St. Croix River State Water Trail

Main Landing: St. Croix State Park

The St. Croix River was designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1968. The upper St. Croix River, just a two-hour drive from large metropolitan areas, retains a wilderness feel with heavily wooded banks and rugged islands. The Main Landing at St. Croix State Park offers fee-based camping, a cement boat launch, picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water. A Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required on all vehicles using this boat launch.

Captioned video: main landing at St. Croix State Park
(1 minute 46 seconds)

Head of the Rapids Landing

The Kettle River Slough meets the St. Croix River in this quiet stretch where a paddler can enjoy the sounds of nature. This landing in St. Croix State Park offers a gravel boat launch, vault toilets, and drinking water. Water levels in the slough vary and can be a challenge to paddle by late summer when the water is low. When the St. Croix River is high, paddlers may encounter small rapids between Head of the Rapids Landing and the Hwy. 70 Bridge.

Captioned video: Head of the Rapids Landing to Stevens Creek Landing
(1 minute 18 seconds)

Stevens Creek Landing

The sand and gravel bottom of this stretch of river (south of the Hwy. 70 Bridge) has excellent small-mouth bass fishing. The landing offers a boat launch, vault toilets, and small parking area. A short series of rapids can be found near the landing.

Captioned video: Stevens Creek Landing to Sunrise Landing
(1 minute 28 seconds)

Sunrise Landing

The river is wide and slow in this section, and boaters should be wary of sandbars during low water. The landing offers a cement boat launch and vault toilets. The National Park Service (NPS) has a number of paddle-in campsites located along the upper St. Croix River. Paddlers should contact NPS to learn about the special regulations for these sites.

Captioned video: Sunrise Landing to Wild River Landing
(1 minute 51 seconds)

Wild River State Park Landing

This landing is within Wild River State Park and offers a large concrete boat launch, fee-based camping, vault toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water. A Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required on all vehicles using this boat launch. Paddlers heading south from the landing should be aware of a 1.5 mile portage around the dam in St. Croix Falls if they wish to continue downriver.

Captioned video: Wild River Landing to Interstate Landing
(1 minute 51 seconds)

Minnesota Interstate State Park Landing

Below the dam in St. Croix Falls, basalt cliffs border the river and provide a breathtaking backdrop. This is a calm stretch of river with excellent scenery. This landing within Minnesota Interstate State Park offers a small concrete boat launch, fee-based camping, vault toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water. A Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required on all vehicles using this boat launch.

Captioned video: Minnesota Interstate State Park Landing to Osceola Landing
(1 minute 52 seconds)

Osceola Landing

The National Park Service (NPS) has multiple paddle-in campsites located along the lower St. Croix River. Paddlers should contact NPS to learn about the special regulations for these sites. The Osceola Landing has two boat launches, a paved parking area, restrooms, drinking water, and picnic tables.

Captioned video: Osceola Landing to William O’Brien State Park
(1 minute 39 seconds)

William O’Brien State Park Landing

Alert: The landing at William O'Brien State Park is closed during the 2024 boating season due to a construction project. This landing is within William O’Brien State Park and offers a small concrete boat launch, fee-based camping, vault toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water. A Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required on all vehicles using this boat launch.

Captioned video: William O’Brien State Park Landing to Boom Site
(1 minute 38 seconds)

Boom Site

This is a popular area for houseboats, cabin cruisers, pontoons, and fishing boats to put in on their way to the Stillwater Islands and lower St. Croix River. The boat launch has a single slip of concrete grade with a dock and a large parking lot. Upstream travel is not allowed north of the Soo Line High Bridge to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. Paddlers should be aware that this area of the river sees frequent motorized boat traffic.

Captioned video: Boom Site to Hastings
(1 minute 8 seconds)

Hastings

Just north of Hastings, MN, the St. Croix River completes its 124 mile journey and meets the mighty Mississippi River. Paddlers should be aware that this area of the river sees frequent motorized boat traffic.