Wild River

Wild River SP https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00254#homepage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_River_State_Park Wild River State Park is curving along 18 miles (29 km) of the St. Croix River. This long, narrow park is shaped somewhat like a sideways 'S', with development largely concentrated in the lower third. The remote upper sections flank the mouth of a tributary called the Sunrise River. The park is managed to provide quieter, more nature-oriented recreation as a counterpoint to the busier William O'Brien and Interstate State Parks downstream. The park contains the Point Douglas to Superior Military Road: Deer Creek Section, a surviving section of the Point Douglas to Superior Military Road built in 1853, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

MAIN CAMPGROUND WITH SUMMER TRAILS SUMMER TRAILS WINTER TRAILS 2021, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources MAP AND GUIDE: WILD RIVER STATE PARK 39797 PARK TRAIL CENTER CITY, MN 55012 CHISAGO COUNTY 651-583-2125 WILDRIVER.STATEPARK@STATE.MN.US VISITOR TIPS Wild River State Park opened to the public in 1978, protecting natural, cultural and recreational resources along the St. Croix River. A large portion of the park (nearly 5,000 acres) was donated by the Northern States Power Company (Xcel Energy). The land was once home to Ojibwe and Dakota people before European settlers logged and farmed it. Today, the park’s second-growth forest, oak savanna and prairie landscapes support diverse plant and wildlife species. Enjoy the park’s thirty-five miles of trail or paddle along its eighteen miles of river shoreline. In winter, experience the quiet splendor of the valley on ski or snowshoe trails. • Keep sites and fire rings clean of food scraps and trash to discourage raccoons and other animals. • Help keep our rivers clean. Check your watercraft for aquatic invasives before and after launching. • In an emergency call 911. • Non-emergency sheriff number: 651-257-4100. ONLY HAVE AN HOUR? • Stop at the visitor center to explore exhibits and get a great view of the St. Croix River Valley. • Hike to the Nevers Dam overlook to see where the world’s largest pile-driven dam once stood. • Watch for wildlife on a hike along the scenic St. Croix River. PARK OPEN 8 a.m.–10 p.m. daily. VEHICLE PERMITS Permits required; purchase at park office or entrance kiosk. PETS WELCOME Keep on 6-foot or less leash; pick up after; attend at all times; not allowed in buildings or on beaches. − TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS Old Logging Trail (Universal Trail) 3 miles one-way Flat • Asphalt path • Bicyclists share this trail seasonally This beautiful, wooded trail links the trail center, visitor center, picnic area and campground. It also offers full access for all non-motorized uses (except horseback riding). Classic skiers use the trail in winter. Amik’s Pond Loop 1-mile loop Mitigwaki Loop 1-mile loop One large hill and then flat • Gravel • Grass Enjoy a flower-filled walk down to the river and take in the hillside scenery. Watch for eagles near the river. Mostly flat • Grass • Gravel Loop through oak woods on a ridge above Dry Creek. A spur trail connects the visitor center with the trail center. This trail is groomed for classic cross-country skiing in the winter. Deer Creek Loop 3-mile loop A mix of flat and hilly • Grass • Sand • Horseback riders share this trail seasonally Cross the scenic Deer Creek bridge, step through a prairie, and walk beneath trees that border the river. Part of this trail was once the historic Point Douglas to Superior Military Road (Old Military Road). This trail is groomed for classic cross-country skiing in the winter. Highland Hills Trail MORE TO EXPLORE AT THE PARK • Borrow a GPS, birding kit or fishing equipment from the visitor center. • Paddle the St. Croix River. CAMPGROUND QUIET HOURS 10 p.m.– 8 a.m.; only registered campers may be in campground during quiet hours. FIREWOOD Must be purchased at this park or from vendors who sell wood approved for this park; no gathering firewood in the park. HORSEBACK RIDING OR SKIING? Horse passes and ski passes are required for all participants 16 and older. Passes can be purchased at the park office. Horseback riders may only use designated trails. . CURIOUS ABOUT THE ST. CROIX RIVER STATE WATER TRAIL? GO TO: MNDNR.GOV/WATERTRAILS 2-mile loop Steep terrain • Grass Hike under oak trees and scattered white pines near the park office. Steep hills and rugged terrain make this a challenging hike or expert skate ski loop. • Take in a free naturalist program. LOOKING FOR MORE TO EXPLORE DURING YOUR STAY? VISIT: MNDNR.GOV/WILDRIVER A FULL SET OF STATE PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS IS AVAILABLE AT THE PARK OFFICE OR MNDNR.GOV. Enjoy the beauty of the river along one of the park trails. • The river has dangerous currents and deep drop-offs. Swimming is not recommended. • Hikers are welcome on all summer trails. In winter, only use designated hiking or snowshoeing trails. No hiking on ski trails. SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE PARK... ABOUT THE PARK 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. • Rent cross-country skis or snowshoes and hit the winter trails. • Stay awhile by reserving a campsite, group campsite, horse campsite, cabin or the guest house. This information may be available in alternative format upon request. 

