Boating On The Croix

Starting to daydream about family vacations as the weather warms up and im always happy to bring the fam up to Taylors Falls to do some camping. Ive camped there quite a few times but ive never brought my boat. Im thinking this year it would be fun to do that as ive heard its a beautiful stretch of river. My question is which parts of the river are safe for navigating? Ive heard it gets pretty shallow in some areas. I have a 17ft Alumacraft Competitor. Just wondering if there are areas to avoid as I take the family for a relaxing day on the river and maybe get into some fish. Thanks

You are only allowed to boat as far up as the high bridge. Depth is not an issue up to there with your boat.

Yep, what Suzuki said. Specifically:

Zebra mussel regulations restrict access to the river above the High Bridge (river mile 28.5) by boats coming from the south. Boats may be trailered in and launched north of this point if they have not been in waters known to have zebra mussels (i.e. Mississippi or Duluth harbor). See zebra mussels and a boater’s checklist for more information. (From NPS. Some more general info.)

Island camping between Boom Site and the High Bridge, on the other hand, is 100% free. First-come, first-served. Spent a weekend on one of the islands with my son last summer and we had the whole thing to ourselves. Check it out.

You are only allowed to boat as far up as the high bridge.

Good to know thank you.

Island camping between Boom Site and the High Bridge, on the other hand, is 100% free. First-come, first-served. Spent a weekend on one of the islands with my son last summer and we had the whole thing to ourselves

That sounds awesome I’ll check that out! Thanks.

I wish I had done that. Well, I guess we technically did it once for a catfish tourney. Me and 3 others, but I think we accidentally camped on someone’s land on the Wisconsin side. It was a blast, except for the over half dozen softshell turtles we caught. It’s one thing to fish from a boat all night, but its much more funny camping.

You can take your boat above the high bridge, but make sure you launch above the high bridge. Lots of shallow areas with rock bars and sand bars, on the upper stretch of the river but if you monitor river levels and take you time it’s doable. There are a handful of launches up near Taylors Falls.

From the high bridge north to the dam is where I spend my summer. Run my 17′ navigator there all the time. Just need to watch water levels and learn where to go. Go explore it in higher water.

Yep, what dtro said. Also note the river up there is slow no wake speed. (Like 5 mph max) One option you might want to consider is taking (or renting) a canoe. Or perhaps buying those 2 kayaks in the classifieds.

-J.

It’s supposed to be all no-wake, but I always see folks cruising around. Far more boats are on plane than not. And, as far as boats going north of the High Bridge, lots of folks do it, many are supposedly grandfathered in. I’m not sure how that exactly works, but folks that own properties do it all the time. Big Marine has a nice stretch of deeper water around it. Up near Interstate Park, I believe you can only run canoes and kayaks; the accesses in both Interstate parks don’t have trailer parking. William O’brian State Park has a nice launch for your boat.

You can run boats all the way to the dam if you want. You most likely wont want to. Dont let the large ferry boats up that way fool you. They draft less water than your boat.

Mike – is the Osceola Landing the nearest improved ramp with trailer parking to Taylors Falls?

Crappie – there are a number of National Park campsites on the River south of the Osceola Landing. Any sites between Taylors Falls and the High Bridge requires a free permit from the Park. All other areas on the river are first come, first serve, and no permit is required. If you’re below the High Bridge, you’re supposed to have a portable loo available within 250′.

https://www.nps.gov/sacn/planyourvisit/camping.htm

Out of curiosity, for those launching boats north of the high bridge, what are your thoughts on the rules as stated on the National Parks Website under heading “Stillwater to Arcola Sandbar?” Specifically the sentences:

“Zebra mussel regulations restrict access to the river above the High Bridge (river mile 28.5) by boats coming from the south. Boats may be trailered in and launched north of this point if they have not been in waters known to have zebra mussels (i.e. Mississippi or Duluth harbor).”

I ask because I know some of you spend time on the Mississippi. Is this not enforced, or is it just honor system and you choose to ignore that policy? I’m sure you guys are all giving your boats a proper inspection and cleaning when coming from infested waters, I’m just asking for my own information and piece of mind. I spend a lot of time on pool 2, so I’ve always interpreted that policy to mean my boat should never be launched north of the high bridge on the Saint Croix, period.

That’s been worded that way for as long as I remember, I think it’s the original wordage and probably one of the earlier laws written regarding zebra mussels. It was written before the invasive hysteria hit to protect the native clams. The clam history up river of Stillwater is pretty interesting. Buttons made from clams used to be pretty big business.

I’ve been inspected at the William O’brian launch and it was a similar check as anyplace with inspection crews.

I think so. Not sure about taylor falls state park. Been a number of years since using that. Osceola is good until low water. Dont get a vehicle into the sand. Also as with most places mid summer weekends parking can get tough. Franconia landing is gravel and shallow. Still a good ramp. Log house is a deep landing but dont try it unless you have 4wd and better than average trailer skills. William o brian is fantastic in high water.

From Feb 2015,

I thought the Check Point Charlie was a bit out dated as well. I started doing some research and this summed up the replies that I received.

***********

Hi Brian,

The ZM issue in the St. Croix still continues. Their establishment upstream of the High Bridge could jeopardize several mussel beds containing federally listed endangered species. At this time, there are no plans to remove the check point.

The issue of violation is one our law enforcement rangers take seriously and are committed to address. I have included their emails and urge you to contact them (or you can phone the park @ 715-483-3284 or 2274), if you see any violations within the park.

Thanks for your concern and stewardship of our national treasure,

Byron
Byron Karns
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
National Park Service
401 N. Hamilton St.
St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
Office 715-483-3284
Fax 715-483-3288
Direct 715-483-2281
Cell 651-315-0307
[email protected]
http://www.nps.gov/sacn

Mathew Jacobsen” <[email protected]>,
“Nicholas Shope” <[email protected]>,
“David White” <[email protected]>

Interstate park has a decent ramp but parking because of the Canoe rental can be tough at times. Franconia south the bottom is much softer if you do manage to find it. If the flow is 4-5k or higher you can make it most anywhere 2-3k or lower you will need to know the channel. You can get the camping permit mailed to you or pick them up at either MN state parks. Portable toilet or bucket is required if you are on a island campsite above the Highbridge also.

You can also try the somerset landing in Somerset wi off Ferry Landing Rd if other lots are full, It is right across the river from marine on st croix. I Grew up 1/4 mile from this landing, spent most of my High school years on this stretch of the river. I don’t know what condition the ramp is in but there is one there, no dock.

Like others said, it can be shallow, we used to walk across the river when the water was low and it would get chest deep max in some areas

From there you can boat down to the Flats and fish the mouth of the apple or head up towards Osceola. There is an old train Swing bridge before you hit Osceola we used to jump off as kids.

Funny, I just came from Somerset landing its in good shape with concrete slabs for the launch ample parking with biffy and a sitting area with picnic table. Rather nice level and quite launch. I think high water may flood it. I’d say 18 miles from stillwater, 10 miles to somerset 8 miles from sommerset easy to get to. I think my 16ft old starcraft be a good boat for that stretch.
If I remember correctly you can have your boat inspected at local marina and get voucher/waiver to pass the high bridge
http://townofsomersetwi.com/parks/somerset-landing