Wild River State Park
St. Croix River Wilderness
Wild River State Park protects 18 miles of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, offering Minnesota’s best riverfront camping, canoeing, and cross-country skiing in a nearly pristine setting.
Camping
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Drive-In Sites | 96 sites (electric and non-electric) |
| Backpack Sites | 6 river camps |
| Canoe-In Sites | 4 sites |
| Group Camp | Up to 100 people |
| Camper Cabins | Year-round |
| Guest House | Accessible, sleeps 8 |
Reserve: ReserveAmerica.com or (866) 857-2757, opens 120 days ahead.
Canoeing
18 miles of river frontage. Canoe launch on site. Great for day trips or multi-day paddling with canoe-in camping.
Winter
35 km of groomed cross-country ski trails. Snowshoeing, winter wildlife watching, and camping cabins available year-round.
Can I canoe camp here?
Yes! Wild River has 4 canoe-in campsites along the St. Croix River, perfect for multi-day paddling trips.
Things to Do
Minnesota’s state parks celebrate the Land of 10,000 Lakes — offering everything from boreal forests and Lake Superior’s dramatic North Shore to prairie grasslands, river bluffs, and glacial lakes. Activities include hiking through pine and birch forests, fishing for walleye, northern pike, and bass in park lakes, canoeing and kayaking pristine wilderness waterways, camping under northern skies, swimming at sandy lake beaches, cross-country skiing on groomed winter trails, snowshoeing through silent forests, mountain biking singletrack, and birdwatching along one of the nation’s most active migratory flyways. The North Shore parks along Lake Superior — Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche — rank among the most scenic in the Midwest.
Best Time to Visit
Minnesota’s outdoor season varies dramatically. Summer (June–August) brings warm temperatures (70s–80s°F), excellent fishing, and long northern days — peak camping season. Fall (September–October) delivers extraordinary color, especially along the North Shore and in the Boundary Waters region, peaking late September to mid-October. Spring (April–May) is muddy but brings rushing waterfalls and migrating birds. Winter (December–March) is legendary in Minnesota — parks transform into cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter camping destinations. The North Shore of Lake Superior is stunning in every season but can see severe winter storms. Always carry warm layers near Lake Superior, as temperatures drop dramatically near the water.
Visitor Tips
Minnesota state parks require a vehicle permit ($7/day or $35/year). The annual permit covers all 75 state parks and recreation areas. Camping reservations are made through the Minnesota DNR reservation system up to 120 days in advance. North Shore parks (Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock, Tettegouche) book up fast for fall weekends — reserve by mid-summer. Most parks have excellent visitor centers with naturalist programs. Ticks are a significant concern May through October — perform tick checks after every hike and use repellent. Winter campers should note that many water systems are shut off November through April.
Explore More Minnesota State Parks
Wild River State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Minnesota. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Minnesota guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
