Wild River State Park is a Minnesota state park near Center City, covering 6,756 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It offers camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.
- 6,756acres
- Center Citymailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Hiking trails
- Nevers Dam Overlook
- Wildlife and wildflowers
Plan It In Three Lines
- Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Cost: a $7 one-day vehicle permit or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR fees page of October 19, 2026; confirm before you go.
- Pets: leashed (six feet or shorter) outside buildings, lodging and beaches, per the DNR rules page; park-specific limits are listed below.
About The Park
The DNR describes it: Wild River State Park is located along 18 miles of the beautiful St. Croix River. The park attracts people who enjoy camping, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, interpretive programs, self-guided trails, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Day visitors can enjoy a leisurely paddle down the St. Croix River from the Sunrise river access to the southern park river access.
Wildlife. Wild River provides habitat for a variety of wildlife. Hawks, owls, eagles, and a diversity of songbirds are common. The tracks of beaver, raccoon, fox, coyote, otter, mink, and deer are often seen in the soft earth or snow.
History. The St. Croix River Valley was first occupied by nomadic people 6,000 years ago. For thousands of years, the valley was home for the Dakota and Ojibwe Indians. Samuel's Fur Post and Connor's Goose Creek Post were active in 1847.
Geology. Wild River's varied landscape was created by the events of the last Ice Age. Over one million years ago, glaciers up to a mile in depth moved into the region.
Visit Facts
- Address39797 Park Trail Center City, MN 55012
- Phone651-583-2125 Park Naturalist: extension 227
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursDaily 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with extended hours on Friday and Saturday evenings through 10/24/2026. . November hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., staff dependent.
- Emailwildriver.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point45.52421, -92.75447 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Wild River State Park
- Entry noteVehicle permits are not available at Sunrise Landing; buy in advance online or at the ranger station
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Accessible | 3 miles | The paved Old Logging Trail runs three miles linking the trail center, visitor center, picnic area and campground. |
| Summer | Hiking | — | We have over 30 miles of hiking trails. |
| Summer | Paved Bike | — | The paved Old Logging Trail runs three miles linking the trail center, visitor center, picnic area, and campground. |
| Summer | Horse | — | We have 20 miles of horse trails. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic | — | We have 19 miles of groomed trails for both classic and skate skiing. Trails range from easy to challenging. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required on groomed ski trails for skiers age 16 and up. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Skate | — | We have 6 miles of groomed skate skiing. The Amador Prairie Loops are groomed for skate and classic skiing (single track). The Highland Hills loops are for skate skiing only. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | — | The park offers 5 miles of trails for snowshoeing and winter hiking. Hikers may use these trails or go off-trail as long as they don't cross groomed ski trails. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | — | There are 94 drive-in sites. Each has vegetative screening between campsites for privacy. No more than two camping structures per site: two tents OR one tent and one trailer. No more than one wheeled camping unit per site. Two sites are doubles. Each can accommodate up to four tents and up to 12 people. In winter, electric sites are available in the campground's D lane. |
| Pull-Through Sites | — | There are two pull-through sites. Neither are electric. |
| Electric Sites | — | There are 34 electric sites. |
| RV Length Limit | — | The maximum RV length is 60 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | — | The campground has one accessible drive-in site. The site is near a restroom and has electricity. |
| Backpack Sites | — | There are eight backpack sites. Distance to sites varies from 1/4 mile to two miles. There is no water at these sites. |
| Canoe-in Sites | — | There are four canoe-in sites. These are located along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Horse Camp | — | There are 20 horse camp sites. These sites feature rustic camping without showers. 18 of these have electricity. Picket lines are available. |
| Group Camp | — | There are nine group camp sites that accommodate 18 people each. These sites are for tents only. There is no drive-in access. Sites are 150 to 850 feet from parking. Area includes hand pump for water and vault toilets. |
| Accessible Lodging | — | Camper cabins 3 and 5 are accessible. |
| Camper Cabins | — | There are six cabins with rustic furnishings, heat and outlets. There is no indoor plumbing. All cooking must be done outside. Cabins 1, 2, 4, and 6 accommodate six people. Cabins 3 and 5 are accessible and accommodate five people. No pets allowed. Get more information on camper cabins. |
