Camp & Hike
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Washington County Parks is happy to have camp hosts in the campgrounds at Lake Elmo and St. Croix Campground. Camp hosts are people who live in the campground and in southern Illinois during part of the summer in their own camping unit.
In return for a free campsite at the Lake Washington Regional Park & Campground, they help campers by giving information, registering them in the spring and fall, cleaning restrooms when needed (between staff cleanings), and doing other related tasks.
Best Washington County Park and Campgrounds
Washington County has two lovely campgrounds at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park and Lake Elmo Park Reserve, perfect for a peaceful escape and RV sites.
Choose a campground that meets your needs, whether they are rustic hike-in sites, group sites, or sites with electric and water hookups.
Take advantage of all the additional activities the parks have to offer, such as boating, hiking, and fishing.
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1. Lake Elmo Campground
For Group Campground, you can have three spots for groups, and each can handle up to 50 people. If you need a wheeled cart, you can get one at the park office. Group Site #2 comes with a little picnic shelter.
Each site has a beautiful Washington County lake, sewer hookup, picnic table, and a fire ring/grill. You'll find vaults or portable toilets around and recreational vehicle parks. You can book for just one day if that's what you need. Sorry, no pets are allowed.
Campground Features
- There are 80 spots for tents, trailers, or motorhomes, and most are for backing in.
- Spots 1-58 have electricity (20/30/50 amp) and water. Spot 59 only has electricity (50 amps, no water).
- Spots 60-80 have 20/30 amp electricity.
- full size bed
- boat ramps
- If you're a Camp Host/Work Camper, your spot has sewer hookups and electrical hook ups.
- Every spot has a picnic table and a ring or grill for a fire.
- water connections
- Bathrooms are modern, with flushing toilets and hot showers.
- There's a place to dump stuff from your trailer or RV.
- shower building
- There's a play area.
- archery range
- It's accessible to people with disabilities.
- Sorry, no pets allowed.
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2. St. Croix Bluffs Campground
The Group Campground is a beautiful campground that has a variety of outdoor recreation activities! Group Site 1 is close to the regular campsite and fits 30 people.
The Birch Hollow Group Site is for 20 people and comes with a picnic shelter, electricity, water, and a portable toilet. Just so you know, no pets are allowed.
Campground Features
- There are 26 spots where you can easily drive your camper in, and they have water and electric hook-ups with different power options (20/30/50 amps).
- The special spots for the Camp Host or Work Campers have a sewer hookup.
- Sets of bunk beds
- There are 36 other spots where you back your camper in, and they have electric hookups, too. Some have 20 amps, and others have 30 amps. Keep in mind not all spots have the same power options.
- If you like camping without electricity, there are 11 spots just for tents (Sites 37 - 47), and they don't have electric hookups.
- Some spots are designed for people with disabilities. They have special tables and raised fire rings.
- Every spot has a picnic table and a fire ring.
- fire grill
- The bathrooms are modern, with regular toilets and private rooms for hot showers and water spigots.
- campground cabin
- trailer spaces
- There's a place where you can dump stuff from your trailer or RV.
- If you have kids, there's a play area just for them.
- Sorry, pets are not allowed in this campground.
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3. Afton State Park Campground
Afton State Park has a cool, hilly landscape that's perfect for hiking, horseback riding, and skiing. You can as well swim at the beach and enjoy awesome views of the St. Croix River. Check out the Prairie Walk trail to learn about nature and explore oak savannas and wooded river valleys for different wildlife.
The visitor center is a great place to figure out the trails and cool spots in the park. If you want to camp, it's up on the bluffs with a tough 3/4-mile hike from the parking lot.
They also have cabins, yurts, and group campsites. For prices, park permits are $35 a year, $26 for a second vehicle, $12 for handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.
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4. William O’Brien State Park
William O’Brien State Park is a lovely place by the St. Croix River, perfect for a nature escape. You can explore quiet hiking trails in the hilly woods. If you like fishing, the river has northern walleye, bass, and trout.
The river is great for canoeing, and you might see cool things as it's a migratory path. You can stay overnight with 124 campsites, 4 group camps, and 4 cabins. In winter, the trails are ready for skiing, and there's a Riverside Trail for snowshoeing.
To visit, you need a park permit: $35 per year, $26 for a second vehicle, $12 for handicapped, or $7 for a day. Camping has separate fees. You can book online anytime, 24/7.