The town of Osceola, Wisconsin is located on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, about 40 miles northeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul. It’s a great launching-off point for a trip to Apostle Island National Lakeshore or the North Woods of Wisconsin.
Osceola has classic Midwestern small-town charm. It was settled in 1844 and the historic downtown consists of buildings from the 1880s as well as more modern structures. There are plenty of things to do.
Wisconsin Interstate Park
A great introduction to the area is a stop at Wisconsin Interstate Park—it’s about 15 minutes from Osceola and well worth the visit. It’s Wisconsin’s oldest state park (established in 1900), and has incredible views of the river and a steep-sided gorge known as the Dalles of the St. Croix. The park is also home to the Ice Age Interpretive Center where visitors can check out exhibits that share the frozen history of Wisconsin. There are also some great hiking trails.
Riverwood Canoe and Kayak
Spend an afternoon kayaking down the St. Croix River. Riverwood Canoe and Kayak has a super easy setup. You park your car at their location 15 minutes before the hour. Shuttles leave every hour and take passengers seven miles down the river at the kayak launch point. Then you can take a leisurely paddle back the seven miles (it takes about 3-4 hours depending on your paddling speed). You can bring a picnic lunch and stop along the river and take a break. Once your kayak reaches the Osceola landing, a shuttle driver will bring you back to your car. It’s easy and lots of fun.
Trollhaugen Adventure Park
If you’re looking for a full-body workout, head to Trollhaugen Adventure Park. It’s an aerial challenge ropes course and zip line park about 10 minutes from Osceola. Kids and adults go through a series of obstacle courses—think ropes, balancing beams, floating tires, nets and swings—each a bit more difficult than the previous one. It’s a good way to build confidence and test your ability to push yourself. The course has seven different circuits and five levels of difficulty, so you can easily spend hours here. Be sure to book a combination pass that allows for both the ropes course and the zipline.
Hike the Falls Bluff Loop
A really nice hike—and a great way to get up close to the Cascade Falls—is the Falls Bluff Loop. You’ll be able to hike the switchbacks of the bluffs and take in the views of the St. Croix…
Read More: Small-Town Charm With Plenty To Do