Wild River State Park
Wild River State Park | ||
---|---|---|
National Wild and Scenic River | ||
Location | Chisago, Minnesota, United States | |
Coordinates | 45°34′5″N 92°52′33″W / 45.56806°N 92.87583°W | |
Area | 6,574 acres (26.60 km2) | |
Elevation | 774 ft (236 m)[1] | |
Established | 1973 | |
Governing body | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | |
Point Douglas to Superior Military Road: Deer Creek Section | ||
MPS Minnesota Military Roads, 1850–1857 | | |
NRHP reference No. | 90002200 | |
Added to NRHP | 1991-02-07 |
Wild River State Park is a
Wild River State Park is named after the St. Croix's designation as a
Natural history
Geology
The bedrock of the park is
Flora and fauna
This area was originally a transition zone between
Wild River State Park is also trying to reduce or eliminate the population of non-native, invasive
The park's narrowness reduces its quality as wildlife habitat somewhat. Nevertheless, it serves as north–south continuous corridor along the
sightings are on the rise. Ducks, herons, and bitterns frequent the wetlands. Wild River State Park's bird list documents 200 species that can be viewed at different times throughout the year.History
Early history
Archaeological remains have been found in the park dating back 5000 years, but the majority of artifacts date from 1200 to 500 years ago. A village site from this time has been identified near the mouth of the Sunrise River. A fur trading post was built on top of the ancient village site in 1847. Together with a post established nearby in 1850, these were the last trading posts in the St. Croix Valley, and only operated for a few years.
The townships of
Point Douglas to Superior Military Road
In the 1850s the federal government began building the Point Douglas to Superior Military Road. Although intended as a highway for troop movement, this route from Hastings, Minnesota to Superior, Wisconsin was one of the first roads in the territory and attracted a flood of civilian and commercial traffic. When Minnesota achieved statehood in 1858, responsibility for the road devolved to the state, which did not have the funds to finish the project. Although very rough and in places incomplete, the road was still the best route north until railroads were built in 1870. A 1.2-mile (1.9 km) segment was still in evidence when Wild River State Park was established and was incorporated into the park's trail system. The road segment begins in a clearing just south of Deer Creek and forms the eastern leg of the Deer Creek Loop trail along the St. Croix River. Where the hiking trail veers away to loop back north, the road fragment continues as a maintenance access road for 2,500 feet (760 m) to the southeastern corner of the park boundary.[3] Traces of the Point Douglas to Superior Military Road can also be seen in Minnesota's Banning State Park.
Logging era and Nevers Dam
Following an 1837 treaty with the
Park acquisition
In addition to Nevers Dam, Northern States Power had acquired much of the land on either side of the river. With the St. Croix Falls Dam completed in 1907, NSP had little further need for this property 11 miles (18 km) upstream. They discussed contributing the land to the state as early as the 1930s. However it was the creation of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway in 1968 that finally prompted action by both parties. The main objection to the trade had always been that Chisago County would lose a sizeable amount of property tax income. Bills died twice in the Minnesota Legislature until the state park was finally authorized in 1973. As a compromise the state agreed to pay the county a declining percentage of the lost tax revenue for 10 years. NSP donated 4,497 acres (1,820 ha) and the value was matched by federal funds to buy land from other owners. The Nature Conservancy also assisted in acquiring property. Development began in 1976 and the park opened two years later. Originally called St. Croix Wild River State Park, the name was shortened to avoid confusion with St. Croix State Park.[4]
Recreation
Wild River State Park offers a variety of overnight options. The main campground boasts 94 drive-in sites—34 of which have electrical hookups—along with six camper cabins, showers, and flush toilets. A rustic horse campground contains 20 sites—15 of which have electricity—but no showers. A tent-only primitive group camp with vault toilets accommodates up to 18 people each in nine sites. Scattered throughout the park are seven backpacking campsites and four canoe campsites along the St. Croix River. The park has six camping cabins which include bunkbeds, a table, and benches. The park also operates a rental guesthouse featuring two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a full kitchen.[5]
The park boasts 35 miles (56 km) of hiking trails. Of that total, 18 miles (29 km) are open to horseback riding, while a 2.6-mile (4.2 km) paved trail connecting the park's main facilities is suitable for bicycles, in-line skates, and wheelchairs. There are two 1-mile (1.6 km) interpretive trails. A year-round trail shelter offers modern restrooms and doubles as a rental facility. In winter 30 miles (48 km) of trail are groomed for cross-country skiing and skate skiing, and 6 miles (9.7 km) are groomed for snowshoeing. Snowshoers can also travel anywhere in the park as long as they stay off the ski trails. The trail center functions as a warming shelter in winter, and offers ski and snowshoe rentals.[5]
The McElroy Interpretive Center hosts exhibits and naturalist programs year-round. Evening events are conducted at the amphitheater adjacent to the campground.
The St. Croix River is popular for canoeing. A concessionaire based inside the park rents canoes hourly and daily, and provides shuttle service back from take-out points. There are boat ramps in the main part of park and at the Sunrise access.
Climate
Climate data for Wild River State Park, Minnesota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1990–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 53 (12) |
61 (16) |
83 (28) |
88 (31) |
96 (36) |
102 (39) |
99 (37) |
100 (38) |
97 (36) |
89 (32) |
74 (23) |
60 (16) |
102 (39) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 22.3 (−5.4) |
27.3 (−2.6) |
40.4 (4.7) |
55.3 (12.9) |
68.5 (20.3) |
77.6 (25.3) |
82.1 (27.8) |
79.9 (26.6) |
71.6 (22.0) |
57.3 (14.1) |
40.7 (4.8) |
27.4 (−2.6) |
54.2 (12.3) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 11.1 (−11.6) |
15.4 (−9.2) |
28.9 (−1.7) |
42.7 (5.9) |
55.5 (13.1) |
65.0 (18.3) |
69.8 (21.0) |
67.5 (19.7) |
59.2 (15.1) |
45.6 (7.6) |
31.2 (−0.4) |
17.9 (−7.8) |
42.5 (5.8) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | −0.1 (−17.8) |
3.5 (−15.8) |
17.4 (−8.1) |
30.0 (−1.1) |
42.5 (5.8) |
52.4 (11.3) |
57.6 (14.2) |
55.2 (12.9) |
46.9 (8.3) |
33.9 (1.1) |
21.7 (−5.7) |
8.4 (−13.1) |
30.8 (−0.7) |
Record low °F (°C) | −44 (−42) |
−46 (−43) |
−27 (−33) |
0 (−18) |
15 (−9) |
29 (−2) |
40 (4) |
33 (1) |
23 (−5) |
9 (−13) |
−23 (−31) |
−38 (−39) |
−46 (−43) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.83 (21) |
1.01 (26) |
1.55 (39) |
2.98 (76) |
4.02 (102) |
4.19 (106) |
4.22 (107) |
4.01 (102) |
3.48 (88) |
3.21 (82) |
1.62 (41) |
1.27 (32) |
32.39 (823) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 6.2 | 4.9 | 6.5 | 9.0 | 11.9 | 12.5 | 11.0 | 9.9 | 10.1 | 9.4 | 6.1 | 7.2 | 104.7 |
Source: NOAA[6][7] |
References
- ^ "Saint Croix Wild River State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. March 25, 1999. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
- ^ "Wild River State Park Management Plan" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation. February 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
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(help) - ^ Hess, Demian (July 1989). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Point Douglas to Superior Military Road: Deer Creek Section" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
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: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ISBN 0-8735-1266-9.
- ^ a b "Wild River State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 26, 2024.