1 site · Tent2 acres · Pine City, MN
Tent site is on a vacant lot next to our cabin lot on the Snake River East of Pine City MN. This lot has the better river view and experience as its a small peninsula that juts out to the river with rapids. There is a swimming area right next to the campsite or feel free to jump into the rapids if you want a rush. River is not deep most of the year and there is fishing right there as well, mostly large and small mouth bass. There is parking off the road and a short walk to the campsite, just follow the sounds of the river. A small wagon is provided to help with getting gear down to the river tent site. There is an outhouse on the cabin property and a trail leading to it. It's about a 50 yard walk from the parking area and about 100 yards from the tent site. If you want something more convenient, feel free to bring your own. Firewood is available for sale onsite or feel free to clean up dead wood lying around on the trail at no cost, note that it is more than likely freshly cut and wet but will burn if the fire is hot enough. We also have have kayaks if your interested in exploring the river. Most folks take either a 4 hour (from Pine City) trip or a shorter 1.5 hour one is available, both come right to the tent site (you don't want to miss or you'll end up at the St. Croix!). You can also start at the tent site and take the 4+ hour trip to the St. Croix river - but you will need to arrange transportation back along with the Kayaks. If you do not have a second vehicle to either take you to the starting point or if you cannot haul kayaks, arrangements for us to haul the kayaks and riders to the starting or pickup point can be made for a nominal fee if we are available. The tent site is right next to rapids on the Snake river. If you struggle sleeping to the sound of rushing water, this may not be for you!
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$20
 / night

The best camping near St. Croix State Park guide

Overview

About

Planning an extended vacation in Minnesota’s wild river country? St. Croix State Park encompasses two great rivers, the St. Croix and Kettle Rivers. Both are wild and scenic, offering pristine exploration opportunities for paddlers and anglers. Even landlubbers will rejoice when they discover the trails crisscrossing St. Croix. Whether you choose to traverse the park on foot or by bicycle, horseback, snowmobile, or skis, you’ll find the perfect trail to match your tastes and your ability. After all, you’ve got 34,000 acres on which to adventure. No matter where you come from, one thing’s for sure—this is no drive-by vacation. Settle down at St. Croix State Park and let the natural world have its way with you.

Notable campgrounds

  • Yellow Medicine Campground offers a scenic escape, surrounded by vibrant nature.
  • The Horse Campground is perfect for equestrian lovers looking to explore the park's trails.
  • Backpack/Watercraft Campground provides a unique experience for those arriving by river or trail.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your spot, as campsites at St. Croix State Park fill up quickly.
  • Consider visiting during the weekdays for better availability and a quieter experience.
  • Keep an eye on cancellations to snag a last-minute reservation.
  • Explore nearby camping options if the park is fully booked.

When to go

The best time to visit St. Croix State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers a full array of activities but can be busy. Winters are harsh, and some facilities may be closed, so check ahead before planning a winter visit.

Know before you go

  • Highway 67 is closed; follow alternative routes provided by the park for access.
  • Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the season.
  • Be prepared for a remote experience, as some areas of the park are only accessible by a significant drive.
  • Remember to bring essentials, including water, snacks, and a first-aid kit.
  • For campers, proceed directly to your site; park staff will assist with check-in.
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