St. Croix Valley
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Some of Minnesota’s most scenic towns and best state parks are tucked away along this wild border river, so a drive through the valley is an engaging mix of natural scenery and country life.
Stillwater, with its well-preserved downtown, elegant bed-and-breakfasts, and famous shopping, is by far the best known of the river towns, but it’s really the smaller time-warped villages like Marine on St. Croix to the north and Afton to the south that give the valley its special character.
They all get quite crowded on summer weekends and hotel prices can nearly double, so plan a weekday visit if you can.
People who are particular about paddling will want to dip their oars in the upper stretches of the St. Croix at St. Croix State Park or cinch up their spray skirts for some of the state’s best white-water action on the St. Louis River at Jay Cooke State Park and the Kettle River at Banning State Park.
The Best of the St. Croix Valley
© Tim Bewer from Moon Minnesota, 3rd Edition
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