Our northernmost route is named for the St. Croix River and actually takes you exploring throughout two major river valleys. While most of this route is located in Wisconsin, the portion in Minnesota has some amazing views and should not be missed. Due to this route’s proximity to the Twin Cities, it passes through some larger towns and cities than most of our other routes. But, the advantage is that you will have the opportunity to experience some of the great historic sites and waterside parks along the way. The St. Croix Route starts in Prescott, Wisconsin and follows the Mississippi River southeast before turning and zig-zagging north along the St. Croix River. In this part of the Driftless area, large bluffs give way quickly to rolling hills. Our St. Croix Route is designed to make maximum use of the biggest hills before they flatten out. Points of interest on this route include: Octagon House Museum, Willow River State Park, Lakefront Park, Pembles Beach, Kinnickinnic State Park, Glen Park, Swinging Bridge, Wardens House Museum, Stillwater Lift Bridge, Fairy Falls, St Croix Scenic Overlook, Stilllwater Cave, Arcola Mills, Point Douglas Park, and Afton Alps. In addition to the parks and other historic sites, this route provides access to Wisconsin Rustic Roads #13 and #92. The St. Croix Route, along with the Red Wing Fairbault Route, are the closest to the Twin Cities, and either are a great introduction to the Driftless Area.
Approximate Mileage: 230 Miles
Estimated Riding Time: 7 Hours
Road Surface: Paved
ATTRACTIONS:
Hudson: Octagon House Museum, St Croix County Historical Society, St Croix County Courthouse, Cracked Barrel Winery, Willow Falls, Willow River State Park, Lakefront Park, St Croix Railroad
River Falls: Pembles Beach, Kinnickinnic State Park, Glen Park, Swinging Bridge, Historic Train Depot
Stillwater: Washington County Courthouse Museum, Wardens House Museum, Historic Stillwater Lift Bridge, Fairy Falls, St Croix Scenic Overlook, Stillwater Rest Area, St Croix Boom Site, Stillwater Cave, Acrola Mills, Square Lake County Park
Point Douglas: Point Douglas Park
Afton: Afton Alps
Hastings: St Croix Bluffs Regional Park
Trimbelle: Trimbelle Public Fishing
Bayport: Lakeside Park
Rustic Roads #13, #92
A Paper Map is available for this route.
Motorcycle Rides, Red Wing, Hager City, Diamond Bluff, Trimbelle, Prescott, River Falls, Afton, Lakeland, Hudson, Stillwater, Marine on St. Croix, Minneapolis, St. Paul
St. Croix Route
If you are riding with a group, we ask that every person using our route for navigation purchase their own copy.
In order to encourage this, we are happy to offer a discount for group purchases. Please contact us after purchasing 1 item at full price, and we will set up a coupon code that will give everyone in your group 50% off of the same item.
Our digital routes are designed to operate in most GPS devices. In addition to GPSs, our routes should work with several smartphone apps. They will NOT work on Google Maps or Apple Maps.
If you plan on using a smartphone app, we recommend the REVER app. REVER will work with both Android and iOS and in addition to navigation it has many other great features.
For best results in REVER, download the route to your computer first, then import into your smartphone. Turn by turn may not work, so we recommend that you utilize the "Follow the Line" option.
You can get 20% off your first year’s subscription to REVER by following THIS LINK.
AND using this coupon code at checkout: Driftlessforless.
By using this link and coupon code a portion of your subscription fee will go to support Driftless Roads USA.