On The Water

Head south from downtown Stillwater on the St. Croix River Water Trail to the confluence of the Mississippi River in Prescott, WI where it continues a southern march all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Fun fact: The St. Croix is the Mississippi’s cleanest tributary.

Other nearby rivers/lakes offer great adventure as well! Find your favorite water way to explore : MN Water Trails (St. Croix River Route) and WI Water Trails. The nearest lakes are Lake Elmo, Square Lake, or Big Marine.

Talk about scenic – for those who simply enjoy looking at the water, view the river valley by car following the St. Croix Scenic Byway.

Discover the River

Stillwater is located on the St. Croix River, a National Scenic Riverway designated by the National Park System with Stillwater at the southern end of the Lower St. Croix section. The St. Croix was one of the first rivers protected in 1968 by the U.S. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and remains a beautiful waterway to be admired and advocated for today with the Wild Rivers Conservancy. The St. Croix River is also part of the North Woods & Waters of the St. Croix Heritage District hoping for national recognition soon.

“Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, formed by the St. Croix and Namekagon, offers clean water for paddle boating and fishing.

Calm or dancing waters surrounded by shades of green, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway provides 252 miles of recreational opportunities. Canoe amid the northwoods, where wolves, deer, otter and porcupine can be seen or boat surrounded by wooded bluffs and historic towns.

This corridor provides scenic views and a haven for wildlife. The clean, sparkling river water shelters native mussels, dragonflies, and fish. Overhead, eagles, osprey, kingfisher and warblers fly and nest. Closer at hand raccoons, fox, and bear may be glimpsed. A glimpse of the River’s past can also be seen on the landscape. A stone wall, a steel ring, a cabin or a metal bridge recalls earlier times. Dakota, Ojibwe, voyageurs, loggers and settlers have all known this river.” ~ National Park Foundation

So much is to be explored beyond the shores of town. The Stillwater Islands area (just north of downtown), between the Soo Line High Bridge and Stillwater, is popular with houseboats, cabin cruisers, pontoons, and fishing boats.

Enjoy swimming, fishing (common species, boat access and shore angling) and water craft of all kinds from kayaks to SUP, yachts to speed boats or large chartered cruises aboard an authentic all-American paddlewheel ship. Use Stillwater as your overnight base as you explore the region by water with your own boat or a rental with several nearby marinas.