Via the St. Croix River Association:
Summer is short, but so very sweet in the St. Croix Valley with an incredible abundance of summer events, festivals and recreation. The St. Croix River Association has a myriad of outdoor events scheduled this summer to celebrate the great outdoors!
SCRA Outside Events
June 21: Summer Solstice Picnic Paddle
Join the St. Croix River Association staff on a memorable and scenic, summer solstice picnic paddle. We will embark from the boat launch in kayaks at MN Interstate State Park and paddle south to the sunset at Osceola Landing. During the journey, MN Interstate State Park Naturalist, Jenni Webster, will reveal stories hidden in the landscapes of the St. Croix River.
June 29: Ahoy St. Croix! Lunch and Learn Paddle
Registration includes a picnic lunch from Juneberry Cafe, a local and organic eatery in Taylors Falls and a fun education program during our picnic stop at Eagle’s Nest Campground. You will hear about conservation initiatives and experience some hands-on aquatic invasive species activities from the partnering agencies for this paddle.
July 6: Learn to Paddle
Meet us at Lake of the Dalles at Wisconsin Interstate Park for one or all three Learn to Paddle events on the first Saturday of June, July and August. This is a drop-in program, so stop by the Lake of the Dalles beach anytime between 1 and 4pm. We will provide all the gear, equipment and instruction!
July 10: Wednesday on the Water – Fish Hatchery Hike
Learn about the historic fish hatchery history of St. Croix Falls, WI along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway on this gentle, family-friendly hike. Each week, we will introduce literature that ties into the weekly theme.
July 13: Woodlands from the Water Paddle
Join the St. Croix River Association and fellow woodland owners as we explore the woodlands of the watershed from the water on the wild and scenic Namekagon River, Wisconsin’s moving National Park. Connect with local forestry professionals to learn more about native forest types, woodland wildlife, area forest health issues, and forest management strategies to help improve your own woods.
July 17: Wednesday on the Water – Birds and Blooms Summer Stroll
Enjoy the native wildflowers growing at the National Park Service Visitor Center, then hike to the River Overlook for some bird watching. If you have never used binoculars before or are new to birding, this is the program for you!
July 19: Natural Connections on the Namekagon Paddle
The St. Croix River Association is partnering with the Cable Natural History Museum for this paddle to feature museum staff member and author, Emily Stone. During the paddle, Emily will provide fascinating interpretation of the Namekagon’s natural history and read excerpts from her new book, Natural Connections: Dreaming of an Elfin Skimmer.
July 20: Saturday in the Slough
This scenic paddle will venture off the main channel of the river and into the Kettle River Slough, one of the Riverway’s best kept secrets. Saturday in the Slough will reveal the wild side of the St. Croix as we experience the aquatic and terrestrial life; eagles, otters, heron, mergansers and osprey are some of the animals we may encounter. During the paddle, participants will learn about the glacial and human history of the Riverway as we paddle through the ancient Glacial Duluth spillway and make a stop at an old copper paint mine.
July 24: Wednesday on the Water – Learn to Paddle
Meet us at Lake of the Dalles at Wisconsin Interstate Park for one or all three Learn to Paddle events on the first Saturday of June, July and August. This is a drop-in program, so stop by the Lake of the Dalles beach anytime between 1 and 4pm. We will provide all the gear, equipment and instruction!
July 31: Wednesday on the Water – Ice Age Trail Walk
Not only do we have the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in our backyard, but we also have a National Scenic Trail — the Ice Age Trail. Join us for a scenic stroll with river views on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Be prepared to hike a mile on a flat and gravel and dirt trail.
Aug 3: Navigating the Namekagon’s North Woods
Embark on a kayak journey down the wild and scenic Namekagon River with the St. Croix River Association and a National Park Ranger. Learn about the North Woods recreation culture that led to the conservation efforts that now protect the Namekagon River. We will stop for a break during the paddle at a historic cabin that is representative of the early North Woods recreation culture.
Aug 3: Learn to Paddle
Meet us at Lake of the Dalles at Wisconsin Interstate Park for one or all three Learn to Paddle events on the first Saturday of June, July and August. This is a drop-in program, so stop by the Lake of the Dalles beach anytime between 1 and 4pm. We will provide all the gear, equipment and instruction!
Aug 4 – 6: 3-Day Namekagon Kayak Voyage
Explore 40 miles of the Namekagon River on a fully supported kayak trip on August 4-6, 2019. The tour includes all meals and hotel-style lodging for two nights and three days, and is designed for those who may not have paddling equipment or want to camp outdoors.
The St. Croix River Association works to protect, restore and celebrate the St. Croix River and its watershed. With an approach based on partnerships, the organization is working to realize a vision for the St. Croix as a place where rivers run free and clean, a diverse habitat sustains our unique and diverse flora and fauna, people have access to our National Park and the park flourishes, towns throughout the basin thrive, and people celebrate the river. More information is available at www.stcroixriverassociation.org.