Camping
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Washington County Historic Courthouse temporarily closed for inspection
The Washington County Historic Courthouse will be closed temporarily as it is being inspected following the discovery of a fractured truss in the building. Read on... -
Construction in Lake Elmo Park Reserve & St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
Construction projects in Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park may have impacts to camping visitors. Read on...
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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 open for the season. Online, in-person, and phone reservations are now being accepted.
This year, camping season for Lake Elmo Park Reserve will run through October 2 in the modern campground area. Rustic, hike in and group sites will remain open through Oct. 23. St. Croix Bluffs camping season will run through October 23, 2022. Please note that the last nights to book are October 1 and October 22.
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 at least 48 hours in advance of scheduled check-in to receive a refund of camping fee (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 |