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Minnesota | Lower St. Croix
St. Croix RiverWild River State Park Landing to Taylors Falls Lion's Park
Lower St. Croix Riverway connector from Wild River State Park to the mandatory Taylors Falls Lion's Park take-out above the hydroelectric dam, using NPS Map 7/8 portage guidance and the official St. Croix Falls DNR gauge.
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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 Wild River State Park and take out at Taylors Falls Lion's Park above the St. Croix Falls hydroelectric dam. The St. Croix Falls DNR gauge is the official same-corridor check, but the route's real gate is the mandatory dam take-out and portage plan.
Access map
Put-in
St. Croix River, Wild River State Park Public Water Access SiteWild River State Park resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS00298 at St. Croix river mile 63.0.
Take-out
Taylors Falls Lion's Park dam portage take-outNPS Map 8 identifies Taylors Falls Lion's Park at S54.5 as the required portage take-out, but it is not represented in the Minnesota public-water-access GIS records reviewed for this run.
Road shuttle
Stage Lion's Park first and identify the dam take-out before driving to Wild River State Park. If continuing to Minnesota Interstate State Park, plan the official Taylors Falls town portage as a separate carry that can take several hours.
Additional access notes
- Do not continue below the hydroelectric dam by water. NPS says the river just below the dam lacks public access and has unpredictable water levels.
More route and safety guidance
- If continuing to the existing Interstate-to-Osceola route, use the official town portage to Minnesota Interstate State Park and plan for several hours of carry time.
- The Indian Head Flowage can be wind- and motorboat-affected. Start early, watch weather, and avoid being pushed past the take-out decision window.
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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 milesAbout 8.5 river miles
DNR public-access GIS places Wild River State Park at St. Croix river mile 63.0, and NPS Map 8 identifies Taylors Falls Lion's Park portage take-out at S54.5.
- Mandatory portage3.1 miles through Taylors Falls
NPS states that a 3.1-mile portage through Taylors Falls is required around the hydroelectric dam, with portage right at Taylors Falls Lion's Park and relaunch at Minnesota Interstate State Park.
- Dam no-paddle warningBelow-dam river not navigable by watercraft
NPS Map 8 warns that the river just below the hydroelectric dam is not navigable by watercraft because there is no public access and water levels can be unpredictable.
- 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 · 2026-07-173350 cfs at 2026-07-17 04:00
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 postureWild River and Riverway designated-site rules
NPS Map 7 notes primitive shoreline campsites inside Wild River State Park and Riverway camping rules; this selected route should still be planned as a day trip unless the group separately reserves or verifies legal designated camping.
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