Wild River State Park

This guide is for campers, paddlers, horse riders and skiers planning a trip from the Twin Cities. It covers the campground and lodging, the trails and river, what is open as of November 2026, costs and how to find the main entrance. Facts come from the Minnesota DNR park page, its live data feed and the 2025 DNR park map unless noted; sources are at the end.

The park in brief

The DNR map says Wild River opened to the public in 1978. The name comes from the St. Croix being one of the original eight rivers protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Nearly 5,000 acres were donated by Northern States Power Company (now Xcel Energy, per the map). The DNR record lists 6,756 acres, while the park's history text gives a total of 6,803 acres.

History runs deep here: the DNR notes two fur posts active in 1847, a military road from Hastings to Lake Superior built after 1849 (part of it is still visible), and Nevers Dam, built in 1890 for the logging era and operated until 1912. The DNR map calls it the site of "the world's largest pile-driven dam."

Camping and lodging at Wild River

Each drive-in site allows two camping structures (two tents, or one tent and one trailer) and one wheeled camping unit. Non-electric winter campsites are in the E lane.

Guest house status, as of November 2026: three parts of the same DNR park record say different things. The park alert (last updated November 3, 2026) says "The guest house is closed through January 2027 for accessibility renovations and remodeling." The lodging listing says it "will be closed this spring and summer for ADA renovations and remodeling." The seasonal update says "Heated cabins and a guesthouse are available year-round." The alert is the only dated statement. Check ReserveMN or call the park before planning around it.

Reservations: the DNR says sites are "100% reservable" up to 120 days ahead. The DNR reservation FAQ adds that booking for a newly opened date starts at 8 a.m. Central and says "All campsites in Minnesota state parks and recreation areas require a reservation before they may be occupied, year-round." The park's own listing describes its four canoe-in sites as "available on a first-come, first-served basis." The two DNR sources disagree on the canoe-in sites, so call the park before paddling in without a reservation. See the state park reservations guide for how ReserveMN works.

Wildlife: the DNR asks campers to keep coolers and food in vehicles at night, and backpackers to use the storage box at their site, to avoid raccoons, bears and skunks.

Trails and the St. Croix

The DNR gives different trail totals in different places, so here they are side by side:

Named loops on the DNR map

• Old Logging Trail: flat asphalt linking the trail center, visitor center, picnic area and campground; shared with bikes seasonally and classic skiers in winter.
• Amik's Pond Loop, 1 mile: one large hill, then flat; flower-filled walk down to the river.
• Mitigwaki Loop, 1.5 miles: mostly flat, through oak woods on a ridge above Dry Creek.
• Deer Creek Loop, 3.5 miles: part of it follows the historic Point Douglas to Superior Military Road; shared with horses seasonally.
• Highland Hills Trail, 2-mile loop: steep and rugged; an expert skate ski loop in winter.

Sunrise Trail closure, as of November 2026: a section north and west of the former county gravel pit crosses private property and is closed until further notice. You can hike out to the property line from the campground or from Sunrise Landing and turn back; there is no through route.

Paddling, fishing and the river

The DNR suggests a day paddle from the Sunrise river access down to the park's southern river access. Boat and canoe access are at the main park landing and Sunrise Landing, and the main landing's dock is in from mid-May to mid-October, depending on river conditions. The DNR names the Sunrise Landing picnic area and the sandbar south of the Nevers Dam overlook as the best places to reach the river. The map warns that the river "has dangerous currents and deep drop-offs. Swimming is not recommended." The DNR lists northern pike, walleye and smallmouth bass in the St. Croix, and the visitor center lends fishing kits for free.

Buy your permit first: the DNR says permits are not sold at Sunrise Landing.

Winter at Wild River

Wild River stays open for camping all winter. Per the DNR:

• Camping: the main campground is open year-round, with four electric sites in the D lane and non-electric sites in the E lane. The camper cabins are heated and available year-round.
• Skiing: 19 miles of groomed trail for classic and skate skiing, easy to challenging. The Amador Prairie loops are groomed for both; Highland Hills is skate only. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required for skiers 16 and older.
• Snowshoeing and winter hiking: 5 miles of trail; off-trail is fine as long as you do not cross groomed ski trails.
• No snowmobiles are allowed in the park.
• Warming house: the trail center.

What's open as of November 2026

From the DNR alert (last updated November 3, 2026) and seasonal update:

• Deer hunt: the park was closed November 7 to 9 for a special hunt; the DNR says normal camping and day use resumed November 10, 2026.
• Water: off in the campground, horse camp, picnic area and shower buildings. Drinking water and a hose are available year-round at the ranger station, and water is available at the trail center.
• Dump station and showers: closed for the season.
• Toilets: flush toilets at the trail center and visitor center; vault toilets year-round around the park.
• Group camp and horse camp: closed for the season.
• Snake River Campground: Wild River also manages this rustic campground in the Chengwatana State Forest near Pine City. The DNR says it closes November 30 or at the first plowable snowfall, and it uses same-day Yodel reservations with no cell signal on site.

Fees and permits

From the DNR vehicle permit page and fee schedule, before tax:

Example (derived from the ranges above): two nights at an electric site is 2 × ($20 + $10) + $8 = $68 at the low end, or 2 × ($35 + $10) + $8 = $98 at the high end, plus a vehicle permit ($7 overnight or $35 year-round). For multi-night stays, ask the park which permit covers your whole stay; the year-round permit covers every visit for a year.

Getting there

From I-35, take exit 147 (Highway 95) east to County Road 12, then 3 miles on County Road 12 to the entrance. The DNR's warning is plain: "Do not rely on a GPS unit to find the park's main entrance," because GPS points to the Sunrise Landing area at the park's center. Enter 39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN 55012 instead. The nearest town per the DNR is Center City.

Firewood: wood is sold only during ranger station hours. Arriving late? The DNR suggests the gas station in Almelund or another approved vendor; wood from outside Chisago County is prohibited unless it carries the MDA approval shield.

See more Twin Cities and St. Croix Valley guides or the park finder.

Before you go

1. Put the park address, not the park name, into your GPS.
2. Reserve ahead; winter electric sites are limited to four.
3. Buy your permit online or at the ranger station before heading to Sunrise Landing.
4. If you will arrive after the ranger station closes (3:30 p.m.), buy firewood first at the Almelund gas station or another approved vendor.
5. Confirm the guest house status on ReserveMN.
6. Do not plan to swim in the St. Croix.

Related guides: Interstate State Park · St. Croix State Park · William O'Brien State Park · Minnesota state park reservations explained

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Sources

• Minnesota DNR, Wild River State Park (camping, trails, alerts, history, directions): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00254
• Minnesota DNR, Wild River State Park map and guide (PDF, 2025): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00254.pdf
• Minnesota DNR, State park fees: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fees.html
• Minnesota DNR, Vehicle permits: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/permit.html
• Minnesota DNR, Reservation FAQ: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reserve-faq/index.html