CITY OF TRAILS
ST. CROIX FALLS, WI
ST. CROIX FALLS, WI
St. Croix Falls is known as the City of Trails for good reason. There are more than 25 trails within the city designated for hiking and/or biking, and St. Croix Falls is proud to be the western start point of the 1,200 mile Ice Age Trail! Many spur and connector trails make traversing the city of trails easy and fun.
Find your favorite trail!
CITY OF ST. CROIX FALLS
POLK COUNTY TOURISM INFORMATION CENTER:
710 WI-35
St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
715-483-1410
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A WI State Park Pass is required for all trails within state parks.WI Residents: $28 annual/$8 daily fee. Non Residents: $38 annual/$11 daily fee. (2020 rates. Subject to change per the WI-DNR. For a full list of rates, go here.)
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: intermediate
lADDER TANK TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: hIKING
Series of terraced stairs connecting the WI-Interstate State Park campground to Washington Street in St. Croix Falls.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: STAIRS
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: .06 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: TERRACED STAIR TRAIL.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:EASY
RIVER STREET TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING
Trail linking the fish hatchery area to the Severson Memorial Overlook.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: NATURAL SURFACE
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: 0.3 MILES LINEAR
NOTABLES: VIEWS OF THE ST. CROIX RIVER
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:EASY
GAYLORD NELSON RIVERWALK
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING
Paved trail linking the Severson Memorial Overlook to the St. Croix River Visitor Center.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: PAVED
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: .25 MILES LINEAR
NOTABLES: VIEWS OF THE HYDROELECTRIC DAM
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: easy
GANDY DANCER STATE TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING, BIKING
WINTER: FAT BIKING, HIKING, SNOWSHOEING, SNOWMOBILE AND FROZEN GROUND ATV/UTV USE.
Trailhead address in St. Croix Falls:
Polk County Information Center
710 Highway 35 S,
Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin 54024
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Trailhead address in Centuria:
Gandy Dancer State Trail Parking
Corner of Polk Ave and 4th Street
Centuria, Wisconsin 54824
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The 98-mile recreation trail follows the railroad grade from St. Croix Falls north to Superior. Recreational use on the Trail is divided by geographic location: south half and north half. Enjoy a short stroll or a longer bike ride.
The south trail segment extends 47 miles from St. Croix Falls to Danbury, paralleling Hwy. 35 most of the distance. This segment was surfaced with crushed limestone in 1995 and offers a smooth, hard surfaced trail with use limited to biking and hiking from April through November. Spice up your adventure by stopping at the many small towns for a coffee or bite to eat along the way!
A State Trail pass is required of all bicyclists 16 years of age or older riding the Gandy Dancer Trail between St. Croix Falls and Danbury. Trail passes can be purchased at the Polk County Information Center, DNR stations, various local businesses and certain gas stations. Pass purchases are also available at self-pay stations along the trail, or by calling the DNR at 888-936-7463 between the hours of 7 am – 10 am. Pass fees are $25 annually/$5 daily. A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Patron license will be honored as a bike pass.
Visit the WI-DNR website for more trail information.
Distances
Mileage between southern towns along the Gandy Dancer Trail are as follows.
| St. Croix Falls to Centuria | 4.5 Miles |
| Centuria to Milltown | 6.2 Miles |
| Milltown to Luck | 3.7 Miles |
| Luck to Frederic | 6.1 Miles |
| Frederic to Lewis | 5.4 Miles |
| Lewis to Siren | 5.7 Miles |
| Siren to Webster | 6.6 Miles |
| Webster to Danbury | 8.9 Miles |
TRAIL TYPE: RAIL TO TRAIL
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: FLAT, CRUSHED LIMESTONE
PASS REQUIRED: YES FOR BIKES
LENGTH: 98 MILES
NOTABLES: The official start of the Gandy Dancer Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail starts in Centuria at 160th Avenue.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: easy to intermediate
INTERLINK TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING, BIKING, INLINE SKATING
WINTER: HIKING
Trailhead address:
Polk County Information Center
710 Highway 35 S,
Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin 54024
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The Interlink Trail connects the southern end of the Gandy Dancer State Trail with Interstate Park in St. Croix Falls. The trailhead is located at the Polk County Tourism Center.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC, BIKE TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE, ACCESSIBLE, HILL CLIMB AND DESCENT.
