Campground Policies And Rules
- All campers must register at the Park Office.
- Washington County Parks vehicle permits are required on all vehicles entering the park. Daily Permit: $7/Annual Permit: $30
- No alcohol or pets.
- Quiet Hours: 10 p.m. – 8 a.m.
- Check In: 3 p.m. Check Out: 1 p.m.
- Maximum of 8 people per site
- To extend your stay, re-register at the Park Office by 11 a.m.
- Only one camping unit and one vehicle is allowed per site . One additional tent may be allowed for minor children under age 18.
- Campers younger than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Only approved firewood is allowed in Washington County Parks .
- Park gates close overnight. Registered campers may obtain a gate code from the Park Office for after-hours access.
- Weekends: 2-night minimum stay requirement
- Holidays: 3-night minimum stay
- 14-day maximum camping limit in any 30-day period
- Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to the reservation start date to receive a refund .
- Washington County reserves the right to move campers to different sites than requested due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Washington County Ordinance #213 governs activities in County Parks. A copy is available to review in the Park Office
Birthday Parties At Lake Elmo
The picnic shelters are available to rent for Birthday Parties and other private gatherings. Again, because of the great beach, this is a popular place to host birthdays. Pavilion rates are $150 $300/day. For more birthday party ideas, we have compiled FFTCs Ultimate Guide to Birthday Parties in the Twin Cities.
Prairie Restorations At Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Washington County planted 16 acres of prairie in Lake Elmo during the fall of 2018. You can find this prairie land west of the Rustic Campground. It help provide local seed sources for plantings. Up to 40 more acres will be planted in the coming year. Prairie areas are kept mowed to a height of 10 throughout the growing season to help the native grasses establish.
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Lake Elmo Park Reserve Campground
Just a 15-minute drive from the heart of St. Paul, the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Campground is a picture-perfect RV park on the edge of the Twin Cities. It offers direct access to 2,165 acres of hilly landscapes and lakes that offer everything from hiking to boating and horseback riding.RV camping at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Campground includes access to 80 RV sites, with 20/30/50-amp electric connections. Most sites are back-in, although there are a few pull-through sites, and some have sewer hookups. RVers can take advantage of the picnic tables and fire rings that are provided at each site while modern bathrooms and water are available at the Nordic Center. Pets are not permitted at the RV park.
Find the perfect RV for your campsite
Camping At Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Lake Elmo used to be my go-to spot for hike-in camping. Its been over a decade since weve camped there and since they no longer allow dogs in campgrounds, we are unlikely to go back. However for a family, Lake Elmo may be a good choice for camping. It also has modern campgrounds if hauling kids and equipment up a trail is not your thing. It has that great beach. And, it is really close to Minneapolis/St. Paul. Over the winter of 2019/2020, Lake Elmo is working to improve electrical and water hook-ups to many of the modern sites. In addition, a new playground is being installed in the campground.
Family campsites run $19-$37/night depending on amenities and reservations open in early January. For other nearby camping ideas, Anne has compiled FFTC Family Camping Guide: Minnesota State Park Campgrounds.
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The Playground At Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Lake Elmo has a good sized play area near the beach. As far as play areas go, this is a pretty fun one, but probably still not worth the vehicle fee on its own. However, with its close proximity to the beach, families can spend a day at the park. Its a bit too far away to be able to watch kids on both the playground and the beach at the same time, but close enough to go back and forth several times during the afternoon. You can expect everyone to sleep well after a day at Lake Elmo.
There are other smaller play areas scattered throughout the park.
Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Lake Elmo Park Reserve, a Washington County Regional Park, is 2,165 acres with 80 percent of its acreage set aside for preservation and protection. This portion will eventually resemble the land as it was prior to the arrival of the settlers in the mid-1800s. This park reserve offers gently rolling hills with a variety of landscape types, including forest and prairie. Watch for pheasants, weasels, red fox, woodpeckers, cardinals, cottontail rabbits, squirrels and white-tailed deer.ContactsEmail: DirectionsLocated 1 mile north of Interstate 94 and 2.5 miles east of Interstate 694 at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10 in the City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota.94 and 2.5 miles east of Interstate 694 at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10 in the City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
- From Interstate 94, exit at County Road 19. Follow County Road 19 to the north for one mile to County Road 10. Cross County Road 10 and proceed into the park.
- From Interstate 694, exit at County Road 10 . Follow County Road 10 east for 2.6 miles. Turn left into the park.
- From State Highway 5 in downtown Lake Elmo, follow County Road 17 south for 2.5 miles to County Road 10 . Turn right on County Road 10 for one mile. Turn right into the park.
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Winter Activities At Lake Elmo
Cross-Country Skiing:
Lake Elmos cross country ski trails are lit up for evening skiing. Ski passes are required for anyone age 18 and older using the ski trails. In fall of 2020, Washington County Parks announced that they would be moving away from the DNRs MN Ski Pass to use their own Nordic Ski Pass. The prices are about the same $6/daily and $30/season, but you will no longer be able to purchase one pass to cover both State Parks and Washington County Parks.
Ski Rentals Available:
The park rents Nordic Rocks cross country skis with adjustable poles in both youth and adult sizes. These skis can be worn over your own winter boots.
Learn more about Cross Country skiing in Washington Parks here.
Lake Elmo Orienteering Courses
Orienteering is kind of a cross between geocaching and cross country. It is a sport that combines racing with navigation. To practice orienteering at Lake Elmo, you will need a map of the park and a compass. There are three levels of courses, all originating at the Eagle Point trailhead parking lot. If you dont have a map, you can purchase one at the park office.
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Fishing In Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Lake Elmo Park Reserve has a fishing pier near the campground and boat launch. It has a nearby play area for when the kids tire of sitting still. The Minnesota DNR says this is a hard lake to fish and it has fewer fish species than nearby St. Croix Lake. More recently, the DNR has added a do-not-eat advisory for fish in Lake Elmo. If you do choose to fish, catch and release is the best current policy.