St. Croix River, William O'Brien SPK State Water *

William O'Brien State Park offers convenient water access to the scenic St. Croix River near Marine on Saint Croix. The park features a dedicated boat ramp for launching kayaks, canoes, and motorboats. This location provides an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the St. Croix, a designated National Scenic Riverway known for its scenic valleys and rock formations. The park itself is situated in rolling, wooded terrain about an hour from the Twin Cities, making it a popular destination for day trips and longer paddling adventures.

The St. Croix in this area supports a diverse fishery and is popular with both paddlers and anglers. For those planning multi-mile paddles, nearby access points include the Highway 8 Wayside (approximately 0.6 miles upriver through the Dalles, featuring impressive rock walls) and other landings throughout the river corridor. The park also offers additional amenities including hiking trails and seasonal boat rentals. Visitors should note that the St. Croix is a working river with tour boat traffic, so paddlers should stay aware of larger vessel activity and plan accordingly.