Snapshot: Wild River State Park

Less than a two-hour drive from most Minnesotans, Wild River State Park offers ready access to nearly 7,000 acres of remarkably untrammeled pine and hardwood forest, prairie, oak savanna, and river habitat.

Seasonal Adventures Rent a pair of skis at the trail center, then explore the rich habitat and gentle terrain along about 35 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails. At day's end, buy a cup of chili and warm up by the fireplace in the trail center. Come back in spring, summer, and fall to horseback ride on 20 miles of designated trails, or hike, backpack, or canoe, or even catch feisty smallmouth bass from the St. Croix, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River.

Fun Fact A solar water heater installed in 1998 helps supply the campgroundÂ’s shower facility.

Spot This In winter look for bald eagles and trumpeter swans—sometimes three dozen or more—near the Nevers Dam site and along riverside trails.

Home Sweet Home If youÂ’d like to stay and play but you're not much for tenting, reserve the parkÂ’s guesthouse or one of the two heated camping cabins. Other lodging opportunities include 96 semimodern campsites and specialized camping facilities for backpackers, canoeists, horseback riders, and group campers.

People's Prairie Park naturalist Dave Crawford began enlisting volunteers to help restore prairie and oak savanna to Wild River in 1993. Thanks to thousands of scouts, schoolchildren, and adults, more than 400 acres of prairie now grace the park. Stop by in spring to see violets and puccoon in bloom. Enjoy the glow of red and golden native grasses as summer turns to fall. To help with seed sowing or harvest, contact Crawford at 651-583-2925 or dave.crawford@state.mn.us.

Events Jan. 14 ski four miles of candlelit trails and warm up around a bonfire while enjoying treats and music. Or try snowshoeing on a naturalist-led hike Jan. 7, 21, or 28.

Insider's Favorite Park manager Shawn Donais loves to ski the 5-mile Deer Creek Loop, which leads to a spring-fed pond that attracts a variety of wildlife. "You really get a feeling you're out in the middle of nowhere," he says.

History This area has been inhabited by humans for some 6,000 years. European settlers logged and farmed the area and built two trading posts here in the 1800s. In 1890, Nevers Dam was constructed on the St. Croix River to raise water levels in hopes of reducing the massive jams that occurred as lumberjacks floated millions of logs downstream to mills. In 1973 the Legislature established Wild River State Park. An exhibit next to the trail center parking lot tells the tale of giant pines that once towered over the land and waters. A number of kiosks around the park paint a colorful picture of the parkÂ’s rich cultural history.

For more information see www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/wild_river or contact the DNR.