Produced by the Governor's St. Croix Area Promotional Committee
Copyright 2008
PHOTO BY JERRY BOUCHER
PARKS
You will find yourself surround by green in our scerene protected nature areas.
INTERSTATE PARK -
Whatever outdoor activities you enjoy, you'll find that a variety of recreational opportunities await you at Interstate State Park. It's Wisconsin's oldest state park, established in 1900.
The scenic Dalles of the St. Croix gorge separates Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Wisconsin Department of Tourism Photo
The park has two campgrounds with a total of 85 family campsites, and a primitive group camp that accommodates 60 people. Advance reservations are recommended and also can be made by calling toll-free (888) WI PARKS ((888) 947-2757, TTY (800) 274-7275).
Park map [PDF 137KB]
Picnic in any of several different areas of the park. Picnic tables and grills are available, as well as open shelters that can be reserved for group picnics.
There are an excellent swimming beach and Beach House at scenic Lake O' the Dalles. A boat launch provides access to the St. Croix River and the interesting rock formations on the Dalles of the St. Croix gorge.
Passes
A vehicle admission sticker is required. National Park Service passes are accepted.
Please become a new member of the Friends of Interstate Park or renew your annual membership. Proceeds from all sales and membership dues benefit the friends group, a nonprofit organization that helps support the naturalist program at the park.
How to Get There
Interstate State Park is in St. Croix Falls, on Wisconsin Highway 35 just 1/2 mile south of U.S. Highway 8. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.
STRAIGHT LAKE PARK -
On April 19, 2005, Governor Jim Doyle dedicated the purchase of the 2,780-acre Straight Lake parcel of land near Luck in Polk County.
The long, narrow Straight Lake is surrounded by woods. "Straight Lake is one of Wisconsin's best places-- a pristine natural area with beauty that is second to none," Governor Doyle said. "For years, this lake and the surrounding ponds have been special destinations for swimmers and fishermen, and at one time the lake even was the site of a Boy Scout camp."
The acquisition completes the largest missing gap for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in western Wisconsin.
The lake is open to canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. Until facilities are improved, the park is open to the public for foot traffic only--no hunting, motorized vehicles, bikes or horses. Fishing is allowed, and boats may be carried in to fish.
A master plan outlining the management goals of the land will be developed with the public's assistance.
The State of Wisconsin is contributing $8.8 million through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund to the $10.6 million project. The remainder of funding will come from the Federal Ice Age Trail-LAWCON Fund.
How to Get There
Straight Lake is about 12 miles northeast of St. Croix Falls. Take State Highway 35 north through Luck or south from Frederic in Polk County. Straight Lake is about 3.5 miles east of Highway 35 via 270th Avenue.
Governor Knowles State Forest -
The Governor Knowles State Forest acts as a resource protection zone for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The forest is 55 miles long and up to two miles wide. It encompasses 32,500 acres, of which 19,343 acres are currently state-owned. More than 100,000 acres of county forests and two large wildlife areas, the Fish Lake Wildlife Area and Crex Meadow Wildlife Area, border the forest.
The St. Croix River winds the canoeist through a wild and scenic countryside. This is an excellent way to view geologic formations left by two ice ages.
Wildlife is the focus of attention for both the hunter and sightseer. Hunters will find whitetail deer, ruffed grouse, black bear, snowshoe hare, squirrel and woodcock on the forest. For visitors more interested in watching wildlife, the varied habitat on the forest afford opportunities to see a wide variety of animals, including sharp-tailed grouse, common yellow throat, bald eagles, pocket gopher, mink and muskrat.
Park Map [PDF ]
