Get Ready To Play!
DISCOVERY HUNT
LOCATIONS - LINKS - RESOURCES
The game is simple. Complete only ONE item from each of the six categories to play!
When you’re finished, scan the QR code on the back of the official card to submit an entry for a chance to win an overnight stay package to Polk County.
Please be aware that some of the items on the list are events and only available during those times and spring openings of certain business is weather dependent. But, no need to worry – every category will have something to do that is not event-based or weather dependent.
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get active
Walk or ride the Gandy Dancer State Trail. Stretching for 47 miles, this flat, gravel trail traverses north to south in Polk County through our charming rural towns. Find a Polk County trailhead in St. Croix Falls, Centuria, Milltown, Luck, Lewis & Frederic.
Walk or ride the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail. Stretching for 14 miles, this flat, gravel trail traverses east to west in Polk County through our communities of Dresser, Nye, Wanderoos, Deronda, and Amery. The map will help you find a trailhead in the Polk County town you want to visit.
Kayak or fish on an area lake. Spring is a great time to get out back out on the water and Polk County has over 400 lakes of various sizes for you to explore. Try one of these lakes for inland kayaking/canoeing. The Wisconsin fishing opener is Saturday, May 3, 2025, and is practically a holiday in the Midwest! Learn more about the types of fish you can find here in Polk County, and find a place to fish from shore, kayak, or boat!
Paddle the St. Croix River. You can explore the river by kayak, canoe, or even a true Paddlewheel Boat Tour. Find a boat launch inside WI Interstate State Park, Osceola Landing, Lions Park in St. Croix Falls, or further north on River Road in St. Croix Falls to Nevers Dam area.
Visit one of the newest State Parks in Wisconsin – Straight Lake State Park. Close to Luck, Wisconsin, Straight Lake is a 2,780-acre Wisconsin State Park that was established in 2002 and includes a 3.6-mile segment of the Ice Age Trail with gorgeous lake views.
Visit the oldest State Park in Wisconsin – Interstate State Park. The western terminus of the 1,200 mile National Scenic Ice Age Trail starts right at the Pothole Trail inside Interstate Park, WI. The Pothole Trail is the most geologically unique trail in the park and is just a short hike to scenic views of the Dalles of the St. Croix River gorge. Walk atop Old Man of the Dalles rock formation and past world-famous potholes formed by glacial meltwaters.
Go golfing! You know it’s officially spring when the golf courses open up! We have several to try here in Polk County.
Play pickleball or disc golf. Are you a family of pickleball players, or maybe enjoy some disc golf? You can find outdoor pickleball courts in Frederic, WI, and four indoor courts at St. Croix Pickleball and Recreational Sports Facility.
If you’re a fan of disc golf, the Reigel Mammoth Disc Golf course in St. Croix Falls is a beautiful course built near Jerusalem Pond.
Hike the “City of Trails”. St. Croix Falls is known as the City of Trails for good reason. There are more than 25 trails within the city designated for hiking and/or biking, and St. Croix Falls is proud to be the western start point of the 1,200 mile Ice Age Trail! Many spur and connector trails make traversing the city of trails easy and fun.
Ride horse or hike at Governor Knowles State Forest. Governor Knowles is your Northwoods destination for equestrian riding and camping. With more than 40 miles of maintained, well-marked horse trails winding through breathtaking upland terrain and multiple forest types.
explore history
Visit the Interpretive Center at WI Interstate State Park to learn about the glaciers.
Visitors can view exhibits to learn about the frozen history of Wisconsin and the gifts of the Ice Age.
The park’s 24-minute film, “Mammoths and Moraines: On the Trail of the Ice Age,” tells the story of glaciation in Wisconsin. This film is shown in the auditorium.
Learn why Luck, WI, was once known as the “Yo-Yo Capital of the World”! Visit the Luck Museum and learn all about how the Duncan Factory produced this famous toy right in Polk County, WI
See the historic dam at the overlook in St. Croix Falls. Built in 1907, this hydroelectric dam is located on the St. Croix River in St. Croix Falls, WI. It’s the only major dam on the river today.
Learn river history at the St. Croix River Visitor Center, a great place to begin your visit (open mid-April through October). Here, you can get assistance with trip planning, ask questions, stroll through exhibits, get your passport book stamped, and shop the bookstore.
