Namekagon River
(N5) Fritz Landing to Riverside Landing (St Croix River), Wisconsin Trail Guide

Trail Facts

Synopsis

Trail Review

This is another popular segment for day trips and multi-day excursions for canoers and kayakers, often paddled in conjunction with the previous segment for 3-day, weekend trips. From Fritz Landing the river flows through a varied landscape of open marsh, hardwwod/conifer forest and rolling hills. Beautiful groves 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 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 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.

Paddlers seeking a fun 'back country', multi-day expedition may not find a better stretch of river in Wisconsin than can be found in the thirty-five mile stretch between the County K Landing on the Namekagon, and Riverside Landing on the St Croix! Just realize that when you hear wolves howling and yelping on a full-moon night, they are usually much farther away than they sound, ...usually.

From the National Park Service

Beginning in 2013, water will no longer be available at McDowell Bridge Landing, Riverside Landing, or the Marshland District Office on Highway 70. Please plan accordingly and bring an adequate supply of water.

Camping

Canoe/Kayak Camping

Canoe/kayak camping excursions are incredibly popular in the thirty mile reach from the County K Landing on the Namekagon to Riverside Landing on the St Croix. 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. Pretty much all 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. No glass beverage containers are allowed on the riverway!

Wisconsin State Forest Camping

Wisconsin's 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.

Minnesota State Park Camping

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.

There is a concession building that "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 St Croix State Park has three campgrounds with a total of: 211 drive-in sites, 2 backpack sites, 4 walk-in sites and, 7 canoe/kayak 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 linked to below.

NPS Website: St Croix and Namekagon River Levels
Phone Contact for River Info: NPS, Namekagon River Visitor Center: 715.635.8346