Canoeing the Saint Croix
River, Wisconsin
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Expert paddler Mike Svob
has been canoeing and kayaking the rivers of the Midwest for 30 years.
He paddled more than a thousand miles to complete these books. Below
are brief descriptions of the canoe trips that Mike goes into detail
with in his books with maps. The maps are very useful, showing rapids,
take in and take out points and other things of interest. |
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St. Croix
1-Gordon
Dam to Schoen Park Landing-Douglas
County-11.7 miles. This section is
narrower downstream and with more
riffles and rapids. Public camping
is available at 3 parks along the
way. Water levels are best in the
spring. Put in at river left at the
county park below the dam.It starts
wide and shallow. Downstream about
a mile is a large island with the
right channel and a Clas I rapids.
Further down is the 300 yard Class
I-II boulder gardens at Scott Rapids.
At 6 miles you come up to the old
Coppermine Dam. Portage this or scout
very carefully if you are going to
run it. At 9 miles you come to the
Shelldrake Rapids at the mouth of
Buckley Creek.. There are a couple
of rapids before Louise Park and then
it is flat and mostly straight until
take out at Schoen Park landing.
St. Croix
2-Schoen
Park Landing to Hwy. 35-Douglas and
Burnett County-11 miles. This is a
relatively narrow section of the river.
There are several campsites on this
stretch. Put in river right at Schoen
Park landing. About a mile downstream
is Dry Landing. The quietwater ends
at The Big Fishtrap. It is a very
long and winding Class I-II rapids,
the largest and most challenging on
the St. Croix. Little Fishtrap Rapids
begins above the CCC bridge(3.7 miles)
and ends below it. It is a Class I
with good sized waves at the end.
You will encounter many islands near
the end of this stretch. Take out
on the right at Riverside Landing
near the Hwy. 35 bridge.
St. Croix
3-
Hwy 35 to Hwy 77/48-Burnett County-13
miles. This section is primarily flatwater.
There are a couple of campsites along
this stretch of river. Water levels
are usually sufficient. Put in at
river right near the Hwy. 35 bridge.
Downstream on the left are the firsr
high bluffs on the St. Croix. Just
before the Minn./Wi. border is State
Line Rapids which is on both sides
of a big island. The left side is
more challenging. 4 miles after put
in is Pansy Landing on the left. At
8.3 miles, in a big right bend, the
Yellow River landing appears on the
left behind an island. The 5 miles
between the landing and take out flow
through wild countryside. Take out
at the 77/48 bridge downstream left.
St. Croix
4-Hwy
77/48 to Norway Point-Burnett County-14miles.
This is a relaxing stretch of quietwater,
which is often combined with the next
section for an overnight trip. Public
camping is available at several primitive
campsites. Put in at the Hwy 77 bridge.
Excellent parking is provided. The
river passes through a wide valley
with a sandy bottom.. During the first
few miles two creeks enter from the
left. At 3.5 miles another creek enters
near the location of the old Sioux
Portage Trail. At 7 miles is the Little
Yellow Banks landingon the right at
the head of a big island. Campsites
and water are available. Go along
the left side of the island to avoid
deadfall.At 13.4 miles is Sand Creek
landingon the right at the bend. Norway
Point is located on the left in a
sharp right hand turn.
St. Croix
5-
Norway Point to Hwy. 70-Burnett County-14.5
miles. This is one of the most popular
runs on the St. Croix, with some enjoyable
low hazard rapids and great campsites.
There are many scenic campsites along
the shore and on the islands. Put
in at Norway Point Landing. Less than
3 miles takes you to Nelson's Landing.
Not far downstream it is known as
"Head of the Rapids." You
can take the main leftt channel or
the smaller, faster Kettle River channel
to the right. The river then widens
and becomes shallower. The Snake River
enters from the right at 10.4 miles.
The Sand Rock Cliffs appear behind
some islands at 13 miles. Take out
is 1.5 miles downstream from the Cliffs.
Landing is upstream left from Hwy.
70
St. Croix
6-
Hwy. 70 to County O-Burnett and Polk
County-8.8 miles. Ocasional stone
formations will highlight a quietwater
trip. There are several campsites
on both sides of the river.. Put in
at the Hwy. 70 bridge. This section
begins wide wiyh low grassy banks
and several islands. About 1.5 miles
downstream is Raspberry Landing on
the left. Befre Stevens Creek landing
at 4.8 miles you will run into some
pleasant riffles. Take out on the
Wi. side at the Cty. O landing
St. Croix
7-County
O to Nevers Dam Landing-Polk County-16.2
miles. Current slows on this section,
while clay banks and sand bars increase.
Camping is available at several primitive
sites along the river.Put in at river
left at the Cty. O landing.This stretch
also begins wide with heavily wooded
banks. At 8 miles Sunrise Ferry campsite
appears. The campsite has a big sandy
beach. Downstream from here the river
gets wider and slower. When you encounter
eight regularly spaced piles of rock
in the river you know you are a half
mile upstream from Nevers Dam. Downstream
four piles of rock mark the site of
the old Nevers Dam. Take out at the
river left landing just after the
rock pilings.
St. Croix
8-Interstate
Park to William O'Brien State Park
landing-Polk County and St. Croix
County-15.2 miles. The last, and perhaps
most varied section of the river.
Put in just south of St. Croix /Taylors
Falls at Interstate Park. This section
starts with a wooded grassy shoreline
and wide river. Further down is a
nice dells area with a rocky island
in the middle.. The river widens again
after the island. The Franconia landing
is 2.7 miles downstream from put-in.
Before you get to Osceola you will
pass by a very long island. There
are some lovely wooded sandstone cliffs
a short distance past Osceola. When
you see the signs for the state park
stay to the right and follow the right
channel down to the park landing.