fall for our
best season in the St. Croix Valley
Photo © Jeff Wolf
BUILD YOUR FALL BUCKET LIST
Fall is a magical time in the St. Croix Valley, and there are so many things to do in St. Croix Falls and the surrounding area. Fresh, crisp air, colorful leaves, fewer bugs are just a few of the million reasons you’ll find autumn one of the best times to visit.
If you’re looking for a premiere location to view the fall leaves, take the short drive from the Twin Cities to visit the St. Croix Valley at its finest. Located just one hour north, this quick trip will leave you more gas money in your pocket to spend on all the fall activities, shopping, adventure, and family fun we have to offer.
Pro-tips:
- Stay mid-week. If you like it quiet, try to visit in the middle of the week to avoid the crowds. The leaves are just as beautiful on a Wednesday, we promise!
- Stay longer. Many people discover that we are more than just a daytrip and need those extra days to pack in the fun. Stay in our area hotels, campgrounds, lake places, or short-term vacation rentals so you have more time to do all the things.
Fall into adventure this fall in a million colorful ways. Hike our City of Trails, take a scenic drive through the countryside, and bring your pup along for the ride!
Canoeing and kayaking in the fall is particularly beautiful, especially along the wild and scenic St. Croix River. Bring your own vessel, or visit our local outfitter to rent one for the afternoon.
You’ll find vistas for days here in the St. Croix Valley! Try Interstate State Park – WI and you’ll have several options to climb up high and take in the views.
St. Croix Falls is known as the “City of Trails” for good reason! We have miles and miles of trails of all types. We are also the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a 1,200 mile footpath that stretches across the state of WI. Find a trail to hike here.
We have been fortunate to see the Northern Lights several times in the last few years. Be sure to book an overnight so you can try to chase the light.
Rev up the fun this fall on your UTV/ATV! The colorful fall leaves will be on fire, and seeing them ablaze as you whiz by is spectacular. Polk County – WI is home to over 31 miles of maintained ATV/UTV trails, and three of the trail systems are open for fall use.
Pick your own pumpkins at Jensen’s Pumpkin Patch, or see if you can find your way through the corn maze at Slattengren Farms in Shafer. Or, if you want to visit with an alpaca (or deer, pony, goats, and chickens!), be sure to make a stop at Fawn Doe Rosa! Find your family fun on the farm here.
Fall is that time when even the drive is part of the fun! Take the scenic, but short drive from the Twin Cities, and then while you’re here, explore some of the tried and true scenic drives through our beautiful countryside.
If you have a bike, we have a trail to ride it! Our area is packed with rail-to-trail gravel rides, epic mountain bike trails, paved paths, and road routes.
Our mix of deciduous trees make for a spectacular display of autumn leaf peeping. Be sure to visit our State and National Parks in the area for an unspoiled view. If you’re looking for an unique way to see the fall colors, try a paddleboat ride down the St. Croix River on the Taylors Falls Princess or Queen, or play & zip through the trees at the Trollhaugen Aerial Adventure Course & Zipline Tour.
What would fall be without a day of apple picking! Pleasant Valley Orchard on the MN side, and Baker Orchard on the WI side are just a couple of our wonderful orchards that add an abundance to our local ag-tourism industry.
We’ve got antiques, boutiques, vintage, art, handmade, collectibles, and more to shop for in our area communities. Find your treasure and bring home a souvenir to remember!
You’ll need to refuel after all the fun you will have during your visit. From artisan coffee shops, classic supper clubs, BBQ and specialty burger joints, we’ve got it all.
Expect the unexpected when you tour our local wineries! You’ll encounter a a castle in the countryside, take a stroll through the vines, and even enjoy a lake adjacent winery setting. Don’t miss their annual grape stomp events that always happen in the fall.
If you’re a craft brew aficionado, be sure to stop by our local breweries to sample the latest creations. Don’t miss the annual Valley Brew Fest, where you’ll find 20+ regional breweries sampling their best brews all afternoon during the first Saturday in October.
THE ST. CROIX VALLEY IS FEATURED ON TRAVEL WI!
We are so thrilled that Travel WI is featuring St. Croix Falls and the surrounding valley in their “Here’s to Fall” series! Follow Cass, Jason, and their puppy Nelson as they explore the many things to do here in the St. Croix Valley! Be sure to check out the fun videos and build your itinerary in our part of WI!
Upcoming Fall Events
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.