MORE THAN A DAYTRIP
Take the Scenic Route
Scenic Drives + Motorcycle Routes
IN THE ST. CROIX VALLEY
GETTING HERE
TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE FROM MINNEAPOLIS -ST. PAUL!
Travel EAST on State Hwy 36 towards Stillwater and across the bridge into Wisconsin. Exit Co Rd E. Go west out of roundabouts and north onto Old State Hwy 35. Travel through Houlton which becomes Anderson Scout Camp Trail. Take this scenic road back to Hwy 35/64, and take first exit into Somerset. In Somerset go North on Co Rd I. Follow to 50th St and go north (left). Continue to County Line Road and go east (right), this returns to State Hwy 35. Follow State Hwy 35 north to Taylors Falls/Saint Croix Falls.
four favorite rides from the st. croix valley area
WE ARE YOUR BASECAMP FOR SCENIC DRIVES!
Once you are here, there are several drives you can take to see the beautiful, rugged, countryside of the St. Croix River Valley. Here are four of our favorite drives.
Northwest Loop
From Taylors Falls…Go north on Co Rd 16 toward and past Wild Mt. At the T with Co Rd 12 go south (left) and cross State Hwy 95 and continue south to Co Rd 20. Go east (left), this will take you back into Taylors Falls/St Croix Falls.
Extended northwest loop. Follow previous directions, at the T intersection of 16 and 12, go right instead toward Wild River State Park. At the park entrance go North (left) on Co Rd 81. After a couple miles this road will turn west, follow until you intersect Co Rd 9. Go south (left). Cross State Hwy 95 and follow to Co Rd 20, and go east (left) and follow back into Taylors Falls/St Croix Falls
Northeast Loop
Out of St Croix Falls take State Hwy 87 North. Turn east (right) on Co Rd I and follow until you reach State Hwy 35. Go south (right) on 35 into the village of Centuria where you will pick up Co Rd I east again (left). Continue on Co Rd I again to Balsam Lake. Turn North (left) on State Hwy 46 and follow into the town of Luck. There you will want to Jog south on State Hwy 35 and turn west (right) on Co Rd N. This will take you to the town of Cushing. There you want to Go south on State Hwy 87. In a couple miles you will want to look for Co Rd G West (right). This scenic road will take you to River Road in Wolf Creek where you will go south (left). River Road will follow the St Croix River until it intersects State Hwy 87 where you started, and follow that south back into St Croix Falls/Taylors Falls.
Southwest Loop
From Taylors Falls travel west on Co Rd 82 (begins as 1st St in Taylors Falls) into Center City. Go west (right) on State Hwy 8 into Lindstrom and turn south (left) on Olinda Trail (stoplight at the Dairy Queen). Follow Olinda south out of town and go East (left) on 260th St. Follow 260th until you reach State Hwy 95. Cross Hwy 95 and head east on State Hwy 243 across the St Croix River bridge and into Osceola. Go left at the 4 way stop, north on State Hwy 35. Just out of town, turn left onto Co Rd S. this is a very scenic drive, one of Wisconsin’s designated “Rustic Roads”. This road ends by intersecting State Hwy 35, go north (left) a short distance back into St Croix Falls/Taylors Falls.
Southeast Loop
From St Croix Falls travel south on State Hwy 35 through Dresser and Osceola. You can detour on Co Rd S for a curvy scenic road, and will return to Hwy 35 just north of Osceola. Once past Osceola you will find Co Rd X just North of East Farmington. Go east (left) on Co X. Continue until you intersect Co Rd M at Horse Creek store, Turn south in M (right) and go about ¼ mile and turn east (left) on West Church Road. As you follow West Church, you will wind between lakes and cross the Apple River. Just after crossing the river you will intersect State Hwy 65, Turn North (left) onto Hwy 65. Go until County Rd F east (left). County Rd F will take you to Trollhaugen Ski Area where you will veer right and follow Co F back into the village of Dresser. When you Reach State Hwy 35, Go north (right) and follow back into St Croix Falls/Taylors Falls.
STAY THE WEEKEND!
Make a weekend adventure out of your trip to the St. Croix Valley! We’ve got plenty of food, fuel & fun to keep you busy in between rides.
*Check with individual businesses for updated hours and service.
GRAB A BITE:
Romaynes Sports Bar & Grill: TAYLORS FALLS
The Drive In: TAYLORS FALLS
The Goat: TAYLORS FALLS
Tippy Canoes: OSCEOLA
Poco Loco: ST. CROIX FALLS
Sir Smokes a Lot: ST. CROIX FALLS
STRETCH YOUR LEGS:
Glacial Pothole Trail MN Interstate & WI Interstate Parks
Easy, close parking. Short walks with big scenery.
Easy parking. 43 acre outdoor sculpture park.
SHOP FOR GEAR & SOUVENIRS
Croixland Leather: OSCEOLA
Taylors Falls Bead Store: TAYLORS FALLS
STAY THE NIGHT
PLAN AHEAD:
Music on the Overlook (MOTO): ST. CROIX FALLS
Live Music at the downtown dam overlook every Friday @ 6:30 pm.
Stay tuned for a modified 2020 MOTO schedule.
Live music in the outdoor earthen ampitheatre amidst the sculpture exhibition. Summer Saturdays: 2 – 6 pm.
This article was written by Kevin & Jodi Rivard, 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.