HIKING TRAILS & MAPS of:
William O'Brien State Park
PHOTO © A. SCHAFFER
WILLIAM O'BRIEN STATE PARK

William O’Brien provides a beautiful setting for quality recreation along the banks of the St. Croix River. Hiking trails offer quiet exploration of the park’s rolling, wooded hills. For anglers, the channels of the St. Croix have northerns, walleye, bass and trout. Ideal for canoeing, the river is also a migratory pathway that offers visitors an exciting diversity of sights and sounds. In the winter, snowshoeing, skiing and camping attract enthusiasts. There is a 1.5 mile paved trail that is suitable for bikes.
Find your favorite trail!

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:EASY
RIVERSIDE TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING, SNOWSHOEING
This self-guided, accessible trail winds by the St. Croix River, Lake Alice and majestic 100-year-old pine trees.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: ACCESSIBLE AGGREGATE
PASS REQUIRED: YES
LENGTH: 1.6 MIILE LOOP
NOTABLES: Views of the St. Croix River.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EASY
PRAIRIE OVERLOOK TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: SKIING ONLY
This hilly trail leads you up and down a rolling oak savanna and prairie habitat. Your reward will be a beautiful view of the St. Croix Valley from the top.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: MOWED GRASS, HILLY
PASS REQUIRED: YES
LENGTH: 3.8 MILES LINEAR
NOTABLES: Views of the St. Croix River

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: easy
BEAVER LODGE TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: SKIING ONLY
Mostly flat, mowed grass trail.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: MOWED GRASS, FLAT
PASS REQUIRED: YES
LENGTH: 1 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: Walk in the early evening and you may spot an active beaver lodge along this trail.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EASY
WEDGE HILL SAVANNA HILL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: SKIING ONLY
Enjoy a walk through a 100-acre prairie filled with 6-foot tall native grasses and prairie flowers.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: MOWED GRASS. HILLY
PASS REQUIRED: YES
LENGTH: 1.5 MILE LOOP
NOTABLES: 100 acre prairie

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:EASY
WETLAND TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: SKIING ONLY
A flat trail around a marsh.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: NATURAL
PASS REQUIRED: YES
LENGTH: 2.3 MILE LINEAR
NOTABLES: Cattails, frogs, muskrats, and a diverse range of songbirds are frequently seen on this trail.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:coming soon
SOUTHERN TRAILS
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: HIKING, SNOWSHOEING
This trail segment is in the southwest portion of the park.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: EASY
SURFACE: NATURAL
PASS REQUIRED: YES
LENGTH: 2.5 MILE LOOP
NOTABLES: Open for hiking and snowshoeing in the winter.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
ROLLING HILLS SAVANNA TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: SKIING ONLY
Hill climbs with scenic views of natural grassland.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: NATURAL
PASS REQUIRED: YES
LENGTH: 1.1 MILE LOOP
NOTABLES: Great trail for birds, deer, and wildflowers.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
HARDWOOD HILLS TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: SKIING ONLY
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: NATURAL
PASS REQUIRED: YES
LENGTH: .8 LIINEAR
NOTABLES: This trail is hilly and runs through a hardwood forest.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
WOODLAND EDGE TRAIL
TRAIL USES:
SUMMER: HIKING
WINTER: SKIING ONLY
Fields, forests, and hills.
TRAIL TYPE: FOOT TRAFFIC
TRAIL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
SURFACE: NATURAL
PASS REQUIRED: YES
LENGTH: 2.2 MILE LOOP
NOTABLES: Birding, views, wildlife.