Visit the Polk County Museum in Balsam Lake, WI Learn all things Polk County! The museum has a mission to preserve the past for future generations by collecting a unique and enduring collection of Polk County history shared with the public through programs, exhibits, and research.
treat yourself
Eat a traditional WI Fish Fry. In Wisconsin, a Friday night fish fry is practically a state law, and you can’t go wrong wherever you partake! Whether you fry up your fresh catch of the day, or visit a local dining establishment, you get to check the box for experiencing a true WI tradition.
Visit an authentic WI Supper Club. The Wisconsin Supper Club is an institution with a rich history rooted in community. With origins going back to Prohibition and made even more popular in the 1950s, when Americans were reveling in post-war abundance, supper clubs have always been all about comfort, ambiance, and of course, amazing food and drink and plenty of it.
Take time to relax in POCO. We invite you to step away from the hustle and bustle of city life to enjoy the simple pleasures of our charming, rural towns and countryside. Breathe in the fresh air, take in the views for miles, gaze at the stars of our dark skies, and savor the moment of your spring getaway in Polk County, or POCO as we affectionately call it.
Find a sweet treat. Whether your sweet treat is ice cream, a smoothie or cold brew drink, a sweet bike ride, or a walk in the woods, we invite you to take your time to indulge in the sweetness that life brings!
Dine alfresco – Picnic or Patio When the sun starts to shine, and the temps warm up, it’s officially patio season in Polk County. If a picnic is more your thing, any outdoor spot will do, but here are a couple suggestions: WI Interstate Park, Lion’s Park – St. Croix Falls, or Coon Lake Park in Frederic.
nature
Visit the Maple Farm Tour on 4-5-2-25 Mark your calendar for the first weekend in April and embark on a flavorful adventure through Northwest Wisconsin’s maple farms. Experience the charm of rural life, the warmth of local hospitality, and the unparalleled taste of fresh maple syrup.
Learn where “Earth Day” was born. Fun fact: Earth Day founder, Gaylord Anton Nelson, born and raised in Clear Lake, WI. If you want to learn more about the Earth Day founder, visit the museum in Clear Lake Historical Museum and you can discover how and why this special day was set aside.
Photograph a spring flower. When the snow melts, the spring flowers start popping up! Take a picture and post to social and let us know where you found it.
Tag us at @discoverpolkcountywi and use the hashtag #experienceitallpolkcountywi
Visit Cascade Falls in Osceola Cascade is super easy to find, right in downtown Osceola. Where else can you be on the sidewalk, window-shopping or ordering a latte, and suddenly stumble upon a 25-foot waterfall? There is a catch, though. To get to the falls, you have to brave the stairs. 135 stairs, to be exact. You start by heading down to the waterfall, so it doesn’t feel like such a big deal, but just remember the lesser-talked-about law of motion that says what goes down, must come up (totally made that up) and ration your energy!
Visit a nature preserve. Standing Cedars is rooted in the community and committed to protecting the land for the people and the environment of the Lower St. Croix River Valley. You could also try Wert Preserve or Deer Lake Conservancy in St. Croix Falls.
Find a hidden waterfall. There are a few waterfalls that are off the beaten path, but if you know where to look, you’ll be rewarded with some nice spring flow!
Watch a sunrise or sunset. Find your spot anywhere in Polk County, and stay late or wake up early to capture! Be sure to tag us @discoverpolkcountywi and hashtag #experienceitallpolkcountywi
Find a pothole. We have a lot of POTHOLES in Polk County, and we don’t mean on our roads! Over 200 glacial potholes of various sizes can be carved into Interstate State Park’s basalt bedrock. These potholes were drilled by the powerful waters of the Glacial St. Croix River 10,000 years ago. Where water and sand swirled, a pothole was formed. You can see a pothole up close if you visit WI Interstate State Park.
Spot a deer, eagle, swan, or bear. Stroll through Fawn Doe Rosa. a wooded education park, where you can even pet deer, feed the goats, or ride a pony. You even have the chance to see a grizzly bear, mountain lion, and elk. (Opens for the season May 3, 2025.)
Or, find some time to spot an eagle, swan, or other wildlife along the St. Croix River, or the countryside of Polk County. Look for open waters to catch the migrating bald eagles and turkey vultures. Trumpeter swans also enjoy the open waters of the river and area lakes in the spring.
art and about
Visit the mural in downtown Luck or St. Croix Falls. Polk County is known for its outdoor recreation, but it has plenty of places and spaces to celebrate the arts. Take in the local talent and some human-made beauty sprinkled among all the natural scenery!
