Backpack Campsites Campground

4.53

137 reviews

Featured in:Hiking Camping Minnesota Fishing Camping Minnesota Best Campgrounds Minnesota

Quick Facts

1,119 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Backpacking is most ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Opens Minnesota State Parks (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,119 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Backpacking is most ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Opens Minnesota State Parks (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) site

Official Website

Get Directions

Backpack Campsites Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No backpack-site-specific fee information found in the provided authoritative sources. (The supplied official page describes fees for park cabins but...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Minnesota State Parks

Provider

866-857-2757

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.53

Top-Rated

Based on 137 reviews

136 Google reviews

Most mentioned

scenery

Some mention

mosquitoescell service

"There are few detailed user reviews specifically for St. Croix State Park backpack campsites. Park-level commentary praises the park's remoteness, extensive trail network, and scenic rivers; backcountry-specific feedback is sparse."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Backpack Campsites Campground

46.1569, -92.8542

Best Time to Camp at Backpack Campsites Campground

Late spring through fall creates ideal conditions for backpacking adventures, though each season brings its own character to the trail. Early summer may greet you with rushing rivers and muddy paths from spring runoff, while midsummer warms the forest with longer days—just be prepared for Minnesota's legendary mosquitoes. Fall steals the show with crisp temperatures and brilliant autumn colors painting the canopy overhead. Hardy winter explorers can venture in during colder months, though harsher conditions and limited trail access make this a journey for experienced cold-weather campers only.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Below Average

Summer best for hiking, paddling and backpacking in river corridors and forests

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Below Average

Mixed forest and rivers suggest strong fall color and scenic appeal

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Average

Spring offers thawed rivers and emergent wildlife, but seasonal conditions can be variable

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Top 18% in MN

Winter activities likely possible (xc skiing/snowshoeing) but specifics and access unclear

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Backpacking is most practical late spring through fall; winter use is possible but access and conditions can be limited (secondary-source guidance).

About Backpack Campsites Campground

Escape into true wilderness at St. Croix State Park's backpack campsites, where 34,000 acres of northern forest await your exploration. These remote, hike-in sites nestle among towering pines and hardwoods near the pristine St. Croix and Kettle rivers, offering adventurous souls the perfect basecamp for multi-day hiking, paddling, and wildlife watching.

Secondary sources identify these as walk‑in/backpack sites within a large, remote park—i.e., primitive backcountry camping rather than drive‑in RV/tent sites.

Historical SignificanceThe park contains significant CCC/WPA and Veterans' Conservation Corps‑era development and features; portions of the park are associated with historic New Deal‑era structures and the broader St. Croix Riverway has national scenic and historic designations. The landscape also lies on ancestral lands of regional Indigenous peoples.

Weather and SeasonsLate spring through fall creates ideal conditions for backpacking adventures, though each season brings its own character to the trail. Early summer may greet you with rushing rivers and muddy paths from spring runoff, while midsummer warms the forest with longer days—just be prepared for Minnesota's legendary mosquitoes. Fall steals the show with crisp temperatures and brilliant autumn colors painting the canopy overhead. Hardy winter explorers can venture in during colder months, though harsher conditions and limited trail access make this a journey for experienced cold-weather campers only.

Natural Features and SceneryPicture yourself deep in Minnesota's north woods, surrounded by a sprawling wilderness where northern hardwoods and pine forests stretch as far as the eye can see. Your backpack site sits within this untamed landscape of 34,000 acres, where river corridors carve through the forest, low bluffs rise from marshy lowlands, and floodplain forests hug the banks of the St. Croix and Kettle rivers. Here, civilization feels worlds away as you immerse yourself in a largely undeveloped setting that showcases nature at its finest.

Geological RegionSt. Croix River valley / park bordered by the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and the Kettle River (mixed northern hardwood and pine forest with low bluffs, floodplain forest and marshy areas).

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Activities you can enjoy

St. Croix State Park supports a wide range of outdoor activities appropriate for backpacking visitors, including multi-day hiking along an extensive trail network and river-based recreation on the St. Croix and Kettle rivers.

HikingExtensive trail network (roughly 127 miles reported in sources) including routes along the Kettle and St. Croix rivers; suitable for day hikes and multi-day backpacking.

FishingAngling on the St. Croix and Kettle rivers (smallmouth bass, catfish and other game fish are commonly targeted).

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTrail and site conditions can be wet or muddy, especially in low-lying areas; insects (mosquitoes, ticks) are common in warm months; wildlife includes deer, beaver and potential black bears—normal food‑storage and wildlife precautions are advised. Cell coverage is often spotty in the park interior.

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.

Weather at Backpack Campsites Campground

Reviews

4.5

137 reviews

Top-Rated

Backpack Campsites Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

There are few detailed user reviews specifically for St. Croix State Park backpack campsites. Park-level commentary praises the park's remoteness, extensive trail network, and scenic rivers; backcountry-specific feedback is sparse.

Review Summaries

Based on 137 reviews

What Campers Love

Large, remote park with extensive trails and scenic river corridors (St. Croix and Kettle Rivers) that appeal to backpackers seeking solitude and river scenery.

Based on 137 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring maps and route plans, carry or treat water, pack insect protection, check trail conditions with park staff before heading out, and follow Leave No Trace practices.

Based on 137 reviews

0 review

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Backpack Campsites Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.

Last updated January 5, 2026

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Minnesota

Campgrounds

St. Croix State Park

Backpack Campsites Campground