First Time on St. Croix

We are planning on spending the day on the St.Croix for Father’s Day. We are first time boat owners and have never been on the river. Any pointers or things we should do/see while we are there? We are hoping to put the boat in at the St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.
Thanks for any help.
Wendi

Sorry Wendi,

I don’t have any help on the river for you but thougth I would say hi , and welcome to IDA.

Hi Wendi…..I am on the Croix 4/5 times a week yet seldom go out on the weekends because of the traffic and generally heavy conditions. The bluffs park is a nice place to launch but if you’re not there early, you can expect to wait to launch the boat, they only allow so many to access and if there are no spots open to park, you must wait at the top of the hill until someone leaves to enter. Many people go to the Kinney narrows and pull up to the sand bar for a day of relaxing or fun, again get there early to claim a spot. The river offers a fantastic opportunity to fish early in the day but depending on the weather it can get rockin’ by 10 am or so. You can travel from the bluffs down to the casino where they have slips to use, or go north to stillwater or hudson, the scenery is spectacular from the river side of viewing, just rememer to be safe and watch out for the fools that only drive fast and son’t seem to care if you and I are out there. take care

Wendi and drifter,
Wanted to say Welcome to IDA.. Post often..

All I can really say about st croix, is watch the shallow water and green and red bouys.

The basic rule of bouys, is R,R,R, the three R’s,
Red on the Right, Returning..

Returning means going up river. so have the Red bouys on your Right when going up river.
If you have both green and red, then go between them.

There is a NO WAKE zone. from hwy 94 bridge, up to the swing train bridge. it is patrolled, and should have signs up on both ends.

Have fun.
Jack..

Thanks for the welcome and the info.

Welcome to the site!

I’ll echo what others have said, be there early, especially on Father’s Day which is supposed to hit 93 F, watch out for the foolish drivers, and obey the rules yourself (no wakes in Hudson, Afton, and Kinni narrows). I get checked 50% of the time on the Croix and I’m ok with that. Find a nice sandy public beach and enjoy!

Eric

Thanks Eric. What do you mean by checked?

Wendi, I have little advice except to get out there early. Just this morning, a friend of ours who has been working the boat ramp in Bayport for many years on the weekends stated in no uncertain terms, tomorrow will be an “absolute ZOO out there”. Be safe and enjoy the day.

Thanks everyone!! We had a wonderful day! A lot of people must have stayed off because it wasn’t too crowded at all. We were out all day..cruising and then found a place to swim.