“Sandwiched between Minnesota and Wisconsin!”
There is so much to do at Interstate State Park, located on the beautiful St. Croix River. Visitors can climb the cliffs of the St. Croix River Dalles, canoe the flat-water, watch kayakers rush through the rapids, or relax on an excursion boat. Spring brings a great diversity of wildflowers and in fall, the St. Croix River Valley forest is ablaze in the autumn colors of red, gold, and orange. The geology that formed this park intrigues visitors, and brings geologists from all over the world. At least 10 different lava flows are exposed in the park, along with two distinct glacial deposits, and traces of old streams valleys and faults. During the summer, hike the trails and explore the glacial potholes that make this park unique. Wildlife Creeks and springs that flow into the St. Croix River support white-tailed deer, skunks, raccoons, squirrels, and many different birds. There are many places in the park to listen for bird songs and owl calls. History In the 1800s, the threat of mining the St. Croix Dalles prompted leaders from Minnesota and Wisconsin to preserve the Dalles of the St. Croix River. Working together, the first interstate (Minnesota and Wisconsin) park in the nation was established. The Minnesota Legislature established the park in 1895; the Wisconsin Legislature followed in 1900. Today, visitors can hike both sides of the St. Croix River at Interstate Park in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Geology About 1.1 billion years ago, earthquakes erupted from Taylors Falls to Lake Superior. At least 10 different lava flows were the result. The hardened basalt rock from these lava flows was partly responsible for the formation of the Dalles of the St. Croix and the bottom of the river. From 530 million years ago up until 70 million years ago, the state was washed by advancing and retreating seas. Evidence of these ancient seas is revealed in the sedimentary rocks and formations found in the park. These rocks contain fossil remains of ancient animals, evidence of various creatures, and ripple marks left in stone by the now vanished seas. Actually, there have been many different St. Croix Valleys down through the ages. The original one was formed about 70 million years ago. The last one, which exists today, was formed about 10,000 years ago. This last glacier formed both Glacial Lake Duluth, now Lake Superior, and Glacial Lake Grantsburg, now extinct. Glacial Lake Duluth was much larger than Lake Superior is now. As this giant body of ice thawed, its meltwaters roared south to carve out the broad valley of the St. Croix. Only very resistant basalts were able to partially withstand the torrent, resulted in the dalles, potholes, and cliffs. Landscape The park's landscape is diverse and includes floodplains and forests of hard maple, oak, and pine. Many rare and endangered species are found in the park. For a small, highly visited area, Interstate is a haven to these unique species. Small gardens were planted in the pothole area in the early 1900s.
Reviews of Interstate State Park
5 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 4G
Confirmed by 2 users | Last reported on August 16, 2021T-Mobile 4G
Confirmed by 1 users | Last reported on August 16, 2021We stayed here for our first night on a trip out to Montana. The campsites were nice and bathrooms were great for a state park! We didn't have time to stay and explore but We checked out the glacial potholes before leaving and were happy we did.
The campground here is small (37 sites) but nicely situated along the St Croix River. It is also near Route 8 so you will hear road noise. Electric sites on inside of the loop; non with river view. Nice clean restrooms but the over the sink mirrors are for giants! (There is a full length one.) Not sure why they were placed so high! River Trail is nice and the potholes area fun to explore. Camp clubhouse with a stone fireplace and stocked with games and books was a nice addition.
Nightly Rate: $31.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 34
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
This is a small campground with the St. Croix River on one side (pretty) and Highway 8 on the other (a bit noisy at times but not terrible).
Sites aren't very private and you're rather close to neighbors but it's a relatively quiet place due to the small number of campsites. They have a mix of electric and non-electric sites. The ones directly on the river are non-electric.
Bathhouse is old and showing its age, but seems to work well overall.
Cell service was spotty at times but stayed solid enough for the most part for decent service. Not good or great service without using our cell booster.
The main draw here is either the canoe rentals in the campground for the river or visiting the main park area with the glacial potholes, which are really neat to see. (Definitely go check those out.)
We'd stay again if passing through.
Nightly Rate: $34.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 20E
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 4G
Lovely park.
Nice sexy park
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Interstate State Park
Hours
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- State park or forest
- Back In RV Sites Count
- 17
- Last Nightly Rate
- 34.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 21.0
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 25.0
- Max Length
- 35 ft
- Max Stay
- 14
- Season End
- Oct.
- Season Start
- April
- Sites Count
- 37
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Paved Sites
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Fifty Amp
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Full Hookup
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Pull Through
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Tent Sites
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Back In RV Sites
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Potable Water
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Sites
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Standard Tent Sites
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Vehicle Wash Permitted
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Water Hookup
Campground, Parking, Restrooms
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