Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

The Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway extends across 252 miles through forested landscapes, connecting the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers in eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

The riverway gained protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968, through legislation championed by senators Walter Mondale and Gaylord Nelson.

Native American tribes inhabited the region for 12,000 years, utilizing the rivers for trade routes and establishing significant religious and traditional activity sites.

Visitors access numerous designated camping areas, hiking trails, and fishing spots along the riverway, with main visitor centers located in St. Croix Falls and Trego, Wisconsin.

The riverway contains the largest protected river system east of the Mississippi River, supporting populations of smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and sturgeon.

Location: Wisconsin

Location: Minnesota

Location: Sawyer County

Inception: October 2, 1968

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/sacn

GPS coordinates: 45.32141,-92.71118

Latest update: May 16, 2025 02:51