©2021, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 

(WAY)POINTS OF INTEREST Use your GPS to find these unique places within Wild River State Park. Remember, always stay on designated trails! These are ‘virtual’ caches and do not lead to a cache box. Sunsets at Sunrise* N45 33.848 W092 51.829 Arrow Line Railway N45 33.701 W092 50.916 Early Settlers Ice Breaker Islands* N45 32.503 W092 44.913 N 45 32.618 W 92 43.990 Area Enlarged Nevers Logging Dam N45 32.200 W092 43.559 A Prairie Restored!* A Vanished Forest* N45 31.562 W092 44.716 N45 31.833 W092 44.271 *Sunsets at Sunrise This beautiful view is a snapshot of the Sunrise River; a tributary to the St. Croix. Who Was Here? *Ice Breaker Islands N45 31.375 W092 43.769 Military Road N45 31.107 W092 43.874 These man-made islands were used to break the river’s ice to avoid breaking Nevers Dam (just south) which was in operation from 1889-1912. *A Vanished Forest Take a walk back in time under the towering pines that remain in the park. Busy as a Beaver* N45 31.438 W092 43.892 *A Prairie Restored Once heavily farmed fields, this overlook shows you the diversely restored Amador Prairie of Wild River State Park. *Busy as a Beaver Stop here to spot North America’s largest rodents– or at least their work in progress. 

STATE PARK BIRDS Sp S F W CREEPERS Brown Creeper STATE PARK BIRDS American Goldfinch U O U O WRENS C C C Winter Wren U O U Sedge Wren C C Marsh Wren U U Sp S F W C C C C LONGSPURS, SNOW BUNTINGS Snow Bunting House Wren U U U TOWHEES, SPARROWS R F W Golden-winged Warbler U U O Blue-winged Warbler U U O Black-and-white Warbler C U C Prothonatary Warbler O O Tennessee Warbler C C Orange-crowned Warbler U U U American Tree Sparrow C U U Chipping Sparrow C C C Nashville Warbler C Clay-colored Sparrow U U U Conneticut Warbler U O U U Field Sparrow U U U Mourning Warbler U U Vesper Sparrow C C C Common Yellowthroat C C C Lark Sparrow U U American Redstart C C C Savannah Sparrow C C C Cerulean Warbler O O O Grasshopper Sparrow U U O Northern Parula U Henslow's Sparrow O O Magnolia Warbler U Fox Sparrow U U Bay-breasted Warbler U U U Golden-crowned Kinglet C O C Ruby-crowned Kinglet C R C O THRUSHES C U Sp S STATE PARK BIRDS U KINGLETS U DATE Eastern Towhee GNATCATCHERS Blue-gray Gnatcatcher DATE C C U C Veery U U Gray-cheeked Thrush U U Song Sparrow C C C Blackburnian Warbler U Swainson’s Thrush U U Lincoln’s Sparrow U U U Yellow Warbler C C C Hermit Thrush C C Swamp Sparrow C C C Chestnut-sided Warbler C U C Wood Thrush U U U White-throated Sparrow C C Blackpoll Warbler U U American Robin C C C Harris’s Sparrow U U Black-throated Blue Warbler O O White-crowned Sparrow U U Palm Warbler C C Dark-eyed Junco C C Pine Warbler U Yellow-rumped Warbler C C Gray Catbird C C C Brown Thrasher C C C C BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES STARLINGS R O U U Yellow-headed Blackbird U U U Black-throated Green Warbler U U Bobolink C C C Canada Warbler U U Eastern Meadowlark C C C Wilson’s Warbler U U O Western Meadowlark C C C U Orchard Oriole O O Baltimore Oriole C C Red-winged Blackbird C Brown-headed Cowbird C Rusty Blackbird U O O O O Brewer's Blackbird C U U Purple Finch C Common Grackle C C C Common Redpoll O Hoary Redpoll O C European Starling C C C C WAXWINGS Bohemian Waxwing O Cedar Waxwing C C C OLD WORLD SPARROWS House Sparrow C C C C FINCHES Evening Grosbeak House Finch O O R Red Crossbill Pine Siskin C U C C O U WARBLERS O U U U C Northern Cardinal C C C C C Rose-breasted Grosbeak C C C C U Indigo Bunting C C C Dickcissel O O Ovenbird C C O O Lousiana Waterthrush U U C Northern Waterthrush U U C TANAGERS, CARDINALS, GROSBEAKS Scarlet Tanager U U WILD RIVER STATE PARK U C THRASHERS, MOCKINGBIRDS BIRD CHECKLIST C Eastern Bluebird O R DATE C Checklist created by Robert B. Janssen, Jerry Bonkoski and MNDNR. Data was gathered from MNDNR staff observations, public observations and Minnesota Ornithologist’s Union records. Nomenclature and organization of checklist based off of the Check-list of North American Birds (7th edition) as currently supplemented. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Trails, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4039. Phone: 651-259-5600. The Minnesota DNR prohibits discrimination in its programs and services based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation or disability. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable modifications to access or participate in DNR programs and services by contacting the DNR ADA Title II Coordinator at info.dnr@state.mn.us or 651-259-5488. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4049; or Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C. Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. © 2019, State of Minnesota, DNR Birding at Wild River State Park Located along the wild and scenic St. Croix River, the park contains nearly 7,000 acres of diverse habitat. You’ll find lowland forest along with oak woods, prairie openings, marsh, old farmland and stands of maple, basswood, aspen and white pine. This variety of habitat draws over 200 species of birds to the park. Head to the river to see trumpeter swans or bald eagles. Visit in spring for the migration of warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers and sparrows. Key Occurrence Sp - Spring (Mar—May) S - Summer (Jun—Jul) F - Fall (Aug—Nov) W - Winter (Dec—Feb) Abundance C - Common (Present, relatively easy to find) U - Uncommon (Present, not certain to be seen) O - Occasional (Infrequent, may not return each year) R - Rare (Observed at least once, may not return) Date: Enter the date you saw the bird. STATE PARK BIRDS Sp S F W Snow Goose U Canada Goose C C C U Trumpeter Swan C O U C Tundra Swan U Wood Duck C C C PLOVERS Blue-winged Teal C C C Killdeer Northern Shoveler U U American Wigeon U U Location: Where did you see the b