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Minnesota | Lower St. Croix
St. Croix RiverSunrise Landing to Wild River State Park Landing
Downstream NPS Map 7 St. Croix split from Sunrise Landing to Wild River State Park, ending before the existing Wild-River-to-Lion's-Park dam-pool card and using official DNR St. Croix Falls bands.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Sunrise and take out at Wild River State Park to finish the missing Map 7 chain above the existing Wild-River-to-Lion's-Park dam-pool card.
Access map
Put-in
St. Croix River, Sunrise Public Water Access SiteMinnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Sunrise as WAS00299 near river mile 71.9 and Wild River State Park as WAS00298 near river mile 63.0.
Take-out
St. Croix River, Wild River State Park Public Water Access SiteWild River is the planned finish. Continuing downstream changes the trip into the separate Indian Head Flowage and Taylors Falls dam-takeout route.
Road shuttle
Stage Wild River State Park first, then drive back to Sunrise Landing. Wild River State Park vehicle permits and park rules may apply for vehicles using the landing.
Additional access notes
- The St. Croix Falls gauge is downstream, so pair it with local checks for the old Nevers Dam site, wind, and shallow bars.
More route and safety guidance
- Take out at Wild River State Park unless the separate Wild-River-to-Lion's-Park dam-pool route is staged. Do not let this become an unplanned approach to the Taylors Falls dam corridor.
- Use designated Riverway campsites and public landings only. Watch for fallen trees, shallow bars, motorboat traffic near broader pools, and cold water.
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Conditions
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Photos and recent reports
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Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route shapeAbout 8.9 river miles
Minnesota public-water-access GIS places Sunrise near river mile 71.9 and Wild River State Park near river mile 63.0 on the NPS Map 7 corridor.
- NPS hazard notesOld landings, Nevers Dam site, and flowage transition
NPS Map 7 warns that currents can be erratic at Old Railroad Landing, the river narrows and can be deceptively turbulent at the old Nevers Dam site, and the downstream dam-pool section is lake-like.
- Official DNR bands2,000 / 3,000-8,000 / 11,000 cfs
MN DNR interprets St. Croix Falls as Scrapable below 2,000 cfs, Low from 2,000 to 3,000, Medium from 3,000 to 8,000, High from 8,000 to 11,000, and Very High above 11,000.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-241,900 cfs at 2026-07-24 00:00 CDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Camping postureDesignated Riverway and Wild River sites
NPS Map 7 restricts Riverway camping to designated first-come sites and notes additional primitive shoreline campsites inside Wild River State Park are reservable for a fee.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on St. Croix River
All 11Nearby routes within 75 miles
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