William O'Brien State Park - United States

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About William O'Brien State Park

William O'Brien State Park is a scenic state park located along the St. Croix River in Washington County, Minnesota, about 45 minutes from the Twin Cities. The park encompasses rolling forested hills and grasslands, featuring 12 miles of hiking trails and recreational amenities. Established in 1947, it was Minnesota's first metro-area state park and attracts visitors year-round for camping, trail exploration, and water recreation.

RV quick facts for William O'Brien State Park

Detail	Information
Max RV length	60 feet at both Savanna and Riverway campgrounds
Full hookups	Electric hookups only: 50-amp at Savanna Campground, 30-amp at Riverway Campground. No water or sewer hookups available.
Dump station	Available April through October only
Reservation window	Reservations open in early spring for full season; call 866-857-2757 or book online 24/7
Campground season	Riverway Campground (114 sites): late April to mid-October. Savanna Campground (sites with 50-amp): open year-round.
Restrooms and showers	Full facilities available April through October. Vault toilets only November through March.
Cell service	Varies within the park; plan accordingly for remote areas

Featured RV rentals for William O'Brien State Park

Superhost

Forest River Travel Trailer

2022 • New listing

$165 USD /night

Lucky 2021 Jayco 2021 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 184BH Travel Trailer

2021 • 4.8(5)

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Keystone Travel Trailer

2021 • New listing

$175 USD /night

2024 Pet Friendly Travel Trailer - Sleeps 10

Keystone Travel Trailer

2024 • 5.0(2)

$150 USD /night

Oren's Forest River Cherokee Alpha Wolf 26RL-L Travel Trailer

Forest River Travel Trailer

2020 • 5.0(2)

$130 USD /night

Forest River Wolf pup 16bhs Travel Trailer

Forest River Travel Trailer

2021 • New listing

$120 USD /night

"Neverland" A family Friendly Bunkhouse!

Forest River Class C

2017 • 4.5(1)

$240 USD /night

Prime Time Travel Trailer

2021 • 5.0(1)

$129 USD /night

Forest River Travel Trailer

2020 • 4.9(9)

$110 USD /night

RV Rentals William O'Brien State Park

William O'Brien State Park, MN, United States

How to get to William O'Brien State Park

The park is located on Highway 95, two miles north of Marine-on-St. Croix, approximately 45 minutes northeast of the Twin Cities. The nearest major airport is Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), about 43 miles away. Highway 95 is a scenic byway that parallels the St. Croix River and accommodates RVs up to 60 feet. No unusual RV restrictions apply to the main park access road, though check real-time winter conditions at 511mn.org during snow season.

Best time to visit William O'Brien State Park

Late April through October offers the best RV camping experience when both campgrounds are fully open with complete amenities including showers and dump stations. Summer months (June through August) provide warm weather ideal for hiking and water activities, though they attract peak crowds. Shoulder seasons in May and September offer pleasant temperatures with fewer visitors. Winter camping is available at Savanna Campground, but facilities are limited and snowy roads may impact travel.

Jan 20 mm

19°F - 6°F

Park open for winter camping at Savanna Campground only. Vault toilets only. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing available on trails.

Feb 58 mm

23°F - 10°F

Cold, snowy conditions. Vault toilets only. Winter activities continue on groomed trails.

Mar 53 mm

38°F - 24°F

Late-season snow possible. Riverway Campground and main facilities remain closed. Vault toilets only.

Apr 119 mm

57°F - 36°F

Riverway Campground reopens late April with full amenities. Peak spring flooding possible near river.

May 137 mm

70°F - 46°F

Pleasant spring weather. Both campgrounds fully operational. Trails ideal for hiking.

Jun 150 mm

78°F - 56°F

Warm weather and highest rainfall. Summer recreation in full swing. Peak visitation begins.

Jul 170 mm

79°F - 61°F

Warmest month. Peak camping season. Lake Alice ideal for swimming.

Aug 178 mm

77°F - 59°F

Warm, humid, and most precipitation. Peak season continues. Higher campground occupancy.

Sep 119 mm

70°F - 52°F

Comfortable fall weather. Fewer crowds than summer. Ideal for hiking and water activities.

Oct 122 mm

58°F - 39°F

Cool fall conditions. Riverway Campground closes mid-October. Fall foliage on trails.

Nov 97 mm

39°F - 28°F

Cold, wet autumn weather. Riverway Campground and main facilities closed except vault toilets. Early snow possible.

Dec 64 mm

28°F - 13°F

Park open for winter camping at Savanna Campground only. Vault toilets only. Snow and freezing conditions.

Things to do at William O'Brien State Park

Riverside Trail Loop Easy
RV parking available
This 1.6-mile loop follows the St. Croix River with scenic overlooks and interpretive signage, offering views of water, woodland, and wildlife. The trail begins paved but transitions to gravel and natural surfaces, with sections suitable for most fitness levels.
Upper Park Trail Moderate
RV parking available
A 5.3-mile hiking trail with 377 feet of elevation gain that traverses rolling forested hills and offers scenic views from the park's high points. On clear days, visitors can see Taylors Falls to the north from the overlooks.
Lake Alice Swimming and Fishing Easy
RV parking available
This 15-acre spring-fed lake offers a sandy beach for swimming and is stocked with panfish. Fishing is available for northern pike, walleye, bass, and trout. A fishing pier near the lake outlet is wheelchair accessible, and the park loans fishing poles and tackle for free.
Canoe and Kayak Rentals
RV parking available
Visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for paddling on Lake Alice or the St. Croix River. The calm waters of Lake Alice are ideal for beginners, while the river offers more scenic exploration of bluffs and wildlife habitat.
Birdwatching and Wildlife Viewing
RV parking available
The park is home to bald eagles, great blue herons, kingfishers, warblers, woodpeckers, and bluebirds. White-tailed deer browse forest edges at dawn and dusk, and the park also hosts raccoons, foxes, beavers, and minks. Scenic overlooks provide prime viewing spots.
Winter Trail Activities Easy to Moderate
RV parking available
From November through March, groomed trails support cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Riverside Trail is maintained for snowshoers throughout winter, offering peaceful exploration of the frozen landscape.
Samuel H. Morgan Interpretive Center
RV parking available
The visitor center features interactive exhibits about the park's ecology, wildlife, and natural history. The center provides information about trails, activities, and park features, with accessible restrooms and visitor services.

Top Hosts near MN, United States

Wesley14 trips - Joined Jan 2021

Wes' camper was clean and well-maintained and he was a delight to do business with!

Matt S. - Apr 2024

Wesley was wonderful to work with. He thoroughly explained everything we needed to know. Camper was in excellent condition. We will definitely rent from Wesley again.

Linda H. - Aug 2023