Sniffing Companions in St. Croix County, Wisconsin
- Luie Boone
- Jul 26
- 6 min read
This vacation destination is a part of our third series of blog posts titled Rover Ready.
If you're looking for a fun, scenic, and welcoming place to explore with your furry companion, Luie Boone has the perfect place for you: St. Croix County in Wisconsin. From off-leash dog parks and pet-friendly trails to restaurants with pup-approved patios, the communities here embrace four-legged visitors. When you're planning your vacation to enjoy with your dog, there are several cities in St. Croix County that stand out.
Let's start with St. Croix Falls. This is one of the most dog-welcoming towns in the region. The city features the spacious St. Croix Falls Dog Park at Park Rosemarie. In addition to off-leash play at the dog park, you and your dog can enjoy hiking at nearby Interstate State Park, which allows leashed pets on its scenic river trails. Local pet stores, such as Fur-Get-Me-Nots, offer everything from healthy treats to gear.
Just down the river, Hudson offers a charming mix of nature and pet-friendly urban amenities. Lakefront Park, located right on the St. Croix River, features paved paths and open lawns perfect for walking your pup. A short drive away is Willow River State Park, which provides a more adventurous experience, with hiking trails leading to waterfalls. Hudson’s dining scene also caters to pet lovers. At Urban Olive & Vine, your pup can join you on the patio, where they even offer a “Yappy Hour” menu for dogs. Luie Boone will talk about that later.
Further into the county, New Richmond and River Falls provide even more opportunities for dogs to stretch their legs. New Richmond's off-leash dog park covers over 11 acres, and it includes walking trails and benches! River Falls takes it up just a notch with it's massive 16-acre dog park, which features multiple fenced areas, water stations, and shaded trees. It's the perfect sport for both exercise and relaxation. These towns also offer scenic walks along the Kinnickinnic River and several cafes with pet-friendly outdoor seating.
Luie Boone would like to mention Glen Hills Park, which is a gem located between Baldwin and Hudson. With 700 acres surrounding Glen Lake, this county park invites dogs to enjoy the forested trails and lake views year-round. It’s a great spot for peaceful nature walks with your pup.
When exploring St. Croix County with your dog, Luie Boone wants to remind you to follow basic pet etiquette, as a few popular spots, such as Troy Beach, do not allow dogs.
Overall, St. Croix County is a top destination for dog lovers in Wisconsin. With beautiful trails, large fenced parks, and dog-welcoming businesses, it’s easy to plan a vacation that both you and your canine companion will enjoy.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Dan’s Lodge at The Eagles Roost Trout Farm
This rental has 2 bedrooms and a sleeping loft with three single beds.
There is a total of 5 beds and 1 bath.
Photos courtesy of Airbnb
It features the following amenities:
Deep woods privacy with all the comforts of home
Fishing pond (Luie Boone wonders if there are any fish like Ripple, his Rainbow Trout toy)
Weber grill and Blackstone griddle
Deck outside great room
Binoculars and birding apps
Lots of trails available to take dogs for long walks
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
There's this rental called "Dan's Lodge," which I'm pretty sure is the best place ever. It's deep in the woods of St. Croix County, Wisconsin. I'm telling you, it's seriously sounding like pure dog heaven. It’s not just a cabin; it’s a spacious 1200 square foot lodge with two bedrooms and a loft. That all sounds perfect for stretching out and sneaking in naps! Like I swear I just blinked! It wasn't like I was sleeping sitting up! Anywheres, in the rental, there’s AC, a ceiling fan, and a portable fan. That means I can cool off after all my adventures. And trust me, there will be a lot of adventures. The deck there is huge. I'll have to find a great spot for keeping an eye on the Weber Grill and Blackstone Griddle. I’m on full patrol for burgers and bacon. But the best part? A trout-filled pond and a babbling stream right on the property! I plan to splash, sniff, and politely introduce myself to every frog I find. There are even wooded trails for long, peaceful walks with my humans. Designed by Richard, the son of the owners, this place has everything: cozy vibes, an open kitchen, and big sunny windows made for dogs like me! We haven’t left yet, but if this place is as amazing as it sounds, I might just trade my leash for a log cabin key.
Paws Venture Here
Interstate State Park
Located along the picturesque St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, this state park provides scenic views of the river. Did you know this dog-friendly recreation area is Wisconsin's oldest state park? Luie Boone didn't, but he was too busy wondering if he could cannonball off that rock into the river!
Lakefront Park
This waterside community recreation area is a great place for walking the trails, swimming, or just enjoying the river with your pooch. Luie Boone reckons that he'll do all three.
Willow River State Park
This state park features an array of activities, such as hiking and picnicking. This will be an unforgettable experience for all visitors and their furry friends!
Kinnickinnic State Park
This state park is located where the St. Croix and Kinnickinnic rivers meet. Here, you can enjoy the many popular water-based recreational pursuits on the St. Croix River with your pup. There is a large sandy delta found at the junction of the rivers, and over 10 miles of hiking trails to explore.
Swing Bridge Island
Swing Bridge Island is a charming beach destination located near the historic Hudson Swing Bridge, which spans the St. Croix River. The beach itself is small and cozy. Visitors and their best friend can enjoy a variety of activities, including walking on the beach or chilling by a campfire like that pooch!
Hudson Dike
Hudson Dike is a scenic waterfront area along the St. Croix River. It offers a mix of natural beauty and recreational activities to enjoy with your doggo.
Willow River Nature Reserve
This is a nature reserve with picnic tables, hiking, and a nature center. You can take your canine companion to view the falls or, as Luie Boone hopes, zooming through the falls like that hound!
Urban Olive and Vine
This spot features a dog-friendly patio with a special "Yappy Hour" dog menu! Fido can indulge in a fresh bowl of water or a Bowser Beer (Luie Boone wants one of those!), while dining on Homemade Meatballs, a bowl of biscuits, a puppuccino, and more! For the hoomans, Urban Olive carries wine from Chateau La Paws, which is a winemaker that donates to no-kill shelters around the country. Proceeds from every bottle sold are donated to Coco's Heart Dog Rescue in Hudson.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
St. Croix County, Wisconsin
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
St. Croix County, Wisconsin sounds great doesn't it? With its open fields, trails, rivers, lakes, and cows to bark at, it sounds like a pup's paradise! Right? Well, yeah, but there's one thing we have to be sure to consider: Hunting Season. All the rural land means occasional gunfire. That's loud noises that can really scare pooches like me! My hoomans will have to plan carefully. They'll check the Wisconsin DNR website for hunting dates, and we'll stick to leashed walks near non-hunting areas. I might even wear my bright orange jacket! I can't wait to be chase butterflies and sniff everything there is to sniff (and there's a lot of things to sniff), while feeling safe and sound. If you're planning to visit St. Croix County with your pup, be sure to plan ahead so you can enjoy safely!
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