One of our favorite experiences in Chisago Lakes is paddling down the St. Croix River from Taylors Falls to Osceola. Canoeing down the St. Croix River is a fantastic way to spend a sunny summer day with your favorite people (young and old alike!). This beautiful journey takes you along gentle to mild currents to view dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, magnificent wildlife, and so much more. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to paddle in Minnesota!
Recently, our family rented a canoe from Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental to explore the St. Croix River. Based on our experience, this guide covers everything you need to know about planning your own expedition, including an itinerary for a full day of fun. Keep reading to learn more about summer paddling in Chisago Lakes.
Paddling Down the St. Croix River: What to Expect
Experience Taylors Falls and the surrounding valley from a fresh perspective—on the river! The St. Croix River is famous for its stunning scenery; you’ll quickly see why. The river also serves as the natural border between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Launching from Interstate State Park and ending at the Osceola Landing is a breeze, with lovely shallow beaches and ample space to paddle throughout the journey. The journey takes about 3 hours and covers about 7 miles. Though, it can take longer if you make a lot of scenic stops to swim, fish, or picnic. Both spots feature convenient parking (state park passes are required at Interstate State Park) and clean restrooms.
The St. Croix’s current is relatively gentle to mild, making it easy to paddle against for all paddlers, from novice to advanced. As moderately experienced paddlers, this was a fantastic river to introduce our daughter (age 8) to paddling in a canoe. You will see towering cliffs, beautiful beaches, historic bridges, and more along the way. Lucky paddlers may even catch a glimpse of eagles, hawks, white-tailed deer, turtles, and more.
Pack a lunch or a cooler for your journey. There are plenty of sandbars, islands, and beaches to stop for a picnic. Fishing enthusiasts can also bring their gear and tackle to cast a lucky line. Canoeing down the St. Croix River is undoubtedly a fantastic way to enjoy Minnesota and Wisconsin’s natural beauty.
Where to Rent Your Equipment
While this journey down the St. Croix River can be done with your own equipment, we have the perfect solution for you if you don’t have a kayak or canoe! We rented a canoe from Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental for our journey. They also offer kayaks and double kayaks, as well as life jackets.
Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental offers an affordable and family-friendly way to explore the St. Croix River. Starting at Interstate State Park, your adventure can last anywhere from 3 to 7 hours, depending on your chosen route. After reaching your end destination, a convenient shuttle service returns you to the park. Their rentals are suitable for all ages and skill levels. Plus, as a self-guided trip, you can paddle at your own pace (though, there is a final pick-up time depending on your journey to be mindful of while paddling). If you are planning a canoe trip near Taylors Falls and need to rent a kayak or canoe, this is one of the best places to do it!
Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental offers four routes:
● Local Paddle – great for all ages + skill-levels
● One-Way Trip to Osceola – great for all ages + skill-levels (the journey we chose!)
● One-Way Trip to William O’Brien – best for advanced paddlers
● William O’Brien Express Bus – best for advanced paddlers
Please note: If you have your own equipment, Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental offers a shuttle-only ticket to assist with transferring people in your party from Osceola back to Interstate State Park. They cannot transfer your equipment (people only), but it is a helpful option if you don’t have two vehicles to stow on either end.
What to Pack
There are a few things to pack for your day trip to Taylors Falls and paddling down the St. Croix River. Based on our experience, here are the things I recommend bringing with you.
● Dry bags for cell phones, car keys, and anything else you don’t want to get wet (zip-lock bags can be an okay alternative in a pinch, though they don’t float)
● Garbage bags: remember to pack it in/pack it out and clean up after yourself
● Sun protection (including sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc.) and insect repellent
● Water shoes (or at least shoes that can get wet) for transferring the canoe (bare feet or sandals without straps are generally not recommended for paddling)
● If you plan to fish, bring your fishing license (MN or WI is acceptable on the border river)
● A cooler with food, snacks, water, etc. (don’t pack any glass bottles)
● Beach towels, swimsuits, etc., to take a dip in the water when you stop along the way
● Life jackets (Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental provides them, but kids in particular may prefer life jackets that they are used to)
● A seat cushion or extra towel to sit on, if desired, to make the ride more comfortable
A Quick Itinerary for a Day of Paddling + Fun in Taylors Falls
Canoeing near Taylors Falls means you have even more fantastic adventures off the water at your fingertips. You can easily spend a whole day (or two, or three…) exploring the Chisago Lakes area. For a day trip from the Twin Cities, however, here is a suggested itinerary for canoeing down the St. Croix River (it roughly follows our own agenda for the day, with some tweaks based on our experience to make yours even better!).
● 9:00 am—Grab a coffee and a morning bun from Coffee Talk in downtown Taylors Falls.
● 10:00 am—Arrive at the Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental launch point in Interstate State Park. From here, start your journey down the St. Croix River toward Osceola. Pack a lunch to enjoy along the way (Juneberry Cafe in downtown Taylors Falls opens at 9:00 am if you need to load up on lunch supplies). There are plenty of sandbars, beaches, and islands that make good stops along the way, including a few campground sites. Choose the one that works best for you! I recommend stopping at least once during your journey’s first hour or so.
● 1:00 pm (or so – take your time and enjoy the day!)—Arrive in Osceola and catch the next shuttle from Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental back to Interstate State Park. The shuttle schedule is listed here.
● 2:00 pm—If you’re hungry or need a sweet treat, refuel with ice cream at Schoony’s Malt Shop and Pizzeria.
● 3:00 pm—Ready for more outdoor adventures? Head to the downtown Taylors Falls entrance of Interstate State Park. From here, you can explore the famous glacial potholes, learn something new in the Visitor’s Center, and take a hike with gorgeous views of the St. Croix River.
● 5:00pm—The Drive In Restaurant. This classic drive-in from 1956 is still serving classic American fare with a nostalgic carhop vibe – including the poodle skirts! The menu offers everything from juicy burgers to homemade rootbeer and malts. They even have a dedicated kids’ menu for little ones. Afterward, you can challenge on another to a round or two of mini golf at Adventure Falls Mini Golf.
Final Thoughts on Canoeing Down the St. Croix River
Simply put, we loved canoeing down the St. Croix River! From the manageable currents to the epic views, we had an incredible day paddling together. We even saw a few birds and turtles when we stopped to picnic and swim. It is an experience that will stick with us for a long time!
If you are curious about canoeing near Taylors Falls, I highly recommend this experience for all ages! Whether you are an advanced paddler or are simply looking for a fun day outside with your family, this journey down the St. Croix River is a wonderful way to enjoy sunny summer days and make new memories together.
Happy Paddling!
Canoeing down the St. Croix River is a great way to create memories with your favorite people. We hope this guide to paddling along the St. Croix River helps you plan your own trip. Thank you for exploring Chisago Lakes!
