From Fritz Landing the river flows through a varied landscape of open marsh and hardwood/conifer forests covering rolling hills. Beautiful stands of birch, ash, maple, spruce and pine are common. A large number of wooded islands fork the river adding to the wonderful scenery. The water is usually very clear, often revealing a sandy river bed.
This is another popular segment for long day-trips and multi-day excursions, often combined with the previous segment for 3-day, weekend trips. This stretch is almost completely flatwater with only two class 1 rapids worth noting. The first occurs where the Namekagon nears the St Croix River confluence, and the second is on the St Croix River, in the main channel alongside Big Island. Neither of these rapids should pose a problem for most novice paddlers. During high flows, some portions of the rapids can produce 1-2 foot waves.
River Camping
Paddlers seeking a fun, flatwater, 'back country' multi-day expedition may not find a better experience in Wisconsin than can be found in the thirty-five mile reach between the County K Landing on the Namekagon, and Riverside Landing on the St Croix! Camping the Namekagon is an awesome experience and highly recommended; just realize that when you hear wolves howling and yelping on a moonlit night, they are usually much farther away than they sound ...usually. Not only that, but the sounds of nature in several of the campsites can be heard throughout the night; crickets, frogs and whip-poor-wills are common.
The National Park Service has thirty-eight canoe campsites in Segments N4 and N5. Twenty-four occur in this segment (N5). Fourteen individual and six group sites are on the Namekagon; and one individual and three group sites are on the St Croix River. The group camp at Riverside Landing is vehicle accessible, however, you'll be dealing with highway noise from Highway 70 if you camp here. Most of the other sites are backcountry camping, ...and a whole lot of fun!
Individual sites accommodate up to three tents and/or eight people, while the group sites hold up to six tents and/or sixteen people. There are no fees for accessing, camping, or parking in any of the National Scenic Riverway areas. There is a three night limit of stay. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Glass beverage containers are not allowed on the riverway!
Camping at Governor Knowles
Governor Knowles State Forest is about a 50 minute drive south of Riverside Landing on Highway 35. The St Croix Family Campground has 30 rustic sites, none are reservable. The park encompasses 34,000 acres along the St Croix Riverway and features more than 78 miles of scenic hiking and equestrian trails.
Camping at St Croix State Park
Minnesota's St Croix State Park is about a 30 minute drive west of Riverside Landing on Highway 77. This is Minnesota's largest state park and features more than 200 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails. This is Minnesota's largest state park and features more than 200 miles of hiking, bicycle, and horse trails. A concession building "...offers canoe rentals, shuttle service and sells groceries, ice, camping supplies and convenience items as well as Nature Store items that include t-shirts, caps, gifts. Open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends only from May 1 to Memorial Day and Labor Day through Oct. 1."
The Visitor Center lodge "...is located in the vicinity of the campgrounds. The building is a historic log and stone building that includes flush toilets available year-round and a public shelter area with fireplace and seating for indoor programs. Building overlooks the St. Croix River."
_Source: MNDNR
The park has three campgrounds with a total of 211 drive-in sites, 2 backpack sites, 4 walk-in sites, and 7 canoe campsites on the St Croix River. Firewood is available year-round.
Season
This segment is usually navigable throughout the warm-weather season.
River Level Information
River levels are monitored by the National Park Service with frequent status updates on the webpage link below.
NPS Website: St Croix and Namekagon River Levels
Phone: Namekagon River Visitor Center: 715.635.8346