On The Water
Discover the River
Stillwater is located on the St. Croix River, a National Scenic Riverway designated by the National Park System with Stillwater at the southern end of the Lower St. Croix section. The St. Croix was one of the first rivers protected in 1968 by the U.S. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and remains a beautiful waterway to be admired and advocated for today with the Wild Rivers Conservancy. The St. Croix River is also part of the North Woods & Waters of the St. Croix Heritage District
hoping for national recognition soon.
“Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, formed by the St. Croix and Namekagon, offers clean water for paddle boating and fishing.
Calm or dancing waters surrounded by shades of green, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway provides 252 miles of recreational opportunities. Canoe amid the northwoods, where wolves, deer, otter and porcupine can be seen or boat surrounded by wooded bluffs and historic towns.
This corridor provides scenic views and a haven for wildlife. The clean, sparkling river water shelters native mussels, dragonflies, and fish. Overhead, eagles, osprey, kingfisher and warblers fly and nest. Closer at hand raccoons, fox, and bear may be glimpsed. A glimpse of the River’s past can also be seen on the landscape. A stone wall, a steel ring, a cabin or a metal bridge recalls earlier times. Dakota, Ojibwe, voyageurs, loggers and settlers have all known this river.” ~ National Park Foundation
So much is to be explored beyond the shores of town. The Stillwater Islands area (just north of downtown), between the Soo Line High Bridge and Stillwater, is popular with houseboats, cabin cruisers, pontoons, and fishing boats.
Enjoy swimming, fishing (common species, boat access and shore angling) and water craft of all kinds from kayaks to SUP, yachts to speed boats or large chartered cruises aboard an authentic all-American paddlewheel ship. Use Stillwater as your overnight base as you explore the region by water with your own boat or a rental with several nearby marinas.
Did you know? 14 FREE boat tie-up slips are available downtown including 4 overnight slips.
Check current river conditions: https://www.nps.gov/sacn/planyourvisit/current-conditions.htm
Check the lift bridge operating schedule: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/liftbridge/schedule.html
Boat Access: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/eastmetro/rivers/stcroixlower.html
Head south from downtown Stillwater on the St. Croix River Water Trail to the confluence of the Mississippi River in Prescott, WI where it continues a southern march all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Fun fact: The St. Croix is the Mississippi’s cleanest tributary.
Other nearby rivers/lakes offer great adventure as well! Find your favorite water way to explore : MN Water Trails (St. Croix River Route) and WI Water Trails. The nearest lakes are Lake Elmo, Square Lake, or Big Marine.
Talk about scenic – for those who simply enjoy looking at the water, view the river valley by car following the St. Croix Scenic Byway.
Boat & Jetski Rentals
One of the best places to enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful St. Croix River is on it! Daily pontoon rentals for the half and full day or join the boat club and enjoy luxury boating for less with the Stillwater Boat Club. Conveniently located downtown Stillwater. The St. Croix River is also a part of Your Boat Club which is a great alternative to owning a boat giving you access to a variety of types of boats on multiple bodies of water near the Twin Cities.
Boat rental available at two marinas:
Stillwater Boat Club
422 East Mulberry St.
651-439-9000
Ole Sawmill Marina
2009 Lake St. N.
651-231-2025
Rent Saint Croix
Jet ski personal watercraft rentals
Thinking about purchasing your very own vessel? Talk to the experts right downtown at Tetzlaff Yacht Sales 888.658.9504!
Brown Dog Paddleboard Co.
15150 Square Lake Trail N
Stillwater, MN 55082 (view map)
651.399.5066
Group paddleboard instruction, rentals, SUP yoga, and SUP fitness on nearby Square Lake at the Golden Acres RV Park entrance and via Washington County Parks.
FISHING
Welcome Anglers… The St. Croix River is alive with walleye, a variety of bass, crappies and more. Find a free boat launch at the Boom Site just North of Stillwater on hwy 95 and shore fishing along the riverwalk. For a list of marinas, see ‘Marinas’ on this page. Check out the MN DNR website for fish species, nearby lakes, boat launches, regulations and shore angling spots. For Trout enthusiasts, try the Star Prairie Trout Farm in Star Prairie, WI, a short drive from Stillwater. No limit, no license fee fishing with rods and reels provided. For more info, call 888-545-6808. Need a fishing license or bait, stop by the Amoco gas station on Main Street, Holiday Gas Station on Hwy 36 & Osgood (14773 60th St. N.)- 651.439.8250 or Wal-mart for worms. William O’Brien State Park has fishing poles available for use too.
