Riverside Group Camp

Greetings, fellow Minnesotans! Planning a large gathering, a family reunion, or an adventurous outing with a significant group? If you're looking for a dedicated space where your entire party can enjoy the beauty of our state's outdoors together, Riverside Group Camp in Scandia, MN, offers an exceptional solution. Tucked away within the magnificent William O'Brien State Park, this group campground provides the perfect blend of natural serenity and the necessary infrastructure to accommodate larger parties, making it an ideal choice for your next collective Minnesota adventure.

For those of us organizing events for bigger groups, finding a location that offers ample space, a beautiful setting, and a supportive environment is crucial. Riverside Group Camp excels in these areas, providing a unique opportunity for friends, families, or organizations to connect, recreate, and make lasting memories by the scenic St. Croix River. It's a testament to Minnesota's commitment to providing diverse outdoor experiences for all its residents.

Riverside Group Camp is conveniently located in Scandia, MN 55073, USA, specifically within the sprawling and popular William O'Brien State Park. This placement along the picturesque St. Croix River, a federally recognized Wild and Scenic Riverway, makes it an incredibly desirable destination. For Minnesotans, the campground's accessibility is a key advantage; it's situated within a reasonable driving distance from the Twin Cities metropolitan area, typically around an hour's journey, which minimizes travel stress and maximizes time spent enjoying the natural surroundings.

Upon entering William O'Brien State Park, clear signage will direct you to the group camping areas. While the specific address provided is general to Scandia, it's understood that Riverside Group Camp is an integral part of the park's camping offerings. Its riverfront location not only provides stunning views but also offers direct access to various water-based activities, enhancing the overall group experience. The park's well-maintained internal roads ensure easy navigation for multiple vehicles converging for a group event.

Riverside Group Camp, as a dedicated facility within William O'Brien State Park, is designed to accommodate larger gatherings with essential services. While specific site-level details for this group camp are generally less individual than family campsites, the park ensures necessary provisions:

• Group Capacity: Riverside Group Camp has a stated capacity of 50 people, making it perfectly suited for large family reunions, youth group outings, or organizational retreats.
• Tent Camping Focus: Group camps are primarily designed for tent camping, offering a more traditional and communal outdoor experience. While not explicitly stated, amenities such as picnic tables and fire rings are standard for group sites.
• Proximity to Restrooms and Water: Group camps are typically located within convenient walking distance of central restroom facilities, which may include flush toilets and hot showers. Access to potable water is also provided. William O'Brien State Park has recently renovated shower buildings, improving comfort.
• Shared Facilities: Campers at the group site will have access to the broader park amenities, including picnic grounds with numerous tables and shelters, which can be useful for larger gatherings beyond the immediate campsite.
• Firewood and Ice Sales: Firewood and ice are available for purchase at the main park office, ensuring groups have easy access to essentials for campfires.
• Trailer Sanitation Facility: A trailer sanitation facility (dump station) is available within the park for the convenience of RVs, though group camps are generally not designed for individual RV hookups.

Riverside Group Camp offers several unique features and highlights that make it particularly suitable for group outings in Minnesota:

• Dedicated Group Space: The primary highlight is the exclusive space for large groups. This allows for privacy and the ability to manage a larger gathering without impacting individual campsites, fostering a more cohesive and enjoyable group experience.
• Riverside Location: As its name suggests, Riverside Group Camp is situated along the St. Croix River. This prime location provides beautiful scenery, the soothing sounds of the river, and direct access to river-based activities like fishing, canoeing, and kayaking (canoe rentals are available in the park during summer).
• Ample Open Space: Group camps typically feature larger, more open areas suitable for multiple tents, communal activities, and simply spreading out comfortably.
• Seclusion within a Popular Park: While part of a popular state park, the group camp setting often offers a greater sense of seclusion compared to individual drive-in campsites, allowing groups to enjoy their own space.
• Access to William O'Brien State Park Amenities: Groups staying at Riverside Group Camp have full access to all the fantastic features of William O'Brien State Park. This includes a swimming beach on Lake Alice, 12 miles of diverse hiking trails traversing woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands, and 12 miles of cross-country ski trails for winter recreation.
• Nature Immersion: The diverse ecosystems of the park provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching, wildlife observation, and simply enjoying the natural beauty of the St. Croix Valley.
• Year-Round Interpretive Programs: William O'Brien State Park often offers naturalist and interpretive programs, which can be a valuable educational and engaging activity for groups of all ages.

For reservations or specific inquiries about Riverside Group Camp, as it is part of William O'Brien State Park, you will need to contact the main park office or use the state park's reservation system. While a direct phone number for Riverside Group Camp itself isn't typically provided separately, you can reach William O'Brien State Park at:

• Address: Scandia, MN 55073, USA (specifically within William O'Brien State Park, located at 16821 O'Brien Trail North, Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047, which is the park's main mailing address)
• William O'Brien State Park Phone: (651) 439-6000. For reservations, the Minnesota DNR's toll-free reservation line is generally 866-857-2757.

It is strongly advised to make reservations for group camps well in advance, as they are highly sought after, especially during peak seasons and weekends. Checking the Minnesota DNR website for William O'Brien State Park is the best way to get the most current information on availability, rates, and any specific group camping guidelines.

For us Minnesotans, Riverside Group Camp at William O'Brien State Park is an unparalleled local resource for large gatherings. The ability to reserve a dedicated space with a capacity for up to 50 people means that family reunions, scout troop outings, youth group adventures, or even small corporate retreats can be hosted seamlessly in a beautiful natural setting without the logistical headaches of multiple individual campsites. Its accessible location, just about an hour from the Twin Cities, makes it incredibly convenient for groups traveling from various parts of the metro area, ensuring less time coordinating travel and more time enjoying each other's company.

The allure of a riverside location along the magnificent St. Croix is a huge draw, offering not just a picturesque backdrop but also opportunities for canoeing, fishing, and other water-based fun that can be easily integrated into a group's activities. The spacious tent-focused sites provide ample room for all members of the group to set up comfortably, while the access to the park's extensive amenities – from hiking trails and a swimming beach to renovated facilities – ensures that there's "plenty to do" for everyone, regardless of age or interest.

Ultimately, Riverside Group Camp offers a unique opportunity for Minnesotans to foster community and create shared memories in a stunning and well-maintained state park environment. It embodies the best of our state's outdoor offerings, providing a dedicated, serene, and activity-rich setting for groups to experience the beauty and tranquility of Minnesota's natural landscapes together.

Riverside Group Camp

Scandia, MN 55073, USA