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Interstate State Park

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There is so much to do at Interstate State Park, located on the beautiful St. Croix River. Visitors can climb the cliffs of the St. Croix River Dalles, canoe the flat-water, watch kayakers rush through the rapids, or relax on an excursion boat. Spring brings a great diversity of wildflowers and in fall, the St. Croix River Valley forest is ablaze in the autumn colors of red, gold, and orange. The geology that formed this park intrigues visitors, and brings geologists from all over the world. At least 10 different lava flows are exposed in the park, along with two distinct glacial deposits, and traces of old streams valleys and faults. During the summer, hike the trails and explore the glacial potholes that make this park unique.

Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.


Visitor Alert!

Updated May 9, 2013

Road Closure Notice

Expect closures and detours on sections of Hwy 95 from North Branch to Taylors Falls through the summer. See the MN DOT website for more information. Expect narrow lanes during construction in downtown Taylors Falls through June.

Facilities

The visitor center is open from 10 AM to 5 PM on weekends in May. Please self-pay for a vehicle permit at the north end of the park on weekdays.

Trails

Trails are in good condition. The Hwy 8 tunnel that links the Sandstone Bluffs and Railroad Trails with the River Trail is currently filled with ice and impassable. The Bake Oven pothole is currently closed due to ice coverage and will likely re-open in late May.

Camping

The campground facilities are open.

Wildflowers

This will be a great week for viewing spring wildflowers at the park. Hepatica, trout lily, Dutchman's breeches, and bloodroot are all blooming along the park trails.

PlayCleanGo Day

Saturday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Join us at the visitor center and learn how you can help prevent the spread of terrestrial invasive species and protect our beautiful Minnesota natural resources.

Park Notes

Learn about the geologic formations of the area and the world-famous glacial potholes here: Geology of Interstate State ParkThis is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

Interstate State Park Bird ChecklistThis is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

The Wildflower ChecklistThis is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. is a multi-seasonal guide to the native and non-native flower species found within the park.

Online / Downloadable Walking Tours

Take a walking tour of the Glacial Potholes at Interstate State ParkThis link leads to a video. Check out 13 minute guided photo tour of this unique environment only found in Minnesota. (Flash video, 38,721K)

DownloadThis link leads to an podcast. this tour in MP4 format (26,473K) to use on a portable music/video player such as an Apple video iPpod/iPhone or Microsoft Zune players.

Virtual Tour:

Take a virtual tour. It's a great tool to help you plan your next trip to the park!
Panoramic tour | Snapshot tour

Gift Cards:

Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card

Firewood Restrictions Information:

Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Learn more and review vendor lists.

Park Highlights

tree Scenic River Views

tree Canoeing

tree Camping

tree Fishing

tree Rock Climbing

tree Pothole Viewing


Events

view a printable version

Find more State Park events on the DNR Events Calendar!

05/09/13

Interstate State Park

Spring into the Season: Weekly Walks

05/10/13

Interstate State Park

After Supper Stroll: Spring Symphonies

05/11/13

Interstate State Park

Pothole Exploration Tour

05/11/13

Interstate State Park

Is This Poisonous? A Plant Walk for the Curious

05/11/13

Interstate State Park

Birding for Beginners (Of All Ages)

05/12/13

Interstate State Park

Spring Wildflower Stroll

05/16/13

Interstate State Park

Spring into the Season: Weekly Walks

05/17/13

Interstate State Park

After Supper Stroll: Birds and Blooms

05/18/13

Interstate State Park

Pothole Exploration Tour

05/18/13

Interstate State Park

Hidden Alphabets: A Digital Photo Scavenger Hunt

05/18/13

Interstate State Park

Birding for Beginners (Of All Ages)

05/19/13

Interstate State Park

Pothole Exploration Tour

05/19/13

Interstate State Park

Mysterious Depths Tour

05/23/13

Interstate State Park

Spring into the Season: Weekly Walks

05/24/13

Interstate State Park

Pothole Exploration Tour

05/24/13

Interstate State Park

Evening Exploration Walk

05/25/13

Interstate State Park

Geocaching 101: An Avian Adventure

05/25/13 - 09/02/13

Interstate State Park

Pothole Exploration Tours

05/25/13

Interstate State Park

Geology Rocks! Sidewalk Stop

05/25/13

Interstate State Park

Minnesota Raptors with the Wildlife Science Center

05/26/13

Interstate State Park

Historic Photo Scavenger Hunt

05/26/13

Interstate State Park

Create Your Own Earth Art

05/27/13

Interstate State Park

Make and Take a Rock!

06/01/13

Interstate State Park

Miniature World of Mosses Walk

06/01/13

Interstate State Park

Creatures of the Potholes: Sidewalk Stop

06/01/13

Interstate State Park

Winged Tigers: Evening Program

06/02/13

Interstate State Park

Double Lives of Dragonflies: Sidewalk Stop

06/08/13

Interstate State Park

Junior Naturalists: Make and Take Mini Binoculars

06/08/13

Interstate State Park

PlayCleanGo Day

06/08/13

Interstate State Park

In-Depth Geology Tour

06/09/13

Interstate State Park

Unlock the Secrets of Skulls: Sidewalk Stop

06/10/13 - 08/26/13

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: For Ages 3-6

06/10/13

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: C is for Camouflage

06/15/13

Interstate State Park

Junior Naturalists: Insect Extravaganza

06/15/13

Interstate State Park

Amazing Amphibians: Sidewalk Stop

06/15/13

Interstate State Park

Going Batty for Bats: Evening Program

06/16/13

Interstate State Park

Make and Take: Tricky Tracks

06/17/13

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: E is for Egg

06/22/13

Interstate State Park

Hatch, Crawl, Flutter: An Evening of Butterflies

06/24/13

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: L is for Loon

06/29/13

Interstate State Park

Art in the Park...for Kids!

06/29/13

Interstate State Park

Creatures of the Potholes: Sidewalk Stop

07/01/13

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: B is for Bat


Hours

Best time to contact the park:

Spring, Summer & Fall: Daily, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Winter: Hours will vary. If no one is available, please leave a message.

Contact

307 Milltown Road
Taylors Falls, MN 55084

tel: 651-465-5711

email: interstate.statepark@state.mn.us

Getting There

From the South: Take I-35 north. Take the Taylors Falls Exit, Hwy 8 East. Follow 8 approximately 22 miles. The entrance to the park office is located on the right hand side of the road 1 mile before downtown Taylors Falls.

From the North: Take I-35 south. Take the North Branch Exit, Hwy 95 East. Drive approximately 22 miles, passing through downtown Taylors Falls. At the stoplight, turn right, heading 95 South for approximately 1 mile. Turn left to the park office.

From the East: Take Hwy 8 west into Minnesota. After crossing the St Croix River, continue traveling on Hwy 8/95 South through the first stoplight. After approximately 1 mile turn left to the park office.