Hiking trails abound in central St. Croix Co.

New Richmond Heritage Center

Rising out of the St. Croix River Valley is the largely flat farmland of the county’s central area. There are fewer trails here – while pretty countryside, the lack of variety in terrain and the nearness of excellent trails and outdoors recreation at Willow River State Park and around Somerset have squelched interest in marking out walking paths. That's changing, though.

The city of New Richmond in particular has developed a variety of parks and trails to create an outdoors-friendly community. Both the Heritage Center and Paperjack Creek Trail and the Mary Park Trail are a couple of great options for day hikes.

Conservation efforts to preserve the Kinnickinnic River has led to the Kinnickinnic Headwaters Trail near Roberts and preservation of native flora and fauna, especially of wetlands such as the Cylon State Wildlife Area Trail east of Deer Park and the Casey Lake Trail outside of Baldwin also have provided some hiking paths.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.