Interesting Interstate State Park

The best way to discover all that Interstate has to offer is by hiking some of the nine miles of trails found throughout the park.

Along the way Interstate's abundant wildlife, wildflowers and birds may be seen.

A 2-mile snowshoe trail starting at the Ice Age Center leads to an area of the park not easily accessible other times of the year.

As the Ice age ended, huge glaciers melted and the water carved the deep, steep-walled gorge known as the Dalles of the St. Croix.

Scenic overlooks provide the hiker with views of the spectacular scenery.
DNR Photo

Frost action and weathering over the years have formed interesting rock features such as the Old Man of the Dalles and the Devil's Chair.

Be sure to be careful when exploring the rocky areas and rimrocks.

Water from a melting glacier swirled sand and rocks around to carve this pothole in bedrock.

To enhance your visit to the park, join the naturalist for a nature program. Summer naturalist programs are offered from the Friday before Memorial Day, through Labor Day. Explore the trails, ponder the potholes, or hear the colorful history of the St. Croix River valley during a guided hike or activity.

Bald eagle watching over the river.
Photo by Dianne Bryant

In the fall, special activities may be scheduled to take advantage of the area’s beautiful colors. See our events pages for details.

The Junior Ranger and Wisconsin Explorer program offers another opportunity for adults and children (grades kindergarten and up) to learn about nature together. Activities are clearly described in the free Junior Ranger and Wisconsin Explorer booklets, available at the Park Office and the Ice Age Center. Children completing at least half of the activities will receive a free award and iron-on wildlife patch.

At the Ice Age Interpretive Center, open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can view exhibits to learn about the frozen history of Wisconsin and the gifts of the glacier. In the auditorium a 20-minute film, "Night of the Sun,"the story of glaciation in Wisconsin, is shown daily at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

For more information, ask:

Interpretive programs: Julieann Fox , (715) 483-3747
Other topics: Maureen Yunker, (715) 483-3747