St. Croix State Park

Park Office

Open year-round, the park office is the best place to find information, purchase a park permit, get a trail map, or pick up necessities like firewood and ice.

St. Croix Lodge

Built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the St. Croix Lodge is the centerpiece of the campground area. This multi-purpose building houses a picnic shelter, year-round restrooms, and the Interpretive Center. The log and stone architecture and original log furniture are nearly as attractive as the view of the St. Croix River.

St. Croix Lodge - Interior

This space is ideal for a fire on a chilly day, a cool picnic retreat in the summer, or the entertainment of an interpretive talk. The original CCC furniture and rustic architecture provide a historic ambience to the space.

Interpretive Center

The Interpretive Center is the headquarters for the park’s educational staff. Peruse educational exhibits and bring them any questions you have about the park!

Old Logging Trail Camp

Three campgrounds offer RV, camper, and tent camping within walking distance of the St. Croix River. Each campground has a restroom/shower building, electric and non-electric sites.

Riverview Campground 1

Riverview, Paint Rock Springs, and Old Logging Trail campgrounds offer over 200 sites for family-friendly camping. They are bordered by hiking trails and a paved bike trail and are within walking distance to the camp store, ranger station, St. Croix Lodge, and Interpretive Center.

Riverview Campground 2

Riverview Campground offers electric, non-electric, and walk-in campsites. The Sundance hiking trail system extends directly from this area. Housekeeping cabins offer conveniences like a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom for those who "rough it" a bit more gently. The multi-purpose building has restrooms, showers, and a cooking shelter.

All Seasons Trail Center

Located at the all seasons trail center, the equestrian camp provides direct access to 75 miles of horseback riding trails. Campsites feature tie lines and a corral open to all users. The shelter has restrooms, showers and two indoor fireplaces. Group camp sites—which hold up to 30 people—are also located at the all seasons trail center. These sites are ideal for larger groups of tent campers.

Norway Point Group Center

The historic camp, built by the CCC in 1937, is arranged in villages of primitive cabins. Each village has a restroom/shower and lodge building. Other facilities include a craft shop, central bathroom, commercial kitchen, mess hall and an infirmary. Norway Point Group Center also features a private swimming beach on Lake Clayton and the beautiful spillway.

Norway Point Recreation Area

Recreational activities abound at Norway Point with volleyball, horseshoes, swimming and an open ballfield.

Norway Point Beach

Norway Point Group Center has a private beach on Lake Clayton. This beautiful spot also includes the CCC-built spillway.

Lake Clayton Beach

You will find plenty of recreational opportunities at the Lake Clayton picnic area, located at the end of the five mile bike path. Young children enjoy the shallow, kid-friendly beach. A playground, horseshoe pit and sand volleyball are all great options for a sunny summer day, or you can play Frisbee on the large lawn. Grills and picnic tables make it an ideal place for a picnic lunch. Other facilities include restrooms, and a picnic shelter which groups can rent.

Observation Tower

The 100 foot tall fire tower was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Watchmen sat in the tower for hours scanning for fires with no breaks, no reading, and only ten minute visits allowed. This fire tower was staffed until 1981, when aerial surveys became the standard. These days the fire tower is open for park visitors to climb—don't miss this amazing view from above the trees!

Maple Island

Ten scenic canoe campsites are available along the St. Croix and Kettle Rivers. Birders, canoeists and fishermen are sure to enjoy the secluded beauty of these sites. Landings like Maple Island are ideal locations for a picnic or to camp on a river trip.

Highbanks

The Kettle River Highbanks is one of the most scenic sites in the park. A nine-mile drive down a winding gravel road and a quarter-mile hike will bring you to an observation deck overlooking the Kettle River. Some of the park's best hiking trails follow the river through this point.

Rivers End

Seven miles of the Kettle River form the western boundary of the park. The Kettle River's rocky channel and often rough waters provide springtime entertainment for whitewater paddlers and year-round scenic beauty. Fishermen enjoy seeking catfish, smallmouth bass and other popular game fish along the banks of Minnesota's first Wild and Scenic River. Some of the park's most beautiful hiking follows the Kettle River to its confluence with the St. Croix. Campsites like River's End provide a wilderness retreat for canoe campers.

Two Rivers

The confluence of the St. Croix and Kettle Rivers forms the southern tip of the park. The Two Rivers hiking trail begins at the Kettle River Overlook and offers a scenic five-mile loop along both rivers. This is an excellent trail for wildlife and wildflowers.

Head of the Rapids Group Center

Head of the Rapids Group Center is our most remote site for large groups. Similar to Norway Point, Head of the Rapids is arranged in villages of rustic cabins around a central dining hall, craft shop, infirmary, staff quarters and private recreation area that includes a ball field, sand volleyball and swimming.

Head of the Rapids Group Kitchen

Groups renting our group centers can expect a fully equipped industrial kitchen, complete with refrigerators, ovens, stoves, dishwashers, pots, pans and utensils.

Head of the Rapids Dining Hall

The group centers feature a historic dining hall with original furniture from the CCC and a beautiful stone fireplace.

Head of the Rapids Ball Field

Enjoy the group center's private ball field, craft shop and council ring. These are all great areas for groups to utilize while planning activities to make the most of their time together.