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Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway Two large trumpeter swans swim in profile. They are banded around the neck as part of the reintroduction of this species to the river.
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Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
Photos & Multimedia
 
Three aluminum canoes travel down river with young men in lifejackets paddling

Boy Scout Troop

The upper stretches of the Namekagon are shallow and narrow

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway offers a rich visual experience to even the casual observer. From scenic vistas to encounters with wildlife it is well worth a look. Maybe these selected photos will "wet" your appetite for more.

A great way to see the river is from a canoe.

 
A narrow stretch of the Namekagon River with several bends

NPS

The Namekagon has Curves

Where every bend has wonders to reveal.
 
A reddish-brown deer stands knee deep in the river

NPS

Wading in for a Drink

Perhaps a deer will be getting a drink of water.
 
Two red headed ducks with orange bills and feet, stand on a gravel bar in the river

NPS

Mergansers Dry Off

or mergansers will be resting on a gravel bar.
 
A pale green wet dragonfly emerges from his brown larvae skin

NPS

A Dragonfly Emerges from the River to a New Life

Not everything is obvious. Check the shoreline, you might observe a dragonfly emerging from it's exuviae
 
Two people stand on a pebbly beach with a sandstone white rock face with some vegetation

NPS

A Small Channel Reveals a Sandstone Cliff.

Areas like Sandrock cliffs can be great places to take a break from paddling and stretch your legs.
 
Two women in lifejackets canoe past trees

NPS

Canoeing through Riffles

Continuing down river, the Namekagon joins the St. Croix and the river widens and eventually deepens.
 
Three men in a red fishing boat rleax and fish

NPS

Waiting for the Big Catch

Fishing boats will begin to be seen where the water is deep enough. The Riverway is known for its fishery.
 
High sandstone banks with trees frame a pontoon boat on the river

NPS

Near Stillwater the River is Deep Enough for a variety of Boats

Pontoons and larger boats are seen on the flowages or lakes behind dams and on the lower stretches below St. Croix Falls.
 
White clouds in the sky are reflected on the calm water

NPS

A Quiet Summer Day

On weekends the river can be a busy place, but during the week one can still find solitude. St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is a great place to take some time and enjoy yourself.
water with green tree topped islands and boats on sandspit
Aerial view of St. Croix River islands
Google Earth allows you to have a different perspective of the St. Croix NSR.
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Howell Landing:canoes are in the river as a group is about to start a canoe trip
River Conditions Blog Summer 2010
Rangers will blog focusing on what people are experiencing on their canoe trips.
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Teenage male with camera looking at viewer
One of 23 at risk youth involved in photography
"In a New Light" combines at risk youth, photography and the Riverway for the benefit of all. 
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What looks like a striped fish with several tails is actually the opening of the mussel shell which is hard to see.

Did You Know?
Mussels rely on fish to carry their young around until they are old enough to drop to the river bottom. To attract the fish and attach their young, mussels put on displays that make fish think they are fish or other food. The mussel shell, which is all we normally see, is now barely visible.
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Last Updated: October 28, 2010 at 10:57 MST