Afton State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Sitting on the St. Croix River in Minnesota is Afton State Park, which is only 20 miles away from downtown St. Paul and less than a mile from the Wisconsin border. Highlights of the park include a landscape carved by glaciers, 28 backpack camping sites, and many groomed skiing trails. The name for the park comes from a poem about the River Afton, which is located in Scotland. Afton State Park was created soon after a similar state park on the river, William O’Brien State Park, began to draw in large crowds in the 1960s. As a way to offer more public recreation, Afton State Park was developed, although local residents opposed the park at first from fears that the traffic would be too great. As a compromise with residents, the park does not allow snowmobiles, and certain areas of the park, including the beach and campground, are not accessible by vehicle.
Spring 35-58 F
Summer 61-84 F
Fall 38-59 F
Winter 5-23 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Afton State Park
28 campsites at Afton State Park are available for backpack campers to use, and these sites can only be reached by taking a 0.75 to 1.25-mile hike from the parking area up a hill. At the campground, backpack hikers will find firewood and water available. For group camping, the park offers two group campsites that each accommodate up to 60 people. One of these sites is available for tent camping only while the other is available for small RVs and pop-up campers to use. Additionally, there are a few camping cabins with electricity located in the park.
What to Do at
Afton State Park
A lot of visitors come to this state park to enjoy the multiple picnic areas along the shore of the St. Croix River, especially in the spring, summer, and fall, when the leaves of the local forests change hue. In the winter, many of the park’s trails are groomed and transformed into cross-country skiing trails. The park office also offers snowshoe rentals in the winter, and there is a year-round gift shop with firewood sales there too.
Fishing
Anglers love the St. Croix River for its warm water fish species, which include bass, walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, catfish, sucker, sturgeon, and carp. Fishing spots at this state park can be found by the swim beach or along the North River Trail.
Hiking
Afton State Park offers 20 miles of hiking trails, including a self-guided interpretive trail that loops around the visitor center. In the winter, 12 miles of trails are open for cross-country skiing, and a different 12 miles are open for snowshoe hiking or regular hiking and running. Some of the most popular trails at the park include the Trout Brook Loop, Prairie Loop, and Bobolink Loop.
Swimming
Afton State Park offers a swimming beach on the river that can be accessed by hiking a short trail from the visitor center. No pets are allowed on the beach, and there are picnic sites located nearby.
Biking
Five miles of paved biking trails are available at this state park. In the winter, these trails may or may not be open, depending on weather conditions.
How to Get to
Afton State Park
Afton State Park is found along the St. Croix Scenic Byway in Washington County. This park can be easily accessed from St. Paul, and visitors can reach the park by taking I-94 East from the St. Paul and Minneapolis area. From there, take Exit 253 for Minnesota 95 South, then take Minnesota 95 South/Manning Avenue South for about seven miles. After that, turn left onto 70th Street South/Washington County Highway 22. Continue 3.5 miles, and then follow straight to enter the park.
Entering Afton State Park
The park office can be found on the right 0.2 miles from the park entrance. Parking is available at the office and at the interpretive center, which is located farther into the park. An additional parking area can be found at the trailhead on the north end of the park, along 50th Street South.
Afton State Park Vehicle Permit (Daily) : $7.0
Afton State Park Vehicle Permit (Annual) : $35.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Afton State Park
Perhaps the best time of year to visit Afton State Park is in the summer when the weather is pleasant for swimming and the roads are clear of snow. In the winter and early spring, the roads may block certain areas of the park, including the group campsites.
The timber rattlesnake is found in the area of Afton State Park, and this reptile is not typically found in the more northwestern regions of Minnesota. Other wildlife in the area include wild turkeys, hawks, eagles, owls, Blanding’s turtles, and Blanchard’s cricket frogs.
There is one group campsite, known as Group Camp #1, that can accommodate RVs at Afton State Park. This site is a group site that is designed for groups of up to 60 people to use, and it features drinking water with no hookups.
Reservations are accepted online for the campsites located at this state park. Most backpack campsites will cost $22 a night to reserve while the group campsites will cost $50 a night to reserve.
Pets are allowed at Afton State Park so long as they are kept on a leash that is no longer than six feet long. Pets may not be allowed in any of the facilities or on the beach though, including in the camping cabins.