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. You can also enjoy all the other amenities the parks have to offer including campfire programs, hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, and more. You will feel like you are far away but close to modern conveniences if needed, both parks are within an hour of the Twin Cities.
2020 Camping Reservation Information
January 7: Online Reservations Begin
January 21: Phone and In Person Reservations Begin
Lake Elmo Park Reserve (LEPR)
Construction Update: In fall of 2019, an electric and water improvement project was implemented. Sites 1-59 are being upgraded to 50 amp electric with water. Sites 60-80 are upgrading to 30 amp electric.
Impact on 2020 Camping: Upgrade work will continue in the spring. This will impact modern sites and delay availability until Thursday, May 21, at which time the Green and Blue loops will open. Red and Yellow loops will open on Thursday, June 4, to allow for turf establishment and finishing aspects of the project.
Camping Season Dates:
April 24 – October 18: Rustic, Group and Hike-In Sites
May 21 – October 18: Modern Sites (Green and Blue Loops Only)
June 4 – October 18: Modern Sites Fully Open
Lake Elmo Park Office: 651-430-8370
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park (SCB)
Camping Season Dates:
April 24 – October 18: Modern, Rustic, and Group Sites
St. Croix Bluffs Park Office: 651-430-8240
General Information
- Check in: 3 p.m.
- Check out: 1 p.m.
- Water is not guaranteed before May 15 or after October 1.
- There is a 14 day maximum camping limit in any 30 day period in Washington County Campgrounds
- ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES & PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CAMPGROUNDS
Group Campground Features
- Reservations now available online
- 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
- 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
- Electrical hook-ups at sites with 20, 30 or 50 amp (Sites 1-59 are being upgraded to 50 amp electric with water. Sites 60-80 are upgrading to 30 amp electric.)
- 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
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 card is required for after hour entrance, available with a refundable deposit from the park office.
Group Campground Features
- Reservations now available online
- 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 back-in campsites 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 card is required for after hour entrance, available with a refundable deposit from the park office.
- 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, please 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 18.
- Campers under 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 MN DNR approved vendor within Washington County, or kiln-dried, untreated, unpainted lumber free of metal and other foreign objects. NOT pallet wood).
- Park gates close overnight. Registered campers may obtain a gate card 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 your camping fee (the $8.00 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 #199 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 | $24 per night |
| Reservation Fee (per site, non-refundable) | $8 |
| Dump Station (included with camping reservation) | $15 |
| Gate Card Deposit | $10 |