Is Group Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Group Camp 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.

Are there showers at Group Camp?

Yes, Group Camp has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Group Camp?

Fire policies at Group Camp: Use approved or local firewood. Light fires only within fire rings and charcoal grills; do not leave fires unattended and fully extinguish fires before leaving. Do not burn trash.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Group Camp?

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

What amenities are available at Group Camp?

Group Camp offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Group Camp?

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

Group Camp

3 reviews

Group Camp

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricShowers

Book on Minnesota DNR - State Parks Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricShowers

Book on Minnesota DNR - State Parks Official Website

Group Camp

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations are required for all campsites. Advance reservations incur a non-refundable reservation fee ($10 via call center, $8 online); same-day...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

866-857-2757

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Group Camp

No map location available

Weather at Group Camp

Best Time to Camp at Group Camp

While St. Croix State Park welcomes visitors year-round, the prime camping season runs from late spring through fall when the forest canopy provides cool shade and wildlife is most active. As temperatures drop and snow blankets the landscape, the park transforms into a winter wonderland where cross-country skiers and snowmobilers glide through frosted forests on miles of groomed and designated trails.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall is the standout season with comfortable campfire temps and hardwood color peaking mid-Sept–Oct.

Planning Tips

About Group Camp

Gather your group for an unforgettable outdoor adventure at this dedicated group camping area in one of Minnesota's most stunning state parks. After days spent hiking, paddling, or exploring miles of trails, you'll come together around the campfire ring while stars emerge overhead, perhaps following an engaging evening naturalist program or a memorable moonlit walk through the forest.

This listing is the park's Group Camp (located near the horse camp area) intended for larger groups; the horse camp/group area is described as more wooded and private than some of the park's open-field campgrounds.

Historical Significance

St. Croix State Park contains remains of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp and preserved early-park structures; the park is part of the broader St. Croix Riverway with New Deal–era historic features.

Weather and SeasonsWhile St. Croix State Park welcomes visitors year-round, the prime camping season runs from late spring through fall when the forest canopy provides cool shade and wildlife is most active. As temperatures drop and snow blankets the landscape, the park transforms into a winter wonderland where cross-country skiers and snowmobilers glide through frosted forests on miles of groomed and designated trails.

Natural Features and SceneryYou'll find your group camp nestled within a beautifully wooded landscape where towering pines mingle with hardwoods, creating a shaded, secluded atmosphere that sets it apart from the park's more open areas. This intimate setting contrasts wonderfully with the diverse ecosystems just beyond—where dense forest gives way to river bottomlands and prairie grasslands stretching along the scenic St. Croix River. The surrounding trees and shrubs create a natural enclave perfect for groups seeking both privacy and immersion in Minnesota's northwoods character.

Scenic ViewsNearby park features include river views along the St. Croix and Kettle rivers and a fire tower that provides panoramic views over the forest and river landscape.

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsState Parks reservation system: online reservations (up to 120 days in advance) and call center (866-857-2757).

Cancellation PolicyAdvance reservations are charged a non-refundable reservation fee ($10 call / $8 web). See the Reservations policy and FAQ for full cancellation details.

Best CampsitesNo reviews identify specific group site numbers. Reviewers note the horse camp/group area offers more trees, shrubs and privacy compared with some open-field campgrounds; avoid peak weekends if concerned about noise from other large groups.

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Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Parkwide and campground-area amenities reported for St. Croix State Park include drinking water, both vault and flush toilets, hot showers/bathhouses, picnic tables, fire rings with grates, a dump station, and electrical hookups at some sites; facilities vary by campground and the horse camp/group camp area is noted for a very nice bathroom.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

St. Croix State Park supports a wide range of outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, river activities, swimming, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsVery limited or no reliable cell coverage reported in the park. Visitor-reported issues at group camps have included late-night noise and trash left by large groups. Typical regional wildlife and insects include deer, small mammals, songbirds, mosquitoes and ticks. Follow park fire rules and use approved/local firewood.

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

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.

Trip Planning Tools

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

0.0

3 reviews

Limited Reviews

Group Camp has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors praise the group-area bathroom (including a shower) and the park's scenic, varied landscape, but commonly report late-night noise and cleanliness issues when large groups occupy the group camp, limited shade in some camp areas, and very poor cell coverage.

Review Summaries

Based on 3 reviews

What Campers Love

Well-regarded bathroom facilities (shower noted), scenic and varied park with extensive trails and river access, and the horse-camp/group area is reported to offer more trees/privacy than some...

Based on 3 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Avoid peak weekends for quieter stays; bring supplies and download/offline maps; expect little to no cell service; consider earplugs for light sleepers; reserve group sites in advance.

Based on 3 reviews

Camper Quotes

They are good sites and the bathroom is great! There’s even a shower! My only issue is that the proximity to other group sites is pretty close and not separated by much foliage so you have little...

Based on 3 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Organized groups who plan ahead and book early will get the most out of this: forest privacy, a solid bathroom with showers, fire rings, and electric hookups, plus trails to a fire tower and two fishable rivers within the park.

Skip if

Noise-sensitive campers should know that late-night rowdiness and post-weekend trash are recurring complaints when big groups are in. No cell service (Verizon and AT&T both reportedly dead here), no pets, and no water hookups either.

Campgrounds

St. Croix State Park

Group Camp

About Lake Estes

Context for the broader area surrounding Group Camp, 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.