St. Croix

St. Croix SP https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00253#homepage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Croix_State_Park St. Croix State Park follows the shore of the St. Croix River for 21 miles (34 km) and contains the last 7 miles (11 km) of the Kettle River. The St. Croix and Kettle Rivers are navigable by canoe or kayak. The St. Croix is entirely flat water while the Kettle contains some rapids. Both rivers support game fish like northern pike, bass, sauger, and muskellunge. Hay Creek and some of the park's other streams contain trout.

MAP AND GUIDE: AFTON STATE PARK 6959 PELLER AVENUE SOUTH HASTINGS, MN 55033 WASHINGTON COUNTY 651-201-6780 AFTON.STATEPARK@STATE.MN.US VISITOR TIPS • Wear good hiking shoes. • The campground is backpack-only and is a strenuous ¾-mile hike from the parking lots. • The swimming beach is a ½-mile walk from parking areas. No lifeguard is on duty. • River access requires a ½-mile portage. There is no drive-in boat ramp. • Bicyclists and horseback riders should stay on their designated trails. • In an emergency call 911. • Non-emergency sheriff’s number: 651-439-9381 SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE PARK... ABOUT THE PARK Afton State Park was established in 1969 for visitors to experience unique natural features and enjoy outdoor recreation. Just forty minutes east of the Twin Cities, the park lies along bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River. Here you will see wildflowers and grasses in restored prairies that were once agricultural fields. Below, outcrops of limestone jut from the sides of deep, forested ravines that drop three hundred feet to the river. Make your way down to the water’s edge and watch for wildlife. The park’s diverse habitats make it a birdwatcher’s haven with over 190 species, some of which are rare. A FULL SET OF STATE PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS IS AVAILABLE AT THE PARK OFFICE OR MNDNR.GOV. PARK OPEN 8 a.m.–10 p.m. daily. VEHICLE PERMITS Permits required; purchase at park office or entrance kiosk. PETS WELCOME Explore from the top of the park’s bluffs to the edge of the river. • Check out the visitor center and then walk south on the paved trail behind the building for a 0.4-mile self-guided interpretive trail among restored prairie. • Hike to one of several scenic overlooks to view the river valley. • Walk to the beach and enjoy a picnic at the lower picnic area. FIREWOOD Purchase only from park office or approved vendor; no gathering firewood in the park. TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS All distances are from the park visitor center. − North River Trail 1.2 miles one-way Flat • Crushed gravel Follow the St. Croix River as you head north along a former railroad grade. Pass through floodplain forest and the lower picnic area. Go past two railroad bridges and take the trail to the top of the bluff for scenic overlooks of the river valley. Prairie Loop 2 to 3-mile loop Rolling terrain • Mowed grass • Shared with horseback riders seasonally Circle the park’s largest open area and imagine what the prairies looked like when the first European settlers arrived. Experience views of the river valley and the Afton Alps Ski Area. Set out on this trail by foot in summer or skis in winter. Trout Brook Loop ONLY HAVE AN HOUR? Keep on 6-foot leash; pick up after; attend at all times; not allowed in buildings or swimming beach area. 5.7-mile loop Steep terrain • Packed dirt • Grass • Wooden bridges Be ready for a workout as you follow Trout Brook through a secluded ravine and then head up over a bluff top. Your effort will be rewarded with solitude and scenery as you hike. CAMPGROUND QUIET HOURS 10 p.m.– 8 a.m.; only registered campers may be in campground during quiet hours. BE OUR GUEST Enjoy rustic camping with backpack campsites or a canoe campsite. Bring a group and stay at one of two spacious group camp sites. Reserve a camper cabin or yurt for a get-away with family or friends. Visit mndnr.gov/reservations to make reservations up to a year in advance. Deer Valley Loop 3.5-mile loop Steep terrain • Narrow • Packed dirt Follow an intermittent creek as this narrow foot trail brings you up hills and down ravines. Keep an eye out for wildlife in this wooded habitat. The southernmost trail loop climbs to the top of a bluff and a wide prairie with expansive views. South River Trail 2 miles one-way Flat • Crushed Gravel Encounter long, uninterrupted views of the St. Croix River and golden maple leaves in the fall. Cross country ski this trail in the winter. CURIOUS ABOUT THE ST. CROIX RIVER STATE WATER TRAIL? GO TO: MNDNR.GOV/WATERTRAILS MORE INFORMATION Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Information Center 500 Lafayette Rd. , St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 888-646-6367 or mndnr.gov/parks The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MORE TO EXPLORE AT THE PARK LOOKING FOR MORE TO EXPLORE DURING YOUR STAY? VISIT: MNDNR.GOV/AFTON W • Join a free naturalist program. • Find a geocache or navigate an orienteering course. • Hike ravines carved by glacial meltwater. • Borrow a GPS, fishing equipment, birding kit or discovery kit. This information may be available in alternative format upon request. 

