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

Backpack Campsites Campground 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 Backpack Campsites Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Backpack Campsites Campground?

Fire policies at Backpack Campsites Campground: Firewood is not available after ranger station hours; guests arriving after the ranger station closes should purchase approved firewood from nearby vendors (e.g., Almelund). Gathering firewood is prohibited unless it bears the MDA shield of approval. Use only approved/local firewood to prevent spread of pests.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Backpack Campsites Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Backpack Campsites Campground. 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 Campground?

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

Backpack Campsites Campground

3.11

9 reviews

39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN 55012

Featured in:Hiking Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

781 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Minnesota DNR - State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

781 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Minnesota DNR - State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Backpack Campsites Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations are required for all campsites. A non-refundable reservation fee is charged for advance reservations: $10 for call center reservations...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

651-583-2125

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN 55012

Backpack Campsites Campground

39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN 55012

Nearby places

North Branch — approximately 15 miles west

Nearby supplies

Gas station in Almelund (noted as nearby vendor for firewood and supplies)

Driving directionsEnter the park address into your GPS. Take exit #147 (Hwy 95) from I-35. The park is located 15 miles east of North Branch at the terminus of County Road 12. Note: Purchase vehicle permit in advance or at the ranger station; permits are not available at Sunrise Landing.

Accessible via I-35: take exit 147 to Hwy 95, then follow County Road 12 to Park Trail to park headquarters and main use area.

Weather at Backpack Campsites Campground

Best Time to Camp at Backpack Campsites Campground

Summer delivers the warmest, most reliable conditions for hiking and paddling, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F and nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F. Water access peaks for boating and river travel, wildflowers bloom, and trails stay dry. Expect busier weekends on the river and at trailheads. Spring brings wildflowers like trilliums and geraniums, while early autumn offers cooler hiking without the June mosquito peak. Winter blankets the park for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, though the backpack sites see little winter use. Reviewers warn that mosquitoes and ticks are plentiful in June, so bring repellent and tuck pant legs into socks.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Hardwood and oak savanna imply strong fall color and good hiking conditions.

Planning Tips

About Backpack Campsites Campground

Wild River State Park's backpack campsites sit roughly 1.8 miles from trailheads, offering walk-in seclusion along the St. Croix River corridor. Reviewers report a 45-minute hike to reach the small, primitive sites, which come with food storage boxes and little else. The park protects 18 miles of shoreline and 35 miles of trails, with boat access for paddlers arriving by water.

Wild River State Park provides a range of camping options noted on the official site: semi-modern camping, group camping, equestrian camping, backpack camping, canoe camping, six camping cabins, and a reservable guest house.

Historical Significance

The St. Croix River was one of the first eight rivers protected by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. The land was once home to Ojibwe and Dakota people before European logging and farming altered the landscape. Remnants include Nevers Dam overlook and a section of the historic Point Douglas to Superior Military Road.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the warmest, most reliable conditions for hiking and paddling, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F and nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F. Water access peaks for boating and river travel, wildflowers bloom, and trails stay dry. Expect busier weekends on the river and at trailheads. Spring brings wildflowers like trilliums and geraniums, while early autumn offers cooler hiking without the June mosquito peak. Winter blankets the park for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, though the backpack sites see little winter use. Reviewers warn that mosquitoes and ticks are plentiful in June, so bring repellent and tuck pant legs into socks.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground lies within a transition zone where pine forest, hardwood stands, and oak savanna overlap at 781 feet elevation. Second-growth forest dominates the interior, while riverfront meadows open onto the St. Croix. Wildflowers blanket the understory in spring and summer. Wildlife sightings are common: white-tailed deer, bald eagles, muskrat, fox, coyotes, minks, otters, woodcock, ruffed grouse, bluebirds, and beaver. Reviewers note scarlet tanagers and other birds. Trails wind through dense woods with occasional overlooks of the river, though most views stay in the trees rather than along the water.

Geological RegionSt. Croix River valley

Scenic ViewsRiver views along the St. Croix and park overlooks such as the Nevers Dam Overlook provide notable scenery and outlooks over the river corridor.

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Amenities available

Visitor center and an all-season trail center are on-site; backpack sites provide a food storage box. The park has dumpsters, enforces use of approved/local firewood, and requires reservations for campsites. Specific amenities for backpack sites (water, toilets, showers, hookups) are not detailed on the official site.

Group Sites

Cabin Lodging

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The park offers camping and paddling/canoeing on the St. Croix River, hiking on a 35-mile trail system, horseback riding, interpretive programs and winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Wildlife- and wildflower-viewing are highlighted.

Hiking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife can be attracted to food and garbage; the park provides guidance on keeping food secured (store food in vehicles or in backpack site storage boxes). The park participates in bear-safety outreach and advises visitors to keep campsites clean to avoid attracting raccoons, bears and other animals.

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

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.1

9 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Backpack Campsites Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitor sentiment is generally positive: reviewers praise the park's hiking, quiet/remote feel and long-term enjoyment by repeat visitors. Backpack sites require a substantive hike-in and are small; visitors report limited on-site firewood and seasonal mosquitoes/ticks.

Review Summaries

Based on 9 reviews

What Campers Love

Great hiking and diverse trails, quiet and remote-feeling campsites, helpful park staff and naturalist programs, strong opportunities for paddling on the St. Croix River and wildlife viewing.

Based on 9 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Expect a substantial hike to backpack sites (reviewers report about a 45-minute walk or ~1.8 miles); bring insect repellent and adequate firewood (buy approved wood if arriving after ranger hours);...

Based on 9 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Nice little backpacking site, about 45 minute walk from the parking lot.” — “Not very large but we squeezed four personal tents on the space.” — “The park ranger took pity on us and let us...

Based on 9 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Hikers and paddlers who want to earn their campsite. The 35-mile trail system and St. Croix River boat access are the real draws, and summer or early fall keeps conditions dry enough to enjoy both without June's mosquito peak.

Skip if

Anyone counting on supplied firewood, water, or toilets at the site will be disappointed. These are bare-bones primitive spots, and the hike-in distance means forgetting gear isn't a quick fix.

Nearby Campgrounds

0.0

(5)

Equestrian - Horse Required Campground

Wild River State Park

Wild River State Park's equestrian campground is a dedicated horse-camping area with electrical hookups, wooded sites, and direct access to an extensive network of horse trails. The campground sits in the St. Croix River valley at 879 feet elevation, part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Reviewers consistently rate it 4–5 stars for horseback riding, praising the quantity of trails and good site privacy.