SURFACE: PAVED
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: 1.9 MILES
NOTABLES: YOU WILL NEED A BIKE PASS IF YOU CONTINUE ON TO THE GANDY DANCER STATE TRAIL. CONNECTING ROUTE FOR THE ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:easy
INDIANHEAD FLOWAGE TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: hIKING, SNOWSHOEING
Trailhead Address:
809 N Hamilton St,
St Croix Falls, WI 54024
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The trailhead for this park is located at Lions Park in St. Croix Falls. This trail is mostly level, family friendly and crosses over several bridged streams as it tranverses through the woods. It runs north along the St. Croix River and opens up to an access point along the river. Trail becomes narrow and rustic toward the end as it terminates at River Road.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: FLAT, PACKED DIRT, NATURAL SURFACE
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: 1.8 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: CURVES NORTH ALONG THE ST. CROIX RIVER. OFFICIAL ICE AGE SEGMENT TRAIL.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:INTERMEDIATE
COMMUNITY FITNESS TRAIL (HUFF-IT TRAIL)
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING
Trailhead Address:
740 Maple Drive,
St. Croix Falls, WI
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Crushed traprock trail through the woods. Multiple inclines and declines. Trail starts to the right of the sign. The packed dirt trail to the left of the sign is the Woolly MTB trail.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: CRUSHED TRAP ROCK
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: 0.8 MILES LOOP
NOTABLES: SPUR TRAIL FOR THE ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EASY
NORMAL SCHOOL TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING
Trailhead Address:
ACCESS AT EAST MARYLAND STREET
Short, mostly flat trail.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: NATURAL SURFACE
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: 0.1 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: Originally constructed in 1905, The Normal School in St. Croix Falls was a training center for teachers.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: intermediate
MINDY CREEK SEGMENT
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING
Trailhead Address:
689 N Day Rd,
St Croix Falls, WI 54024
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The trail entrance from Day Road will start you with a 26 foot long footbridge and lead you down to a boulder-strewn creek bed.The trail climbs back to the bluff’s edge where a meadow vista gives a open view before it tucks back into the woods and follows an old logging road toward WI-87.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: NATURAL, ROCK, DIRT, CREEK BED
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: 1.3 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: STEEP BOULDER RAVINE, BLUFF VISTA, OFFICIAL ICE AGE SEGMENT TRAIL.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: intermediate
cHALET TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: hIKING
Short, natural surface, wooded trail that leads to an abandoned ski chalet.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: NATURAL SURFACE
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: .04 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: ACCESS VIA MINDY CREEK TRAIL OR A SHORT SPUR TRAIL OFF NORTH ADAMS STREET. REMAINS OF FORMER SKI CHALET CAN BE FOUND ON THIS TRAIL.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:INTERMEDIATE
REIGEL PARK TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING
Trailhead Address:
Fairgrounds Road,
St. Croix Falls, WI
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The Florence Reigel Memorial Park is home to 76 acre park preserve is home to trails of rock ledges and trap rock meadows. Trailhead parking available on Blanding Woods Drive near Jerusalem Pond (follow paved Interlink trail east into woods, then take a left), or off Fairgrounds Road near the St. Croix Falls Dog Park. Watch for white blazes that indicate a spur trail. Join trail sections together to make a 1.7 mile loop.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: NATURAL, ROCK, BOULDER STAIRS, BOARDWALK
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: .6 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: YELLOW BLAZES MARK THE ICE AGE TRAIL PATH, OFFICIAL ICE AGE SEGMENT TRAIL.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE
WERT PRESERVE
official Trails in the Wert Preserve include Tall Tale Trail & Trail of Myths.
