In St. Croix County, riverbanks, wooded uplands, and open protected areas alternate. At Eckert Blufflands County Park, this landscape covers nearly 170 acres, including wooded uplands, deep ravines, and former farmland. Along the St. Croix River, bluffs rise more than 100 feet; the park also includes over half a mile of riverfront. Here, different landscape features come together in a compact area.
River Landscapes and Protected Areas
The protected areas also reveal different sides of the county. Rush River Wildlife Area lies in the south and covers 121 acres; it protects 1.2 miles of the Rush River shoreline. In the north, on the border with Polk County, Deer Park Wildlife Area encompasses a 129-acre complex of grassland and oak savanna. New Richmond State Habitat Area is another area in northern St. Croix County and covers 77 acres.
At St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area, the confluence of the Apple River and St. Croix River shapes the landscape. St. Croix Islands State Natural Area encompasses the Apple River delta. A larger conservation project is the Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area: its project area spans 15 townships in St. Croix and Polk counties. The county’s forest areas also include trails and a parking lot.
Other park landscapes offer different highlights. Glen Hills Park encompasses 700 wooded acres around 78-acre Glen Lake. Homestead Parklands is located along the northern part of Perch Lake. Troy Beach is a five-acre day-use park on the St. Croix River, a National Scenic Riverway. The county park system includes more than 1,500 acres of green space in total, available to residents and visitors.
Trails and Activities Throughout the Year
Season determines how the Wildwood Trail is designated for use: in winter, it can be used for snowmobiling; in spring, summer, and fall, for jogging, biking, and hiking. At Orf Family Overlook, hiking trails and birdwatching opportunities complement a visit to this 15-acre park. The St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail crosses both the St. Croix Crossing Bridge and the historic Lift Bridge.
Trail types can also vary. The Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area offers cross-country skiing, but has no groomed trail. The grounds of the New Richmond Heritage Center include the 11-acre Paperjack Greenway. It is open at all times for self-guided exploration and recreation. The first construction phase of the Highway 35 Off-Road Trail was completed in fall 2024: it created 0.98 miles of trail between North End Road and Old Highway 35, near the future entrance to Eckert Blufflands Park. Further construction phases are planned.
History, Art, and Events
The Octagon House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The Octagon House Museum offers private and group tours. The Phipps Center for the Arts focuses on theater, music, dance, and visual arts. Alongside landscapes and outdoor activities, there is plenty to discover in the area’s culture.
The St. Croix County Fair is a five-day, generations-old celebration featuring agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts, entertainment, more than twelve rides, and food stands. The program may change. If you’d like to plan your trip around the fair, check the dates and program details in advance.
Planning Your Stay
When planning a nature getaway, it’s worth exploring the different parks: the park system also includes 92 overnight campsites. Homestead Parklands offers watercraft rentals on weekends and holidays; availability may vary. When looking for accommodations, you can base your choice on the experiences that matter most to you, such as seasonal trails, river landscapes, or cultural attractions.
Discover more destinations: Hudson, New Richmond, Monroe, Marinette County, Clark County, Chippewa County, Sheboygan County, Marquette County.
For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.
