Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Map showing the location of Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
Location Wisconsin and Minnesota, USA
Nearest city St. Croix Falls, WI
Coordinates 45°23′21″N 92°39′27″W / 45.38917°N 92.65750°W / 45.38917; -92.65750Coordinates: 45°23′21″N 92°39′27″W / 45.38917°N 92.65750°W / 45.38917; -92.65750
Area 92,738 acres (375.3 km2)
Established 2 October 1968
Visitors 521,695 (in 2005)
Governing body National Park Service
Website Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
St. Croix River near Taylors Falls, Minnesota
The St. Croix River from Osceola Landing, near Osceola, Wisconsin.

The Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway is a federally protected system of riverways located in eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. It protects 252 miles (406 km) of river, including the St. Croix River (on the Wisconsin/Minnesota border), and the Namekagon River (in Wisconsin), as well as adjacent land along the rivers. The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is one of the original eight National Wild and Scenic Rivers, largely as a result of legislation by senators Walter Mondale of Minnesota and Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. The largest scenic riverway east of the Mississippi River, it lies within parts of eight counties in Wisconsin: Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix, Sawyer, and Washburn; and three in Minnesota: Chisago, Pine, and Washington.

Activities

The upper St. Croix is a nationally renowned smallmouth bass fishery. Other fish species present in the riverway include walleye, northern pike, sturgeon, muskellunge, and catfish. The Namekagon River upstream of Hayward, Wisconsin is well known for its brown and brook trout fishing.

Besides fishing, the riverway is a popular destination for canoeing, boating, camping, tubing, and hunting. Camping is provided at dozens of National Park Service-designated sites, at state parks along the river, and, in certain sections, anywhere users wish to camp. The riverway also includes numerous hiking trails, some of which are designated in winter for cross-country skiing.

Management

The riverway is managed overall by the National Park Service. The riverway headquarters and main visitors center are located in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, with an additional visitors center in Trego, Wisconsin operated during the summer. Large areas along both sides of the river are also managed by state agencies and include state parks and state forests.

Parks and public lands

See also

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