Think Wisconsin is just about beer, the Green Bay Packers and cheese? Those are the default settings. What you may not know is that the state’s the site for one of the most mystical riverine passages on the continent. Comprised of the Saint Croix and Namekagon Rivers, the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway winds its way through some 255 miles of clean, green landscape – the kind of land reminiscent of Tolkien’s mythical Shire.
The National Park Service labels the Saint Croix, “one of the last undisturbed, large floodplain rivers in the upper Mississippi River System.” Boat or canoe its waters, fish and camp along its banks. If you’ve a mind, stash the canoe and set out on foot to some of the nearby historic towns. Suspend time for a while and forget about the outside world. There are plenty of camping options, particularly for primitive camping. Some 150 of them are arrayed along the shoreline. Get ‘em on a first-come, first-served basis. You don’t have to pay.
As for that fishing, expect smallmouth bass, brown trout, brook trout, as well as that Upper Midwestern favorite, the mighty musky.
Julie Galonska is chief of interpretation and education for the riverway. She calls it, “a haven for wildlife – dragonflies, bald eagles, turtles, river otters, freshwater muscles (they’re a threatened species)” and a slew of other critters – perhaps even the occasional bear.
One of the best ways to proceed down the Saint Croix is to first contact a licensed outfitter. Not only can they provide you the gear, but the good ones can offer tips for making the most out of the trip.
Sound great but don’t have the time? Pity. Galonska says you can also explore the riverway via an 18-minute film at the park Service’s visitor centers.
(Image: J. Stephen Conn)
