Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

William O'Brien State Park is an 1880-acre park located on Saint Croix River. The daughter of a local lumber baron, William O'Brien, donated land for the park. The park is about an hour drive from the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area. The park has a diverse landscape which includes the Saint Croix River, wetlands, hilly hardwood forests, and prairies. William O'Brien State Park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities from hiking to canoeing to winter recreation.

The park has 16 miles of hiking trails; most of these trails are groomed for cross country skiing in the winter. There is a swimming beach as well as fishing dock at Lake Alice. One can also fish the St. Croix River. Canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals are available. There is a large picnic area near Lake Alice.

The park has a visitor’s center with interpretive exhibits. There are also naturalist programs during the warm months.

There are two campgrounds (one is right by the river) at the park with a total of 125 sites, of which 71 have electric hook ups. In addition, there are 4 group camping areas and 4 camper cabins.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

State Park Fee

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Many outdoor activities.

Cons

Can be crowded.

Features

ADA accessible
Vault toilet
Boat ramp(s)
Wildlife
Family friendly
Flushing toilets
Rental facilities
Shelters
Geologically significant
Fishing
Dump stations
Picnic tables
Near lake or river
Wildflowers
Bird watching
Horseshoes
Potable water
Covered picnic areas
Bicycling
Volleyball

Location

Nearby Adventures

William O'Brien State Park, Minnesota
William O'Brien State Park, Minnesota

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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