Looking for easy ways to fill a Saturday without spending hours in the car? St. Croix County makes that surprisingly simple. Whether you are new to the area, thinking about a move, or just want fresh ideas for family time, you have plenty of options close to home. From beaches and splash pads to trails, festivals, and scenic river stops, here is a practical guide to family day trips and activities around St. Croix County. Let’s dive in.
Why St. Croix County Works for Family Outings
One of the best things about spending time in St. Croix County is the variety. The county park system includes more than 1,500 acres of greenspace, 10 parks and trails, 2 forests, 92 overnight campsites, 3 boat landings, 1 kayak and canoe landing, and 3 beaches.
That means you do not need one huge attraction to make weekends fun. Instead, you get a steady mix of river access, hiking, swimming, paddling, playground time, and community events that can keep your family busy across the year.
Best Outdoor Spots in St. Croix County
Glen Hills Park for a full day
If you want one place that can do almost everything, Glen Hills Park is a strong starting point. The park covers 700 wooded acres around Glen Lake and includes camping, a swimming beach, hiking trails, disc golf, a non-motorized boat landing, and an ADA-accessible fishing pier.
It is also useful in more than one season. The day-use area stays open year-round, and winter activities include ice fishing, cross-country skiing, skating, sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Homestead Parklands for easy family variety
Homestead Parklands is another solid choice when you want a simple outing with options for different ages. The day-use area includes a fishing pier, playground, swimming beach, and hiking trails.
On weekends and holidays, watercraft rentals add another activity without needing to bring your own gear. Its location north of Hudson also makes it a convenient option for a quick afternoon trip.
Troy Beach for a river day
Troy Beach is a small day-use park on the St. Croix River, but it packs in a lot for a relaxed warm-weather stop. You will find a swimming beach, picnic tables, BBQ grills, a hammock village, and vault toilets.
A couple of practical notes matter here. Parking is limited, no pets are allowed, and no lifeguards are on duty. If you plan ahead, it can be a great spot for a short beach outing.
Apple River Park and Orf Family Overlook
If your family enjoys quieter outdoor time, Apple River Park offers a canoe and kayak launch, hiking trails, shore fishing, and a picnic table. It works well for a lower-key outing focused on water access and a walk.
Orf Family Overlook on Bass Lake adds hiking trails, scenic views, interpretive panels, and bird-watching. It is a nice pick when you want something peaceful and easy to pair with another stop nearby.
Trails and Active Day Trips
St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail
For a more structured walk or bike ride, the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail is one of the most unique outings in the area. This 4.7-mile paved trail is open year-round to pedestrians and bicycles and crosses both the St. Croix Crossing Bridge and the historic Lift Bridge.
It also includes practical amenities that make family use easier, including restrooms, seasonal water fountains, a bike aid station, and a picnic shelter. If you want a scenic route without committing to a rugged hike, this is a great fit.
Wildwood Trail for a longer ride or walk
Wildwood Trail gives you a different feel. This 7-mile off-road trail follows a former railroad right-of-way between Woodville and the Pierce County line and supports hiking, biking, jogging, and winter snowmobiling.
Because other motorized traffic is prohibited, it can feel calmer for active family time. It is a good option when your goal is simple movement and outdoor space rather than a destination stop.
Hudson-Area Family Favorites
Willow River State Park for big scenery
Willow River State Park is one of the best-known outdoor destinations near Hudson, and for good reason. The park spans 2,800 acres and includes Willow Falls, the Willow River Gorge, scenic hiking trails, family and group campgrounds, lakeside picnic areas, a nature center, paddling, fishing, swimming, and cross-country skiing.
It is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Keep in mind that a Wisconsin vehicle admission sticker is required, so it helps to plan that into your day.
Lakefront Park for simple riverfront time
Hudson’s Lakefront Park is one of those places that works in many different ways. It is great for a casual walk, watching boats, or building an easy evening around the water.
If boating is part of your plans, the city notes that the boat launch has daily fees and season-pass options. That makes it a practical option for families who like to get out on the river more than once each season.
Concerts in the Park in summer
Sometimes the best family outing is the easiest one. Hudson’s free Concerts in the Park series takes place on Thursday evenings at the Lakefront Park Bandshell during June through August.
That makes it a reliable summer option when you want something fun without a lot of planning. Bring chairs or a blanket, enjoy the setting, and let the evening stay simple.
Carpenter Nature Center for a budget-friendly outing
Carpenter Nature Center’s Wisconsin Campus in Hudson is a strong pick for families who enjoy trails and scenic views. The 300-acre preserve sits on the St. Croix River bluffs and includes prairie and wooded-bluff trails.
There is no entrance fee, the trails are open from sunrise to sunset, and the visitor center is open daily. For a low-cost day trip with room to explore, it is one of the best values in the area.
Octagon House Museum for local history
If you want to mix in a cultural stop, the Octagon House Museum and Hudson Area History Connection is a good place to keep on your list. Public information highlights family tours, field trips, rotating exhibits, events, and year-round appointment access.
It is an easy way to add some local history to your family calendar, especially when you want a break from the usual park routine.
River Falls Family Activities
Glen Park for all-ages fun
Glen Park in River Falls is one of the most flexible family stops in the county area. The 40.58-acre park includes a playground, pool, splash pad, trails, picnic shelters, picnic areas, restrooms, and several sports facilities.
The trails also connect to the Kinnickinnic Pathway and the Kinnickinnic River, which gives you room to turn a quick visit into a longer outing. If your group likes having multiple activity choices in one place, this park delivers.
Glen Park Splash Pad and Pool
The Glen Park Splash Pad is one of the clearest free summer activities nearby. It is typically open from around Memorial Day through at least Labor Day, weather permitting.
