Permits for Camping on the Lower St. Croix River Now Available

Via the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway:

The National Park Service (NPS) at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway announces that the annual permit required for camping on the Lower St. Croix River is now available. The permit is required for anyone camping along the St. Croix between St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin – Taylors Falls, Minnesota, and the Soo Line High Bridge (river mile 29.5). Camping in this area is limited to designated campsites.

The permit is available at the St. Croix River Visitor Center located at 401 North Hamilton Street in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. The visitor center is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.

The permit application is also available at www.nps.gov/sacn.  The completed form can be mailed to the NPS.  After reviewing the application, NPS staff will mail the permit.

The following regulations apply to camping along this stretch of river.

• Campers are required to bring in and use their own portable camp toilets or use onboard facilities on self-contained boats.
• Campers must camp in designated campsites, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• A total of 20 primitive individual and 2 primitive group campsites have been established. Up to 8 people and 3 tents are allowed at individual campsites. Group sites accommodate 9 to 16 people and up to 6 tents. Larger groups need to split up or make arrangements to camp in one of the state parks along this section of river.
• Camping is limited to 3 consecutive nights at any campsite and a maximum of 30 nights for the season.
• Campsites must be occupied on the first night of stay.
• The camping permit must be attached to the tent so it is clearly visible every time you camp in 2015.
• Alcohol is prohibited at the Eagle’s Nest campsites (river mile 48.5).
• Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am
• Campfires are permitted only in steel fire rings or grills.
• The cutting of live vegetation is strictly prohibited. Dead and down wood may be collected by hand from shoreline areas but not from islands.
• Possession of firewood that originates more than 10 miles from the Riverway is prohibited.
• Campfires must be out and cold before you leave the area.
• Please leave glass containers at home.
• All trash must be carried out of the Riverway at the end of your stay.
• Possession or use of fireworks is prohibited. 

For additional information, call the National Park Service at (715) 483-2274.