If you’re looking for a weekend adventure, this one-day road trip through five Minnesota state parks tracks the scenic St. Croix River, and it requires fewer than two-and-a-half hours of total driving time between stops.
We describe the road trip north to south, from St. Croix State Park to Afton State Park.
Trent Jonas/Canva Of course, you could make the trip in reverse order.
- St. Croix State Park
Ron Hubert/Google Reviews Your trip begins at St. Croix State Park, which is the largest park in the system.
Here, you’ll experience the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway at its wildest – untamed and undeveloped on both sides.
Holmes T/Google Reviews The Kettle, a state-designated Wild and Scenic River, also runs through and joins the St. Croix within the park.
St. Croix State Park is on the edge of Minnesota’s north woods biome. The park’s forest is comprised mostly of conifers, aspen, and birch trees, with a few hardwoods blended into the mix.
wayne hinrichs/Google Reviews Explore the park’s woods on its miles of trails or take in sweeping vistas of the canopy from the fire tower. Look for black bears and white-tailed deer. If you’re lucky, you may even hear wolves howling at night. St. Croix State Park, 30065 St Croix Park Rd, Hinckley, MN 55037, USA
- Wild River State Park
Banle Gaar/Google Reviews Further downstream, the north woods evergreens start to give way to maple forests and oak savannas in Wild River State Park’s mixed biome.
This makes the park a spectacular place for fall foliage seekers.
Adam Borgstahl/Google Reviews
With its many trails and river access, the park also offers plenty of recreational opportunities any time of year.
Tim Eichten/Google Reviews Wild River State Park, b n, 39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN 55012, USA
- Interstate State Park
Todd Mulvihill/Google Reviews Interstate State Park spans the river and includes units in Minnesota and Wisconsin - hence the name.
Interstate’s trails allow visitors to explore the St. Croix’s stone-walled gorge and learn about the area’s geology.
Tom Nelson/Google Reviews
The river carved its so-called “dalles” from rock that’s more than a billion years old.
Marlena Townsend/Google Reviews The river bluffs make Interstate popular with rock climbers and paddlers alike. Interstate State Park, Milltown Road, Taylors Falls, MN, USA
- William O’Brien State Park
Casey Kluver/Google Reviews After the dramatic scenery of the first three parks, William O’Brien may feel a little mellower, but it’s still lovely.
Hike the bluff-side prairie trails, through native flora and oak savannas, to enjoy wider vistas of the river valley.
Kris Kampshoff/Google Reviews
But be sure to explore the river here, as well, where islands separate the main channel from the park, making it more languid than other parks.
Michael John Doll/Google Reviews William O’Brien State Park, 16821 O Brien Trail N, Marine on St Croix, MN 55047, USA
If you have time, stop at the St. Croix Boom Site. located between William O’Brien State Park and the town of Stillwater.
Dirk Lanvil/Google Reviews The historic site is co-managed by the Minnesota DNR as a state wayside and the National Park Service as part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Several interpretive placards explain the site’s significance during the area’s logging boom, but its natural beauty speaks for itself. St. Croix Boom Site, Stillwater, MN 55082, USA
- Your final stop is Afton State Park.
Nick Preese/Google Reviews
The prairies along its bluff tops - higher than those at Interstate - afford spectacular views of the river valley.
Dan Zunker/Google Reviews
The trails along the park’s forested bluffs lead down to the river but don’t forget that if you hike down, you have to hike back up.
Jye Meier/Google Reviews
Be sure to leave time for lunch in Stillwater. We recommend Leo’s Grill and Malt Shop for a quick and tasty meal.
Trent Jonas/Canva
Of course, you could make the trip in reverse order.
Ron Hubert/Google Reviews
Your trip begins at St. Croix State Park, which is the largest park in the system.
Holmes T/Google Reviews
The Kettle, a state-designated Wild and Scenic River, also runs through and joins the St. Croix within the park.
wayne hinrichs/Google Reviews
Explore the park’s woods on its miles of trails or take in sweeping vistas of the canopy from the fire tower. Look for black bears and white-tailed deer. If you’re lucky, you may even hear wolves howling at night.
St. Croix State Park, 30065 St Croix Park Rd, Hinckley, MN 55037, USA
Banle Gaar/Google Reviews
Further downstream, the north woods evergreens start to give way to maple forests and oak savannas in Wild River State Park’s mixed biome.
Adam Borgstahl/Google Reviews
Tim Eichten/Google Reviews
Wild River State Park, b n, 39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN 55012, USA
Todd Mulvihill/Google Reviews
Interstate State Park spans the river and includes units in Minnesota and Wisconsin - hence the name.
Tom Nelson/Google Reviews
Marlena Townsend/Google Reviews
The river bluffs make Interstate popular with rock climbers and paddlers alike.
Interstate State Park, Milltown Road, Taylors Falls, MN, USA
Casey Kluver/Google Reviews
After the dramatic scenery of the first three parks, William O’Brien may feel a little mellower, but it’s still lovely.
Kris Kampshoff/Google Reviews
Michael John Doll/Google Reviews
William O’Brien State Park, 16821 O Brien Trail N, Marine on St Croix, MN 55047, USA
Dirk Lanvil/Google Reviews
The historic site is co-managed by the Minnesota DNR as a state wayside and the National Park Service as part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Several interpretive placards explain the site’s significance during the area’s logging boom, but its natural beauty speaks for itself.
St. Croix Boom Site, Stillwater, MN 55082, USA
Nick Preese/Google Reviews
Dan Zunker/Google Reviews
Jye Meier/Google Reviews
Which of these parks have you visited? Have you put together your own Minnesota state parks road trip?
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Address: St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, 401 N Hamilton St, St Croix Falls, WI 54024, USA