If you want a low-cost upgrade, the Glen Park Pool is another strong option. The city publishes resident and nonresident fees, and children age 4 and under are free with a paying adult.
Kinnickinnic Pathway and State Park
The Kinnickinnic Pathway adds an easy scenic walk along the west bank of the Kinnickinnic River. It includes benches, a bike trail, fishing spots, picnic tables, and a lookout deck onto Lake George.
For a bigger outdoor day, Kinnickinnic State Park offers a sandy delta, water-based recreation on the St. Croix River, 10 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and year-round access. Like other state parks, it requires a vehicle admission sticker.
Nearby Day Trips Beyond the County
Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls
If you want a bigger destination day, Interstate State Park in nearby St. Croix Falls is worth the drive. The park is known for scenic views of the St. Croix River and the Dalles, glacial formations, the Ice Age Interpretive Center, hiking, camping, fishing, rock climbing, and winter sports.
Because it is open year-round, it works well in more than just summer. A Wisconsin vehicle admission sticker is required here too.
Free and Low-Cost Ideas
If you are trying to keep family fun affordable, several local options stand out:
- Hudson Concerts in the Park are free in summer
- Glen Park Splash Pad is free
- Carpenter Nature Center has no entrance fee
- Glen Park Pool is a lower-cost summer outing
- St. Croix County Fair has free admission in 2026, though parking is charged
- Polk County Fair events are listed at under $10
- Polk County Dairy Breakfast and Brunch is listed at under $10
Affordable outings are one reason this area is so livable. You can mix larger paid activities with easy no-cost stops and still keep your weekends full.
Seasonal Events to Put on Your Calendar
Summer events
Summer brings some of the county’s easiest built-in family plans. Hudson Booster Days is a free annual Independence Day celebration at Lakefront Park with a carnival, food, live music, games, and fireworks.
River Falls Days is another major summer tradition, with parade energy, vendors, live music, a downtown car cruise, and fireworks. The 2026 festival dates are listed as July 9 through July 12.
The St. Croix County Fair in Glenwood City is also a standout, especially for families wanting a full-day event. In 2026, admission is free, while parking is charged, and the fair includes agricultural exhibits, pageants, entertainment stages, more than 12 carnival rides, tractor pulls, and a demolition derby.
Hudson RiverFest is free and runs July 22 through July 25, 2026. The event focuses on river awareness, cleanup, and family participation along the lower St. Croix.
Extra nearby event options
A few nearby add-ons can round out your calendar. Wannigan Days in St. Croix Falls is free and includes a parade, kids’ games, an arts-and-crafts fair, food, and music.
The Polk County Fair and the Polk County Dairy Breakfast and Brunch also offer budget-friendly family event options just outside St. Croix County. These can be easy choices when you want to try something a little different without planning a long trip.
Fall and winter activities
Family fun does not stop when summer ends. St. Croix Falls AutumnFest and Craft Fair is listed for October 3, 2026, with art, crafts, food, and music.
Winter also stays active in this area. Glen Hills Park offers ice fishing, groomed cross-country skiing, skating, snowmobiling, sledding, and snowshoeing, while Wildwood Trail and the year-round state parks keep outdoor options available through the colder months.
Practical Tips Before You Go
A little planning helps make these outings easier. St. Croix County notes that annual park passes are valid from January through December and can be picked up at kiosks at Homestead Parklands, Troy Beach, Pine Lake, and Glen Hills.
It is also important to know that county park fees and state park fees are separate. Willow River, Kinnickinnic, and Interstate State Park each require a Wisconsin vehicle admission sticker.
For water-focused outings, details matter. Troy Beach has limited parking and no lifeguards on duty, and Hudson’s Lakefront Park boat launch uses daily launch fees and season-pass options.
Why This Matters When You Are Choosing Where to Live
When you are deciding where to live, everyday lifestyle often matters just as much as the house itself. In St. Croix County, the real advantage is not just one destination. It is the steady mix of easy, repeatable outings that can fit real family schedules.
You have beach days, trail walks, splash pad afternoons, local festivals, river views, and winter recreation all within reach. That kind of access can make it easier to build routines, stay connected to the community, and enjoy more of your weekends.
If you are exploring homes in Hudson, River Falls, or elsewhere in the St. Croix Valley, local lifestyle is part of the picture. Melissa Wiegele can help you find a home that fits how you want to live, not just where you want to sleep.
FAQs
What are the best family parks in St. Croix County for a full day out?
- Glen Hills Park, Homestead Parklands, Willow River State Park, and Glen Park in River Falls all offer enough activities to turn a short visit into a full day.
What free family activities are available around St. Croix County?
- Good free options include Hudson Concerts in the Park, the Glen Park Splash Pad, Carpenter Nature Center, and several walking and biking trails.
Which St. Croix County activities work well in winter?
- Glen Hills Park offers ice fishing, cross-country skiing, skating, sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing, while Wildwood Trail and area state parks stay useful for winter outings.
Do St. Croix County parks and Wisconsin state parks use the same pass?
- No. St. Croix County park fees are separate from Wisconsin state park vehicle admission stickers.
Where can families find water activities around Hudson and St. Croix County?
- Families can look at Troy Beach, Homestead Parklands, Glen Hills Park, Hudson Lakefront Park boat launch, Apple River Park, Willow River State Park, and Kinnickinnic State Park for water access and water-based recreation.
What nearby day trips add to family activities around St. Croix County?
- Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls, Wannigan Days, Polk County Fair, and the Polk County Dairy Breakfast and Brunch are easy nearby add-ons for a longer day trip.