© 2021, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources MAP AND GUIDE: AFTON STATE PARK 6959 PELLER AVENUE SOUTH HASTINGS, MN 55033 WASHINGTON COUNTY 651-201-6780 AFTON.STATEPARK@STATE.MN.US VISITOR TIPS • The campground is backpack-only and is a strenuous ¾-mile hike from the parking lots. • Keep ski trails in great shape. Hiking, snowshoeing, and dogs are not allowed on groomed ski trails. • Skiers, snowshoers and hikers should stay on their own designated trails. SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE PARK... ABOUT THE PARK Afton State Park was established in 1969 for visitors to experience unique natural features and enjoy outdoor recreation. Just forty minutes east of the Twin Cities, the park lies along bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River. Here you will see wildflowers and grasses in restored prairies that were once agricultural fields. Below, outcrops of limestone jut from the sides of deep, forested ravines that drop three hundred feet to the river. Make your way down to the water’s edge and watch for wildlife. The park’s diverse habitats make it a birdwatcher’s haven with over 190 species, some of which are rare. A FULL SET OF STATE PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS IS AVAILABLE AT THE PARK OFFICE OR MNDNR.GOV. PARK OPEN 8 a.m.–10 p.m. daily. VEHICLE PERMITS Permits required; purchase at park office or entrance kiosk. PETS WELCOME Explore from the top of the park’s bluffs to the edge of the river. TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS − All distances are from the park visitor center. • In an emergency call 911. • Non-emergency sheriff’s number: 651-439-9381 Prairie Loop • Trails are occasionally slippery; ice cleats are recommended for hikers. ONLY HAVE AN HOUR? • Warm up at the visitor center. • Enjoy a small, "kid-friendly" sledding hill north of the visitor center. • Take a hike down to the river and experience the scenic Trout Brook and St. Croix valleys. • Rent snowshoes from the park office and explore a snowshoe trail. FIREWOOD Purchase only from park office or approved vendor; no gathering firewood in the park. North River Trail 1.2 miles one-way Snowshoe Trail • Flat Put on a pair of snowshoes and follow the St. Croix River north along a former railroad grade. Pass through floodplain forest and the lower picnic area. Go past two railroad bridges and take the trail to the top of the bluff for scenic overlooks of the river valley. • Snowshoers may go off trail. Keep on 6-foot leash; pick up after; attend at all times; not allowed in buildings or swimming beach area. Ski Trail • Rolling terrain Skiers, circle the park’s largest open area and imagine what the prairies looked like when the first European settlers arrived. Encounter views of the river valley and the Afton Alps Ski Area. 2 to 3-mile loop 5.7-mile loop Deer Valley Loop 3.5-mile loop Snowshoe Trail • Steep terrain • Narrow Snowshoe this seldom seen portion of the park. Follow an intermittent creek as this narrow trail brings you up hills and down ravines. Keep an eye out for wildlife in this wooded habitat. The southernmost trail loop climbs to the top of a bluff and a wide prairie with expansive views. South River Trail 10 p.m.– 8 a.m.; only registered campers may be in campground during quiet hours. BE OUR GUEST Experience winter camping in a backpack campsite. Looking for a cozy get-away with family or friends? Reserve a camper cabin or yurt. Visit mndnr.gov/reservations to make reservations up to a year in advance. Trout Brook Loop Snowshoe Trail • Steep terrain • Wooden bridges Be ready for a workout on this ungroomed snowshoe trail. Follow Trout Brook through a secluded ravine and then head up over a bluff top. Your effort will be rewarded with solitude and scenery. CAMPGROUND QUIET HOURS 2 miles one-way Ski Trail • Flat Experience long, uninterrupted views of the St. Croix River on this groomed ski trail. You’ll be greeted by snow and ice along the river. CURIOUS ABOUT THE ST. CROIX RIVER STATE WATER TRAIL? GO TO: MNDNR.GOV/WATERTRAILS MORE INFORMATION Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Information Center 500 Lafayette Rd. , St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 888-646-6367 or mndnr.gov/parks The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This information may be available in alternative format upon request. MORE TO EXPLORE AT THE PARK LOOKING FOR MORE TO EXPLORE DURING YOUR STAY? VISIT: MNDNR.GOV/AFTON • Join a free naturalist program. • Find a geocache. • Enjoy a plowed walking trail (1.5 miles). • Borrow a GPS, birding kit or discovery kit. W