| Guest House | — | See guest house details and photos. The guest house will be closed this spring and summer for ADA renovations and remodeling. Thank you for your support as we improve our facilities! reserve now. –> |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing | — | The best places to access the St. Croix River are at the Sunrise Landing picnic area and the sandbar south of the Nevers Dam site overlook. |
| Boat Access | — | The main park landing and Sunrise landing have boat access. |
| Boat Docks | — | The main park landing has a boat dock. The dock is available from mid-May to mid-October depending on river conditions. |
| Canoe Access | — | The main park landing and Sunrise landing have canoe access. |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | — | The picnic area is on a bluff above the river. There are picnic tables, standing grills, campfire rings, and seasonal restrooms. |
| Picnic Shelter | — | The picnic shelter is accessible, partially enclosed, and accommodates 50 people. There are picnic tables, a deck with two benches, two electric outlets, and a four-sided stone fireplace. The picnic shelter is available seasonally. Call the park to reserve. |
| Other | — | Our trail center is accessible and accommodates 55 people. The trail center has modern restrooms, two wood stoves, tables with chairs and a small kitchen with a sink, refrigerator and counter area with electric outlets. The trail center is available for rent between April and October. The Rental fee is $50 per day. Call the park to reserve. |
| Warming House | — | The trail center serves as a warming house in the winter. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | — | Visit our nature store in the ranger station! |
| Visitor Center | — | Learn about the park through interpretive exhibits and take in magnificent views of the St. Croix River Valley. Restrooms are available year-round during park hours. |
| Interpretive Exhibit | — | Interpretive exhibits are available at the Old Nevers Dam site, picnic area, and visitor center. A Vanished Forest exhibit is across the parking lot from the trail center. |
| Naturalist Programs | — | Public programs are on the DNR Events Calendar and posted in the park. Contact the naturalist in advance to request a program for your group. |
| Rentals | — | Fishing kits (rod, reel, stocked tackle box), birding kits, sensory kits (headphones, fidget toys, calming toys), GPS units, and kids' discovery kits (activities and stories designed for age 5-12) are available to check out for free at the visitor center. |
| Firewood | — | Firewood is available year-round during ranger station hours. |
| Ice Sales | — | Ice is available year-round during ranger station hours. |
Pets And Permits
Statewide, the DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks on a leash six feet or shorter, attended at all times; only service animals are allowed in buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas. A vehicle permit costs $7 a day or $35 a year (DNR fees page, read October 19, 2026). See the parks passport page for the full price list.
Park-specific: No pets allowed.
Directions
From I-35, take State Highway 95 to County Road 12. Drive 3 miles on County Road 12 to the park entrance. Do not rely on a GPS unit to find the park's main entrance! GPS units direct you to the geographic center of the park (Sunrise Landing area), not to the main park entrance. Please consult a map or call the ranger station if you need additional driving directions.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Interstate State ParkState Park, about 10 miles away in a straight line
- William O'Brien State ParkState Park, about 21 miles away in a straight line
- St. Croix State ParkState Park, about 34 miles away in a straight line
- Banning State ParkState Park, about 46 miles away in a straight line
- Afton State ParkState Park, about 47 miles away in a straight line
- Minnehaha Regional Park and Minnehaha FallsRegional Park, about 48 miles away in a straight line
What We Could Not Verify
- Current alerts, closures, trail and campground conditions: they change daily. Read the DNR park page before you go.
- County: the DNR page does not state it, so we do not print one.
- Fees for lodging and group sites, and day-by-day availability: set by the DNR reservation system.
- Permit prices were read on October 19, 2026 and the DNR page shows no effective date.
- The map point is the park’s printed coordinate, not a verified entrance.
More In St. Croix Valley & East Central
- Banning State Park
- Interstate State Park
- St. Croix State Park
- Events in St. Croix Valley & East Central
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wild River State Park?
It is near Center City, Minnesota. The DNR address is 39797 Park Trail Center City, MN 55012.
How much does it cost to visit Wild River State Park?
A one-day vehicle permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35 on the DNR fees page we read on October 19, 2026. Check the fees page before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Wild River State Park?
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. This park’s page adds limits listed in Pets And Permits above.
Sources
- Wild River State Park (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.