William O'Brien

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A great "get away" park only one hour from the Twin Cities, William O'Brien provides a beautiful setting for quality recreation along the banks of the St. Croix River. Hiking trails offer quiet exploration of the park's rolling, wooded hills. For anglers, the channels of the St. Croix have northerns, walleye, bass and trout. Ideal for canoeing, the river is also a migratory pathway that offers visitors an exciting diversity of sights and sounds. In the winter, snowshoeing, skiing and camping attract enthusiasts.

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

Park Notes

Virtual Tour:

Take a panoramic virtual tour of William O'Brien State Park. Peek inside the Visitor Center, meander along the hiking trail through a savanna landscape, and check out the swimming beach at Lake Alice. It's a great tool to help you plan your next trip to the park!
Panoramic tour | Accessible tour

Gift Cards:

Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card.

Camper Cabins:

The park has three year-round camper cabins and one seasonal cabin (available April through October). One year-round camper cabin is accessible, and all four have electricity.

Firewood Restrictions Information:

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

Birders:

Bird Checklist at William O'Brien State Park.

Park Highlights

Camping/Fishing	Canoeing on the St. Croix
Cross-country Skiing	Naturalist Programs
Bird Watching	Oak Savanna Restoration

Events

Find more State Park events on the DNR Events Calendar!

05/25/12	William O'Brien State Park	Beginner Bird Hike
05/26/12	William O'Brien State Park	Bugs In My Backyard! - Junior Park Naturalist Program!
05/26/12	William O'Brien State Park	Geocaching 101
05/26/12	William O'Brien State Park	Owl Pellet Mystery
05/26/12	William O'Brien State Park	Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star!
05/27/12	William O'Brien State Park	Antique Train Ride
05/28/12	William O'Brien State Park	Dare to Dream
06/09/12	William O'Brien State Park	Fly-fishing Workshop
06/16/12	William O'Brien State Park	Kids Fishing Clinic
06/16/12	William O'Brien State Park	Geocaching 101
06/16/12	William O'Brien State Park	Help Wanted! In the 1800's!
06/23/12	William O'Brien State Park	Archery In Parks
06/23/12 - 06/24/12	William O'Brien State Park	I Can Camp!
06/23/12	William O'Brien State Park	Going Green!
06/24/12	William O'Brien State Park	Archery In Parks
06/24/12	William O'Brien State Park	I Can Paddle
06/30/12	William O'Brien State Park	Picture This! Nature Photography Workshop
06/30/12	William O'Brien State Park	Lex-Ham Community Band Concert In the Park!
06/30/12	William O'Brien State Park	Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
07/07/12	William O'Brien State Park	Bringing Down Buckthorn!
07/07/12	William O'Brien State Park	Universe In The Park
07/08/12	William O'Brien State Park	Antique Train Ride

Hours

Best time to contact the park:

Spring, Summer & Fall: Daily, 8 a.m.

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

Contact

16821 O'Brien Trail North
Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047

tel: 651-433-0500

email: williamobrien.statepark@state.mn.us

Getting There

The park is located 12 miles north of Stillwater on State Highway 95, near the town of Marine on St. Croix.

William O'Brien State Park

In the area

Current conditions