Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wisconsin's newest state park is
Straight Lake State Park,
three miles north of Luck
(midway between—and a bit east of—Grantsburg and St. Croix Falls) via WIS 35. There's
great birding as you tramp around sloughs; the Ice Age Trail will call here eventually.
St. Croix Falls
YourarrivalinSt.CroixFalls,thelargestcommunityalongtheriver,ismarkedbythebrand
new
River Headquarters
(401 N. Hamilton St., 715/483-3284). It's generally open daily
year-round, and inside you'll find maps, exhibits, toilets, and plenty of information.
The
Polk County Information Center
(WIS 35, 800/222-7655,
www.polkcountytourism.com
or, better,
www.saintcroixriver.com
) south of town on WIS
35istheterminusforthe
Gandy Dancer Trail
(namedforthe“GandyDancers,”orrailroad
workers who used Gandy tools), a multiuse trail atop an abandoned rail line stretching 98
miles toSuperior (where the Saunders State Trail cuts in),crossing overthe St.Croix River
and into Minnesota before cutting back into Wisconsin; one trail highlight is a 350-foot
bridge crossing the river. The trail passes through nine cities and villages, and a trail pass
($4) is required.
In St. Croix Falls, the
Fawn Doe Rosa Park
(WIS 8, 715/483-3772,
www.fawndoerosa.com
,
10am-5pm Mon.-Fri. and 10am-6pm weekends and holidays mid-
May-Labor Day, only weekends in the fall, $8 adults) is a rehabilitation and education cen-
terthatcontainsawildlifedisplayfeaturing“BigLouie,”a1,200-poundKodiakbear,apet-
ting area and pony rides. It's two miles east on WIS 8.
