Is Backpack Campsites first-come first-served or reservation?

Backpack Campsites accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Backpack Campsites?

Backpack Campsites is open Seasonal — opening and closing dates vary by campground and depend on weather; backpacking/backcountry use is most popular late spring through fall but the park is used year-round.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Backpack Campsites?

Backpack Campsites does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Backpack Campsites?

Fire policies at Backpack Campsites: Light fires only within fire rings or charcoal grills; do not leave fires unattended and extinguish all fires before leaving. Do not burn trash. Use approved or local firewood to prevent spread of pests; wood found dead on the ground may be gathered for on‑site use where allowed.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Backpack Campsites have?

Backpack Campsites has 2 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Backpack Campsites?

Pets are not allowed at Backpack Campsites. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Backpack Campsites?

Popular activities at Backpack Campsites include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Backpack Campsites

4.41

199 reviews

Backpack Campsites

Top 25% in MNFall

Featured in:Spring Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Official Website

Backpack Campsites

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Camping fees apply for developed campgrounds; payment methods include online payment after arrival and mail-in options where there is no cell/Wi-Fi...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367, 651-296-6157

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Backpack Campsites

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Backpack Campsites

No map location available

Nearby supplies

Hinckley, MN

Weather at Backpack Campsites

Best Time to Camp at Backpack Campsites

Late spring through fall is prime time for shouldering your pack and heading into the backcountry, though each season writes its own story here. Summer brings long daylight hours perfect for exploring, though you'll want quality bug protection against mosquitoes and ticks. The sweet spot? Late May through June and September into early October, when cooler temperatures keep the bugs at bay, the trails feel like your own private sanctuary, and autumn paints the hardwoods in brilliant color. Hardy winter backpackers can venture in during the cold months, though snow may limit trail access and services.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 25% in MN

Fall described as the best season; temperatures ideal and hardwood color peaks late Sept–Oct.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Seasonal — opening and closing dates vary by campground and depend on weather; backpacking/backcountry use is most popular late spring through fall but the park is used year-round.

About Backpack Campsites

Leave the crowds behind and discover two hidden backpack campsites nestled deep within St. Croix State Park's 34,000 acres of wilderness. Accessible only by trail, these primitive sites offer true backcountry solitude beneath a thick canopy of forest, near the pristine St. Croix and Kettle river corridors. Pack in everything you need—cell service fades away as you step into genuine Minnesota wild.

Two designated backpack/backcountry sites within St. Croix State Park intended for hike-in/backpacking use.

Historical Significance

The park lies along the historic St. Croix River corridor, an area shaped by Native use and later the logging era; the park contains an Old Logging Trail area and a restored historic lodge and fire tower that interpret the park's past. The broader park landscape and trail names reference its timber‑history heritage.

Weather and SeasonsLate spring through fall is prime time for shouldering your pack and heading into the backcountry, though each season writes its own story here. Summer brings long daylight hours perfect for exploring, though you'll want quality bug protection against mosquitoes and ticks. The sweet spot? Late May through June and September into early October, when cooler temperatures keep the bugs at bay, the trails feel like your own private sanctuary, and autumn paints the hardwoods in brilliant color. Hardy winter backpackers can venture in during the cold months, though snow may limit trail access and services.

Natural Features and SceneryYour campsite awaits in a cathedral of mixed hardwood and pine, where towering trees filter the sunlight and create that deep-woods feeling every backpacker craves. The gently rolling terrain weaves through mature forest, past quiet wetlands and river floodplains that hum with wildlife. Between your site and the trailhead, you'll traverse some of the most pristine woodland in Minnesota's state park system—and if you're up for a side adventure, the historic fire tower offers sweeping views across the river valleys below.

Geological RegionSt. Croix and Kettle River corridor — broad, gently rolling floodplain of mixed hardwood and pine forest with wetlands and riverine habitats

Scenic ViewsViews from the backpack sites are primarily filtered forest and occasional openings toward the St. Croix and Kettle Rivers. For panoramic vistas, the park fire tower provides an elevated viewpoint over the forest canopy and river corridors; there are no prominent cliff‑top overlooks specific to the backpack sites.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsTypically UseDirect-based reservation platform for Minnesota state parks (contact park managing unit or campground webpage for specifics)

Total Campsites2 campsites

Best CampsitesThe park lists two backpack sites, but no public reviews or data compare them by number or quality. Most online site comparisons focus on developed loops, where Old Logging Trail earns consistent praise for shade and privacy versus the open-field character of Riverview. Without backpack-site-specific feedback, there's no reliable way to recommend one over the other.

Need help booking Backpack Campsites?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

The two backpack sites are described as backcountry-style and separate from developed campground loops; official sources do not list site-specific amenities for these backpack sites. Park-level amenities (drinking water, toilets, showers, electric sites) exist in developed areas but are not explicitly confirmed at the backpack sites.

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Backpack sites are used for hike-in/backpacking and provide access to the park's extensive trail network and river corridors. The park supports a wide range of outdoor recreation centered on trails and rivers.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsExpect very limited or no cell coverage in much of the park. Typical northwoods hazards include abundant mosquitoes and ticks in warm months and the presence of deer and other wildlife; larger mammals such as black bear may occur in the region. River currents can be swift in places—exercise caution when near water. Follow park rules about campfires and food storage.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.4

199 reviews

Recommended

Backpack Campsites is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors praise St. Croix State Park for its large, forested landscape, extensive trail system, river access, and the fire tower views. Reviews note the backpack sites provide a secluded, wooded backcountry feel but emphasize limited services and poor cell coverage.

Review Summaries

Based on 199 reviews

What Campers Love

Large, scenic park with extensive trails; wooded, secluded backpack sites; good paddling and fishing on the St. Croix and Kettle Rivers; fire tower panoramic views; friendly and helpful park staff.

Based on 199 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Plan for self-sufficiency for water, navigation, and emergency communication when using the backpack sites; bring insect protection; visit in shoulder seasons for fewer crowds; verify current water...

Based on 199 reviews

Camper Quotes

One of my favorite parks in Minnesota!; We had the park practically to ourselves!; Old Logging Trail Campground was very nice — clean and quiet.

Based on 199 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Fall backpackers who want genuine solitude: the hardwoods peak in September and early October, the bugs thin out, and the Old Logging Trail and river corridors feel like yours alone. Bring all your water and a paper map.

Skip if

No bear lockers, no potable water, no cell service, and only two sites total, anyone expecting even vault-toilet-level infrastructure will be frustrated, and warm-season visitors who skip the bug net usually regret it.

Campgrounds

St. Croix State Park

Backpack Campsites

About Lake Estes

Context for the broader area surrounding Backpack Campsites, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Lake Estes, a feature of the <A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=432">Colorado-Big Thompson Project</A>, is formed by <A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=249">Olympus Dam</A> constructed across the Big Thompson River. The afterbay storage in Lake Estes and the forebay storage in Marys Lake enable the Estes powerplant to meet daily variations in energy demand. Recreation facilities include a nine-hole golf course, five picnic and associated day-use areas, and a marina. Good access to recreation areas. The reservoir has approximately 185 water surface acres, 213 land acres and 4 milesof shoreline. Power boating is limited, but available. Sailing opportunities. Fish species available are largely rainbow trout. Facilities are closed in winter due to ice and snow.

Directions

Site is about 2 miles east of Estes Park, Colorado.