Interstate State Park is Wisconsin’s oldest state park and was established in 1900. It offers views of the St. Croix River and the sheer-walled Dalles of the St. Croix gorge. The park’s history and river landscape give St. Croix Falls two clearly defined points of interest for travel planning.

Park and Interpretive Center

The Ice Age Interpretive Center is located in the park. It includes an exhibit area, a classroom, an auditorium, and a gift shop. The center adds an interpretive focus to the landscape and brings a range of facilities together under one roof.

Interpretive programs are offered at the center year-round, including guided hikes, wildlife programs, and family-friendly activities. The programs are led by the park naturalist, partner groups, volunteers, and guest speakers. Individual offerings may vary. If a particular program is a deciding factor for your trip, check its availability for your dates.

Hiking Trails and Singletrack

The western terminus of the Ice Age Trail is in Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls. The trail is open to hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing. This makes it a specific point of reference for planning if one of these three activities is central to your stay.

St. Croix Falls is also the western terminus of the Gandy Dancer Trail. The 98-mile route runs north from here to Superior and follows the former rail corridor of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad. At 98 miles, the Gandy Dancer Trail is considerably longer than the Wooly Bike Club’s 7 miles of singletrack trails.

Cycling has its own point of reference in the city with the Wooly Bike Club, which maintains 7 miles of singletrack trails in St. Croix Falls.

The differences can help you choose an outdoor focus: the Ice Age Trail centers on hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing; the Gandy Dancer Trail is defined by its 98-mile length and former rail corridor. The Wooly Bike Club’s singletrack trails provide a cycling option.

River Road and Wannigan Days

One nearby route is River Road. It begins north of St. Croix Falls at Highway 87 and follows the St. Croix River for 29 miles. This lets you include a road route along the river as a distinct part of regional planning. Road conditions may vary; check them before driving if you plan to take River Road.

The annual Wannigan Days festival takes place in the neighboring communities of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, and Taylors Falls, Minnesota. The event thus brings together two neighboring places in different states. If you want to plan your trip around Wannigan Days, check the festival dates for the year you have in mind.

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