Author: Wild Rivers Conservancy and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Our National Park spaces across the country are a treasure to be enjoyed by all. Many visitors have built traditions of recreating and exploring these natural wonders, while some will have their very first park experience this year. Each April, the National Park Service and its partners take time to celebrate this tradition of recreation, conservation, and cultural significance of the National Park System. National Park Week is a few weeks away, April 20th - 28th. This is a time for all of us, including the St. Croix Scenic Riverway and its Partner, the Wild Rivers Conservancy, to inspire others to share their “Park Story”.
While April can often bring tumultuous weather in the upper mid-west, National Park Week can also be a time to plan future endeavors in fairer conditions. Within a 12-hour drive from Osceola, there are several national park sites and other noteworthy destinations that would make for an excellent road trip. One option is Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota, known for its pristine lakes, rugged landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Another option is Badlands National Park in South Dakota, famous for its striking geological formations and expansive vistas. These destinations offer opportunities for outdoor adventure, scenic drives, and memorable experiences that would make for a rewarding road trip.
A family vacation is the perfect chance to visit a park space, if only for a day. How about visiting a historic quarry? Located in southwest Minnesota, Pipestone National Monument protects both a resource and the rights of Native Americans to extract the same resource. For 3,000 years, Indigenous people from across the continent have traveled here to quarry a soft, red stone (pipestone) to carve into pipes used in prayer and ceremonies. The Monument also preserves a distinctive geological story, glacial history, and 301 acres of tallgrass prairie with hiking trails and a visitor center.
For many readers, there is a National Park Space worth exploring close to home! The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, encompassing the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers is the perfect destination to explore and make family memories. Before being protected as part of a unique National Park in 1968, the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers were well-known paddling and fishing destinations. Over 50 years later, these waters continue to create memories. Whether you are a beginning kayaker looking for an easy day paddle or an experienced canoeist searching for a weeklong adventure, over 200 miles of protected waters of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway await your discovery.
For families looking to explore nature with their young children, what is more exciting than visiting St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and meeting a Ranger? Becoming a Junior Ranger yourself! The National Scenic Riverway’s Junior Ranger Program is designed for the whole family to learn more about the park by completing fun activities found in a booklet. After completing the requirements of the booklet, one can earn a badge at their very own pledge ceremony.
Don’t limit your park experience to the daytime. National Parks are a great place to look up and take in the night sky! Nighttime views and environments are among the critical park features the National Park Service protects. When was the last time you saw the Milky Way? That first time can be magical—laying out under a sea of glistening stars and looking up and feeling so small.
No matter what your park experience looks like this year, we are here to make it a positive one. Wild Rivers Conservancy and The St. Croix Scenic Riverway staff are dedicated to sharing our knowledge, helping visitors make the most of their visit, and taking care of this rare ecological space.
To plan your next National Park experience and tell “Your Park Story” visit www.wildriversconservancy.org or https://www.nps.gov/sacn/ to learn more.