Gyan Baug — Attraction in Scandia

It has close proximity to the cities so I think this is why there's such a big draw but in my opinion, there's not much going on here relative to adventure.

There are nice amenities that the park provides: Geocaching, decent cross country ski trails, canoe launch, etc.

I think it's laughable that you have to pay an extra $9 to use the cross country ski trails.

Once, my brother-in-law and I went there with our young children. He had 2 kids, I had 3 kids (one toddler). The sites were $23. You had to purchase wood there (about $8 to have enough for a marshmallow fire) , $10 for a vehicle permit. They told us we had to rent 2 sites since there was a 6 person limit. I told them we only had 2 tents, 5 small kids and one was a toddler. They wouldn't budge and insisted we pay for 2 sites even though we would not be using the other site for a tent, car, nor fire! ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! (2 sites= $46 = $8 wood, + $20 vehicle permits = $75 for one night of camping!)

We calculated costs and found that we could go to a hotel, with a continental breakfast, a pool and 2 queen sized beds in Taylors Falls for cheaper than Willie O'brien! Think about it.

The rangers there seem so bent on making sure everyone follows each and every rule to the T that it burdens the camper to the point of agitation and ruins the experience. I don't really need a preemptive reminder that I can't make my fire too big or make too much noise after 9 pm. Try separating your sites with more than just a dandelion and maybe folks won't have to worry as much. I get more privacy in my back yard.

For the amenities and diverse ecosystems the park provides, the park gets one extra star. For the hospitality, and governance, the park gets a solo. Cross over the river to Willow River in WI for a MUCH better experience. Huge waterfall, great fishing (trout), beach, trails, climbing, river walking, you can collect your own firewood (dead and fallen), and the rangers actually go out of their way to help you and talk to you like equals and not a...

On a beautiful cool August day we embarked on a journey to tour the park. We found the visitor center fairly easy to access and the workers were very friendly and helpful. After we checked out the visitor center we started with the riverside trail working are way towards the northern section then headed southward. The first scenic overlook we came upon was Lake Alice we quickly realized something was not the normal as the lake was dried up, but still hosted a variety of bird species and provided some interesting views. As we meandered through the southern end turning towards the st. Croix we found some gents fly fishing in the river and other people enjoying the August day. There were several nice stopping points to catch views of the river and very peaceful stroll as we headed north along the river banks. The Journey took us 42 minutes. Next we headed back to the Visitor center where we were still thirsty for more hiking and literally needed a water break-but we came prepared with a backpack filled with water and some healthy snacks. We then chartered a path for the Western loop that would pass us by the wedge hill group camp and Beaver lodge trail. It was here that we discovered the Minnesota native scene as if it were 1858. The prairie grasses swaying in the wind and the whimsical noise of the wind through the white pines. I would say this hike was pleasant, but not over stimulating and gave us time to chat along with some great exercise. There was some photos opportunities and wild flowers still blooming which was a pleasant surprise. By the end of our journey we had 5 miles on the day. The weather was perfect for the hike and felt like the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I would recommend bringing water and stopping occasionally to take in the nature...

William O'Brien State Park has two different camp grounds (plus a couple of group camp grounds and two hike-/cart-in sites. We stayed at the Riverview campground. down the river bluffs from the main portion of the park, and as the name implies, on the shores of the St. Croix River. Our site was a non-electric site on the outside ring, with just a thin slip of woods and a hiking trail between us and the St. Croix river. On a hot summer day, the breeze off the river would be welcoming and cooling, but on an abnoramlly chilly spring day, the wind off the river was a bone-chilling constant. The campsite itself was situated about 500' from the shower/bathroom, and those facilities were clean, and in service, but otherwise unremarkable. There was not a lot of other tent campers at the campground, likely the cold temps kept some folks away, but the electric sites in the rest of the campground were filled with campers. We had the unfortunate experience of being across the road from the loudest group of campers in the campground, as a part of eight different families and their campers used the site across the road from us as their main gathering point. Quiet hours at the campground are from 10pm to 8am, and their festivities carried on until nearly 2am both nights. There was no effort from park staff to enforce quiet hours, which was a bummer.

With the exception of the loud neighbors, and unseasonable cold weather, this was a solid campground, and being near the river with quick access to the hiking...