Solon Springs Wisconsin Attractions

Upper St. Croix Lake is an 875-acre lake fed by springs and cold-water tributary streams. St. Croix Creek at the north end of the lake is the true headwaters of the St. Croix River. In this lake there is good fishing for northern pike, bass, panfish, and walleye. This area was formed in the most recent glacial era by a southern outlet from Lake Duluth (precursor to Lake Superior). Alternative launch sites are shown on the map.

Crownhart Island in the southern part of the lake was once an Ojibwe village and is described in the diaries of early explorers.

Recommended Follow the Brule Bog Trail north from the trailhead at County A, gently descending across St. Croix Creek and into a landscape of white cedar, balsam fir, ash and alder. Long sections of boardwalk lead through the bog, which in summer is emerald green with ferns, mosses and splashes of white orchids. Both trails are well used, so expect a packed path

Headwaters of the St. Croix River (French: Holy Cross) is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 164 miles (264 km) long, in the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The lower 125 miles (201 km) of the river form the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The river is a National Scenic Riverway under the protection of the National Park Service. A hydroelectric plant at St. Croix Falls supplies power to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

Cut-Away Bridge was once the site of an old logging dam. It now is part of a winter trail system. Put-in and take-out is best accomplished from the downstream side of this bridge.

Palmer's Landing, named for a former resort is by the source of the St. Croix Lake at the north end of the lake. The St. Croix River flows south and the Brule River flows north from the nearby continental divide. The "Portage Trail" provided a water transport route connecting the two waterways. There is a nice picnic area, boat launch and dock here. Also an artesian well--so fill up your water jugs before hiking the Portage Trail section of the North Country trail!

Palmer Landing is the local name for the St. Croix Lake Landing at the northeast corner of Upper St. Croix Lake. This landing is immediately adjacent to the North Country Trail, which is a 4,600 mile hiking path from North Dakota to New York. This point is also near the southern end of the historic Brule-St. Croix Portage Trail. The Portage Trail and our water trail are part of one of the most important historic routes between Lake Superior and the Mississippi River. Ojibwe (Chippewa) people used this route starting in the late 1500's. It was likely used for thousands of years by other indigenous peoples, preceding the French explorers and trappers who followed this route in 1680, the English in 1766, and the Americans in 1832.

Lucius Woods County Park

Lucius Woods County Park has a self-registration campground with 24 sites (including 13 with electrical hook-up) containing fire rings, picnic tables, and benches. There is a sanitary dump station and the restrooms include hot water showering facilities.
The park has many hiking trails, a bateau shelter, children's playground, beautiful swimming beach, a large log pavilion with a fieldstone fireplace, many picnic areas with grills, and an open-air performing arts amphitheater.

The amphitheater is home to Music in the Park, a concert series in the open air on the shore of Lake St. Croix. The Giesen Concert Shell is the backdrop for the performances on Saturday evenings throughout the summer. The schedule changes annually. To view a schedule of the concerts, visit
Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center