Visit the Historic Auditorium to watch a performance or show! In April, the St. Croix Festival Theatre will perform “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” at the newly renovated Historic Auditorium. Be sure to check out other shows and performances as they are announced! You may even be able to catch an afternoon movie, just like old times, at the Historic Auditorium!
Make a stop on the Earth Arts Tour. May 2, 2025 – May 4, 2025. Fri, Sat & Sun 10 am-5 pm. This self-guided 23rd Annual Tour of galleries and artist studios throughout Polk County, WI allows you to explore at your own pace. Come enjoy spring, small towns and our countryside. Driving around, you’ll see the simple, distinctive Art Tour signs directing you to the various studios and galleries hosting our Earth Arts members. Stop at the Polk County Visitor Center to grab a tour map and see the art displayed at this official stop on the tour!
Visit our Public Art around Polk County Public art raises the visibility and awareness of the Arts in our communities. Try the public commons at the library plaza in St. Croix Falls or the sculpture scene in Frederic, WI that includes the sculpture “Circle of Stones”. You can also explore the new “Yo-Yo” kiosk that is located along the Gandy Dancer State Trail in Luck, near West 1st Avenue.
Find something unique at our area boutique, antique, vintage, and upcycle shops. You never know what treasure you’ll find hunting around at the area shops. People come from miles around to find something special back home with them. We invite you to stroll any of our downtown areas and you’ll find a place to shop!
Take an art class while you visit. Explore your creative side as you dive into learning an art form. Polk County has classes on ceramics, pottery, painting, bead making. and more. Try the WHAT Art School in St. Croix Falls, or the Frederic Arts Center in Frederic to find a spring class.
find a view
Take a scenic drive on an “official” rustic road. Rustic Road 67 winds through Turtle Lake to the north. It is located in both Barron and Polk Counties, portions of Pine Street, 13 3/4 Avenue, West County Line Road and 16th Avenue, which form a loop from US 8 to US 63. This paved Rustic Road travels for 4.6 miles and winds through woods and wetlands, along fields and forests, and around the edge of Skinaway Lake. This route provides a quiet, natural, picturesque adventure through the northwestern Wisconsin countryside.
Rustic Road 101 starts at County S, forming a loop off WIS 35 between Osceola and St. Croix Falls. It travels for 4.3 paved miles and features oak, cedar and pine trees, a trout stream, rock outcroppings and a variety of wildlife as it parallels the St. Croix River. Trailheads are adjacent to the road. The traveler will also pass by the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway ranger station and maintenance facility.
Another great option (although not an “official” rustic road, is if you’re coming up from the Twin Cities, come up MN Hwy 95 and cross the 243 bridge at Osceola. Head north up 35 toward St. Croix Falls, and loop back to MN 95 via the Hwy 8 bridge. Take your time – there are plenty of stops you’ll want to make along the way!
Take a train ride in Osceola! Late Spring welcomes back train rides at the Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway! You’ll cross into Minnesota on the Cedar Bend Draw Bridge, stopping in Marine on St. Croix, then returning to Osceola. The views of the countryside and river from the train are amazing!
Hike to the bluff top in Osceola for a view of the St. Croix River. Look for the Geiger Brewery ruins and climb the steps to the Picnic Bluff. Loop around for sweeping views of the St. Croix River, and check out the new sign dedicated to John Simenstad, who worked hard to establish this fantastic public trail.
See two states at once! There are many places where you can see both MN and WI at once in Polk County, but here are a few you can try. Walk or drive the Hwy 8 bridge between St. Croix Falls, and Taylors Falls, MN. Here you’ll see the rushing waters of the St. Croix River flanked by WI and MN. Or take the 243 bridge into Osceola from MN and make a stop at the scenic overlook to glimpse an upstream view of the St. Croix River with MN and WI on each side. If you need to stretch your legs, hike to the Pothole Trail or the Summit Rock Trail at WI-Interstate and catch a glimpse of both MN and WI! If you love views, try to complete all three of our top scenic views in Polk County!
Get a view from a bike seat or ATV! As the mud dries up, you’ll want to bust out your bike or ATV/UTV and start to explore our trails! Our area gravel bike trails traverse the county for miles in every direction, and we’ve got ATV trails that will rev up the fun this spring!
