Wild River is located along 18 miles of the
beautiful St. Croix River. The park attracts people who enjoy camping, hiking,
horseback riding, canoeing, interpretive programs, self-guided trails, and
cross-country skiing. Day visitors can enjoy a leisurely paddle down the St.
Croix River from the Sunrise river access to the southern park river access. The
park provides opportunities for semi-modern camping, group camping, backpack
camping, canoe camping, and walk-in camping. Visitors who want modern amenities
can reserve the guest house which provides a living room, dining room, kitchen,
and fireplace. The park also has two camping cabins which include bunkbeds, a
table, and benches. An all-season trail center is a great spot to relax after
hiking or cross-country skiing on the 35-mile trail system. A visitor center
with exhibits and environmental education programs is open year-round.Quick
stats:
6,803 acres
182,545 annual visits
Naturalist:
Naturalist Programs are available year-round. Pick up a schedule of
activities at the park office. The park also provides programs to schools and
other groups upon request. Call (651) 583-2925 for more information.
Wildlife
Wild River provides habitat for a variety of wildlife. Hawks, owls, eagles,
and a diversity of songbirds are common. The tracks of beaver, raccoon, fox,
coyote, otter, mink, and deer are often seen in the soft earth or snow. Northern
pike, walleye, and smallmouth bass are found in the St. Croix River. Squirrels
and other small mammals thrive in oak forests and savannas. Prairie restoration
sites are increasingly used by meadowlarks and grassland sparrows.
History
The St. Croix River Valley was first occupied by nomadic people 6,000 years
ago. For thousands of years, the valley was home for the Dakota and Ojibwe
Indians. Samuel's Fur Post and Connor's Goose Creek Post were active in 1847.
After Minnesota became a territory in 1849, a military road was constructed
through the park. It was part of the route from Hastings to Lake Superior and a
portion of it is still evident today. The towns of Sunrise and Amador were
founded in the 1850s. The great white pine logging era resulted in the building
of Nevers Dam in 1890. The dam operated until 1912. Read a Web version of the
book: Nevers Dam...The Lumberman's Dam.
The park was established to protect the natural and cultural resources and to
provide recreational opportunities along the St. Croix River. The park's name
"Wild River" is derived from the fact that the St. Croix River was one of the
original eight rivers protected by the U.S. Congress through the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act of 1968. Nearly 5,000 of the park's total 6,803 acres were donated by
Northern States Power Company.
Geology
Wild River's varied landscape was created by the events of the last Ice Age.
Over one million years ago, glaciers up to a mile in depth moved into the
region. Ten thousand years ago the melting of the last glacier formed both the
Duluth and Grantsburg Glacial Lakes. These lakes supplied the water power that
created the present St. Croix River Valley.
Landscape
Wild River State Park lies within the Anoka Sand Plain and Mille Lacs Uplands
subsections. This region is on the southern edge of the transition zone of pine
forest, hardwood forest, and oak savanna. Once covered by Glacial Lake
Grantsburg, this area today is a smooth and sandy plain. The few ridges may
represent islands that stood above the lake level. Prescribed burns are
conducted annually to better manage and restore oak savanna and prairie areas.
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