Camping
Washington County offers two beautiful campgrounds for a relaxing getaway, one located within Lake Elmo Park Reserve and the other within St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. Find a campsite that suits your needs, from sites with electric and water hook-ups, to group sites, to rustic hike-in sites. Enjoy all the other amenities the parks have to offer, including hiking, fishing, boating, and more.
Washington County Campgrounds are closed for the season.
Group Campground Features
- Three sites available for groups of up to 50 people
- Wheeled cart available for check-out at park office
- Group Site #2 includes a small picnic shelter
- Picnic table and fire ring/grill provided at each site
- Vault or portable toilets available
- One-day reservations allowed
- Pets are not allowed
Hike-In Campground Features
- Five hike-in tent sites - one tent per site
- Hiking distance from parking lot is approximately 100 to 300 yards
- Wheeled cart available for check-out at park office with a refundable deposit
- Modern bathrooms and water available at the Nordic Center
- Pets are not allowed
Modern Campground Features
- Eighty campsites, suited for tents, trailers, or motor homes - most sites are back-in
- Sites 1-58 have 20/30/50 amp with water. Site 59 is 50 amp only (no water).
- Sites 60-80 are 20/30 amp
- Camp Host/Work Camper sites include sewer hookup
- Picnic table and fire ring/grill provided at each site
- Modern bathroom facilities with flush toilets and hot showers
- Trailer/RV dump station
- Play area
- Handicap accessible
- One camping unit per site
- Pets are not allowed
The entrance gate closes at 10 p.m. A gate code is required for after hour entry, available from the park office.
Rustic Campground Features
- Twenty spacious non-electric back-in sites - one camping unit per site
- Picnic table and fire ring/grill provided at each site
- Horses allowed at each campsite
- Portable toilets available
- Pets are not allowed
The entrance gate closes at 10 p.m. A gate code is required for after hour entry, available from the park office.
Group Campground Features
- Group Site 1 is adjacent to the modern campground, accommodates up to 30 people
- Birch Hollow Group Site includes a picnic shelter, electricity, water, and a portable toilet, accommodating up to 20 people
- Pets are not allowed
Modern Campground Features
- 26 pull-through campsites with water and 20/30/50 amp electric hook-ups
- Camp Host/Work Camper sites include sewer hookup
- 36 back-in campsite with 20 or 30 amp electric hookups, #1-36
- 11 tent-only sites without electricity
- Handicap accessible. Sites include handicapped picnic table and raised fire ring
- Picnic table and fire ring at each site
- Modern bathroom with flush toilets and private hot shower rooms
- Trailer/RV dump station
- Children's play area
- Pets are not allowed
The entrance gate closes at 10 p.m. A gate code is required for after hour entry, available from the park office.
Campground Policies and Rules
- All campers must register at the Park Office.
- Washington County Parks vehicle permits are required on all vehicles entering the park. Daily Permit: $7/Annual Permit: $30
- No alcohol or pets.
- Quiet Hours: 10 p.m. - 8 a.m.
- Check In: 3 p.m. Check Out: 1 p.m.
- Maximum of 8 people per site (except Group Camp sites)
- To extend your stay, re-register at the Park Office by 11 a.m.
- Only one camping unit (tent or camper) and one vehicle is allowed per site (except Group Camp sites). One additional tent may be allowed for minor children under age 18.
- Campers younger than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Only approved firewood is allowed in Washington County Parks (examples: wood sold at the park, bought from a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources approved vendor within Washington County, or kiln-dried, untreated, unpainted lumber free of metal and other foreign objects. No pallet wood).
- Park gates close overnight. Registered campers may obtain a gate code from the Park Office for after-hours access.
- Weekends: 2-night minimum stay requirement (Friday and Saturday nights)
- Holidays: 3-night minimum stay
- 14-day maximum camping limit in any 30-day period
- Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to the reservation start date to receive a refund (the $8 reservation fee is non-refundable).
- Washington County reserves the right to move campers to different sites than requested due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Washington County Ordinance #213 governs activities in County Parks. A copy is available to review in the Park Office
Campsite Rates (sales tax and vehicle permit not included)
| SITE TYPE | PRICE |
|---|---|
| Rustic Campsites (No electrical hookup) | $23 per night |
| 20 or 30 amp Campsites | $29 per night |
| 50 amp Campsites | $31 per night |
| 50 amp Campsites w/water | $37 per night |
| 50 amp Campsites w/water & sewer | $43 per night |
| Group Campsites | $50 per night (Mon-Thur) |
| $65 per night (Fri-Sun) | |
| Group Campsite w/shelter (Lake Elmo site 2) | $65 per night (Mon-Thur) |
| $80 per night (Fri-Sun) | |
| Group Campsite w/shelter & electricity | $73 per night (Mon-Thur) |
| $88 per night (Fri-Sun) | |
| Hike-in Campsites | $23 per night |
| Reservation Fee (per site, non-refundable) | $8 |
| Dump Station (included with camping reservation) | $15 |