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!

The Campground is fully open, including the shower building, water spigots and dump station. The group camp is also fully open. All restrooms and fountains on the south end of the park are open.

Visitor Center restrooms and water fountains are open at the north end of the park. The stairs into the Bake Oven are open. The Visitor Center will open for weekends May 12. Please use the self pay station until the Visitor Center opens.

New! Virtual Tour:

Take a panoramic virtual tour of Interstate State Park. In this journey you'll peek inside the visitor center, meander the trails, study the park's potholes and geological features and marvel at rock climbers scaling the basalt cliffs. It's a great tool to help you plan your next trip to the park!
Panoramic tour | Accessible tour

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.

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!

05/25/12 - 09/03/12

Interstate State Park

Pothole Exploration Tours

05/25/12

Interstate State Park

Geology Rocks! Nature Cart

05/26/12

Interstate State Park

Geocaching 101: A History Mystery

05/26/12

Interstate State Park

Tigers of the Night Sky

05/27/12

Interstate State Park

Mysterious Depths: Investigation Walk

05/27/12

Interstate State Park

Glacial Potholes Scavenger Hunt

05/27/12

Interstate State Park

Create Your Own Earth Art

05/28/12

Interstate State Park

Make and Take a Rock!

06/02/12

Interstate State Park

Fantastic Fish

06/03/12

Interstate State Park

Geology Rocks! Nature Cart

06/09/12

Interstate State Park

Geocaching Avian Adventure Kickoff

06/09/12

Interstate State Park

Bird Bonanza Day

06/11/12

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: C is for Cloud

06/11/12 - 08/27/12

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers for 3-6 year olds

06/15/12 - 08/17/12

Interstate State Park

Habitat Hoppers for 8-12 year olds

06/15/12

Interstate State Park

Habitat Hoppers: The Fantastic World of Fish

06/16/12

Interstate State Park

Junior Naturalists: A Quest for Birds

06/16/12

Interstate State Park

Make and Take a Rock!

06/16/12

Interstate State Park

Slithering Snakes of Minnesota

06/18/12

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: S is for Senses

06/22/12

Interstate State Park

Habitat Hoppers: Creatures that Live in Potholes

06/23/12

Interstate State Park

Create Your Own Earth Art

06/23/12 - 06/24/12

Interstate State Park

I Can Camp!

06/23/12

Interstate State Park

Geology Rocks! Nature Cart

06/23/12

Interstate State Park

Calling All Frogs with Randy Korb

06/23/12

Interstate State Park

I Can Climb!

06/24/12

Interstate State Park

I Can Climb! - The Next Step

06/24/12

Interstate State Park

I Can Climb! - The Next Step

06/25/12

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: T is for Tadpole

06/29/12

Interstate State Park

Habitat Hoppers: Invasion of the Habitat Snatchers

06/30/12

Interstate State Park

Nature Photography: Tips and Tricks

07/01/12

Interstate State Park

Earth Art

07/02/12

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: G is for Grindstone

07/06/12

Interstate State Park

Habitat Hoppers: Be A Geologist for a Day

07/06/12

Interstate State Park

I Can Fish!: Fishing Fridays

07/07/12

Interstate State Park

Geocaching 101: Tricky Tracks

07/07/12

Interstate State Park

Tracks and Trails Day

07/09/12

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: E is for Eagle

07/13/12

Interstate State Park

I Can Fish!: Fishing Fridays

07/13/12

Interstate State Park

Universe in the Park

07/14/12

Interstate State Park

Calling All Frogs with Randy Korb

07/16/12

Interstate State Park

Little Explorers: P is for Patterns in Nature


Hours

Best time to contact the park:

Spring, Summer & Fall: Daily, 9 a.m. - 3 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.