St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
The St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area is a 1,082-acre property located in northwestern St. Croix County. This unique property includes numerous islands and wetland habitats of the St. Croix River, and the property contains the confluence of the Apple and St. Croix rivers. The Apple River Canyon State Natural Area and the St. Croix River State Natural Area are also located within the property.
The majority of the property is wooded bluff land along the St. Croix River, an area that has been designated as a National Scenic Riverway.
The property is located about 4.5 miles northwest of Somerset. Follow County Road I north of Somerset for 2 miles. The property can be accessed off of 192nd Avenue or 208th Avenue Access to the St. Croix River is available through carry-in boat access off of Rice Lake Road.
Management Objectives
The acquisition of the property started with the purchase of acreage from St. Croix County in 1946. Additional acreage was purchased around the original land, including a 184-acre donation from The Nature Conservancy.
The property is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping, wildlife observation and other nature-based outdoor recreation. Management objectives aim to maintain the scenic riverway through passive timber management. Populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and/or bio-control.
For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.
Recreation
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The St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding;
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail);
- Falconry (by permit);
- Hiking;
- Hunting;
- Snowshoeing;
- Trapping;
- Wild edible/gathering; and
- Wildlife viewing
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
Find out more about how to adopt this wildlife area.