St. Croix Valley
St. Croix Valley
COMMUNITY GUIDE 2025
STILLWATER | BAYPORT | OAK PARK HEIGHTS | LAKE ELMO
Parks provide year-round enjoyment
There are plenty of parks and scenic trails giving residents and visitors thousands of acres to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the valley.
On both sides of the river, there are nature reserves providing a home for wildlife and open, green space for all to enjoy.
With state, county, regional, and city parks; miles of multi-use trails; countless beaches for swimmers and marinas and launch points for boaters; numerous park amenities for all activities from pickleball and tennis courts to disc golf courses to ice rinks and a planned skate park; places for camping, fishing, and hunting, and so much more, there are ample opportunities for residents and visitors to interact with nature and the outdoors in whatever way they prefer. Parks are host to hundreds of events throughout the year.
Both Big Marine and Lake Elmo park reserves have 80 percent of their area set aside for preservation and protection. Belwin Conservancy in Afton protects 1,600 acres of prairie, savanna, and
Afton State Park 6959 Peller Ave. S., Hastings
Belwin Conservancy 1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton
Big Marine Park Reserve 17495 Manning Trail N., Marine on St. Croix
Historic Courthouse 101 W. Pine St., Stillwater
Lake Elmo Park Reserve 1515 Keats Ave. N., Lake Elmo
Pine Point Regional Park 11900 Norell Ave. N., Stillwater
Square Lake Park 15450 Square Lake Trail N., Stillwater
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park 10191 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings
William O’ Brien State Park 16821 O’ Brien Trail N., Marine on St. Croix woodlands. Parnell Prairie Reserve, in Somerset, Wisconsin, contains 30 acres of restored prairie, with rolling hills, wooded forests, and trails throughout.
Lake Elmo Park Reserve is 2,165 acres, with an archery range, boat access, campgrounds, a fishing pier, a swimming beach, and a Nordic center. It has trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. In the winter, the park features lighted ski trails.
The beautiful Historic Courthouse in Stillwater is a county park that preserves history and serves as host to concerts and other events throughout the year.
Square Lake Park, north of Stillwater, has a swimming beach with some of the clearest water in the state. Due to its outstanding water quality, the Metropolitan Council has designated this park as a“ special recreation feature.”
State parks in the area include the 1,600-acre Afton State Park and the 1,880-acre William O’ Brien State Park. Both offer camping, hiking, and more.
Community Guide | St. Croix Valley | 2025 | 15