The St. Croix River.

Between the southern shore of Lake Superior and the Twin Cities' Mississippi River lies the St. Croix River watershed. This is a place with dramatic mythology; where ancient continents split apart. Where immeasurable torrents of glacial meltwater carved a river valley. Where horizons stood on limitless virgin forests of white pine, until man cleared them by hand and choked the river with floating logs on their way to sawmill and market. After the close of the logging era, enough of the wild and scenic quality of the St. Croix River remained. Its value as a natural resource and outdoor recreation destination resisted heavy development for another half century, enough to inspire lasting protections. It was included in the first waters designated under the 1968 National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

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To preserve its scenic and ecological integrity, the National Park Service administers the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway  and works with state and local partners to resist non-conforming development. Other public land managers on the same ground include the Minnesota and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, with their collection of state parks, state forests and state water trail. 

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From the Northern conifers.

The upper river, roughly 100 miles from the headwaters in Solon Springs, Wisconsin to the first hydroelectric dam in Taylors Falls is designated Scenic. It retains a rugged, wild quality with shallow stretches of churling rapids, limiting the presence of outboard motorized boat traffic. undeveloped woodland shoreline and pine-studded islands.

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To the Southern hardwoods.

The lower river - 50 miles from Taylors Falls to its confluence with the Mississippi is designated Recreational. After dropping through the rocky gates of The Dalles, the landscape broadens into a floodplain valley hemmed by rising, forested bluffs. The river becomes larger, wider and braided with winding side channels, shifting sandbar islands, grassy wetlands and backwater sloughs. Encounters with sandstone and limestone shelves, caves and outcrops appear occassionally. Historic bridges add to navigational landmarks and the most social stretches of river flock with paddling groups and party boats.​​​

Of Minnesota Camp Guide's 23 Ways to Camp on Minnesota Public Lands, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway includes the following:

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#18. Paddle Camping in U.S. National Park (National Scenic River)    +    #22. Paddle Camping on Minnesota State Water Trail

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Expected Use: The ultimate way to explore the St. Croix River is on a multi-day canoe or kayak paddle, and that is the inspiration for this guide. 

There are ~80+ primitive, paddle-in watercraft campsites, managed by the National Park Service. 

• First come, first served. Free to use.

• Physically marked with a universal camping sign (brown background with white tent).

• Some of these watercraft campsites are accessible by other means: 

  • ☑ "Drive-In": In quotes, because any of these sites with nearby overnight parking still require a short walk-in and carrying of equipment to tent pad.​

  • ☑ Hike-In: These watercraft campsites are also attached to a hiking trail, or require walking in more than 1/4 mile.

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#17. Paddle Camping in Minnesota State Parks

​Expected Use: State parks are the most well-known and high visitation touchpoints to the St. Croix River, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources serve public access to the water via boat/dock launches and an invitation for a more adventurous overnight in a small number of primitive watercraft campsites instead of their car campgrounds.

• Atypical to state park camping, these are first come - first served and free to use. No reservations are required. (Except for Afton State Park.)

• Amenities are primitive and nearly equivalent to the National Park Service watercraft campsites.

• St. Croix State Park offers canoe rentals that can access 5 paddle-in campsites.​

• Wild River State Park has 2 watercraft campsites. 

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​#6. Backpack Camping in Minnesota State Parks

Expected Use: No boat? No problem. You can still enjoy a more remote and 'river intimate' campsite via the comfortable access of state park hiking trail systems.

• Amenities are primitive and nearly equivalent to the National Park Service watercraft campsites.

• Wild River State Park has 3 backpacking campsites, that are on the river. (Require fee and reservation.)

• St. Croix State Park has 2 watercraft campsites, also accessible via hiking trail system. (Free, non reservable.)

• Afton State Park has one hike/paddle in campsite nearly on the shoreline and an entire backpacking campground, away from the river but still an incredible St.Croix River valley experience.​

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​#7. Backpack Camping in Minnesota State Forests

There is one riverbank campsite (S91.7)on land co-designated at Chengwatana State Forest and National Scenic River. Hike in along the 3.2 mile St. Croix Trail instead of paddling. In fact, this site is a bit of a pain of the ass to reach from the water so it serves well as a quiet, probably less known opportunity for a free, non-reservable outing.

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An honorable mention, though not included in this guide - are the backpacking trails of Wisconsin's Governor Knowles State Forest.

• 35+ miles of rustic backpacking trail travel the river corridor, including 9 primitive, backpacking campsites - nearby, but not directly on the St. Croix River.

• "Reservations are required and a free special camp registration permit can be obtained by emailing the forest headquarters  at least 7 days prior to occupying the site."

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#1. Car Camping In Minnesota State Parks

Expected Use: Have the extra comfortable amenities of a developed car campground serve as the base camp for day outings on and along the St. Croix River. Do not expect to have a view of the river from your campsite, though access via boat launch, docks, beaches and trails is often a short distance walk.

• Require a fee, reservation and vehicle entry permit.

• Amenities are modern; including potable drinking water, bathrooms and optional electricity.

• Available at all Minnesota State Parks along the river, except Afton. 

• Canoe rentals available at St. Croix, William O' Brien and Interstate State Parks.​

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#2. Car Camping In Minnesota State Forests

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Expected Use: Have the extra amenities and comforts of car camping in a rustic campground, to serve as a base camp for day outings on the St. Croix River. The river and boat launch is nearby the campground, but not directly viewable from your campsite. 

• Includes Snake River Car Campground in Chengwatana State Forest.

• Requires a fee, but is first come - first served.

• Amenities are rustic. Campsites are non-electric, with fire ring and picnic table. Campground has potable water and outhouses.

• Also included in this guide is the rustic and reservable St. Croix Car Campground in Wisconsin's Governor Knowles State Forest.​​

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#10. Backpack Camping on a National Scenic Trail

If you are multi-day backpacking on the Ice Age Trail National Scenic Trail, you might spend one of your nights here on the banks of the St. Croix. At least stop for a nice long break.