HIKING TRAILS & MAPS of:

William O'Brien State Park

PHOTO © A. SCHAFFER
SCIENTIFIC NATURAL AREAS
CHISAGO LAKES AREA TRAILS
WILD RIVER STATE PARK- MN
BACK TO "HIKE" PAGE
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!

PARK ADDRESS:

16821 O’Brien Trail North
Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
651-539-4980
MAP IT

 

A MN State Park Pass is required for all trails. $35 annual/$7 daily fee. Subject to change per the MN-DNR. For a full list of rates, go here.)

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.

Map
MAP
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

Map
MAP
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.

Map
MAP
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

Map
MAP
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.

Map
MAP
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.

Map
MAP
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.

Map
MAP
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

HARDWOOD HILLS TRAIL

TRAIL USES:

SUMMER: HIKING

WINTER: SKIING ONLY

Located the northern boundary of the park, this trail has steep grade through a stand of old oaks.

 

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.

Map
MAP
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.

Map
MAP