Take This Scenic Route And Drive Through 5 Minnesota State Parks In One Day

If you’re looking for a weekend adventure, this one-day road trip through five Minnesota state parks tracks the scenic St. Croix River, and it requires fewer than two-and-a-half hours of total driving time between stops.

We describe the road trip north to south, from St. Croix State Park to Afton State Park.

Of course, you could make the trip in reverse order.

1. St. Croix State Park

Your trip begins at St. Croix State Park, which is the largest park in the system.

Here, you’ll experience the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway at its wildest -- untamed and undeveloped on both sides.

The Kettle, a state-designated Wild and Scenic River, also runs through and joins the St. Croix within the park.

St. Croix State Park is on the edge of Minnesota’s north woods biome. The park’s forest is comprised mostly of conifers, aspen, and birch trees, with a few hardwoods blended into the mix.

Explore the park’s woods on its miles of trails or take in sweeping vistas of the canopy from the fire tower. Look for black bears and white-tailed deer. If you’re lucky, you may even hear wolves howling at night.

2. Wild River State Park

Further downstream, the north woods evergreens start to give way to maple forests and oak savannas in Wild River State Park’s mixed biome.

This makes the park a spectacular place for fall foliage seekers.

With its many trails and river access, the park also offers plenty of recreational opportunities any time of year.

3. Interstate State Park

Interstate State Park spans the river and includes units in Minnesota and Wisconsin - hence the name.

Interstate’s trails allow visitors to explore the St. Croix’s stone-walled gorge and learn about the area’s geology.

The river carved its so-called “dalles” from rock that’s more than a billion years old.

The river bluffs make Interstate popular with rock climbers and paddlers alike.

4. William O'Brien State Park

After the dramatic scenery of the first three parks, William O’Brien may feel a little mellower, but it's still lovely.

Hike the bluff-side prairie trails, through native flora and oak savannas, to enjoy wider vistas of the river valley.

But be sure to explore the river here, as well, where islands separate the main channel from the park, making it more languid than other parks.

If you have time, stop at the St. Croix Boom Site. located between William O'Brien State Park and the town of Stillwater.

The historic site is co-managed by the Minnesota DNR as a state wayside and the National Park Service as part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Several interpretive placards explain the site's significance during the area's logging boom, but its natural beauty speaks for itself.

5. Your final stop is Afton State Park.

The prairies along its bluff tops - higher than those at Interstate - afford spectacular views of the river valley.

The trails along the park’s forested bluffs lead down to the river but don’t forget that if you hike down, you have to hike back up.

Be sure to leave time for lunch in Stillwater. We recommend Leo’s Grill and Malt Shop for a quick and tasty meal.

Which of these parks have you visited? Have you put together your own Minnesota state parks road trip?