When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool with high water in the St. Croix and greening cliffs above the gorge.
Pack Rain shell, layers, and grippy footwear for wet rock near the potholes.
Summer
Warm and busy, with riverboat tours, rock climbing, and paddling on the St. Croix.
Pack Water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes for uneven basalt.
Fall
The signature season, with brilliant color framing the basalt gorge and river.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and traction for leaf-covered rock.
Winter
Cold and quiet, with the gorge dramatic under snow and reduced services.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a plan for limited winter facilities.
Top things to do
Glacial potholes and the Dalles
The park's signature geology: deep cylindrical potholes drilled into basalt by glacial meltwater, including the 60-foot Bottomless Pit, the deepest explored pothole in the world.
River Trail along the St. Croix
A walk along the wild and scenic St. Croix beneath the basalt cliffs of the Dalles.
Rock climbing and riverboat tours
The Dalles cliffs are a regional climbing spot, and seasonal paddleboat tours run the gorge from Taylors Falls.
Anchor the day around Glacial potholes and the Dalles
Put permit timing ahead of ambition, then build the route around what is actually approved. For one day in Interstate State Park, make Glacial potholes and the Dalles the non-negotiable, add River Trail along the St. Croix only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Rock climbing and riverboat tours as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Glacial potholes and the Dalles: The park's signature geology: deep cylindrical potholes drilled into basalt by glacial meltwater, including the 60-foot Bottomless Pit, the deepest explored pothole.
- 2Add River Trail along the St. Croix: A walk along the wild and scenic St. Croix beneath the basalt cliffs of the Dalles.
- 3Use Rock climbing and riverboat tours as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Interstate's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around access
Plan the transfer before the trail list.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Interstate State Park. Tune the route, pack weight, weather margin, and overnight setup after the access plan is real.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Interstate State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Interstate State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Interstate
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Interstate
The buying guides that match what Interstate asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
The campground has about 37 sites, including electric loops and outer river-access sites, reservable through the Minnesota system. Reserve early for fall color. The town of Taylors Falls is right at the park, and nearby St. Croix Falls across the river in Wisconsin and the larger Stillwater area add lodging and dining.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Reserve Interstate camping early for fall color in the St. Croix gorge.
The campground is small, and fall-color weekends along the St. Croix are the busiest window. Lock the site before building the trip.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Minnesota state park campsites require a reservation before occupancy, including same-day stays, through the official Minnesota reservation system.
- About 37 sites, including electric hookup loops and outer river-access areas.
- A Minnesota vehicle permit is required in addition to the camping fee.
- This is the Minnesota side; the Wisconsin Interstate park across the river is a separate reservation system.
Where to book or verify
Official Minnesota DNR reservation portal for Interstate campsites.
Official Minnesota DNR page for the potholes, trails, and camping.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Interstate campground (Minnesota side)
Details- Booking
- Reserve through the Minnesota DNR system, including same-day reservations.
- Season
- Seasonal camping with reservable sites; verify dates on the DNR page.
- Sites
- About 37 sites across electric hookup loops and outer river-access areas, accommodating RVs and tents.
- Along the St. Croix with Highway 8 nearby. Compact and popular in fall color.
Getting there and practical info
Make the transfer plan before the trail plan.
Weather windows, boat schedules, flight buffers, and backup days shape what is realistic.
Getting there
Get to Interstate State Park by solving the transfer first.
- Access rhythm
- Transfer time matters
- Region
- Minnesota
Arrival note
Interstate State Park is in Taylors Falls, about an hour northeast of the Twin Cities off Highway 8.
Transfer plan
A car is the practical way to reach the park and move between the pothole area, the campground, and the riverboat dock.
Local movement
The Minnesota and Wisconsin halves of the park are separate units on either side of the St. Croix, so confirm which side you mean, because each requires its own state permit.
Pair this with lodging: the best base is the one that protects the departure window, pickup point, or weather buffer.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Minnesota permits locally with a film-friendly posture; DNR state parks require permits for advertising and staged shoots, and the state adds its own MnDOT drone registration on top of Part 107.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107, and Minnesota adds state-level requirements: commercial drones must be registered with MnDOT (annual or per-event), operators advertising drone services need a MnDOT Commercial Operations License, and proof of insurance is required under Minn. Stat. 360.59
- Land
- Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
What are the glacial potholes at Interstate State Park?
They are deep cylindrical holes drilled into the basalt bedrock by sand and stones swirling in glacial meltwater more than 10,000 years ago. The park includes the Bottomless Pit, the deepest explored pothole in the world at about 60 feet.
Do you need a permit for Interstate State Park in Minnesota?
Yes. A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required, about $7 for a day permit or $35 annually. Camping fees are separate. The Wisconsin side of the park requires its own Wisconsin permit.
Why does Interstate State Park span two states?
It was the first state park in the country to span two states, with units in both Minnesota and Wisconsin straddling the Dalles of the St. Croix River. Each side is run by its own state and needs its own permit.
Can you take a riverboat tour at Interstate State Park?
Yes. Seasonal paddleboat tours run from Taylors Falls through the Dalles gorge, offering a water-level view of the basalt cliffs. The Dalles cliffs are also a popular regional rock-climbing spot.