MORE THAN A DAYTRIP
Candlelight Hikes, Snow Days, & Moonlit Events
Candlelight Hikes, Snow Days, & Moonlit Events
IN THE ST. CROIX VALLEY

Have you ever experienced the exhilaration of racing down a good snow hill, exploring the backwoods by snowshoe, or taking a peaceful winter walk under a moonlit night?
In the upper Midwest, winter lasts a while. The days are short, and the nights are longer. But the fresh, cold air can feel pretty incredible when you’re cooped up inside for too long.
In the last of the winter days, before the sun starts to warm and all the snow melts, we find ways to embrace our winter season here in the St. Croix Valley with a few special events.
HERE ARE A EVENTS TO TRY:
Candlelight Hikes
Hundreds of candles will light your path for a wonderful winter evening! Hike, snowshoe, or ski the lit trails.
Candlelight Night on the Stower (WI) February 4th
Candlelight Hike at Allemansrätt Park February 10th
Candlelight Night at Interstate State Park (WI) February 11th
Candlelight Night at Wild River State Park (MN) February 11th
Snow Days + Moonlit Nights
Big Rock Creek: February 11, 18th, & 25th
Brand New! Get ready for a fun filled winter day (and night) for the entire family. You will enjoy hours of good ole’ fashioned family fun at Big Rock Creek from sledding, winter hiking, food trucks, crafted cocktails, live music, private tent rentals, s’mores, fires and more…there is something for the entire family to enjoy. Come and experience Big Rock Creek in its beautiful winter showcase. In the evenings, you will be able to enjoy a firelit hike through the trails at Big Rock Creek and take your picture by the moon! The Big Luge snowhill is bound to be epic! Check out the video here!
Snowshoe Events
Discover Wild River on Snowshoes: February 4th
Take a leisurely walk with the park naturalist through a snowy winter landscape. Designed for ages 8 and up; we’ll explore a different topic each week on a 1-2 mile trek. This week’s topic is “Bashful Beavers.”
Guided Snowshoe Tour of Franconia Sculpture Park: February 25th
February 25 at 1:00pm for a guided snowshoe tour of the sculpture park, followed by hot chocolate and apple cider around the fire pit at Franconia Commons.
Participants will get a snowshoeing how-to and history lesson from event partner Wild Rivers Conservancy before heading out on a wintery tour of Franconia, where you’ll traverse our snow-covered prairie and view contemporary sculptures in the landscape.
Balsam Lake Snowshoe Race -5K: February 4th
This annual 5k Snowshoe course happens during Balsam Lake Winterfest and is located at Pine Park.
Winter Celebrations
Celebration of the Lakes: February 10th – 12th
Get ready for some winter fun! Snowmobile races, Ice Car Racing, Medallion Hunt, Pond Hockey Tournament, Dodgeball Tournament, Ice Fishing Tournament and more!
Balsam Lake Winterfest: February 4th
Hatchet Throwing, Medallion Hunt, Snowshoe Race, Live Music and more!
This article was written by Linda Shober and produced by Linda Shober Marketing + Design, a marketing firm located in the St. Croix Valley specializing in providing content, strategy, management, design, and creative for digital and traditional marketing projects.