Hours and Fees

General Hours

• All parks are open daily (year-round) from 7 a.m. to a half-hour after sunset.

Beach Hours

• Beaches are open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
• Beaches open daily at 9 a.m.
• Beaches close daily at 9 p.m. - Memorial Day weekend through July 31.
• Beaches close daily at 8 p.m. - Aug. 1 through Labor Day.
• Swimming is not allowed during closed hours.
• Beaches are available at Big Marine Park Reserve, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Square Lake Park and Point Douglas Park.

 Lifeguard Hours 

• Lifeguards are on duty during the peak season at Big Marine Park Reserve, Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Square Lake Park.
• There are no lifeguards on duty at Point Douglas Park.
• 2010 lifeguard dates are June 6 - Aug. 16
• Lifeguards are on duty from noon to 8 p.m.

Boat Launch Hours

• Boat launches are available at Big Marine Park Reserve, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Square Lake Park and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.
• The boat launch at Big Marine Park Reserve, Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Square Lake Park are open daily during boating season from 6 a.m. to a half-hour after sunset.
• The boat launch at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park is open daily during boating season from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Park Office Hours

• The County's primary park office buildings are located in Big Marine Park Reserve, Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.
• The Lake Elmo Park Reserve office is open daily (except for holidays) throughout the year.
• The St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park office is open daily from April 1 through mid-October, and is open 2-3 days a week during the rest of the year.  
• The Big Marine Park Reserve office is open daily from May 1 through mid-October.  

2010 Fees

Vehicle Permits

All vehicles entering a park require a vehicle permit, including vehicles belonging to registered campers and picnic shelter users. The permit is valid in all Washington, Anoka, and Carver County Parks  

Vehicle permits are not required at Point Douglas Park, along the Hardwood Creek Trail, or at the Historic Courthouse. Vehicle permits are also not required in any park on the first non-holiday Tuesday of each month; or on the first Saturday of June, which is "Explore Your Parks Day" in Washington County.

Annual Permit   $25
Second Annual    $15
(for same household – must be purchased at same time as first permit)

Daily Permit   $5

Camping Fees

Modern   (Water and Electric)   $20 to $25
(available at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park only)
Modern   (Electric)  $18 to $22
Non-electric   (Modern non-electric, equestrian, and primitive sites)  $15

Group  Site # 1 & 3   $45 
Group Site # 2       $55 (includes a small shelter)

Reservation fee   (non-refundable)  $7

Gate Card Deposit   $10
(for campers who need to enter the park after the entry gate closes)

Note: Use of the dump station is included in the camping fee.

Shelter Rental

Damage deposit required for all shelter rentals    $100

Lake Elmo   (weekday)    $100
Lake Elmo   (weekend / holiday)    $225

Cottage Grove Ravine   (weekday)    $25
Cottage Grove Ravine  (weekend / holiday)    $35

St. Croix Bluffs Small Shelter   (weekday)    $40
St. Croix Bluffs Small Shelter   (weekend / holiday)    $50

St. Croix Bluffs Large Shelter   (weekday)    $75
St. Croix Bluffs Large Shelter   (weekend / holiday)   $175

Big Marine Small Shelter          (weekday)    $40
Big Marine Small Shelter          (weekend/holiday)     $50

St. Croix Bluffs Conference Cottage    $250

Miscellaneous

Picnic Kit rental   (includes bocce ball, horseshoes, volleyball, etc.)    $10
100-gallon beverage cooling tank rental   (ice is not included)    $15

Firewood     $5
Non-camper dump station fee      $10
Orienteering Course maps    $4

Scuba Diving Permits (Season)     $100
Field Dog Trials (daily)     $50
Day Camp (daily)     $25

Commercial Use Permit (base)     $100
Commercial Still Photography    $150 plus direct costs
Commercial Video Photography       $200 plus direct costs
Commercial Unusual Video Photography      $500 plus direct costs