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING, SNOWSHOEING, FAT BIKES AND XC SKIING ALLOWED, BUT NOT GROOMED.
Trailhead Address:
HWY 87/240th St
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin 54024
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Within the City of Trails lies 450 acres of protected woodland. Offering ski trails, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing/sanctuary. This land was preserved by the community of Saint Croix Falls, the Wert family, the West Wisconsin Land Trust, the Conservation Fund, the Ice Age Trail Foundation, and the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Fund. Located across the highway from the St. Croix Falls Lions Park.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: NATURAL, VARIED
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: 450 ACRES
NOTABLES: TRAIL OF MYTHS IS A SPUR TRAIL FOR THE ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL THAT RUNS THROUGH THE WERT PRESERVE. WATCH FOR SPUR AND CONNECTOR TRAILS TO LEAD YOU TO OTHER TRAILS IN THE AREA.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:EASY TO INTERMEDIATE
TRAIL OF MYTHS
Located in the Wert Preserve
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING, SNOWSHOEING
Trailhead Address:
HWY 87/240th St
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin 54024
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Wooded trail through the woods over natural surface. Trail is lies within the Wert Preserve, which is 450 acres of protected woodland within the City of St. Croix Falls. Located across the highway from St. Croix Falls Lions Park.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: NATURAL, PACKED DIRT
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: 2 MILE LOOP
NOTABLES: SPUR TRAIL FOR THE ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL. WATCH FOR SPUR AND CONNECTOR TRAILS IN THE WERT PRESERVE TO LEAD YOU TO OTHER TRAILS IN THE AREA.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:EASY TO INTERMEDIATE
TALL TALE TRAIL
Located in the Wert Preserve
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING, SNOWSHOEING
Trailhead Address:
HWY 87/240th St
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin 54024
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ACCESS THIS TRAIL VIA A SPUR TRAIL OFF THE ZILLMER TRAIL, VIA TRAIL OF MYTHS, OR A SPUR TRAIL AT THE CORNER OF DAY ROAD AND HILLTOP ROAD.
Wooded trail through the woods over natural surface. Trail is lies within the Wert Preserve, which is 450 acres of protected woodland within the City of St. Croix Falls. Located across the highway from St. Croix Falls Lions Park.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: NATURAL, PACKED DIRT
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: 1,7 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: WATCH FOR SPUR AND CONNECTOR TRAILS IN THE WERT PRESERVE TO LEAD YOU TO OTHER TRAILS IN THE AREA.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:EASY TO INTERMEDIATE
ZILLMER TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: hIKING, SNOWSHOEING
Trailhead Address:
689 N Day Rd,
St Croix Falls, WI 54024
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Trail winds through woods, meadows, and over streams. Hike straight through, or take the Zillmer Loop spur trail marked by white blazes to create a loop.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC,
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: NATURAL SURFACE, DIRT, BOULDERS BOARDWALK, GRASS
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: 1.5 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: OFFICIAL ICE AGE SEGMENT TRAIL.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE TO advanced
hOSPITAL ESKER TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING
Trailhead address:
Corner of Georgia & Vincent St.
St Croix Falls, WI 54024
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A glacial treasure lies in the heart of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. The Hospital Esker is one of the highest eskers in the state of Wisconsin. At almost 40 meters (~130 feet), it towers above the city below, creating a breathtaking view of the St. Croix River valley, the surrounding bluffs, and across the state border into Minnesota.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED
SURFACE: NATURAL SURFACE, STEEP HILL
PASS REQUIRED: NO
LENGTH: .4 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: THE HILL ASCENT AT THE START OF THE TRAIL CLIMBS TO 130 FEET, OFFICIAL ICE AGE SEGMENT TRAIL.
A WI STATE PARK in st. croix falls, wi
INTERSTATE PARK-WI
There are over 9 miles of summer trails as well as additional winter recreation trails at WI-Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls, WI. Find your trail!