Amery, Wisconsin has three lakes within its city limits. That's not a typo — North Twin, South Twin, and Pike Lake are all inside the town boundaries of this small community of 2,900 people in Polk County. The town calls itself the "City of Lakes," and it was named one of the 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America, which is the kind of distinction that surprises people who've never heard of the place.
The Stower Seven Lakes State Trail — 14 miles of crushed limestone rail trail passing seven lakes — starts right in town. The Apple River winds through the area, perfect for kayaking. And 21 miles west, Interstate State Park at St. Croix Falls offers some of the most dramatic glacial geology in the Midwest.
The 4 dump stations in the area and a well-run municipal campground on the Apple River make Amery a surprisingly complete RV stop — if you can get one of the 8 RV sites.
Dump Stations
Four dump stations serve the Amery area. The North Park RV Campground has a dump station available for $10 even if you're not staying there.
Browse all Amery dump stations
Where to Camp
North Park RV Campground — The Municipal Gem
Eight improved RV sites at $35/night ($650/month for seasonal). Full hookups with 50-amp service, free Wi-Fi, shower house, playground, canoe/kayak launch, and fishing pier. Located on the Apple River along WI-46 north of downtown with direct access to both the Cattail Trail and the Stower Seven Lakes Trail.
Only 8 sites. Book early for summer weekends by calling (715) 268-7486. After Friday at noon, unbooked sites go first-come, first-served via self-registration. 7-day maximum stay.
Apple River Park & Campground (County)
15 rustic sites about 10 minutes north of Amery on WI-46. Electric sites $30/night, non-electric $20/night. Vault toilets, water pump, picnic shelters, playground, and river access for fishing. 14-day maximum stay. Opens Memorial Day weekend. Only 5 of 15 sites have electric. No sewer. Plan to use the dump station at North Park. Reserve online via ResNexus or call (715) 485-9294.
Port Valhalla Campground
Private campground at 794 100th St with waterfront and wooded sites along the Apple River. Contact directly for rates and availability. A third option when the municipal parks are full.
The Stower Seven Lakes Trail
This 14-mile crushed limestone rail trail runs from Amery to Dresser and Osceola, passing seven lakes along the way: North Twin, South Twin, Pike, Wapogasset, Bear Trap, Bone, and Balsam. Built on a former Soo Line railroad corridor, it's flat, scenic, and accessible for cyclists of all levels.
The trail starts at Soo Line Park near Harriman Avenue. Parking lot just east of Harriman. Bring cash for the $5 daily trail pass if biking (Wisconsin state trail pass requirement). The trail connects to the larger Cattail Trail system, which extends the riding options further.
On the Water
Amery's three in-town lakes and the Apple River give you water access without driving anywhere:
- South Twin Lake — Swimming beach right in town.
- North Twin Lake — Connected to South Twin. Popular for fishing (panfish, bass, northern pike, muskie).
- Pike Lake — Fishing and kayaking. Quieter than the Twins.
- Apple River — Canoe and kayak launch at North Park campground. The river is a tributary of the St. Croix and flows gently through farmland and forest.
Day Trip: Interstate State Park & the Dalles
Twenty-one miles west on US-8, Interstate State Park at St. Croix Falls is Wisconsin's oldest state park. The Dalles of the St. Croix River — dramatic basalt cliffs and glacial potholes carved during the last ice age — are the main attraction. Hiking trails along the cliffs, boat tours through the gorge, and some of the most striking geology in the upper Midwest. Well worth the half-hour drive.
The Arts Scene
Amery's designation as one of America's 100 Best Small Arts Towns isn't honorary — two art galleries downtown feature local and regional artists. Combined with the farmers market (seasonal), over 20 restaurants, and the kind of walkable downtown that bigger towns have lost, the cultural scene here runs deeper than the town's size suggests.
When to Visit
| Season | Highs | Lows | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 80°F | 58°F | Lake season. Trail season. Best time. 8 RV sites fill fast — book ahead. |
| Fall (Sep-Oct) | 55°F | 35°F | Peak colour mid-October along the Seven Lakes Trail. Campgrounds close late November. |
| Spring (Apr-May) | 55°F | 35°F | Snow possible into April. Spring thaw causes road weight restrictions on county roads. Campgrounds open Memorial Day. |
| Winter (Nov-Mar) | 25°F | 7°F | Real winter. Can drop below -15°F in January. Full winterization required. Ice fishing on the lakes for the hardy. |
Tips
- Only 8 RV sites at North Park. Call (715) 268-7486 to reserve. First-come after Friday noon.
- $5 trail pass required for biking the Stower Seven Lakes Trail. Bring cash.
- Bring firewood from within 10 miles or buy locally. Wisconsin enforces this to prevent invasive pest spread.
- Nearest Walmart is New Richmond, 20 miles south. Marketplace Foods in Amery handles basics.
- Cell signal can be weak on rural county roads and between lakes on the trail.
- St. Croix Falls and Interstate State Park (21 miles west) are an easy day trip for the Dalles geology.
Plan Your Amery Stop
Amery is the kind of place where three lakes, a trail, a river, and a small-town arts scene come together in a way that bigger destinations can't replicate. The 8 RV sites keep it from being overrun. If you get one, you'll understand why people come back every summer.
Browse all 4 Amery dump stations | All Wisconsin dump stations
From the RVingLife Shop