Top 10 reasons to fish the St. Croix River provided by www.stcroixriverfishing.com. Here’s another great local resource: www.croixsippi.com.
GONDOLA ROMANTICA
525 S. Main St.
Stillwater, MN 55082 (view map)
651.439.1783
Enjoy the romance of Venice Italy blended with the beauty of the St. Croix River and the charm of historic Stillwater. Taking a cruise in an authentic Venetian gondola is among the most romantic and relaxing experiences imaginable. Plan a proposal, celebrate a birthday, wedding or anniversary, or just get away to a relaxing cruise on the river. You can book a sunlit daytime cruise or a moonlit evening cruise.
Hook, Line and Sinker Guide Service
612.704.2498
Let over 45 years of experience being in the woods and on the water help guide you to your best day in the great outdoors. HLS Guide Service specializing in the North East Metro lakes and upper St Croix river. Offering all season, multi-species fishing, half day and evening trips available.
Kayaking, Paddleboarding, & Canoes
Provide your own water transport or rent paddleboards or kayaks from Wahoo Adventures Guides, Brown Dog PaddleBoard Co (SUP only), St. Croix Stand-Up Paddleboard Co. Personal water craft like kayaks and paddleboards are also available for purchase at West Marine at Stillwater Marina downtown.
Canoes can be rented at William O’Brien State Park (about 15 minutes north) or Riverwood Canoe (in Oseola, WI).
Other nearby rivers/lakes offer great adventure as well – Kinnickinic River in River Falls, WI (Kinni Kayak or River Guide Kayaks).
Marinas
DNR – FREE Public Boat Launch – just north of 96 on hwy 95
Boomsite Marina 651.275.0229 (boat launch)
Wolf Marine 651.439.2341 (boat launch)
Stillwater Marina Services & Boat Rentals 651.439.9000
Stillwater Public Boat Slips 651.430.1234 (14 FREE tie-up slips. 1st come 1st serve. 4 for overnight (3 night max). Located behind the large fleet of paddle-wheel boats owned by St. Croix Boat & Packet. Access from north end of the docks near the Dock Cafe restaurant. Water hook up on site. Power available for purchase.)
Sunnyside Marina 651.439.2118 (transient dockage)
Ole Sawmill Marina 651.231.2025 (weekly slip rental, pontoon rental)
Beachhouse Marina 651.275.0229 (boat launch)
River Park Marina 651.275.0229
Bayport Marina 651.439.1044 (transient dockage)
Note: Check the Historic Lift Bridge Schedule before you leave the dock.
Downtown boat sales – new & used: Tetzlaff Yacht Sales 888.658.9504
To view larger map image, see listing on Directions – By Water section.
St. Croix Scenic Byway
Hwy. 95
Stillwater, MN 55082 (view map)
Stillwater is located on the St. Croix Scenic Byway (State Hwy. 95 which runs through historic downtown Main Street) and is not far off the path of one of America’s Byways called the Great River Road in MN or WI that runs along the Mississippi River from Canada all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. To connect to Stillwater, head north on hwy 95 from hwy 61 in Hastings, MN. Take the scenic drive listed on MotorcycleRoads.com (Hwy 95 headed north from downtown) for great ride from Stillwater to Taylor’s Falls, MN. More about Minnesota Scenic Byways.
St. Croix Stand Up Paddleboard Co.
621.271.1643
St. Croix SUP offers stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals at nearby rivers and lakes with drop-off and pick-up service within the St. Croix Valley (within 10 miles of the 55082 Stillwater, MN zip code). Public boat launches and beaches are the best places to take off. Going to the cabin for the weekend? We have straps and portable racks to transport the boards.
Stillwater Boat Club & Rentals
422 East Mulberry Street
Stillwater, MN 55082 (view map)
651.439.9000
Daily pontoon rentals for the half or full day conveniently located downtown Stillwater. The St. Croix River is also a part of Your Boat Club which is a great alternative to owning a boat giving you access to a variety of types of boats on multiple bodies of water near the Twin Cities.
STILLWATER RIVER BOATS
525 South Main Street
Stillwater, MN 55082 (view map)
651.430.1234
We offer daily public lunch and dinner cruises on board our authentic Paddlewheel boats on the scenic St. Croix River. Our private charters can accommodate groups of 25 to 675 with multiple boats in our fleet. Contact us today and we would be happy to assist you in planning your excursion. Seasonal business typically May-October.
Wahoo Adventures
See Stillwater from a new perspective! Look for guided kayak paddles, bicycle tours, and snowshow adventures throughout the year. We provide all the gear, maps, guidance, and inspiration you may need! No experience necessary. Book all events online.